Imagine knowing the ideal moments when your prospects are most likely to engage with your product or service.

That's exactly what sales trigger events offer — a way to identify and capitalize on those golden opportunities.

In this guide, you’ll learn about 23 different sales trigger events and how sales teams can capitalize on them. 

What Are Sales Trigger Events?

Sales trigger events are specific occurrences within a company or individual's situation that indicate a heightened potential for a sale. These events can signal changes in needs, priorities, or decision-making processes, making prospects more receptive to your solution.

Common examples include new executives joining a new company, funding rounds, product launches, or major organizational changes. 

These events present an ideal opportunity for you to initiate a conversation and position your offering as the perfect solution.

Why Are Sales Triggers Important?

Sales triggers are so important in the sales prospecting process because they help you get your timing right - they take all guesswork out of “when” you should pitch. They also:

• Personalize your conversation openers: Referencing a specific trigger event shows that you've done your homework and understand the prospect's unique situation. This allows you to write the perfect trigger-based emails and make highly personalized pitches.
• Identify the perfect time for an approach: Sales triggers help you make your offer at an ideal time, when your target decision-makers are actively seeking solutions.
• Uncover upselling and cross-selling potentials: Existing customers experiencing trigger events may be open to expanding their relationship with your company - for instance, if they have received an award, there’s a good chance they’ll be open to doubling down on what brought them that success. 
• Act faster than your competitors: By staying alert to trigger events and buying signals, you can beat your competition to the punch and be the first to offer a solution, positioning you to have a higher chance of closing your offer.
• Integrate seamlessly into your existing processes: Sales triggers can be easily incorporated into your current prospecting, outreach, and follow-up workflows, meaning there’s little input for a significant upside.

With the right strategies, leveraging sales triggers will significantly streamline your lead generation and sales efforts and ultimately boost your chances of success.

Common Sales Trigger Examples

Now we understand the importance of sales triggers, let's explore some common examples and how sales professionals can leverage them to their advantage.

1. New Executives

Trigger event: The appointment of new C-suite executives indicates a potential review of existing vendors and openness to new solutions.

Action: Selling to C-level executives can be challenging because executive buyers don't care about product features and functionality — they think strategically and want to see how your solution supports their key objectives. Make sure you tailor your messaging to shift focus from immediate benefits to the big picture. Highlight your expertise and how your solution aligns with their potential goals. 

How to track: Monitor LinkedIn, executive bios, and industry newsletters for updates on leadership changes.

2. Major Company Performance Changes

Trigger event: Significant performance changes, such as missing revenue targets, stock decreases, or legal battles, can indicate a need for cost-saving solutions, process improvements, or brand reputation management.

Action: Offer solutions that directly address their potential challenges and demonstrate your understanding of their current situation.

How to track: Stay up-to-date on financial reports, press releases, and legal news related to your target companies.

3. New Funding Round

Trigger event: A new funding round often signals expansion plans, product development, or increased marketing budgets, creating new opportunities for your business.

Action: Showcase how your solution can complement their growth strategy and highlight your value proposition as they scale their operations.

How to track: Monitor company announcements, financial news, and investor relations websites for information on funding rounds.

4. Company Relocation

Trigger event: A company's decision to relocate to a new office or region can indicate expansion into new markets or a need for local support and services.

Action: Reach out and position your offering as a valuable resource to support their transition and growth in the new location.

How to track: Monitor company announcements, real estate news, and industry publications for relocation updates.

5. Mergers & Acquisitions

Trigger event: When companies merge or acquire new businesses, it often leads to organizational restructuring, process changes, and the need to consolidate vendors and solutions.

Action: Highlight how your offering can streamline operations, reduce costs, or provide a competitive advantage during this transition period.

How to track: Follow financial news, company announcements, and industry publications for merger and acquisition activities involving your target companies.

6. Major Competitive Move

Trigger event: If a competitor releases a game-changing product, enters a new market, or secures a significant partnership, it can disrupt the playing field and create urgency for companies to re-evaluate their strategies.

Action: Position your solution as a way to counter the competitive threat and maintain a strong market position.

How to track: Stay informed about industry news, product announcements, and strategic moves by competitors in your target market.

7. Good Quarter/Bad Quarter

Trigger event: A company's financial performance, whether positive or negative, can influence decision-making and budgets for the upcoming quarter or year.

Action: For a good quarter, highlight how your solution can help them capitalize on their success and continue their growth trajectory. For a poor quarter, offer solutions that can streamline operations, reduce costs, or improve efficiency.

How to track: Track financial reports, earnings calls, and analyst coverage for insights into your target companies' performance.

8. New Product/Service Announcement

Trigger event: When a company launches a new product or service, it often signals a need for complementary solutions, training, or support services.

Action: Reach out and position your offering as a valuable addition to their new product or service, enhancing the overall customer experience.

How to track: Watch company websites, press releases, and industry publications for announcements related to new product or service launches.

9. Awards

Trigger event: Companies that receive industry awards or recognition may be looking to capitalize on their success and increase their visibility in the market.

Action: Your sales strategy could congratulate them on their achievement and offer solutions to help them build on their momentum and maintain their competitive advantage.

How to track: Follow industry organizations, award ceremonies, and publications to stay informed about companies receiving recognition.

10. New Legislation

Trigger event: Changes in regulations or industry-specific legislation can create a need for companies to adapt their processes, products, or services to remain compliant.

Action: Position your offering as a solution to help them navigate the new regulatory landscape and ensure compliance.

How to track: Monitor government websites, industry associations, and legal publications for updates on relevant legislation affecting your target companies.

11. New Hires

Trigger event: Companies making significant new hires, especially in leadership or strategic roles, may be looking to bring in fresh perspectives and drive change.

Action: Reach out to the new hires and offer solutions that can support their initiatives and help them make a strong impact in their new roles.

How to track: Set up alerts on LinkedIn, company websites, or use new hire signal tracking to stay informed about new hires at your target companies.

12. New Office

Trigger event: The opening of a new office location can indicate expansion into new markets or regions, creating opportunities for localized solutions and support.

Action: Offer solutions that can help them establish a strong presence in the new location and support their growth in the region.

How to track: Monitor company announcements, real estate news, and industry publications for updates on new office openings.

13. Hosting Conferences or Events

Trigger event: Companies hosting industry conferences or events may be looking to increase their thought leadership, visibility, and brand awareness.

Action: Explore sponsorship opportunities or offer solutions that can enhance the attendee experience or support their event goals.

How to track: For information on upcoming conferences or events, follow industry calendars, event listings, and company announcements.

14. Major Industry Development or Changes

Trigger event: Significant developments or changes within an industry, such as technological advancements, regulatory shifts, or market disruptions, can create a need for companies to adapt and innovate.

Action: Position your offering as a solution to help them navigate the changing landscape and stay ahead of the curve.

How to track: Stay informed by following industry publications, trade associations, and thought leaders in your target market.

15. Company Expansion

Trigger event: Companies expanding into new markets, product lines, or service offerings may require additional support, resources, or infrastructure as they begin selling to new customers themselves.

Action: Offer solutions that can facilitate their growth and expansion plans, whether through increased capacity, scalability, or localized support.

How to track: Monitor company announcements, press releases, and industry news for information on expansion initiatives.

16. Title and Role Changes

Trigger event: When individuals within a company receive promotions or take on new roles, it can signal a shift in priorities, responsibilities, and decision-making authority, offering the perfect opportunity for you to help them.

Action: Reach out to the individuals in their new roles and offer solutions that can support their goals and initiatives.

How to track: Use sales intelligence tools, set up alerts on LinkedIn, company websites, and industry publications to stay informed about role changes at your target companies.

Recommended reading: Learn how tracking buyers for job changes with UserGems helped these four companies generate millions of dollars in pipeline.

17. Patent Update

Trigger event: Companies filing for or receiving new patents may be looking to protect their intellectual property and potentially commercialize their innovations.

Action: Offer solutions that can support the successful launch and distribution of their patented products or services.

How to track: Monitor patent databases, company announcements, and industry news for updates on new patent filings or approvals.

18. Product Recall

Trigger event: In the event of a product recall, companies may be seeking solutions to mitigate the impact, improve quality control, or enhance customer satisfaction.

Action: Offer solutions that can help them address the root cause of the recall, streamline the recall process, or rebuild customer trust.

How to track: Monitor company announcements, industry news, and regulatory websites for information on product recalls.

19. New Partnerships

Trigger event: Companies forming strategic partnerships or joint ventures may require additional resources, products, or services to support their collaborative efforts.

Action: Position your offering as a complementary solution that can enhance the value proposition of the partnership and support their joint initiatives.

How to track: Follow company announcements, LinkedIn, Google Alerts, press releases, and industry news for information on new partnerships or joint ventures.

20. Rebranding

Trigger event: Companies undergoing a rebranding initiative may be looking for solutions to support their new brand identity, messaging, and marketing efforts, offering you a great opportunity to position yourself as a solution.

Action: Offer solutions that can help them effectively communicate and roll out their new brand, ensuring a consistent and impactful transition.

How to track: Monitor company websites, social media channels, and industry newsletters for announcements related to rebranding efforts.

21. Analyst Reports

Trigger event: Analyst reports or industry research can highlight trends, challenges, or opportunities that companies may need to address.

Action: Leverage the insights from these reports to position your offering as a solution that aligns with the identified needs or recommendations.

How to track: Follow industry analysts, research firms, look at SEC filings and earnings calls, and publications for relevant reports and analyses related to your target market.

22. Entrance Into New Market

Trigger event: Companies expanding into new geographic markets or industry verticals may require localized solutions, market-specific expertise, or additional resources to support their growth.

Action: Offer solutions that can facilitate their entry into the new market, whether through localized support, market insights, or tailored product offerings.

How to track: Monitor company announcements, press releases, and industry news for information on market expansion initiatives.

23. Layoff Announcements

Trigger event: While layoffs can be challenging, they may also signal a need for companies to streamline operations, reduce costs, or restructure their workforce.

Action: As a conversation starter, offer solutions to help them navigate the transition, optimize processes, or identify areas for cost savings and efficiency gains.

How to track: Stay informed about company announcements on LinkedIn and industry publications for information on workforce reductions or restructuring efforts.

How to Identify and Track Sales Triggers

Now that we understand the significance of sales triggers and have identified some examples you can leverage, let's explore how to identify and track these events effectively.

Timing is everything in sales, which is why trigger event identification is so important to sales success. Here are several sources that will alert you to these events as they occur.

Public Sources

• Earnings Calls: Earnings calls are publicly available internal discussions about a company’s performance and future prospects. Regularly check your target’s “investor relations” section on their website to find out when these calls are happening, so you can listen in. Monitor company announcements regarding performance and future plans.
• SEC Filings: If your target is a publicly traded company, then they’re required to send the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) financial statements. You can check these to see if your target can afford your product or service.
• LinkedIn Alerts: By following your target companies, you can get alerts when people change jobs or roles on LinkedIn. When someone starts a new job or has a promotion, it can be an ideal opportunity for salespeople to reach out with an offer.
• Google Alerts: Google lets you set notifications and track whenever specific words or names get mentioned online. Set up Google alerts for the company and people's names you want to target, and should they pop up in news articles, you'll know right away.
• Industry Newsletters: Reading newsletters about the industries your customers work in is super helpful. These often share news about company changes or events that could lead to new sales opportunities for you.

Tools and Platforms

Public sources are undoubtedly valuable ways to monitor trigger events; however, for maximum effect, they require constant attention and a well-thought-out procedure.

Dedicated tools and platforms, such as social listening tools or sales intelligence platforms like UserGems, do all this for you.

As the leading sales intelligence tool, UserGems provides comprehensive data and insights to help you identify and track sales triggers. With advanced features like contact tracking, new hire signals, and real-time updates, you know exactly when your prospect targets are ripe for your pitch.

Similarly, social listening tools let you monitor social media conversations around your target companies and industry trends to uncover potential trigger events. These are more targeted versions of Google Alerts and industry newsletters.

By leveraging sales intelligence platforms and social listening tools, sales leaders can ensure their in-house and/or outsourced SDRs focus on the hottest leads at the most opportune times. These tools automate much of the monitoring process, freeing up reps to work on targeted outreach and build strong relationships with potential customers.

Recognize and Monitor Sales Triggers with UserGems

Modern business is cutthroat. As you know, the success of your sale and ultimately your company lies in offering the right target and the right sales pitch at the right time. This is where UserGems stands head and shoulders above its competitors.

As the premier sales intelligence platform, UserGem helps you leverage sales triggers to their fullest potential. By partnering with UserGems, you'll benefit from:

• Optimized Pipeline Generation: No more guesswork. UserGems employs advanced algorithms to automatically identify and prioritize key decision-makers within your target companies, ensuring you engage with the right stakeholders at the opportune moment, helping you create a consistent, flowing pipeline.
• Streamlined Multi-Threading: Maximize your deal expansion potential by leveraging UserGems' ability to pinpoint crucial missing contacts within your target accounts. Establish multi-threaded relationships with ease and unlock new avenues for success.
• Relevant and Timely Outreach: With accurate data seamlessly integrated into your CRM and real-time updates, UserGems guarantees that your outreach messaging remains relevant and impactful, giving you a distinct competitive advantage.

Don't let sales triggers pass you by. Schedule your UserGems demo today and experience the power of sales intelligence that drives tangible results. Embrace this opportunity to recognize and capitalize on every sales opportunity that comes your way, propelling your business to new heights of success.