How long does DIY lead generation take to work?

Real numbers, no sugar. Free methods, content, social, groups, referrals, typically need two to six months of daily effort before leads flow steadily. Not because the methods are weak, but because trust and visibility compound slowly, then suddenly. Running your own ads is faster, weeks instead of months, but you pay a different tax: the learning curve, and expect your first budget to buy education, not profit. Here is the planning question that sorts everything: how soon does your business need conversations? Months away and time-rich? DIY and start today. Needed this month? That gap between now and month four is precisely what done-for-you lead flow exists to fill. Both answers are right. Only your calendar knows which one is yours.