When it comes to B2B lead generation, agencies face a fundamental choice: build internal capabilities (DIY) or partner with specialists (DFY). Both approaches have merit, and the right choice depends on your resources, timeline, and growth goals.
Understanding the DIY vs DFY Spectrum
Lead generation isn’t binary. Most agencies operate somewhere on a spectrum:
- Pure DIY: All prospecting, outreach, and qualification done internally
- Data + DIY: Purchase lead data, handle outreach internally
- Hybrid: Mix of internal and outsourced activities
- Managed: Partner handles most lead gen, you handle sales
- Pure DFY: Complete done-for-you service including meeting booking
The DIY Approach: Building Internal Lead Generation
What DIY Involves
Running lead generation internally requires:
- Research: Identifying target companies and contacts
- Data Collection: Building contact lists with verified information
- Messaging: Crafting compelling outreach sequences
- Execution: Sending emails, making calls, LinkedIn outreach
- Follow-up: Nurturing responses and booking meetings
- Technology: Managing tools for email, CRM, and automation
DIY Advantages
- Full control over messaging and positioning
- Direct feedback loop for rapid iteration
- Lower per-lead cost at scale (potentially)
- Deep understanding of your prospect landscape
DIY Challenges
- Significant time investment before seeing results
- Requires hiring or training dedicated resources
- Technology stack costs add up quickly
- Deliverability and compliance complexities
- Risk of founder/senior time being consumed by prospecting
The DFY Approach: Partnering for Lead Generation
What DFY Delivers
A quality done-for-you partner provides:
- Strategy: Campaign design based on your ICP
- Execution: Multi-channel outreach on your behalf
- Optimization: Continuous testing and improvement
- Reporting: Transparent metrics and insights
- Meetings: Qualified prospects ready for your sales team
DFY Advantages
- Immediate results without ramp-up time
- Access to proven processes and expertise
- Predictable costs and outcomes
- Free your team to focus on closing and delivery
- Scale up or down as needed
DFY Considerations
- Higher upfront investment than pure DIY
- Less direct control over daily activities
- Requires finding the right partner (crucial)
- Dependency on external relationship
How to Choose: The Decision Framework
Choose DIY When:
- You have dedicated sales/marketing resources available
- Timeline isn’t critical—you can invest 3-6 months building systems
- Your market is extremely niche and requires specialized knowledge
- Budget constraints prevent partnership investment
- You want to build lead generation as a core competency
Choose DFY When:
- You need results quickly (weeks, not months)
- Your team should focus on closing, not prospecting
- You’ve tried DIY without consistent results
- Scaling rapidly is a priority
- You value predictability over potential cost savings
The LeadPot Approach: Best of Both Worlds
At LeadPot, we offer both models recognizing that agencies have different needs:
DIY Program
Receive verified lead data with intent signals delivered directly to your team. Perfect for agencies with established outreach processes who want quality data without the research burden.
DFY Program
We handle everything from prospecting to meeting booking. You only talk to interested prospects ready for a conversation.
The Hybrid Path
Many agencies start with DFY to generate immediate pipeline, then add DIY elements as they learn what works. This hybrid approach balances speed with eventual self-sufficiency.
Get Started Today
Whether you prefer DIY data or full done-for-you service, LeadPot can help. Request a consultation to discuss which approach fits your agency.
Learn more about how our process works or explore specific lead types like SEO leads, web design leads, and digital marketing leads.
