What term describes a lead provided by either a customer or a prospect of the salesperson?

A referral lead is a term used to describe a lead that is generated through an existing customer or a prospect. This process often occurs when satisfied customers share their positive experiences about a salesperson or their products/services with others. When a customer refers someone, it tends to create a stronger initial connection, as the new lead comes with a built-in level of trust established by the referrer. This type of lead can be particularly valuable for salespeople because it usually results in a higher conversion rate compared to other forms of leads, leading to more successful sales interactions.

The other terms listed describe different types of leads but do not capture the specific process by which new leads originate from existing relationships. For instance, a direct lead typically refers to a prospective customer who has shown interest without being specifically recommended by someone. A cold call lead is generated through unsolicited outreach where the salesperson reaches out to a potential customer who has no prior connection with them. Lastly, a target lead usually refers to a prospect identified as fitting the ideal customer profile for a product or service, but does not imply any referral from existing contacts.