[lcwalker]

Ive just finished making my first batch of window cleaning flyers but i read on some of my previous posts and other members posts that knocking the door is better than just posting a flyer through.Well ive been thinking about if i was the potential customer and i would hate someone knocking i would much preffer to have it posted through.Someone knocking i would feel there being to pushy and it would put me straight off of them.I like to have time to think about things it's like going in a shoe shop, i like to have a good look first but straight away they say can i help, i just then leave i dont want to feel pressured and i would think alot of potential customers would feel the same way as me.Also i would't feel comfortable knocking i would feel pushy what are your views.

[Craig - CW Window Cleaning]

what I find is that most people dont mind, but that could depend on your timing.
but its the quickest way to get customers simple yes or no....
try it and compare the difference in just dropping the leaflet.

[chopsie]

i leaflet dropped on friday for the first time,Between 300-400 houses.not heard a thing,thinking about it i recon if i door knocked that many(and if they answered) i would of defo come away with at least a couple of customers,or at least found out that i was maybe wasting my time in that area because there were already loads of window cleaners.What people have said to me on here is you should knock,its the best way to drum up business,I felt just like you,i hate sales people coming to me anywhere never mind my door,but if they say no just thank them and walk away,no need to give them the bull!*"$ that sales people come out with.I am off out tomorrow and trying the door knocking approach,

[cozy]

That's up to you mate, I wouldn't assume a custy sees it like you do. I post leaflets then knock 2 or 3 days later to see if they are interested or not. I've tried lots of ways and this seems to work for me. I wouldn't try to second guess everyone, just do what you think is best. I'm just saying that my system works for me.

It means stepping out of your "Comfort zone" but if it's what it takes, then that's what I do. You can "Not knock" and rationalize why you didn't for lots of reasons, but it would seem from earlier posts on here that it's the fastest way to put custies on the books.

[Smudger]

You have to do what you are most comfortable with,   and you have to believe in yourself and your business if you knock the door!

all i can say is from my experience is i knock around 60 homes in a session approx 1/2 may be out - of the rest i give them a leaflet and out of that i convert 1 in 3 to a w/c service just by takling to them

Darran

[lcwalker]

Ok then if i was to knock and get an answer how would i play it from there?.

[Murdie window cleaning]

Ive just finished making my first batch of window cleaning flyers but i read on some of my previous posts and other members posts that knocking the door is better than just posting a flyer through.Well ive been thinking about if i was the potential customer and i would hate someone knocking i would much preffer to have it posted through.Someone knocking i would feel there being to pushy and it would put me straight off of them.I like to have time to think about things it's like going in a shoe shop, i like to have a good look first but straight away they say can i help, i just then leave i dont want to feel pressured and i would think alot of potential customers would feel the same way as me.Also i would't feel comfortable knocking i would feel pushy what are your views.

I think your trying to make excuses for not door knocking. I know the first time you do it it can be daunting, but the return is so much better than just leafliting. I've been going out most days over the last couple of weeks door knocking and I've not had an angry reaction yet.
You need a thick skin to be able to shrug off the knock backs, as the next customer is only a door knock away

Good luck

[cozy]

Just a quick point on that angle. There is loads of advice coming your way I reckon, but what helps me is, because I leaflet first, my opening line is "Hello, I'm from ....... did you get our flyer?" Yes or no, who cares, if yes then "Good,  do you need a WC" etc. If "No" then "Good, it's about window cleaning ................"etc etc You can't miss. What's the worst that can happen?. They say no thanks, or no thanks and spit at you! Some want you, some don't, so what, who cares?

[lcwalker]

Ive just finished making my first batch of window cleaning flyers but i read on some of my previous posts and other members posts that knocking the door is better than just posting a flyer through.Well ive been thinking about if i was the potential customer and i would hate someone knocking i would much preffer to have it posted through.Someone knocking i would feel there being to pushy and it would put me straight off of them.I like to have time to think about things it's like going in a shoe shop, i like to have a good look first but straight away they say can i help, i just then leave i dont want to feel pressured and i would think alot of potential customers would feel the same way as me.Also i would't feel comfortable knocking i would feel pushy what are your views.

I think your trying to make excuses for not door knocking. I know the first time you do it it can be daunting, but the return is so much better than just leafliting. I've been going out most days over the last couple of weeks door knocking and I've not had an angry reaction yet.
You need a thick skin to be able to shrug off the knock backs, as the next customer is only a door knock away

Good luck

To be honest i do find the thought of door knocking daunting im confident in doing the work but not that confident with dealing with the people initially.But how is the best way to play it if i get an answer?.

[Smudger]

how about - Hello,  I'm the local, reliable window cleaner...... blah blah...

if someone rang you how would you deal with it ??  

Darran

[Murdie window cleaning]

Ok then if i was to knock and get an answer how would i play it from there?.

if they show an interest, ask if they would like a quote. Don't go low in the hope of getting them, know what you want for that type of property, check round the back of the house to see what access is like and how many windows they have at the rear.

After having told them your price and they want your services take some details.
There name. (adress you should know as your there). A contact number. How payment will be made. When they can expect there first clean. And confirm all details back with the customer.

[lcwalker]

how about - Hello,  I'm the local, reliable window cleaner...... blah blah...

if someone rang you how would you deal with it ??  

Darran

Well i have a few w/c jobs and have done gardening for quite a while, but the diffence is when someone phones me i arange to go and have a look.But there ringing me because they want the service im not offering it to them face to face.

[cozy]

Well, take a look at the posts about leaflets and knocking, IMO if you want to build fast, knock. If you have loads of time and you aren't in a hurry, just leaflet and wait for the phone to ring. I know which way I prefer.

[lcwalker]

Thanks for all your help after reading all comments member ( chopsie ) had a good point about knocking i could spend alot of time delivering lets say on an estate and there maybe a window cleaner that does it.I would think knocking on say 10 house i would probably find out if there is if i didn't nock i may waste 200 leaflets and a few hours of my time so knocking does make sense.

[Lee Pryor]

door knocking is by far the better way, not only do you get more but you get them closer together which makes all the difference to the money in your pocket when it comes to cleaning them. you should take leaflets with you and post the houses that arnt in.

window cleaning is simple, make your pitch simple too. hello im a local window cleaner, i do a few houses in this area and im just calling around to see if anybody else wants to be included on my next visit, would you like to know what it would cost? (tip make sure you say exactly the same thing on every door! this will stop you triping up. speak slowly and clearly and dont let nerves make you rush it.)

think about the best time to get people in. week days 6-7.30pm weekends, 4-6 pm

dont over do it, set yourself an area or time to knock for, i always do just an hour or so.

set yourself a goal of new business, i always aim for 5. see if you can beat my personal best of 16 new houses in 1.5hours in the same road! no bull,

keep in mind every no is one step closer to a yes.

design and print your own forms for writting up their info, set them out simply and clearly so you dont forget a piece of their info because your caught up in the buzz of getting one.

give them your info eg the leaflet.

each one you get try to clean within a week so they dont forget all about you.

finally as you get to the first door dont loose your bottle just get on with it. i still get nervous every time.

good luck

Lee Pryor

[cozy]

Put Lee's answer in FAQ's. Hit it right on the nail.

[Smudger]

Hey Lee... spot on mate!!!


The only thing to add...   never think an area is covered,  I knocked a road a few months ago,  the first  8 houses all had the same w/c - all were on one side of the road -  after these nothing no w/c and i picked up 9 all on the other side of the road    so cant wait for the day the rounds co inside to see 2 w/cs on either side with there own custy's

Darran

[Murdie window cleaning]

think about the best time to get people in. week days 6-7.30pm weekends, 4-6 pm

this about the only part I differ from, I would normaly go out earlier, maybe 3-4pm. There are people at home at all different times of the day. But I normaly find the mums are at home for the kids getting home from school

[Smudger]

I do   10am to 12    then   2pm to 4    and another at 5.30  till dark ( summertimes )

weekends the same - i vary the times/days for the same road to maximise the total number at home.

It's hard to go knocking, from about 1 hour before i go my stomach is in knots and i could takl myself out of it,

BUT i remember this...   

without out work my partner and family suffer - therefore i do it for them! 

Deep breath and away you go...     and if really lucky the first knock gets a sale!   sets you up nicely, and the more you do the better at it you get and the refusals don't matter one jott.


Darran

[Gaby P.]

I do   10am to 12    then   2pm to 4    and another at 5.30  till dark ( summertimes )

weekends the same - i vary the times/days for the same road to maximise the total number at home.

It's hard to go knocking, from about 1 hour before i go my stomach is in knots and i could takl myself out of it,

BUT i remember this...   

without out work my partner and family suffer - therefore i do it for them! 

Deep breath and away you go...     and if really lucky the first knock gets a sale!   sets you up nicely, and the more you do the better at it you get and the refusals don't matter one jott.


Darran

Feel the fear and do it anyway, that is brave.