Canvasing For Leads

Ed the Roofer

I'm just getting my head cleared enough to want to get back into business mode and this topic was as good as any to get involved in.

I'll catch up with it later today.

Ed

__________________
Please Stay Tuned For A Very Important Message From Our Sponsor
http://www.rightwayroofingcompany.com/ www.rightwayroofingcompany.com
Roof Estimates, Roof Repairs, Roofers, Roof Leak Help, Elgin, Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee, Sleepy Hollow, Algonquin, South Elgin, Huntley, Lake In The Hills, Illinois

UncleBob

Interesting thread... I'm new here, so scuze my repeating stuff already covered, but I think this is an important topic and deserves good cover

My take: Door to door canvassing works. It does not suit every personality, many would never dream of 'having a go!' - but as a low cost form of marketing it should be very attractive to new-starts and folks looking for some additional work, let's face it most of us could do with some 'additional work' at the moment. The ones who don't need additional work don't post here coz they're too busy... and it seems like more and more people are joining this forum, so go figure! - I think we call it the economy

All I know is if you don't use (or at least try) door knocking, then you are missing a trick. Yes it can be annoying for the HO, so folks need to be trained, they need to be rehearsed, and the efforts need to be reviewed. Folks don't like to be 'sold' something, specifically something they don't think they need, but canvassing is not about selling, it is about generating opportunities- opportunities for the contractor, but more importantly opportunity for the HO

I didn't realize my gutters were as bad as they were, I had gotten used to them hanging off the side of the house, my goodness is that really the amount of gunk that is up there?!?!? - thank you for stopping by, how much would it cost to do something about this? - what are my options? - Fred the estimator? who is he? can you arrange for him to call around and chat to me?

Ok, we do not live in a perfect world, folks don't always respond like this- but with a PROFESSIONAL approach you might just be surprised how many do. Tele-canvassing paid the price of lack of professionalism, now it is basically dead (although there are ways... ;-). Door to door canvassing cannot be allowed to follow, the answer is professionalism

Knowing the procedure, knowing the steps involved, having the right attitude... there are pros out there who will train you on this stuff, but some chat here might just offer some free tips and advice, but the real secret to becoming GREAT at door knocking is- doing it!

Be systematic and purpose driven; Create a basic plan of action, select your neighborhoods, get yourself legal- and get out there!

Purpose
To find HOs who may be interested in your products and services and provide them with opportunity: research and scout for potential properties of interest- perhaps by area/neighborhood, perhaps by type or age of home and so on... focus your efforts on this loose identification. Remember if you (eg) sell windows, just coz a home has crap windows don't meant the HO will be interested. Sharp sales people sell to WANT not to NEED, there is a difference. Having identified properties that might benefit from your opportunity you need to let them know that the opportunity exists! - this is canvassing

TIP-1: Don't forget that it is not just the HO of the property you canvass that presents an opportunity, it is also who they know. It amazes me how even some of the most professional canvassers I know forget this simple fact and forget to ask folks if they know anyone who might be interested in a free estimate for ...........

Be Systematic
Use canvass sheets, record each street and neigborhood and street number of EVERY door you approach. There is a very good reason for this and this introduces TIP-2.

TIP-2
Keep a simple database of addresses back at base, take the time to enter canvass results and coverage. A simple columned sheet on a clipboard with: street name, house #, a needs column, and result column is good. It is the combination of needs and results column that will win you more work than the next guy. What is the result of a canvass action? - what about, a) nobody home, left door hanger, b) spoke to HO- not interested, c) Appointment, etc. - NOW... combine this with a NEEDS COLUMN... let's say you install windows and siding- a) siding condition; good, poor, rotted wood etc. b) windows; type, condition etc... you get the idea?

Now when you get back to base and spend half-an-hour enetering this data very quickly and efficiently into your master database what do you have?

You have addresses of properties that might, just might, benefit from what you do. You may not have caught the HO at home, but you can do something that the next guy hasn't thought about... MAIL THEM- low volume, high quality mailers attacking an identified problem. Dear HO, I was in your neighborhood last week and I noticed that your siding was a piece of crap, I want you to know that we provide free estimates etc. (please don't use these words, but you get the idea). Wouldn't it be great to have a database of every property in your area that need some work done? work that you do? - given time, this is EXACTLY what you will have. What will the next guy have? - you getting excited yet???

Plan of Action
Know what you are going to say, how you are going to say it, and don't forget to ask the HO if they have any friends of family that might be interested. Take notes, be polite, respect them, their home, their dog and their yard. Take no for an answer, you are not desperate (get the attitude right), and... NEXT!

Get Legal
Many towns require you to have a permit to knock on doors. Ask, find out what is required, pay the $20 or whatever and go have fun!

I could talk about this stuff till whenever... but please take this as you want. I know canvassing ain't for all, and thank crap it ain't or the competitors would be doing too much work in my area.

What is your opportunity to the HO? - what should you be saying to get the best result? what should you be offering, if anything? - well, that is VERY IMPORTANT and is all relative to what you do and your market... I'm happy to chat

Steep Team

And I quote from you.
In my area, I have never met anyone who bought anything from door to door sales. Actually I did, a neighbor of mine down the road but once I saw the sign in the yard, I went to their door step and told them about the company (same one that came to my house) and then I got the job.

If you did that to me I would sue you for tortious interference with a signed contract. Look it up!
With a piss poor attitude like you have how do you even get work?

almreno

Havent been on for awhile, I see were all still giving bam bam a hard time lol. I will always be a firm believer in canvassing, as matter a fact im headed to east coast to set up a canvassing program for a client. Its a 30 day project and will keep everyone posted of progress. There is only 2 ways to get leads, you either PAY for them or you WORK for them. Word for the day "F.I.N.A.O" (failure is NOT an option). Talk to everyone soon.

BamBamm5144

Steep Team. Lol. I get work by doing quality work, being honest, not screwing over HO, not interfering with there personal lives, becoming friends with them, having fair prices, and giving them peace of mind.

Many roofing companies who do this have invalid contracts just like this specific company did with theres. You would spend more time and money "suing" me to lose than anything else. Its amazing how many dont even have the 3 day right to cancel properly on their contracts. This company was going to do there siding, there were a stack of logs about 6 inches away from the siding. They told this specific HO they would just go around it with the new siding instead of move it. Do you really think its because I told them about their reputation or because they did it themselves and the only reason they got the job is that they claimed to be able to give them a free roof and siding.

Oh well. Get over it.

P.S - Of everyone I have still asked, to his day, all my customers or non customers - how the feel about being bothered by people knocking on there doors right when they got off work or in the yard with the family, majority tell me its a nuisance and the rest say they dont care because they arent buying anything anyway so let the guy waste his time.

handyhands

Hi BamBamm-

We recently started canvassing again, only knocking on doors for 4 hours, 4 days a week.

Results of our canvassing efforts for the 8 weeks we've been doing it?

Over $70k in new business.

--I'm not going to sit here and argue why it's right,..why it's intrusive...All I'm saying is I too was a "nay-sayer", but bottom line-It works.

Some may feel to embarrassed to knock on someones doors in fear of being intrusive or getting told off, and sure- it happens.

But,...again--the bottom line, it works.

Good thing for you, you can survive soley on your reputation and quality of work and if those alone keep you busy as MUCH AS YOU'D LIKE TO BE, then you're apparantly doing some good stuff out there...

Where I work, we always strive for more leads, and more business. We absolutely get alot of referrals, repeat business, new customers (wether it be from our website, home shows, direct marketing efforts or even online lead generating companies) So the canvassing program is just another source of "un-tapped" leads,....and while you might not want an additional source of leads at a very low cost, I'll be more than happy to take 'em.

RacerX780

Stop by Jersey and set one up for me.


-R

almreno

Very nice Handyhands! I hope to hear more progress on your canvassing venture.

BamBamm5144

Thats good to hear it works for you but what type of work do you actually do?

Are you talking about small jobs, under 2 grand or jobs that average over 10000?

I am sure if I was to go knock on doors and it was for a smaller purchase it probably would work out much better but I feel like when people are ready to spend that sort of money, they will call you. If youve ever knocked on a door with a person whose roof is falling off, youd be surprised to find out how many family members everyone has in the business thats already "taking care of it"

handyhands

Morning, Bambamm-

We do windows, siding, roofing and custom-designed 3 and 4 season sunrooms.

-we've sold a couple window jobs, 2 siding jobs and 2 sunroom jobs so far...smallest sale being a little shy of $7k, and the biggest being a sunroom for $22k.

No small ticket items, but who knows what's to come....Either way, it's proving to be effective so far, and we plan on continuing until it fails to pay off.

almreno

Well Tmrw at 5am I am on a plane for Phili .Pa - Here the weather is a little differ than the desert. my mission is to complete a 30 day project for a "think green" company and bring them more leads than they know what to deal with. I know some have you have followed me on my posts - just know when I arrive at 7pm tmrw night - maybe get a little sleep - I will keep you all posted. My mission is simple to get that "Yes" at the door and nothing else. Bamm - I may even help you out when your ready. This site is to hear and read new and exciting things - well get ready cuz you have not dealt with me yet - any one who wishes to hear more - just keep in touch. Oh and had to make a promise to my son - that i would not get fat from all the phili cheese steak sandwhiches - lol - ya right

RacerX780

Heh you might even get to partake in the parade when the Flyers win the cup next week!!

MagicPoolSvcs

Not this Tuesday, but next Tuesday I plan to try something different.
I am going " door to door " offering " Free Water Testing " for local pools.

I will give you some feedback after some doors are shut in my face (LOL)

__________________
www.MagicPoolServices.com-----www.MagicExteriorCleaning.com--

Stuff We Post On Facebook --Tweeting On Twitter -- Funny YouTube Videos

welterweight

i had a guy out today. we got one solid lead. better than sitting home and waiting for the phone to ring.

almreno

Glad to hear more of you are jumping on the wagon with door to door. In case you have been following, I arrived in Phily late Sat night - Spent Sunday setting interviews for Mon & Tues - will be in training come tues evening and production by Wed. I will update towards end of week - I love this stuff! Make it a great day!

almreno

Here we are at friday. Production is moving along nicely - appts are being called in - 7 appts (within a 72hrs time frame to be run) and 5 leads and that was just our first day out. Training, motivating and leadership all play a part of a succesfull canvassing team. Home owners have been nothing but plesant and intrested in what we have to offer and say (even got this canvasser that looks just like Chris Rock! NO kidding!) more interviews, more training = MORE APPTS = SALES! and lets face it - thats all that matters.

wpc07834

Keep up the good work. This world is full of oppertunity for anyone who is willing to work for it. Stay positive and focused

Tool34

Here is what you do, first, make some flyers.Second, give your paperboy a nice little tip to stuff your flyers in every newspaper that he delivers. Ask him for other newspaper deliver names and get them on board too.

__________________
U.S. Marine Corps, Retired

almreno

Morning all,
Well it only took 3 days in the field to produce our first canvass sale! YAAY - I have recuirted and hired a solid team and things are coming together. I only have 18 more days left here in Phily, cant wait to see my family. But I will miss the Cheesesteaks. Talk to everyone soon, more interviews today then will be in field. Make it a GREAT day.

almreno

Hi folks, things are going great and only getting better. Had our 2nd canvas sale and 1 canvas lead sale - new guy couldnt get booked at door - but call center booked appt and it sold - so the wealth was spread around. I hope to hear how other are doing with their canvas dept's. Is anyone dealing with any problems that I could offer advice to? I really love dealing with these east coast people (you tell it like it is) havent had any guns pulled on me yet lol - lot different than nevada. Well talk to you all soon. let me know if I can help with and questions or advice. Make it a great day!