Did you know that 80% of sales require at least five follow-ups, yet nearly half of reps give up after just one try? That’s a stat that hit me hard when I first stumbled across it—mostly because I’ve been that rep, staring at a list of leads longer than my arm, wondering how I’d ever keep up. Then there’s this: companies using automation see a 14.5% bump in sales productivity. That’s where tools like Exceed.ai and Bigly Sales come in, promising to take the chaos out of outreach and turn it into something manageable, even enjoyable. I’ve spent some time digging into both, and I’m excited to share what I’ve found with you.
This isn’t just a dry comparison—I want it to feel like we’re sitting down over coffee, hashing out which of these platforms could lighten your load. We’ll cover what they do, how they differ, and what they might mean for your day-to-day grind. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur juggling everything or part of a team trying to hit bigger numbers, my aim is to help you pick the tool that fits your world. Let’s get into it.
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Understanding Sales Outreach Automation
Sales outreach automation isn’t some futuristic gimmick—it’s a lifeline. It’s about letting tech handle the repetitive stuff, like chasing leads or scheduling calls, so you can focus on the part that actually feels rewarding: connecting with people and closing deals. I remember the days of manually typing out follow-up emails, my fingers cramping as I tried to personalize each one. Automation doesn’t kill the human touch; it clears the way for it. Exceed.ai and Bigly Sales both tackle this, but they’ve got their own flavors, and that’s what we’re here to unpack.
What Is Exceed.ai?
Exceed.ai feels like that friend who’s always one step ahead. Built by Genesys, it’s a conversational AI platform that doesn’t just send messages—it talks to your leads. I’m talking about engaging them, qualifying them, and even booking meetings, all without you lifting a finger. It’s like having a tireless assistant who’s great at small talk.
How Exceed.ai Works
Picture this: a lead lands on your site and fills out a form. Exceed.ai swoops in with an email or text, asking something like, “Hey, what’s your biggest challenge right now?” Based on their reply, it keeps the conversation going, figuring out if they’re serious or just browsing. If they’re a good fit, it slots a meeting into your calendar. If not, it keeps them warm with follow-ups. It hooks up with tools like Salesforce or HubSpot, so nothing falls through the cracks. I’ve seen it turn a flood of leads into a tidy pipeline, and it’s pretty impressive.
Key Features of Exceed.ai
- Conversational AI: Chats like a real person, not a bot.
- Lead Qualification: Sorts the gold from the gravel with smart questions.
- Meeting Scheduling: No more email ping-pong—just booked calls.
- Multi-Channel Outreach: Hits leads where they’re at—email, SMS, chat.
- CRM Integration: Keeps your data flowing smoothly.
A buddy of mine in B2B sales swears by it. He says it’s like having a junior rep who never sleeps.
What Is Bigly Sales?
Bigly Sales, though? That’s more like your trusty toolbox—everything you need, all in one place. It’s less about fancy AI chatter and more about pulling your outreach into a single, easy-to-use hub. I think of it as the platform for folks who want to keep things straightforward but still get results.
How Bigly Sales Works
With Bigly Sales, you’re sending emails, texts, even making calls, all from one screen. The AI chips in to write messages that don’t sound like they came from a robot, sets up follow-ups, and books appointments. What I love is how it cuts the clutter—no more flipping between apps to track a lead. Plus, it’s got analytics to show you what’s clicking, and it syncs with stuff like Zapier or HubSpot. It’s practical, no-nonsense, and honestly, a relief for anyone who’s felt app fatigue.
Key Features of Bigly Sales
- Unified Communication: One spot for emails, texts, and calls.
- AI Automation: Crafts messages and keeps the ball rolling.
- Analytics Dashboard: Shows you the wins in real time.
- Calendar AI: Schedules without the hassle.
- Scalability: Grows with you, no sweat.
I talked to a small business owner once who said it was like finally getting her desk organized—everything just made sense.
Comparing Exceed.ai vs. Bigly Sales: Head-to-Head
Now, let’s put these two side by side and see how they measure up. I’ve broken it down into the stuff that’s kept me up at night as a sales guy, so hopefully it resonates with you too.
Ease of Use
Exceed.ai takes a minute to get the hang of. The AI is brilliant, but you’ve got to teach it your style—set up those questions, tweak the workflows. It’s not hard, just a bit like training a new pup. Once it’s going, though, it’s smooth sailing.
Bigly Sales feels like it was made for the rest of us. You log in, and it’s all right there—no hunting for buttons or deciphering jargon. I’d say it’s the one you could hand to your least tech-savvy teammate and they’d still figure it out.
Winner: Bigly Sales. It’s just easier to jump into.
Automation Capabilities
Exceed.ai is the brainiac here. It doesn’t just automate—it adapts. It’ll chat with a lead, pivot based on what they say, and only pass them to you when they’re ripe. That’s the kind of smarts that make you feel like you’ve got a secret weapon.
Bigly Sales automates too, but it’s more about getting the job done. It sends your messages, follows up, and keeps things moving. The AI’s solid for personalization, but it’s not going to debate your lead’s budget like Exceed.ai might.
Winner: Exceed.ai. It’s automation with a PhD.
Multi-Channel Outreach
Both hit multiple channels, but in their own ways. Exceed.ai uses email, SMS, and chat to build a real conversation—it’s like a friendly nudge wherever your lead hangs out.
Bigly Sales does email, texts, and throws in phone calls too. It’s less about chatting and more about reaching out wide and managing the replies. I dig the call option—it’s old-school but still works.
Winner: Tie. Exceed.ai for dialogue, Bigly Sales for reach.
Integration and Scalability
Exceed.ai fits like a glove with CRMs like Salesforce. It’s built for teams that are growing and need something robust to keep up with a bigger lead flow.
Bigly Sales integrates too—HubSpot, Zapier, you name it—and its all-in-one setup makes it super adaptable. I’d say it’s the pick for smaller crews who want to scale without a ton of fuss.
Winner: Bigly Sales. It’s got that flexible edge.
Analytics and Insights
Exceed.ai gives you the basics: who’s engaging, who’s qualified, meetings booked. It’s useful, but it’s not going to blow your mind with charts.
Bigly Sales, though? It’s got a dashboard that feels like a reward for using it. You can see campaign stats, conversions, even tie it to revenue. I’m a sucker for data that tells a story.
Winner: Bigly Sales. It’s got the edge for number-crunchers.
Pricing
Pricing’s a bit of a guessing game since neither spills the beans upfront. Word on the street is Exceed.ai starts around $500/month for smaller plans—pricey, but worth it if you’ve got leads pouring in.
Bigly Sales seems lighter on the wallet, maybe $50-$100/month per user. It’s the kind of cost that doesn’t make you wince if you’re just starting out.
Winner: Bigly Sales. More bang for less buck.
Which One’s Right for You?
Here’s the million-dollar question. Exceed.ai is your pick if you’re swimming in leads and need something clever to sort them out—it’s a B2B dream. Bigly Sales is for the folks who want one tool to rule them all, especially if you’re growing fast on a budget. I’d say it’s less about which is better and more about what your day looks like.
Wrapping It Up: Your Next Move
So, Exceed.ai vs. Bigly Sales—it’s a showdown of smarts versus simplicity. Exceed.ai brings the brains, turning lead chaos into a neat little pipeline. Bigly Sales keeps it real, giving you a single spot to run your outreach without the headache. I’ve laid it all out because I know how tough it can be to pick the right tool when you’re in the thick of it.
My take? Figure out what’s tripping you up most. If it’s too many leads and not enough time, Exceed.ai could be your savior. If it’s app overload or a tight budget, Bigly Sales might just make your day. Try a demo, kick the tires, and see what feels right. You’ve got this—and I’d love to hear how it goes.
FAQ
What’s the main difference between Exceed.ai and Bigly Sales?
Exceed.ai is all about conversational AI to qualify leads, while Bigly Sales focuses on streamlining outreach across channels.
Can these tools replace my CRM?
Not a chance. They team up with your CRM to make it better, not take its place.
Is Exceed.ai worth the cost?
If you’ve got a steady lead flow and need precision, yeah. Otherwise, Bigly Sales might be the smarter spend.
How quick can I start using them?
Bigly Sales is a breeze to pick up. Exceed.ai takes a bit more setup, but it’s worth the effort if you stick with it.