Canvasing For Leads

almreno

New to the site, but have kncoked doors for many different products over my 38yrs. I currently manage a canvassing department in reno, nv. Even though our housing market SUCKS! We succeed ever day in the field. I would like to chat with people that can share (as well as I) on new inovative ways to get those appts. It seems that any site or chat forum I visit - people just talk about the basics and its all the same ( I understand though - trade secreats lol - just send me $59.95) Hope to hear from some one who can offer and share. I deal with replacement windows, Siding, forever coating, tub liners & Green energy barrier (radiant barrier).

almreno

I would rather take the punch, I always seem to get the gun's pulled on me lol. People just need to grow up, were not "Used car salesman" for god-sakes lol. Just remember - becareful because some people punch back.

nlgutters

Wpc been out their training you in canvassing?

__________________
www.nlseamlessgutters.com

KG007

First, I think BamBam has some serious personality "issues." He has exhibited this kind of behavior on here before. I think he is a testament to how good natured people are putting up with someone who wants to start a fight over something minor when a simple "No, thank you" is sufficient. Odds are good someone will take him up on the fight one day.

Second, I find it ironic he blasts "canvassing," then describes his going door to door and taling to people and getting jobs, but that's all right and not canvassing. Hmmmmmm.

I've been dong door hangers, though not nearly enough. Now that we have finally got better weather I'm going to do a lot more. I hired a new part-time saleslady and part of her job description is to do door hangers. Her second time out resulted in a $1,900 sales this weekend.

I did some in February and booked a$29K kitchen job from it.

The market here is still TIGHT. Ssome faint signs of it picking up, but you still have to really dig deep to find the interested people. My conclusions are:

1. Better recovering metro areas will have a higher percentage of responses.
2. Less costly items will tend to have a better response, EXCEPT that most middle class people who are still scared of the economy (most of them) will not commit to even a $1,500 job, but people with more disposable income will still commit to a $30,000 job.
3. Canvassing, i.e., door knocking and talking to the people, probably works best for industries where you can visibly SEE problems with the house. (Roofs, windows, siding, landscaping.)
4. Door hangers are most effective if you happen to catch the people in their yard or driveway and get to chat for at least 20 seconds, i.e., canvassing without knocking.
5. You have to hit the same neighborhoods repeatedly, one time is not enough. 3-4 times a year is needed.
6. It's really tough to find someone who can do it as well as you, the owner. If you can, hold on to them.
7. Don't become just one in a bag of 30 or 40 flyers. Do your own.
8. Photos seem to work best. No color = lower response.
9. There are very few people who are professional at knocking on doors, but the ones that are are valuable.

My total cost is about $.20 per door hanger. Statistics say 80-90% of houses NEED something I do right now. They also say only about 2% are in the market for what I do right now - in a normal economy. My gut feel is maybe one job out of every 500 to 1,000 door hangers right now (vs. a desired return of 1 for every 150). With good weather and if the economy loosens up any at all I think the return will be better. It should also increase with hitting the same neighborhoods 2-3-4 times.

My average job is $4,400. This winter/spring was five jobs for about $55,000, or $11,000 average, ranging from $460 to $28,700. Probably about 4,000 door hangers put out, maybe 5,000, but mostly by kids instead of sales people. Every job came from one by sales people.

I've also committed to radio for a year and we will see what it does.

BamBamm5144

[quote=KG007;913231]First, I think BamBam has some serious personality "issues." He has exhibited this kind of behavior on here before. I think he is a testament to how good natured people are putting up with someone who wants to start a fight over something minor when a simple "No, thank you" is sufficient. Odds are good someone will take him up on the fight one day.

Second, I find it ironic he blasts "canvassing," then describes his going door to door and taling to people and getting jobs, but that's all right and not canvassing. Hmmmmmm.
[quote]

Lol. Not quite sure what you are talking about nor do I know of where I exhibited any of this behaivor before. I dont remember anywhere blasting canvassing but rather blasting door knocking. Not door hangers, flyers, brochures or anything.

Anyways, I never said that I told the guy I am going to punch him in the face for knocking on my door. I said I felt like punching him in the face for proposing that I do something illegal. How about this, you do floors right? Theres this beautiful 10 thousand dollar floor. Now, something happened to it and insurance is going to cover it. Well the company that comes in before you tells the HO no, dont worry, we will pay your deductible. It will cost you nothing out of pocket. Now you, being ethical and having morals know that is illegal and you explain that to the HO but now the homeowner doesnt care because thats 1 grand less he has to pay. Now, you lost the job because of that guy. Now picture after every hail storm, a WHOLE bunch of companies come in from out of state and knock on every door and have them sign binding paper work after that company says I will do your roof for free. Would you not get annoyed? Or, would you just be as unethical as the rest of them? Then to have the 17 year old kid they hire on weekends who does not know a thing to come up to your house and tell you the same thing.

You guys are in different trades. Ask any legitimate roofer how they feel about door knockers who say " I can get you a free roof"

Also KG - Not sure if you read the thread or not but I dont knock on peoples doors mainly because out of everyone Ive asked in my life maybe two have said that it is not an inconvience or awkward for them. I put flyers in their mailboxes. Then, when I get a job, I go to a few houses on both sides of the house I am going to be working on, and a few across the street and let them know I will be working on that house and there will be a lot of noise and I apologize for the inconvience to them. I let them know to call me if there is any problems or anything of that sort. Its about being respectful.

KG007

[quote=BamBamm5144;913325][quote=KG007;913231]First, I think BamBam has some serious personality "issues." He has exhibited this kind of behavior on here before. I think he is a testament to how good natured people are putting up with someone who wants to start a fight over something minor when a simple "No, thank you" is sufficient. Odds are good someone will take him up on the fight one day.

Second, I find it ironic he blasts "canvassing," then describes his going door to door and taling to people and getting jobs, but that's all right and not canvassing. Hmmmmmm.

BamBam:

Back in the autumn and winter there were several discussions on marketing, expecially canvassing, door hangers, flyers, etc. Opinion was severly split. I remeber one person on those threads made statements to the effect he wanted to run off and/or do bodily harm to anyone who knocked on his door. If that was not you I apologize for mistaking you for that person.

Still, does it bother you to the point of literally wanting to start a fight with a 17 year old kid, as you describe them, who is just trying to make a couple bucks? Yes, we all get our patience tried at people acting stupidly, but you might want to think about does it warrant a level to WANT to punch some clueless kid?

And we face the same situation with competitors eating the deductible on insurance jobs and prospects asking for it. We explain that it isn't legal and they shouldn't be wanting to risk insurance fraud for a lousy $500 or so. Yes, it pisses me off, just like competing against illegal aliens, hacks, no licenses, no insurance, etc.

But, BamBam, when you go door to door talking to people that's canvassing. Maybe you aren't doing it on a widespread or organized manor, but it's still canvassing. So if it works and done well I don't see any problem with it.

almreno

WPC did help me alot in canvassing - I cant give him all the credit - but wpc knows what he's doing.

almreno

WPC has been here and since left, to help others in their canvassing needs. I am greatfull for is guidence, and love to get out there everyday (even in the snow - still in april). Just looking for new idea's and different ways to get that "YES"

KG007

Okay, my last post on this thread.

When I've done door hangers I will usually meet a few people in the yard or drive, or the door is open and they see me come up and come meet me. I've had lots of people say "thanks for the information." I've NEVER had one tell me how horrible I am interrupting them. The most unpleasant have been a couple saying essentially they aren't interested and brush me off, but even then haven't been more than what I would call uninterested. And several have asked me inside to see something, some of which never went anywhere, some turned into jobs.

By the way, my understanding is that putting something in a mailbox that didn't go through the postal service is I-L-L-E-G-A-L. Just FYI, BamBam.

BamBamm5144

KG - I am aware of that. Im not really going to take the time to re-read my posts so if I said mailboxes instead of paperboxes, I apologize.

I still stick with what I said. People do not like being bothered at home by a guy knocking on their door and then trying to tell them they need to purchase a product that averages over 10 thousand dollars. At least thats how it is for the neighborhoods I market to.

BamBamm5144

Also I forgot to ad, doing door hangers, and occasionally running into someone in their driveway and making quick small talk is different that door to door knocking. If the person is already outside, you can see they arent busy doing housework or watching their children or relaxing on their couch. It makes for a much different situation that knocking on the door, waiting for the person to come to the door, then talking to them.

handyhands

Don't KNOCK it till you try it!

almreno

Hey bamm, I have canvassed for many years and yes I do sometimes bother people (maybe at that point i just leave them a door hanger) but numbers dont lie - canvassing (and having the right people) will out do door hangers any day - I put my rep on the line with what I say. Its to bad you have not had success with it - or have you tried having a cavassing dept?

modterry

Could someone tell me who WPC is or the posts ?

I would like to learn more about the hanger / flyer aspect of marketing.

Terry

ParamountWill

What time of day has the best results for canvasing?

Thanks,

Will

handyhands

You want people to be home to answer the door, right?

My best advise is 4-7pm. You can still catch the retirees as well as the people who work and aren't home until after 5.

Saturdays are a key day as well.

almreno

I was trained by WPC and now run a canvassing dept. My experience would tell you mon-fri best between 2-8pm - weekends 11-7. Dont be afraid to push it till 8pm.

almreno

Modterry: I have worked with WPC and he is great - I know run the canvassing dept he built - I will let him know your looking for him. Also paramountwill: best hours mon-fri 2-8pm and weekends 11-7 : I will be on from time to time but work alot. Hope to hear more questions or ideas about canvassing (cuz I love what I do!)

Electric_Light

What's the legality of this anyways?
Searched Google for "we pay your deductible" and it comes up with A LOT of auto body shops. One auto glass advertised the same line on TV. Doubt they'd be getting away advertising "insurance fraud" on TV. Is it different for real property?

wpc07834

Yea canvasing sucks. I would not recomend it unless you want to make money