[neiljoust]

i have delivered some leaflets , and want to go round and knock on the doors but hate it how do you get over the knocking on doors blues or shell i man up and just do it , whats the best thing to say when they open the door please

[Tom White]

Don't overthink it, just go and do it.  Don't feel embarrassed, there's no need.  Knock knock, "Good afternoon, would you like a window cleaner?"  And take it from there.  If they say, "No", leave 'em a card.  If they say, "I already have one!" leave them a card with a "Can I just give you this in case you need another in the future?"

If you're lucky, you'll drag an attractive looking woman out of the shower and she'll answer dripping wet and just wrapped in a towel.  That happened to me once, but she didn't want a window cleaner or anything else.

I've not door knocked in a few years, but I've read here to do it with an attitude that you have this brilliant service and you're doing your prospective clients a favour by letting them know.  I really liked that.

[neiljoust]

ok mate right am going out tomorrow night will post how many i get cheers mate and lets hope so about the woman thing lol

[home6442]

Take a deep breath and go for it.
Dont be put off if you mess up on the first batch you try.
It gets easier the more you do it, keep it simple and dont ramble on.
No matter what response you get at the door stay cool.
Finish with Thanks for your time.
Good Luck.

[Tom White]

Dress smartly - clean work clothes - look professional and non threatening (remove the facial piercings and cover up the Nazi swastika tattoos); a nice short back 'n' sides always looks smart; shave!

I even got my missing front two teeth fixed for canvassing new work; the missing teeth and my Geordie accent (in South East Wales) could be perceived as if I'm a Northern Monkey who likes to get into drunken brawls.  I rarely wear my teeth other than for work these days.

Good eye contact, smile, be pleasant and friendly.  

It's why Squeaky has never canvassed.  

[richywilts]

ive just got in not canvassed for quite a while unless doing a few round jobs we clean didnt get any on tonite myself but gave about 7 quotes out craig my worker booked in 3 jobs and quoted 7 we only went out for 1 n half hours on quite a difficult patch where an established window cleaner has cleaned for years we found out tonite.you can think of all the things to say but most of time they dont require one and you just thank them for there time.

the ones who are interested u tend to just talk following there questions etc i find no set script everyone is different so dont worry about it too much

[king marko]

Just don't take the knock backs personally
Be as friendly and polite as you can without coming over as desperate
get to the point quickly
If they say "no thanks" just move on - when you get you get a yes it really lifts you and spurs you on from then

[neiljoust]

thanks guys , will see tomorrow lol

[Johnny B]

Yup, just relax, smile and say something along the lines of 'Hello, my name is ...., and I am offering a window cleaning service in the neighbourhood. Would this be something you may be interested in?'

Works for me, and the more you do it, the easier it gets, and the closer you will be to getting your next customer(s).

Best wishes,
John

[Steve Sed]

If when I started I needed work really, really fast I would have kmocked more. I knocked a few months ago and did ok, but the retention rate is dismal compared to leafleting. I would be surprised if I had one in three after 6 months. Leafted work has a far better retention rate. Also, it's a double whammy with knocked work as it is much harder to price higher on the first cleans, though I thought of a nice formula the other day that might help with retention rates and charging more for first cleans.

[Johnny B]

Things have changed. I first started out in 1997, and the retention rate I had was probably 99%. I only had to canvass a couple of weeks, and after that work came my way very quickly through recommendations and being seen.

I moved to Ireland 18 months ago and started from scratch again. It has taken much, much longer to build my run, and it still has a little way to go before I will be happy with the amount of work I have. Around 60% are good, regular customers. The remainder are occasionals or one-offs. This year I will be culling, refining and building until I achieve my objectives.

It is still possible to succeed in this game, we just need to be more determined.

John 

[neiljoust]

thanks guys just worked out only need around 50 customers for around 370 a week thats £10 houses so hopefully will get them then will build on that thank u for all your advice guys

[G Griffin]

Always take a nice, soft, fluffy towel with you, in case you drag an attractive lady out of the shower.

[roundbuilder]

thanks guys just worked out only need around 50 customers for around 370 a week thats £10 houses so hopefully will get them then will build on that thank u for all your advice guys

You can pick up 50 customers in a few weeks if you put your mind to it. Its only going out 3 nights a week for few hours getting 8 new calls each time. With 2 of you thats an easy 4 each.
I have given myself a hard target to maintain throughout half the year but the end result will be what its all about which will keep me focused.
You can doit neil. Eye of the tiger.

[Joseph Michael]

Be confident and polite. When someone says no, just be polite and offer them a card, you may be surprised when someone calls you back as you walk down the path or when someone calls you on the phone the next day. They'll say things like they spoke to their partner and decided they would like now a window cleaner.