[richard roderisk]

working 6am til 2pm now 4 days a week with window cleaning firm, enjoying it and guaranteed cash.
still want to build up my own round and work for myself eventually.. did leaflet drop yesterday got new customer today

got day off tmrw and going door knocking to houses i leafleted, stupid i know but really nervous..

any advice please??

[RO-Sheen]

No its not stupid. 99% of us felt nervous the first time we canvassed.

remember that the hardest door knock is the very first. Once you have it done the 2nd is easier, 3rd is easier etc etc.

you might go all day without a single yes or an answered door but once you do get a 'yes' you will be buzzing and your confidence will shoot up. Just dont be turned off if it takes a while to get your first yes.

Make sure you are dressed smartly (in embroided uniform if poss), clean shaven, polite, smile and NOT pushy!

I usually say (in a smiley friendly way)....

'Sorry to bother you, I want to expand my round in your area/I clean the windows for some of your neighbours and was wondering if you would like a non obligation quotation for window cleaning'.

If they say 'no' say.....

Ok, well thanks for your time and sorry to bother you.

If they say 'yes' say.......

If its ok with you I will just have a look at your back windows and give you a knock in a couple of minutes.

After you have worked the prcie out I knock on the door again (unless of course they are still with me!) and say the price comes to £££ based on a regular clean every 6 weeks. Included in the price are the frames, sills and external door.

if they dont snap your hand off immediately offer to leave the quote with them and suggest that they contact if they decide to join your round. I find this works well as the customer feels they are not being pushed into it and will be likely to give you a call.

Enjoy it.

Adie

[Llaaww]

Stick to a simple line and use it for each and every door you knock on.

"Hello my name is (your name). I am a window cleaner and I would like to clean your windows."

When you have finished this line just stop talking.

This line is a real winner, and if you stick to it you will find canvassing can be fun.

It is an open ended statement, and not a question. What it does is to lead a potential customer into a conversation. It quickly establishes that the people would like to have clean windows (even the ones that don't want to pay), and leaves you with the opportunity to put in a price.

Never ever begin your pitch with the word "SORRY". Under no circumstances start a pitch with the "S" word. It is the kiss of death. On a subconcious level people recognise and relate the word sorry to bad events, betrayal and let downs. If you use it to introduce yourself (hello sorry to bother you but) you will trigger a defensive response, and make your job a lot harder.

Try not to use direct questions like "would you like to have your windows washed", as it gives an easy exit for tight wads, they just say "no".

Be prepared to pick up less than one in ten new jobs, and don't let them tell you that another windie does the whole area.

good luck (unless you are near me of course)

[richard roderisk]

cheers lads

[Crystal-clear]

try LLaawws pitch and tell us how you got on with it.

it sounds good didnt think of that hello my name is ... and i would like to clean your windows , possibly giving a leaflet at the same time.

[Llaaww]

try LLaawws pitch and tell us how you got on with it.

it sounds good didnt think of that hello my name is ... and i would like to clean your windows , possibly giving a leaflet at the same time.

win a prize every time....

[Tom White]

I feel more comfortable using, "Hello, would you like a quote for the cleaning of your windows?"

And if they say no, I give 'em a card and bugger off.

[H S and Son]

My opener is:

'Jeezooz, yours windows are minging, you need to take some pride in your gaff, hows about I gives them a going over?'

Thats generally gets their attention.

[groundhog]

got day off tmrw and going door knocking to houses i leafleted, stupid i know but really nervous..

any advice please??

Be afraid!! Be very afraid!!!! 

[Tom White]

got day off tmrw and going door knocking to houses i leafleted, stupid i know but really nervous..

How did you get on?

[richard roderisk]

well happy. went out 8.30 til 1, few brakes inbetween, just knocked local. got 4 new customers, doing them saturday. used all advice given


cheers

[LADDER MONKEY]

well done m8, keep it going 

[Tom White]

I think I've got a whole blank week in the first week of June, and I'm going to see how many new customers I can get during that week.  I'd like another week's worth of monthly work; that's how short we are I reckon since we went van-mounted.

I'm currently cleaning 'bang on'; not late for anything (which I don't like for my monthly work), I'm a bit early for my bi-monthly (which were all done this month just about; hence the gap next month) and none of my quarterly work is due next month too.

I'm quite looking forward to trying to fill in the gaps.

[Ian Lancaster]

Make it easy on yourself.  You've already leafletted - if your leaflet is any good they know exactly who you are and what you'e offering.  Have a folder with you with all your paperwork in it (Quote forms, record sheet, spare leaflets, 'Sorry I missed you' leaflets for the ones who aren't in etc etc and on the front PASTE A LEAFLET. Now when you knock on the door, they open it, you hold up your folder with the leaflet stuck on it and say "Hello, my name is ......... and I put one of these through your door a couple of days ago."

Big smile and wait for the response.

Will  be one of three:

          1.  No thank you
          2.  Oh yes, how much is it? (or something similar) - now you launch into your pitch, telling them all about it and why it's the best thing since sliced bread.
          3.  Oh, really?  I didn't see it.  - Now you say "Never mind, here's another one - would you like a quote for cleaning your windows?"

Treat every door as though it's the first one you've knocked that day.  Never stand facing the door, look to one side until the door is open and you can see in the corner of your eye that there is someone there - people don't like to see someone staring straight at them when they open the door, it's very intimidating and puts them off straight away.  Then turn towards them, smile and do as above.

Easy as falling off a log

[richard roderisk]

will take all advice on board

really appreciate it..... thanks