[Mike Halliday]

Is door knocking for work just for travellers?

Or is it professional to knock on a door, introduce yourself, give them a business card and ask if they would like a  Quote for any cleaning work they require.

[chris scott]

"Do ya like dags?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH64dlgyydM

[Mike Halliday]

A useless piece of information......

Brad Pitt & Jason statham were originally intended to play the others role in Snatch, but Brad Pitt couldn't do a cockney accent so they made him the pickey

[Smurf]

I find most are very wary of door knockers especially if they have an Irish accent. I wonder why
Sadly many old folk get conned by travellers as they tend to pray on older folk. Myself I would not consider buying anything/get something done by someone turning up uninvited and knocking on my door.

If you want to generate more work ie promote bigger ticket services then maybe trying a leaflet drop instead might be a better idea.  That way if they are interested can look at your website to find out more and then might request a quote.  I've found qualified leads and referals are best for conversion rates by far than just by knocking doors.

I've never bothered myself but putting out ad boards after say drive cleans does work to an extent too.

[Nick Day]

Door knocking certainly works for window. However we've tried it with gutter cleaning and not had a good response. I think people a wary due to various cons we've probably heard about in the press in the past. It's a shame because there is so much work out there with gutter cleaning, carpet cleaning and pressure washing that these people have made it that much harder for the good genuine companies out there to get the work!

[Robin Ray]

I built a number of window cleaning rounds and obtained gutter cleaning work and pressure washing using only canvassing, of course word of mouth did the rest. It is by far the quickest, easiest, and most effective way of getting work. Infact, even though I do no exterior work at all now I  weekly get calls from customer I canvassed years ago, but for a totally different service. The best thing is it cost me £0 only my time.

[Nick Day]

That's interesting to hear Robin, perhaps different areas get different responses to that kind of work.

[Smurf]

Door knocking certainly works for window. However we've tried it with gutter cleaning and not had a good response. I think people a wary due to various cons we've probably heard about in the press in the past. It's a shame because there is so much work out there with gutter cleaning, carpet cleaning and pressure washing that these people have made it that much harder for the good genuine companies out there to get the work!

Indeed and I've found when I did a bit of door knocking the ones that sounded  interest wanted it done for bugger all too.
Anyone can gain work door knocking if they want to work for next to bugger all. Mind you can't blame them when some numpty turn up and quotes say 25 to clear the gutters on a 3 bed detached house. If on the other hand they said on a cold call it would be 85 most would say "on yer bike I'm not paying that much" as they are now price condition by stupid low prices.

Typical example of this was a job done cheap by a door knocker. Then not long afterwards I get a call to see if I can sort it out because he did not do it properly. When I asked how did you get hold of my number she said “I was recommended to her” so that says a lot really.   

[nathankaye]

I suppose it depends what service you are door knocking for and how.
For instance when i talk to my clients who enquire of my services, (who im highly recommended to by my clients) they often tell of ones approaching them with no business cards, in non uniform and a white rusty van. Obviously such ones vet turned down for reasons mentioned in prior posts (scamming old dears or dodgey dealers)!!

So if i do any door knocking for any of my services, im in uniform. My van has signs and i give a business card. Because of the professional look/touch it automatically sugest professional prices and not cowboy prices.

[Smurf]

Funny thing is Nathen I turn up with no uniforn, no sign wriiten van, no business cards and still pick up welll paid work.
Work that one out if you can 

Also guess what tinkers turn up in?
New sign written vans
Uniformed (maybe)
With flyers & business cards.
Also they are very good at sales and know every trick in the book to win people over.

Having a good reputation is far more important than what you drive or how you look surely?
 

[Robin Ray]

The price you can get for a job has more to do with who you are marketing to and how you present yourself and less to do with the media you use.... door knocking, leaflets, adwords, etc etc

[Smurf]

Up to a point but if someone don't like you for whatever reason you still will not get the work.

After all you are selling yourself formost, come accross confident but not cocky that you can takle the job in had to a high standard, have experience to know what you are talking about and the list goes on and on.

Some may be great on the tools but strugle to gain well paid work as have no idea how to sell themselves.

That is not directly directed at anyone on here by the way.

[nathankaye]

Funny thing is Nathen I turn up with no uniforn, no sign wriiten van, no business cards and still pick up welll paid work.
Work that one out if you can 

Also guess what tinkers turn up in?
New sign written vans
Uniformed (maybe)
With flyers & business cards.
Also they are very good at sales and know every trick in the book to win people over.

Having a good reputation is far more important than what you drive or how you look surely?

Lol, some people just simply trust little old men for some reason   

Seriously though, i agree a good reputation pays dividends to you. I very rarely have to door knock for a huge anount of my servicea. Other if im doing, say a pressure washing job.  Once completed i will door knock several either side plus on opposite side of road whikst im there.
But also, first impression before you speak can in some minds, be the make or break. Sometimes its if they like your appearance to if they have time to hear your speal. Good job im a good looking feller    (well, no one else will say it for me lol!)

[Smurf]

Funny thing is Nathen I turn up with no uniforn, no sign wriiten van, no business cards and still pick up welll paid work.
Work that one out if you can 

Also guess what tinkers turn up in?
New sign written vans
Uniformed (maybe)
With flyers & business cards.
Also they are very good at sales and know every trick in the book to win people over.

Having a good reputation is far more important than what you drive or how you look surely?

Lol, some people just simply trust little old men for some reason   

Seriously though, i agree a good reputation pays dividends to you. I very rarely have to door knock for a huge anount of my servicea. Other if im doing, say a pressure washing job.  Once completed i will door knock several either side plus on opposite side of road whikst im there.
But also, first impression before you speak can in some minds, be the make or break. Sometimes its if they like your appearance to if they have time to hear your speal. Good job im a good looking feller    (well, no one else will say it for me lol!)

You may laugh but I think some take pitty on me and want to help a little old fella out