What if cold calling isn’t dead and SDRs are not just seen as “entry-level”?
In this episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show, I sat down with Gabe Lullo, sales leader and CEO of Alleyoop. Gabe brings decades of experience to the table and delivers a no-nonsense perspective on what makes modern sales development succeed and why human connection still matters in an age of automation.
Gabe breaks down the biggest myths about Sales Development Representatives (SDRs), cold calling, and who really “owns” sales development. He shares why SDRs should be treated as a unique, strategic function, not just a stepping stone to closing roles, and how the best reps focus on active listening, authenticity, and building trust. We also dive into the power of multi-channel outreach, the right way to use AI, and what industries actually do respond to outbound efforts.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why SDRs should have their own career path, and are not just seen as junior AEs.
- How cold calling (or “first calling”) is still the most effective outreach method.
- Why authenticity, curiosity, and active listening outperform any sales script.
- How to warm up leads using LinkedIn, content, and follow-up calls.
If you want to sharpen your sales strategy, elevate your SDR team, or just prove that cold calling isn’t dead, this episode is packed with real-world tactics and takeaways you can use today.
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Connect with Gabe:
- Gabe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lullo/
- Alleyoop website: https://alleyoop.io/
- Do Hard Things Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL61t3M6geW84XNxsfKI5iARqa6_M9MuSy
Ways to Tune In:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763
- Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-show
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6Kdsamn
- Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show
- Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93
- YouTube: https://youtu.be/KfiVZfYSt5U
Hard Corps Marketing is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/
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