Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: paulstevens on June 28, 2008, 08:31:05 pm
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Hi all when u knock on a door what do you say when they open the door. im not a very good sales person so to speak. could anyone tell me what the say.
thanks Paul
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Morning/Afternoon Sir/MAdam sorry to bother you but i was just wondering if you had yourself a window cleaner.
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i must admit ive hardly ever done any cavassing at all but the few i have done all i have said is, could i interest you in a window cleaning service,
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i just say. hi sir/madam, ive been cleaning many properties in your road for a while now, and believe you are not in our books... can we put you in there.
I find it works wonders for me.
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Hello, do you have a window cleaner!
No!
Ok as I am here I can give your a price (which normal happens)
or
Yes!
Ok no problem, here is my leaflet, please keep in a safe place if you get let down
Works for me :)
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"Hello I'm a hired KILLER...
(dramatic pause)
...of dirt.
My next victim will be the dirt currently sitting on your windows.
The cost will be £18. Take it or leave it."
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thanks for the fast replies guys i think i will post some leaflets first and then go back a day or 2 later with my leaflet in hand and ask that way its an ice breaker.
thanks for the quick responses. im just a shy type of person
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paul where do you live buddy. i see ya profile says london. im over se london
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Morgan im over North West London Edgware/Colindale area when about in se london u from got some family over there?
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belvadere. by woolwich.
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oh ok i got family in Kennington. cheers for help though ;)
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Never done door knocking & never will, don't agree with it. >:(
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Paul, You develop your own words to say after a while. Its easier if you deliver a leaflet first because then you can say "Hello - I delivered a leaflet about window cleaning......" and you have started the conversation.
Once you have done a few its easy.
Keep a record of the roads you have done and which houses had no one in. That way you can go back to them. The idea is to get as many houses as close togeather so try and conentrate your efforts.
Which roads were you thinking of going for? If I were you I would try all the roads north of Station Rd and Hale Lane, over the A41 and all the crescents off Broadfields.
Do it systematically. That area is good houses with side access and good parking. Its also very very Jewish. Jewish people IMO make the best customers. They are as fussy as hell and expect you to do a good job but as long as you do they will keep you forever. They are happy to pay a good price ( contrary to what you might imagine) and recommend you to all their friends.
Once you break into the Jewish community you are made for life. I do Pinner and Northwood, both Jewish areas and now actively target Jewish customers. The give away is on the right hand side of the front door about shoulder height. Its called a mizzuza. It contains a prayer, a sort of blessing for the house.
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cheers for the info Vince i already do a couple in broadfields. i never though of doing the jewish side i always thought they had there own window cleaners because they are very strict (on religion) around them parts. vince do you have wfp by any chance?
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"Hello I'm a hired KILLER...
(dramatic pause)
...of dirt.
My next victim will be the dirt currently sitting on your windows.
The cost will be £18. Take it or leave it."
Its a bit 'Alan Partridge' ::)
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cheers for the info Vince i already do a couple in broadfields. i never though of doing the jewish side i always thought they had there own window cleaners because they are very strict (on religion) around them parts. vince do you have wfp by any chance?
Yes I am WFP. If you are serious about going after the Jewish customers you can put an advert in the Jewish Chronicle saying Window Cleaner Edgeware etc. Its quite expensive but they all read it. Compared to the time and effort of going out canvassing or the cost of leaflets it is money well spent.
They don't have their own window cleaners because I don't think you will ever find a Jewish window cleaner. They seem to have a real aversion to any sort of manual job.
The really orthodox ones (called frummers) don't like non jewish people in the house but outside is fine. You won't find many real frummers in Edgware they are more round Golders Green and Stamford Hill.
They are good people, I used to be wary of them because I thought they would be difficult but in reality they are a bit wary of you to start with.
If you do go for it and they ask you why you advertise in JC tell them its because a WC you know in Pinner told you they make the best customers. They love all that stuff, they get so much abuse and anti Semitism that anyone being a bit positive towards them is like a change.
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im just a shy type of person
I think most people are about canvassing but once you get your first customer you will be walking on air and flying up those driveways looking for more. :)
Good luck.
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Personally, I don't like to ask questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" answer. Too many people just say "no" without thinking.
Bit of grammar here: there are * two types of question. There are (i) Y/N questions and there are (ii) information questions.
Any question that begins with
Would you ...?
Do you ...?
Have you ...?
(In grammar, these are known as auxiliary verbs)
can be answered Y/N.
I prefer to ask information questions. These questions begin with:
Where ...?
When ...?
What ...?
Why ...?
Who ...?
and, my favourite
How ...?
and require the respondent to give you some information.
So, my blurb is:
Hi. I'm Wally the Window Washer. I dropped this leaflet through your letter box the other day. How much would you like to have bright, shining windows and frames?
If they were going to say “yes,” they'll say “yes” anyway.
If they were going to say "no," they need to think, since “no” doesn't fit. It really knocks these people for 6! They have to give a considered answer. They might well say no anyway, but at least I give them the opportunity to say something different.
And as long as you tell yourself that you're shy, that's exactly what you are.
Your homeplay (I NEVER set homework) is to stand in front of the mirror and repeat, "I am the world's most confident canvasser."
Repeat this until you believe it wholeheartedly, and then get out there on the streets and live it with every fibre of your being.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
* OK there are actually THREE types of question. The third type is called a choice question and can be used quite cleverly in what is called a double bind. I use this quite a lot with the kids!
The choice question is always A or B. Would you like A or B? Do you have A or B?
The double bind is giving someone a choice of two options, both of which get you what you want.
Would you like me to clean the windows and conservatory every time or the windows every time and the conservatory every other time?
Would you prefer me to call in the morning or the afternoon?
etc.
It gives the customer a choice and either outcome is fine by me.
With the kids it something like, "Would you like to clean your room first and then do your homework or do your homework first and then clean your room?" I don't really care which they do first, do I?
(Oldest once answered, "Well, actually, Dad, I'd rather not do either tonight." Too bl**dy smart by half, that kid.)
Shall we have a quickie before the kids come back from school, or should we wait and do it long and leisurely after they've gone to bed? Or both? Again, I don't really mind which. Would you?
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Personally, I don't like to ask questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" answer. Too many people just say "no" without thinking.
Bit of grammar here: there are * two types of question. There are (i) Y/N questions and there are (ii) information questions.
Any question that begins with
Would you ...?
Do you ...?
Have you ...?
(In grammar, these are known as auxiliary verbs)
can be answered Y/N.
I prefer to ask information questions. These questions begin with:
Where ...?
When ...?
What ...?
Why ...?
Who ...?
and, my favourite
How ...?
and require the respondent to give you some information.
So, my blurb is:
Shall we have a quickie before the kids come back from school, or should we wait and do it long and leisurely after they've gone to bed? Or both? Again, I don't really mind which. Would you?
Tried that one before and got a slap for my troubles :-X
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hi wally
you are a waisted talent, you got to be on t.v. very impresive subjects you write. :)
Regards
Bosh
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At the end of the day what ever your going to say is going to be said at least 100 times in a evenings
canvassing so its got to be something your not going to get tongue tied or fed up saying, just make
sure you look smart so logo top, color coded bottoms or just matching, have a pad with you so you can
write down the street your canvassing and mark when out, when they say no and also you can fill in
details of new customers, the answers youll get are "yes we have one" "no i havent got one how
much", no we dont need one", "yes ive got one hes called the husband"(then they laugh thinking there
the 1st to ever say it), "my husband is a window cleaner", and "weve just bought a jet washer" which
you then hand them a card saying youll be needing me soon.
Chris
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Personally, I don't like to ask questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" answer. Too many people just say "no" without thinking.
Bit of grammar here: there are * two types of question. There are (i) Y/N questions and there are (ii) information questions.
Any question that begins with
Would you ...?
Do you ...?
Have you ...?
(In grammar, these are known as auxiliary verbs)
can be answered Y/N.
I prefer to ask information questions. These questions begin with:
Where ...?
When ...?
What ...?
Why ...?
Who ...?
and, my favourite
How ...?
and require the respondent to give you some information.
So, my blurb is:
Shall we have a quickie before the kids come back from school, or should we wait and do it long and leisurely after they've gone to bed? Or both? Again, I don't really mind which. Would you?
Tried that one before and got a slap for my troubles :-X
Yep. Some very impressive editing there. Cut to the chase straight away!!!!
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hi all thanks for all your inputs. i will deliver some leaflets on monday and call back either tuesday or wednesday.. and i will let you all know how i got on...
regards
Paul
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Wally has been in direct sales before. I can tell by his posts. ;)
Let me try and put your mind at rest Paul.
Canvassing for window cleaning work has to be the easiest "SEll" of all.
Some years ago I needed to raise £2000 per 4 weeks of new work window cleaning. I started to knock doors between Christmas and New year. Of course I didn't knock on new years eve or new years day.
By the 18th of Jan I had the work. I only had one nasty person answer the door. No problem I just said good evening and walked away.
The worst thing that can happen is that the prospective customer says no. You will generally find that people are fine.
Dress smartly (Not in a suit) Have some printed info with you to show at the door and just say that you are expanding your window cleaning business and ask them if they want a reliable, professional service. If they already have a window cleaner thay are happy with just say thank you for your time and hand them a leaflet.
If the first question they ask is how much ask them if they already have a window cleaner and state that you do not undercut fellow window cleaners. (Basically walk away diplomatically)
If they do want a window cleaner they will treat you like a long lost family member. Remember to look all around the property with them and whilst doing this make a big thing of frames etc being cleaned then confidently give them your price. If you get 60 ish % of the houses you quote for your prices are right for the area.
Personally I wouldn't waste my shoeleather delivering leaflets then going back. Take them with you and put them through the "No answer" doors and make a note of the address. Then call back a few days later. I would also only canvass after 5.30 ish. Many people are out all day and you will get many more non answers during the day.
I would finish canvassing by 8 pm at this timer of year. Of course if you do have time to spare then deliver your leaflets during the day then follow them up.
You will hit hot spots where you get loads of new customers and also others where you don't seem to be getting anywhere. Just keep at it and remember that the next door you knock could be your next new customer.
Go get em mate. They are out there waiting for you to call. :)
All the best with it.
Andrew
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Wally has been in direct sales before. I can tell by his posts. ;)
No, m8. I was a high school maths teacher - and that's the hardest sell of all!
But the rest of your post is spot on.
The long and the short of it is this:
People are NICE. so canvassing really is OK.
The very few who aren't, well, they aren't your problem.
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OOPS.. sorry Wally :-[
I bow down to you mate. Maths teacher.. yup I agree the hardest sell of all. My ex step daughter was a maths teacher in a tough high school and it drove her to a total breakdown.
I recognise the open and info questions from my time with Rank Xerox. Boy we were tough salemen in those days :o We had ro be :'(
Andrew
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keep it simple, just say as soon as they open the door, hi i wanted to know if you'd like a window cleaner.
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keep it simple, just say as soon as they open the door, hi i wanted to know if you'd like a window cleaner.
Yes keep it simple, like I said before the words come to you quite naturally after a few doors.