10 AI Prompts That 10x Your SDR Productivity (Copy-Paste Ready)
The difference between a mediocre AI response and a game-changing one? The prompt.
With 57% of enterprises now using AI agents for multi-stage sales workflows and 80% reporting measurable ROI, the SDRs who master prompting are pulling ahead fast. They're not working harder—they're working smarter by getting 10x better outputs from the same AI tools everyone else has access to.
Here's the thing: anyone can send 10,000 emails for pennies now. The SDRs crushing quota aren't just using AI—they're using it strategically with prompts that deliver genuinely personalized, insight-driven outreach.
Below are 10 copy-paste prompts I use daily. Each one is battle-tested, includes template variables you can customize, and comes with a real example of what great output looks like.
Why Good Prompts Actually Matter
Most SDRs treat ChatGPT or Claude like a magic 8-ball: ask a vague question, get a vague answer.
Bad prompt: "Write me a sales email"
Good prompt: Specific context + clear task + desired format + constraints
The difference in output quality is staggering. A well-crafted prompt transforms AI from a generic text generator into your personal sales research analyst, copywriter, and strategist—all in one.
Think of prompts like instructions to a brilliant but literal-minded assistant. The more context and specificity you provide, the more valuable the output.
The 10 Prompts
1. Lead Research Deep Dive
Use this before any outreach to uncover insights that make your emails impossible to ignore.
You are a B2B sales research analyst. I need comprehensive research on [CONTACT_NAME], [ROLE] at [COMPANY].
Research and provide:
1. **Company Overview**: What does [COMPANY] do? Recent news, funding, acquisitions in the last 12 months
2. **Role Context**: What are typical priorities and challenges for a [ROLE] at a company this size?
3. **Potential Pain Points**: Based on their industry ([INDUSTRY]) and company stage, what problems might they face that [YOUR_PRODUCT] could solve?
4. **Personalization Hooks**: Any recent LinkedIn posts, podcast appearances, awards, or public content I can reference?
5. **Recommended Angle**: What's the single most compelling reason this person should take a meeting?
Be specific. Avoid generic statements. If you don't know something, say so rather than guessing.
Example output:
"Jake recently posted on LinkedIn about struggling with lead quality from ZoomInfo. His company just raised Series B—likely scaling the sales team. Angle: position around the pain of scaling outbound while maintaining personalization quality."
2. Hyper-Personalized First Email
Transform your research into emails that actually get replies.
Write a cold email to [CONTACT_NAME], [ROLE] at [COMPANY].
**Context about them:**
[PASTE YOUR RESEARCH OR KEY FACTS]
**What we sell:**
[YOUR_PRODUCT] helps [TARGET_PERSONA] to [MAIN_VALUE_PROP].
**Rules:**
- Maximum 100 words
- Open with something specific to them (NOT "I hope this finds you well")
- One clear pain point, one clear value statement
- End with a low-friction CTA (not "Let me know if you'd like to chat")
- Tone: confident but not pushy, conversational but professional
- No buzzwords like "synergy," "leverage," or "unlock"
Write 3 variations with different opening hooks.
Pro tip: Always generate multiple variations. The first option is rarely the best.
3. Objection Handling Scripts
Prepare for common pushbacks before they happen.
I'm an SDR selling [YOUR_PRODUCT] to [TARGET_PERSONA].
The prospect just said: "[OBJECTION]"
Give me:
1. **Why they're saying this**: What's the real concern behind this objection?
2. **Acknowledge & Pivot**: A response that validates their concern without being defensive
3. **Proof Point**: A stat, case study reference, or third-party validation I could use
4. **Redirect Question**: A question that moves the conversation forward
Keep responses conversational—I'm on a call, not writing an essay.
Common objections to prep:
- "We already use [COMPETITOR]"
- "We don't have budget right now"
- "Send me some information" (the brush-off)
- "I need to talk to my team"
- "We're not looking at this until Q3"
4. Pre-Call Research Brief
Never walk into a call blind again. Run this 10 minutes before every meeting.
I have a call in 10 minutes with [CONTACT_NAME], [ROLE] at [COMPANY].
Create a 1-page call prep brief:
**Quick Company Context:**
- What they do (1 sentence)
- Size, funding stage, recent news
- Tech stack if known
**This Person:**
- Career background (quick summary)
- Likely priorities in their role
- Any content they've published
**Conversation Starters:**
- 2-3 specific things I can reference to build rapport
**Likely Pain Points:**
- Based on role + company context
**Questions I Should Ask:**
- 3 discovery questions tailored to their situation
**Red Flags to Watch:**
- What might indicate this isn't a good fit?
Keep it scannable—bullet points, not paragraphs.
5. LinkedIn Connection Request
Stand out in a sea of "I'd love to connect" messages.
Write a LinkedIn connection request to [CONTACT_NAME], [ROLE] at [COMPANY].
**What I know about them:**
[ONE SPECIFIC FACT OR OBSERVATION]
**Rules:**
- Maximum 280 characters (LinkedIn limit)
- Reference something specific about them
- Give a reason to connect (not "I'd love to pick your brain")
- No pitch, no ask—just genuine connection
- Sound like a human, not a sales bot
Write 3 options.
Example output:
"Hey Sarah—saw your take on intent data in that RevOps Co-op thread. Spot on. Would love to connect with folks who actually get the signal-vs-noise problem. — [NAME]"
6. Follow-Up Email Sequence
Because 80% of deals require 5+ touches, but most SDRs give up after 2.
I sent a cold email to [CONTACT_NAME] at [COMPANY] about [TOPIC/VALUE_PROP].
No response after [X] days.
Write follow-up email #[2/3/4] that:
- Doesn't just "bump" or "circle back" (those are lazy)
- Adds NEW value: a relevant insight, resource, or angle
- Is shorter than the previous email
- Has a different CTA approach
- Maintains my dignity (no begging, guilt-tripping, or "I guess you're not interested")
**Previous email summary:**
[1-2 SENTENCES ON WHAT YOU SENT]
**Optional new hook:**
[ANY NEW NEWS, TRIGGER, OR INSIGHT ABOUT THEIR COMPANY]
Follow-up framework:
- Email 2: New angle + social proof
- Email 3: Relevant content/resource share
- Email 4: Breakup email (creates urgency without desperation)
7. Competitive Battlecard
Know your competition cold.
I sell [YOUR_PRODUCT] and often compete against [COMPETITOR].
Create a quick competitive battlecard:
**[COMPETITOR] Overview:**
- What they do, who they serve
- Pricing model if known
- Key features/strengths
**Where They Win:**
- What are they genuinely good at?
- What types of companies choose them?
**Where We Win:**
- Based on [YOUR_DIFFERENTIATORS], where do we have an advantage?
**Common Objections When They're Incumbent:**
- What will prospects say if they're already using [COMPETITOR]?
**Displacement Talk Track:**
- How do I respectfully position against them without bashing?
**Trap Questions:**
- Questions I can ask that highlight our strengths vs. their weaknesses?
For a deeper dive on AI tool comparisons, check out our Claude vs ChatGPT for Sales Teams breakdown.
8. Meeting Prep & Demo Customization
Tailor your demo to what actually matters to this specific buyer.
I'm preparing a demo for [CONTACT_NAME], [ROLE] at [COMPANY].
**What we've learned in discovery:**
[KEY PAIN POINTS, GOALS, OR REQUIREMENTS]
**Their industry:** [INDUSTRY]
**Company size:** [SIZE]
**Current solution:** [WHAT THEY USE TODAY]
Help me prepare:
1. **Demo Flow**: What features should I prioritize and in what order?
2. **Tailored Talk Track**: How do I frame each feature in terms of THEIR specific problems?
3. **ROI Story**: What metrics would resonate most with a [ROLE]?
4. **Landmines to Avoid**: Based on their current setup, what might cause objections?
5. **Next Steps to Propose**: What's a logical follow-up that advances the deal?
9. Account Prioritization Matrix
Stop wasting time on accounts that will never close.
I have [X] accounts in my territory. Help me prioritize them.
Here's the data:
[PASTE ACCOUNT LIST WITH: Company name, industry, size, last activity, any signals]
Score and rank these accounts based on:
1. **Fit Score**: How well do they match our ICP ([DESCRIBE YOUR ICP])?
2. **Timing Signals**: Any indicators they're in-market now?
3. **Access**: Do we have a path to decision-makers?
4. **Deal Size Potential**: What's the likely ACV?
Output as a tiered list:
- **Tier 1 (Hot)**: Work these daily
- **Tier 2 (Warm)**: Work these weekly
- **Tier 3 (Nurture)**: Monthly touch, not priority
Include a 1-sentence reasoning for each Tier 1 account.
10. End-of-Day Summary & Tomorrow's Plan
Close out strong, start tomorrow with momentum.
Here's what happened in my sales day:
**Calls made:** [X]
**Emails sent:** [X]
**Replies received:** [X]
**Meetings booked:** [X]
**Deals advanced:** [LIST]
**Stalled deals:** [LIST]
**Notable wins:** [ANY]
**Frustrations:** [ANY]
Help me:
1. **Reflect**: What worked well today? What patterns do I see?
2. **Diagnose**: If I'm behind on [SPECIFIC_METRIC], what might be causing it?
3. **Prioritize Tomorrow**: Based on my pipeline, what are the 3 highest-leverage activities for tomorrow?
4. **Prepare**: Any specific accounts or tasks I should prep tonight?
Be direct and actionable—I want to leave with a clear plan.
How to Use These Prompts Effectively
Having great prompts is only half the battle. Here's how to get maximum value:
1. Build Your Prompt Library
Save these in a doc, Notion, or your CRM snippets. The SDRs who move fastest have their prompts one click away.
2. Customize the Variables
The [BRACKETS] are your personalization points. The more specific you make them, the better your output. Generic inputs = generic outputs.
3. Iterate on Outputs
First output is a draft, not a final. Ask follow-up questions like:
- "Make it shorter"
- "Make the CTA more casual"
- "Give me a version for a technical buyer"
4. Layer Your AI Usage
Use prompt #1 (research) → feed that output into prompt #2 (email). Chain them for compounding quality.
5. Learn From What Works
When an email gets a reply or a call goes well, reverse engineer it. Update your prompts with what's working.
Bonus: Template Variables Cheat Sheet
Keep these placeholders consistent across all your prompts:
| Variable | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
[CONTACT_NAME] | Prospect's first name | Sarah |
[ROLE] | Their job title | VP of Sales |
[COMPANY] | Their company name | Acme Corp |
[INDUSTRY] | Their vertical | Fintech |
[YOUR_PRODUCT] | What you sell | MarketBetter |
[TARGET_PERSONA] | Who you sell to | B2B sales teams |
[MAIN_VALUE_PROP] | Core benefit | identify high-intent buyers before competitors |
[COMPETITOR] | Who you're up against | ZoomInfo |
[OBJECTION] | What they said | "We already have a solution" |
[YOUR_ICP] | Ideal customer profile | Series B+ SaaS, 50-500 employees |
The Real Unlock: AI + Human Connection
Here's what most people get wrong about AI in sales:
The goal isn't to replace human connection—it's to create more time for it.
When you use AI to handle the research, first drafts, and analysis, you free up mental bandwidth for what actually closes deals: genuine conversations, creative problem-solving, and building real relationships.
With AI, anyone can send 10,000 emails for pennies. Human connection is almost the premium currency left in B2B.
These prompts help you do the busywork faster so you can invest your energy where it actually matters.
Ready to Go Beyond Prompts?
Want to see these prompting principles built into an actual AI-powered sales workflow? Book a demo of MarketBetter and see how we turn intent signals into personalized outreach—automatically.
Or if you're the DIY type, check out our tutorial on how to build your own AI SDR using tools you already have.
Now go make those prompts work for you. Bookmark this page, copy what resonates, and start experimenting. The SDRs who master AI prompting today will be tomorrow's sales leaders.