How long it takes for marketing to work?
Building momentum in marketing can feel like pushing a massive flywheel. It’s tough at first—really tough. But as you keep going, it becomes easier, and that initial struggle begins to pay off. Imagine a 3-foot prayer wheel: once it’s spinning, you only need a gentle touch to keep it in motion. Marketing operates the same way.
Marketing is a Flywheel
In marketing, getting started is often the hardest part. To get the marketing flywheel going, you need consistent effort, focus, and time. The question everyone asks is, how long does it take to see real momentum? Based on decades of working with clients, and countless conversations with small business owners, I’ve found that it generally takes around six months to see results—assuming you're starting from scratch or from a sporadic, inconsistent approach.
If you already have a marketing foundation—a set of assets, a clear strategy, and prior experience—you might see results sooner, often in the three- to four-month range. Of course, timelines can vary, but these benchmarks are reliable for planning purposes.
What This Timeline Means for You
Understanding this six-month rule can be empowering. It allows you to set realistic expectations and avoid frustration when progress feels slow. Here’s what this timeline can do for you:
Maintain Consistency and Avoid Burnout: If you’re three months in, you’re about halfway to building solid momentum. This awareness can help you avoid the temptation to give up, especially when early traction is minimal.
Prevent Marketing Interruptions: As clients and projects come in, it's tempting to pause your marketing efforts. But knowing it takes months to build up momentum helps you stay committed to consistent marketing—even when you’re busy. A pause will only delay results.
Sustain Your Marketing Efforts: A long-term view of marketing as a flywheel motivates you to find sustainable ways to keep it going, especially during busy times.
How to Speed Up Your Marketing Flywheel
What if you don’t have six months? Can you accelerate this process? Yes, you can. Here are five critical factors that can help speed up your marketing flywheel:
Frequency of Offers: Consistently presenting offers builds familiarity and trust with your audience, increasing the chances they’ll convert.
Audience Temperature: Warmer audiences—those who already know and trust your brand—are more likely to engage. Understanding and nurturing your audience’s readiness can significantly speed up results.
Regular Publishing: Consistent, valuable content builds authority and keeps your brand top-of-mind. The more frequently you publish, the quicker you’ll see engagement grow.
Service Familiarity: If your service is new or complex, it may take longer for your audience to understand its value. For familiar offerings, momentum can build faster.
Messaging Alignment: Resonant, clear messaging that speaks to your audience’s needs and pain points is essential. Strong alignment here makes every interaction more impactful.
For a deeper dive into these factors, check out my video post, where I break down each one in detail and discuss how you can use these insights to jumpstart your marketing.
Final Thoughts
Starting a marketing strategy is hard, but it’s easier when you know what to expect. Keep the flywheel moving, and over time, your marketing will build the kind of momentum that requires only a gentle touch to keep it spinning. Don’t be discouraged by the initial effort—it’s all part of the journey to sustainable, long-term success.
We have lots of free and low cost resources to get you started. Explore what's available here.
And when you're ready, schedule a no-cost, no-obligation chat with Lisa.
