There aer silly stories about guys doorknocking in the blinding snow, but I think that’s just stupid, unless you live in a rural area where that’s sort of acceptable.  In New England, they’d slam the door in your face and think you were a vagrant.

I agree with B24.  I was one of those crazy ones that tried going doorknocking when it was snowing.  Not a single person let me inside to warm up and as far as I remember I didn’t get a singe prospect from that outing.  So, unless you live in an area where it’s going to be snowing in the winter more often than not, I’d look for other things to do, especially while it’s actually snowing.  Once it stops, all bets are off. 

Yeah I agree with Spiff. I stop doorknocking because I wasn’t getting anything out of it(except ruined shoes). And I switched to cold calling and it got me through the winter months.

I’m having very surprising luck at door knocking.  My girlfriend is familiar with the area I’m targeting, and she suggested where I go.  With her suggestions, I’ve had no problem exceeding the daily limits when door knocking.  Especially if I am out until dark.  Although, I went downtown today to talk to some businesses, and the owners were very bitter about the area.  It was shocking.  I’m probably going to stick to the outskirts of the town where it seems more lively and open to a new business.

I agree with B24 and the rest of you about cold weather/snow door knocking.  I went out the day after the 7 when it was 20 degrees out with a windchill in the single digits.  I had 3 people let me in, but only about 10 people even talked to me.  I think those stories of kindness are slightly over exaggerated for Jones.

As to targetted cold calling, that is out of the question for the time being.  The area is a long distance area and the charges I would rack up would be pretty crazy.  I still have 2-3 weeks until they install the phone at my house which I can use to make calls.  I’m mostly trying to figure out a way to bridge the gap in time.

I have a permit to solicit the town I’m targeting, but the town is actually small in size.  I am working on getting a permit for the neighboring borough, but the code enforcer tends to be missing when I stop in.  Do I need a permit to talk to businesses?   Someone in my area suggested that I target the local mall.  Has anyone else done this?   Thanks for the input everyone.  I do plan on looking into the other local towns, especially since the one has 0% assets in Jones account. 

Where in the world do you live? Most phone providers now have unlimited calling(no long distance) for like $50/month

If three people let you in, that is a very good day.  … If you are still priot to Eval Grad, I would keep knocking on doors. The whole point of what you’re doing now is to see if you are tough enough to do this and smart enough to learn from it. Buy some long underwear and keep going. … Malls? Sure, give it a couple of hours. You won’t find store owners, but you will find bitter retail clerks who might have an old 401k, and/or will have one. Small accounts, but again, this is training. You have to prove to yourself you can prospect and open accounts. Tell yourself that you are out fighting to see people while the other broker is warm and watching ESPN.

 



   Someone in my area suggested that I target the local mall.  Has anyone else done this?   Thanks for the input everyone.  I do plan on looking into the other local towns, especially since the one has 0% assets in Jones account. 

[quote=2wheeledbeemer][quote=schlemoc] 

Hey all EDJ Vets,

  Also, thanks for any and all input.  It is GREATLY appreciated.

[quote=schlemoc]Hey all EDJ Vets,

  Also, thanks for any and all input.  It is GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks Hank...oops...spelled New years wrong too.

I’ll be out that week doorknocking.  I have to do the insurance course the beginning of this week, but I’ll be out shortly afterward.  I went out Saturday and didn’t catch many people. It may have been the designated neighborhood or the fact everyone was trying to shop, but I actually found less people than during the week.

I have learned its just a mental/numbers game. Sometimes I knock on 25 doors and nothing then I get 5 contacts out of the next 6. Who knows? I have not found that people are particularly nice when I am suffering in the snow and rain. I just try to shut down my brain and hit the next door. Its crazy, the first door I hit someone says ohh we have had 5 EDJ guys come through here. The next says do you guys do rollovers? Go figure. Good topic though, I was hoping to hear of a silver bullet.

I’m used to hearing the mental game, or being told “follow the recipe”.  I understand the recipe is pretty simple, but sometimes the weather is pretty nasty and door knocking isn’t really a valid option.  I do not handle real cold weather well.  Mostly, I can’t wait until spring.  At least I’m not like a fellow EDJ’er door knocking in negative thirty.  

Tall trees and RV’s usually mean retiree’s. Those little yard statues…another sign. Immaculate gardens in the spring…retirees. 

Don’t do it!  You look like an idiot!  I speak from experience.  Don’t believe the b.s. about how all vets found their best clients on those days and how people will invite you in because it’s cold and visit with you.  Only do this if your life is a Disney movie. 

JK nice thought. Don’t do it! Do tell what to do? Its easy to say don’t do this don’t do that. I figure I got a whole barrel of S**t to eat sometimes it will be cold sometimes hot and sometimes just right. Does not matter , people don’t care. Your a stranger at there door no matter what the temp is outside. Also, “look like an idiot” and on nice days I don’t look like an idiot? Oh look at that guy going door to door he looks so smart. LOL Big deal people think I’m an idiot. Don’t knock now its Christmas Eve. Well cheers to ya. I gotta go knock. Whoopy

Do you feel better now?

Whether I have to door knock or hit businesses, either way I’m getting my contacts.  I agree.  Regardless of what you are doing, people are going to be leery of you and consider you a stranger.  They will also consider you idiotic at most times, so what does that matter?  I was mostly looking for ideas on how to refrain from freezing, but like those said, you do what you got to do to succeed in this business.  That’s what I plan on doing.