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Stop Sending SDRs to Do a Marketer’s Job: The Case for MDRs
In this Starr-Led solo episode of Revenue Rehab, Brandi Starr brings a But How perspective to the widespread practice of handing qualified leads from marketing to SDRs and BDRs. Challenging the assumption that sales pressure is the next logical step, Brandi argues that most buyers are actually looking for guidance—not a hard sell—during the critical middle of the funnel. She introduces the vital, often-overlooked role of Marketing Development Reps (MDRs) and offers a blueprint for structuring this function to accelerate revenue. CMOs and CROs will find a compelling case for rethinking funnel strategy to close the costly gap between marketing and sales.
Episode Type: Starr-Led
Brandi Starr cuts through industry noise with bold, unfiltered insights on revenue growth. These solo episodes challenge outdated advice, debunk myths, and break down industry reports to reveal what really drives results. Expect sharp commentary, data-backed analysis, and actionable strategies to refine your marketing and sales approach.
Bullet Points of Key Topics + Chapter Markers:
Topic #1: Middle of the Funnel Is the New Battleground [03:31] Brandi spotlights a massive structural gap in the revenue funnel, arguing that 95% of the buying journey now happens before a buyer ever engages with sales. She insists that traditional automation and nurture flows can only take buyers so far—leaving them stuck, overwhelmed, and underserved. Her message is clear: CMOs and CROs must prioritize MoFu strategies and stop letting this “messy middle” bleed potential revenue.
Topic #2: Marketing Development Reps (MDRs) are Essential, Not Optional [05:43] Brandi challenges the notion that sales development roles (SDRs/BDRs) can handle the middle-funnel gap, claiming they are “chasing meetings and demos” rather than nurturing. She makes a bold case for MDRs—empathetic, insight-driven professionals who guide engaged but not-yet-ready buyers—arguing that organizations without them are leaving high-value leads to stall. Her advice: pilot or reassign resources now, and build MDR compensation and measurement around MoFu KPIs rather than pipeline quotas.
Topic #3: Rethink Buying Committee Support and Buyer Experience [14:54] Brandi exposes how complex sales cycles with large committees need a strategic MoFu resource to guide and enable all stakeholders—not just the lead contact. She advocates for a shift from automation-focused nurturing to human-led support that’s “not pushy, not looking for a quota”—arguing that this trust-driven approach becomes a competitive differentiator. Her test: if your deals are complex and require consultative education, then building this role is overdue.
Why Should Revenue Leaders Stop Ignoring This Problem Right Now?
Because you’re wasting millions generating leads only to watch 60% vanish into a black hole between marketing and sales. Brandi makes it clear: this isn’t a lead quality issue—it’s a structural gap where overwhelmed buyers stall out, SDRs get misused, and revenue opportunities die in the messy middle. Ignoring it means you’re losing deals not due to weak campaigns, but because nobody is actively guiding buyers through their biggest hurdles before they're ready to talk to sales.
What’s the First Action Someone Should Take to Apply This Insight Today?
Brandi says: shift your mindset to focus on the middle of the funnel—stop obsessing over top-of-funnel leads or bottom-of-funnel closes, and interrogate what your buyers actually need between those points so you can design support that accelerates their internal decision process. If you’re not prioritizing MoFu strategy, that’s your urgency—start now.
Takeaway
Brandi challenges revenue leaders to fundamentally rethink the buying journey, pointing out that most of the action—and friction—now happens in the messy middle of the funnel, not at the top or bottom. She urges leaders to shift their mindset away from traditional sales and marketing silos, and start prioritizing buyer enablement and support during that critical middle stage. The key move? Stop neglecting the middle of the funnel—design roles, strategies, and resources specifically to guide buyers through this phase, ensuring you become their go-to partner, not just another vendor pushing a quota.
Subscribe, listen, and rate/review Revenue Rehab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts , Amazon Music, or iHeart Radio and find more episodes on our website RevenueRehab.live
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By TegritaIn this Starr-Led solo episode of Revenue Rehab, Brandi Starr brings a But How perspective to the widespread practice of handing qualified leads from marketing to SDRs and BDRs. Challenging the assumption that sales pressure is the next logical step, Brandi argues that most buyers are actually looking for guidance—not a hard sell—during the critical middle of the funnel. She introduces the vital, often-overlooked role of Marketing Development Reps (MDRs) and offers a blueprint for structuring this function to accelerate revenue. CMOs and CROs will find a compelling case for rethinking funnel strategy to close the costly gap between marketing and sales.
Episode Type: Starr-Led
Brandi Starr cuts through industry noise with bold, unfiltered insights on revenue growth. These solo episodes challenge outdated advice, debunk myths, and break down industry reports to reveal what really drives results. Expect sharp commentary, data-backed analysis, and actionable strategies to refine your marketing and sales approach.
Bullet Points of Key Topics + Chapter Markers:
Topic #1: Middle of the Funnel Is the New Battleground [03:31] Brandi spotlights a massive structural gap in the revenue funnel, arguing that 95% of the buying journey now happens before a buyer ever engages with sales. She insists that traditional automation and nurture flows can only take buyers so far—leaving them stuck, overwhelmed, and underserved. Her message is clear: CMOs and CROs must prioritize MoFu strategies and stop letting this “messy middle” bleed potential revenue.
Topic #2: Marketing Development Reps (MDRs) are Essential, Not Optional [05:43] Brandi challenges the notion that sales development roles (SDRs/BDRs) can handle the middle-funnel gap, claiming they are “chasing meetings and demos” rather than nurturing. She makes a bold case for MDRs—empathetic, insight-driven professionals who guide engaged but not-yet-ready buyers—arguing that organizations without them are leaving high-value leads to stall. Her advice: pilot or reassign resources now, and build MDR compensation and measurement around MoFu KPIs rather than pipeline quotas.
Topic #3: Rethink Buying Committee Support and Buyer Experience [14:54] Brandi exposes how complex sales cycles with large committees need a strategic MoFu resource to guide and enable all stakeholders—not just the lead contact. She advocates for a shift from automation-focused nurturing to human-led support that’s “not pushy, not looking for a quota”—arguing that this trust-driven approach becomes a competitive differentiator. Her test: if your deals are complex and require consultative education, then building this role is overdue.
Why Should Revenue Leaders Stop Ignoring This Problem Right Now?
Because you’re wasting millions generating leads only to watch 60% vanish into a black hole between marketing and sales. Brandi makes it clear: this isn’t a lead quality issue—it’s a structural gap where overwhelmed buyers stall out, SDRs get misused, and revenue opportunities die in the messy middle. Ignoring it means you’re losing deals not due to weak campaigns, but because nobody is actively guiding buyers through their biggest hurdles before they're ready to talk to sales.
What’s the First Action Someone Should Take to Apply This Insight Today?
Brandi says: shift your mindset to focus on the middle of the funnel—stop obsessing over top-of-funnel leads or bottom-of-funnel closes, and interrogate what your buyers actually need between those points so you can design support that accelerates their internal decision process. If you’re not prioritizing MoFu strategy, that’s your urgency—start now.
Takeaway
Brandi challenges revenue leaders to fundamentally rethink the buying journey, pointing out that most of the action—and friction—now happens in the messy middle of the funnel, not at the top or bottom. She urges leaders to shift their mindset away from traditional sales and marketing silos, and start prioritizing buyer enablement and support during that critical middle stage. The key move? Stop neglecting the middle of the funnel—design roles, strategies, and resources specifically to guide buyers through this phase, ensuring you become their go-to partner, not just another vendor pushing a quota.
Subscribe, listen, and rate/review Revenue Rehab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts , Amazon Music, or iHeart Radio and find more episodes on our website RevenueRehab.live