HARDISON’S TIPS – JANUARY 25, 2021 – DOOR TO DOOR SALES TIPS -1
Even in 2021, there are plenty of solid reasons for salespeople to knock doors: there’s a low overhead cost, you avoid spam filters, there’s less competition, and, by meeting face-to-face, you increase brand recognition.
But door-to-door sales—or D2D, for the cool kids—is one of the most infamously challenging types of selling. It takes a lot of courage to go to a stranger’s front porch. And once you get there, what do you even say? There’s nothing to hide behind—no screen, no phone, no desk.
It’s 100% up to you and your sales ability to close the deal.
Fortunately, there’s an art to door-to-door selling, and once you master it, you’ll be prepared to conquer just about any sales-challenge thrown your way. To help you, we pulled together five killer strategies every door-to-door salesperson should know to rack up their close rate and step up their game.
The Basics of Door to Door Sales
If you are coming from an inside sales background—or just have never done door-to-door sales before—there are some cold-knocking basics you should keep in mind before you hit the road.
These may seem obvious, but when you’re focusing on the big stuff (like your awesome closing line or how to prospect smarter), the smaller things have a tendency to slip through the cracks. Don’t worry, though—we got your back with these quick tips:
Is There a “Do Not Knock” Registry?
“Do Not Knock” registries are gaining traction around the United States. Think of them as the in-person equivalent to the Do Not Call list.
Knocking on a listed door can open you up to some hefty fines (to the tune of $300 per offense), so be sure to check local solicitation laws before mapping your route and planning your stops.
What Is the Forecast?
Good ol’ weather. Thunderstorms aren’t the best time to cold-knock on a stranger’s door. If you live in an area that gets heavy snow, be mindful of the upcoming forecast when you’re planning your routes for the week.
Most prospects aren’t going to want to invite you inside right off the bat, so think about how comfortable you will be if you have to stand outside for several long minutes—or possibly, the duration of your entire pitch.
Plus, a stranger at your door in the middle of a storm is a bit like a horror movie. Just don’t do it.
No, but seriously—if you’re approaching people’s homes, you need to be wary of the environment. Look out for signs or posters that say the resident doesn’t take kindly to strangers. If you see anything of the sort, call it a win for saving you time and effort and then move on!
But hey, don’t let caution stop you. Remember that if Girl Scouts can go door-to-door, so can you!
