Sales-qualified lead (SQL)
An SQL is a lead a salesperson has checked and judged ready for a real sales conversation, not just an inbound form fill.
By Hershey, Founder & CEOJune 20262 min read
A sales-qualified lead is a lead that a salesperson has checked and judged ready for a real conversation. It is a step past a marketing-qualified lead, which is only a sign of interest such as a download or a form fill.
The line that matters is intent. An SQL has a problem you solve, the authority or influence to act, and a reason to talk now.
Why the bar matters
If you count every reply as a lead, your pipeline looks full and forecasts poorly. A firm qualification bar, applied by an SDR against the ideal customer profile, is what makes a booked meeting mean a buyer.
Reading about it is the easy part.
A 30-minute call to map your ICP, your deal shape, and whether managed outbound is the right lever right now.