SDR Playbooks for X: Daily Routines, Quotas, and Scripts

Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) face a unique challenge on X: balancing volume with personalization while maintaining account safety. An effective SDR playbook for X isn't just a collection of scripts-it's a strategic framework that combines daily routines, realistic quotas, and proven messaging tactics to generate consistent, qualified meetings.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the anatomy of a high-performing SDR playbook, the daily routines that drive results, quota structures that actually work, and scripts that convert prospects into calls.

What Makes an Effective SDR Playbook for X?

An SDR playbook is a repeatable system that defines how your team approaches prospecting on X. Unlike generic sales frameworks, an X-specific playbook accounts for platform dynamics, algorithm changes, and the unique behavior of B2B decision-makers on social media.

A strong SDR playbook includes:

• Clear prospect targeting criteria: Job titles, company size, industry, behavioral signals
• Outreach sequences: When, how often, and through which channels prospects receive contact
• Message templates: Proven subject lines, opening hooks, and value propositions
• Engagement tactics: How to build context before sending DMs
• Quota structure: Activity benchmarks tied to realistic conversion rates
• Measurement framework: Which metrics matter and why

According to recent outreach research, SDRs using structured playbooks see 30-40% higher reply rates than those using ad-hoc approaches. The difference? Consistency and system.

Daily SDR Routines: The 8-Hour Framework

Successful SDRs don't just "work"-they follow a structured daily routine that maximizes both activity and quality. Here's a battle-tested framework:

Hour 1: Planning and Preparation (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM)

• Review yesterday's metrics: Reply rates, engagement, meeting booked
• Segment today's target list: Organize by persona, industry, or company size
• Prepare message variations: Create 3-4 personalized approaches for different prospect types
• Set daily activity goals: Number of DMs, engagement touches, meetings to book

Hours 2-4: Active Outreach (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM)

• Research and engagement: Spend 30 minutes finding qualified prospects on X
• Context building: Like, retweet, and reply to 2-3 prospect posts before sending DMs
• Send personalized outreach: Space DMs across platforms using throttling to avoid rate limits
• Follow-up cadence: Reply to inbound messages immediately

Hour 5: Admin and CRM Updates (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM)

• Log all interactions in CRM
• Tag prospects by stage and next action
• Schedule follow-ups for tomorrow and beyond
• Document which messages performed best

Hours 6-8: Engagement and Relationship Building (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

• Reply to incoming messages: Quick response time signals professionalism
• Engagement farming: Spend 60 minutes building authority and visibility
• Call prep: Prepare for scheduled discovery calls
• Performance review: Track metrics against daily targets

This structure ensures SDRs spend 40-50% of time on direct outreach, 20% on relationship building, 20% on admin, and 10% on skill development and coaching.

Realistic SDR Quotas for X Outreach

Quota setting is where most companies fail. They either set targets that are impossible (demotivating the team) or so low that growth stalls. Here's how to think about X-specific quotas.

Activity Quotas (What You Can Control)

These are the actions your SDRs take daily:

• Prospect research and outreach: 40-60 DMs per day
• Engagement touches: 20-30 likes, retweets, or replies to prospect content
• Profile visits and research: 80-120 prospects researched
• Follow-ups: 15-25 prospects touched in existing sequences

Why these numbers? Research from Salesforce's 2024 State of Sales shows that SDRs sending 40-60 high-quality outreach messages daily achieve optimal results without triggering spam filters or account restrictions.

Conversion Quotas (What Matters Most)

• Reply rate target: 8-15% (depends on personalization level)
• Meeting rate target: 2-5% of outreach (1-3 meetings per SDR per day)
• Qualified pipeline value: $25,000-$50,000 per SDR per month
• Booked demos: 15-25 per SDR per month

These conversion targets account for the fact that X users are less "warm" than LinkedIn connections but more engaged than cold email recipients.

Weekly Quota Breakdown

Remember: These are guidelines, not gospel. Adjust based on your ACV (Annual Contract Value), sales cycle length, and market conditions.

Proven SDR Scripts and Message Templates for X

Scripts are only useful if they're customizable. Here are proven frameworks your team can adapt to their voice and market.

The Curiosity Hook (Best for Brand Awareness)

"Hey [Name], saw your recent post on [specific topic they tweeted about]. Quick thought-most [their role] we talk to are struggling with [common pain point]. Worth 15 min to see if we can help?"

Why it works: It references their public activity (proof you did research), addresses a real pain point, and makes a specific time ask. No vagueness.

The Value-First Script (Best for High-Touch)

"[Name], we just published research showing [stat about their industry]. One surprising finding: [specific insight]. Thought you'd find it valuable given your focus on [their stated interest]. Link in thread."

Why it works: You lead with value, not with your ask. Builds trust before asking for anything.

The Problem Agitation Script (Best for Competitive Markets)

"[Name], quick question-when you're managing [process they're likely doing], are you finding it hard to [specific friction point]? Asking because 80% of [their company size] deal with this. Happy to share what we're seeing."

Why it works: Frames your offering around their specific problem, validates that the problem is real and common, and positions you as knowledgeable.

The Timing-Based Script (Best for Event or News Hooks)

"[Name], saw [Company] just [announcement/hiring/funding]. In our experience, that usually means they're evaluating [category] soon. Worth a quick sync to compare notes? Think we could add perspective."

Why it works: Demonstrates you're paying attention to their market, implies insider knowledge, and makes the timing feel urgent without being pushy.

Follow-Up Sequences

An initial message is rarely enough. Here's a 3-touch sequence:

1. Day 1 (Initial DM): The hook message (see above)
2. Day 3-4 (If no reply): "[Name], not sure if this landed in your busy inbox. Just wanted to flag [specific value/insight]. Open to connecting? Let me know."
3. Day 7-8 (If still no reply): "[Name], one last attempt. Feel like we could add real value here. Would love to connect at some point-no pressure."

After three touches, move on. Persistence is good; desperation is not.

Building Context Before the DM

The best SDRs don't just send cold DMs. They build context first, increasing reply rates significantly. Here's the framework:

The 3-Step Context Build

1. Research (5 minutes): Review their profile, recent tweets, and company news. Identify one specific thing to reference.
2. Engagement (2-3 days): Like, retweet, or meaningfully reply to 2-3 recent tweets. Be genuine-don't just spam likes.
3. Message (when appropriate): Send your DM. They'll recognize your name.

This approach increases reply rates from ~8% to 12-18%, according to our analysis of GramFunnels users.

Measuring and Optimizing Your SDR Playbook

Data wins playbooks. Here are the metrics that matter:

Core KPIs to Track

• Reply rate: Replies received / total outreach messages sent
• Meeting rate: Meetings booked / total replies
• Qualified rate: Qualified opportunities / total meetings
• Cost per meeting: (Software + tools + salary) / meetings booked

Optimization Cycles

Review these metrics weekly, scripts monthly, and targeting quarterly. Use A/B testing religiously:

• Test different message hooks (curiosity vs. value-first)
• Test different sending times (morning vs. afternoon)
• Test different prospect segments (by company size, title, industry)
• Analyze what's working and scale it

Common SDR Playbook Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Blast and Pray

Sending the same generic message to 100 prospects weekly. X's algorithm penalizes low engagement, and generic messages get ignored. The fix: Personalize every outreach. It takes 10 extra seconds and doubles your reply rate.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Account Safety

Aggressive outreach tactics that get accounts suspended. This isn't an overreaction-X's enforcement is real. Follow throttling settings, respect rate limits, and use proxy infrastructure if running multi-account operations. To learn more, see our guide on throttling settings for safe outreach.

Mistake 3: No Clear CTA (Call to Action)

Vague closes like "let me know" don't work. "Want to grab 15 minutes Thursday at 2 PM?" does. Specific CTAs increase meeting bookings by 25%.

Mistake 4: Skipping the Follow-Up

Most replies come after the 2nd or 3rd touch. SDRs who stop after one message miss 60% of potential opportunities.

Mistake 5: Not Adapting to Platform Changes

X's algorithm, policies, and user behavior shift regularly. Your playbook needs quarterly reviews. For more on staying compliant, check our article on automation compliance updates.

Scaling Your SDR Playbook

As your team grows, scaling requires discipline. Here's how:

Documentation

Write down exactly what works. Include targeting criteria, messaging templates, timing strategies, and edge cases. This becomes your team's operating manual.

Training and Onboarding

New SDRs should follow the playbook for 2-4 weeks before experimenting. This builds discipline and baseline performance.

Regular Coaching

Weekly 1:1s with SDRs should focus on what's working and why. Celebrate high performers; coach struggling ones.

CRM Integration

Use your CRM to track which playbook variations convert best. For guidance on integration, see our comprehensive CRM integrations guide.

Multi-Account Operations

If running multiple SDR accounts simultaneously, implement strict multi-account outreach safety practices to avoid triggering spam filters or account restrictions.

Tools That Power Effective SDR Playbooks

The right tools amplify your playbook. X automation platforms like GramFunnels allow SDRs to:

• Automate DM sending while maintaining personalization
• Track who replies and schedule follow-ups automatically
• A/B test message variations at scale
• Manage multiple accounts safely with throttling and rate limiting
• Integrate with your CRM for seamless pipeline management

When selecting tools, prioritize those that emphasize safety and compliance-not just volume.

Final Thoughts: Building Your SDR Playbook

An effective SDR playbook for X isn't built overnight. It's the result of testing, measuring, refining, and scaling. Start with the frameworks in this guide, measure rigorously, and optimize continuously.

Remember: The best playbook is the one your team actually follows. Build it collaboratively, keep it simple, and update it as X and your market evolve. When you combine structured routines, realistic quotas, and proven scripts with the right tools and discipline, consistent meeting generation becomes inevitable.

Ready to implement these strategies? Start by documenting your current approach, identifying 2-3 variables to test this week, and measuring impact rigorously. Your next breakthrough in SDR performance is one playbook iteration away.