AI BDR vs. DIY Cold Outreach: Time & ROI Analysis
Manual outbound "costs nothing"—except 20+ hours per week of founder time. AI BDR lets you focus on what actually grows revenue: closing deals.
Side-by-Side Comparison
See how AI BDR automation compares to running outbound yourself
| Feature | StoryPros AI BDR | DIY Manual Outreach |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $3-5K | $0 (free)✓ Better |
| Time Investment | 2-3 hrs/week✓ Better | 20-40 hrs/week |
| Scalability | Unlimited✓ Better | Limited by hours |
| Consistency | 24/7 execution✓ Better | Sporadic |
| Follow-up Rate | 100%✓ Better | 30-50% |
| Personalization | AI-powered at scale✓ Better | High but limited |
| Founder Focus | On closing✓ Better | On prospecting |
| Burnout Risk | Low✓ Better | High |
Where DIY Outbound Time Goes
Manual outbound isn't free—it costs your most valuable resource: time.
Total Weekly Time
20-35 hrs/week
Annual Hours Lost
1,040-1,820 hrs/year
The Real Cost of "Free"
What could you accomplish with 20-35 extra hours per week?
Founder hourly value
$100-500/hr
Weekly time spent
20-35 hrs
Weekly opportunity cost
$2,000-17,500
Annual opportunity cost
$100,000-910,000
Bottom Line
Even at modest founder rates, DIY outbound costs $100K+ per year in lost focus on high-value activities.
What Founders Do With 20+ Recovered Hours
Close More Deals
Focus on qualified conversations instead of prospecting
Build Product
Invest in features that drive customer value
Lead Your Team
Coach, hire, and scale operations
Ready to reclaim your time?
Get a free signal audit to see if AI BDR makes sense for your market and sales process.
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