lead
LEED
/liːd/
A person or organization that has shown interest in a product or service, representing a potential sales opportunity.
A 'lead' is the very first stage of the sales process—often just a name or email address from someone who downloaded a brochure.
The story behind the word. Derived from the idea of 'leading' someone toward a destination. In sales, a 'lead' is a person you are trying to lead through the sales funnel toward a purchase.
Word relationships
- contact: A contact is just a person you know; a lead is a contact with potential commercial value.
- inquiry: An inquiry is the act of asking; a lead is the person who made the inquiry.
Commonly confused with
- prospect: A lead is unverified; a prospect has been checked and confirmed as a potential buyer.
Word family
- leader (noun): One who guides (different sense, but same root).
Collocations
- generate leads
- warm lead
- cold lead
- sales lead
Example sentences
- "The trade show was a huge success, generating over five hundred new leads for our software." Discussing the source of new business opportunities.
- "The leads are weak? F*ing leads are weak? You're weak." A famous line from the film Glengarry Glen Ross regarding sales opportunities.
Memory hook
A lead is a 'clue' that leads you to a sale, like a detective following a lead in a case. Follow the lead to the deal.
When not to use
Do not confuse with the verb 'to lead' (to guide) or the metal 'lead' (pronounced 'led').
Fun facts
- In journalism, a 'lede' (spelled differently but pronounced the same) is the introductory section of a news story intended to entice the reader.
Explore more words
prospect, awareness, stakeholder, outreach, lead time, leadership
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