Good openings when door-knocking?
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I am with EJ but I really enjoy some of the comments against doorknocking. They are truly funny and in some cases true.
I have knocked on close to 10,000 doors and I don't think it matters what you say. I just introduce myself, tell them I am handing out a newsletter and see where it goes. Everyone takes the information and the good prospects just start talking. The problem I ran into is some people are friendly at the door just because you are there, then when you try to get them on the phone they become ghosts. Jones just wants you out there because you dont have an office or reputation yet. Grab some low hanging fruit and then figure out what you want to do. After your first 6 months door knocking is hardly mentioned.This is true. People on this board put way too much weight on the whole doorknocking thing. Besides, I’ve got 2 guys in my town now doorknocking from AGEWachovBank. We’ll see how they do.
“the good prospects just start talking”…agreed----ain’t rocket science but it works
It's really just like cold-calling, except face-to-face. That's what I tell other Jones guys that have asked me about cold calling. Well, it's just like doorknocking, except over the phone! Not that I have been extremely successful at either one, but hey, you have to do it.“the good prospects just start talking”…agreed----ain’t rocket science but it works
I’m far from experienced (i only have a year in the business), but when I started with MS the doorknocking thing wasn’t really encouraged (unless you were walking into businesses). Now, I’m thinking of taking a position with ML and the branch manager there also seems to discourage residential doorknocking, but he does encourage cold canvassing businesses. I wonder why the differance in opinions between MS/ML and other firms who encourage the door-to-door thing?
I'm just curious if any of you have tried cold canvassing businesses and homes, what's the difference in your approach? Does one seem to work better than the other?[quote=brain.ra]I’m far from experienced (i only have a year in the business), but when I started with MS the doorknocking thing wasn’t really encouraged (unless you were walking into businesses). Now, I’m thinking of taking a position with ML and the branch manager there also seems to discourage residential doorknocking, but he does encourage cold canvassing businesses. I wonder why the differance in opinions between MS/ML and other firms who encourage the door-to-door thing?
I'm just curious if any of you have tried cold canvassing businesses and homes, what's the difference in your approach? Does one seem to work better than the other?[/quote] Depends on your location, approach, and persistance. Both can be successful. Ever notice how some people on this board have great success with cold calling businesses, while others say it doesn't work? Ever notice how some people on this board have great success with cold calling residences, while others say it doesn't work? Same thing. What I will say is this....with residential doorknocking, unless you are doing it all day long, the success rate is low, because not a lot of people are home. It can take a long time jsut to find a few people home. I have doorknocked before for 6 or 7 hours, only to find 15 or 20 people HOME. Of that, maybe a couple would be potential prospects. I have also doorknocked for 2 hours and had 15 people home, so sometimes it's just luck. As far as businesses are concerned, I think this is more of a process. Most times, you aren't greeted by a decision maker at the front door, so now it is a matter of how you approach it. Be casual and leave something (just an "intro")? Try to see a decision maker? Try for an appointment? The first business cold walk is often a way to start feeling out the business, and developing a raport with the owner/employees/managers/gatekeeper/etc. To me, it all depends on your approach. But I tell you, in the beginning, you need to do something, so if business owners are part of your business plan, you need to get your mugg out there and let people see it.To this point I havent really gone business door knocking. I get frustrated easily with the gatekeeper crap. Id much rather cold call residences, but after doing both cold walking and cold calling, the cold walking has produced more. My advice to those cold walking is do everything you can to qualify people. I have been burned by people who are very interested at the door and then they never answer the phone or have $50/month DCA.
Iceco1d:
You are absolutely right. Some of those accounts can turn into something much bigger. I shouldn't look down on all of them. It just stems from frustration when things don't happen as fast as I want them to. I have had some good accounts develop from "small" accounts and I think your way of looking at it is the right way.You better have a system in place or those “small” accounts will take all of your time.
“Why not look for an opening (window, door, etc) get inside and surprise them when they get home.”
Hilarious!Starka wrote:
"Hi! I'm the latest in a long line of local Edward Jones brokers, and I couldn't help but notice the knuckle blood from my predecessors on your door."
LOL