Who here is pounding the streets for business right now? I mean who is literally working 8 hrs per day at least door knocking, distributing fliers, postcards, door hangers etc? How well is it working for you? How many fliers, postcards, or door hangers a month are you distributing?
I was bored earlier in the week and put out 1k fliers, got week one booked up! working on week 2
2 Likes
[MENTION=36454]DanRodriguez[/MENTION]
Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource mobile app
I think if this is your only source of income and individual should be out pounding the streets daily.
I pound the pavement every chance i get for store fronts.Its pretty easy to cover a lot of storefronts in a short amount of time.
2 Likes
…
I’ve been doing doors with pure business cards. Got some decent results. But I could do better.
Just ordered door hangers. Hopefully more work comes in with these.
I like to start at 10am. It’s not as hot and people are usually up and running by then.
Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource
For me it was and still is the hardest part of my job but I always find silly things work, things as simple as a smile when someone answers the door to you it goes a long way and sometimes makes a big difference.
Another thing that works but you need to be thick skinned and willing to accept some form of abuse off some people is knocking doors that have the “no unofficial caller, we do not buy from salesmen at the door” etc. these are usually aimed and window salesman and religious groups not the humble window cleaner, myself I’ve had some really good results knocking these doors and I’ve picked up a few customers from it, you will always get some prick saying can’t you read but the only person losing out by not knocking the door is you !
Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource
2 Likes
Here’s a story. Two days ago we were putting postcards on doors in this neighborhood full of condos. We weren’t knocking on doors because there is still snow on the ground and its still fairly cold out. We put an expiration date on the card of 4-15-14. We got almost the whole sub done and I put one on this ladies door and I hear her scream something like " get off my porch!" She was older. I didn’t say anything, turned around and walked away. I got back to the truck and had a miss phone call. I call it back and it was her. She told me how there was a no soliciting sign at the front of the sub and how my guys were out putting cards on doors. We weren’t actually selling so it we weren’t in the wrong however I told her I’d call them out of there ( it was really me in there and I was already done ). Two seconds later this ladies neighbor calls. She books us for a gutter cleaning job. I can’t wait to pull up with our huge trailer and truck for the crabby lady to see.
Moral of the story. Keep hammering even if you face people who want you gone
1 Like
Karma is a crazy thing… That’s a great story.
When I first opened my company, this is all we ever did. Bad thing is, you get burnt out so fast. I remember back in 2011, I would literally go out 8-10 hours a day selling just storefront. I think I almost went insane a few times…
What I’ve transitioned into is making a list of marketing stuff I want to accomplish in a week, then I break down time blocks to complete each task.
so for instance like today, I’m going out to do like 3-4 resi estimates. When I’m in those areas, I will do some scouting for commercial stuff and probably spend less then an hour per area grabbing business cards and passing out literature for leads to put into my follow up program for spring. Nothing too crazy, but still getting touches and generating potential customers for the work we are after.
So I don’t get too off topic,we have the guys starting flyering next week for resi I usually have guys hit areas for 4-5 hours depending on the weather. I keel it pretty simple #s wise. A guy can get out 100 or so flyers an hour. I pay guys $10 an hour to flyer, so $40-50 going out in spring usually brings back in a few jobs a day through April.
Another thing ink we have transitioned into is flyering a neighborhood the week after they get an EDDM piece. It’s a great little trick, as you are just reminding people that you are in there area working, without dropping thousands on another mailing campaign.
It’s all about switching it up every now and then by trying new things with your time.
Ive found when I spend too much time one one thing, I loose productivity. So I try to keep stuff different and new. That said, there is nothing better anyone can do for their company in the spring then getting out there and spreading the word about what you do. Try anything and everything you can think of… You’ll be surprised what works.
Keep pounding that pavement guys!
3 Likes
Good post Dave…
Im waiting to see what ProPosal has coming out next week for route work!!
I stay away from the no soliciting houses. I’m trying to make a profit off of them and most of the time they put that sign up because they don’t want any business deals offered to them.
A pretty neat idea is to write the address down and to mail to them instead??
Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource
1 Like
If they have a sign on the door I don’t hit that house. However if the signs at the front of the sub, then you are seriously missing out by saying I want to make a profit and not upset them. I think you meant signs on their front door though
For houses with “no soliciting” signs, we will still leave a flyer or door hanger
Ive researched solicitation laws here in MN, and the “rules” are no knocking. Advertising is fine, as long as the pieces are not littered all over the neighborhood. These laws were made so that people did not have to deal with roofers/ siding contractors knocking on their door and telling them they have weather damage and to take advantage of their homeowners insurance. Ive found in MN, even when they have a actual law written for a given area, you can still get a permit for like $50 that allows you to flyer or door hang.
Of course you will get angry people like the one mentioned earlier in this thread, but thats to be expected.
People respect small business owners, especially service providers working hard. From my experience, 9/10 people will not be offended. I also dont like educating guys to skip houses when flyering, just cause i dont want them in the habit of slacking. If they get an earfull from anyone, i tell them to give the customer my card.
[MENTION=5310]Lsmain[/MENTION] no soliciting means they like to buy 
but yeah i think we had a whole debate on this last year, our laws say talking to them direct sales is soliciting. sign says Prvt Drive HA! once a street name and govt sign is on it its now public domain
Pounding the streets daily if this is your only income? Why do you say that?
Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource
John the reason I made that statement is if Window Cleaning is your only source of income coming in then
you should be pounding the pavement to generate income. It’s like they say if your out of work your full time job should be searching for work…Correct.
I took your statement as literally pounding the pavement. As in, knocking on doors everyday, hanging fliers like the op stated.
Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource
If thats what it takes to generate your income, then thats what one must due…Right.
1 Like
Everyones waiting for the next best software, next best postcard design, etc. Just go out and do it. No matter what new software comes out, ( proposal, jobber, CF, etc.) Knocking on doors and working leads will always take a little courage and a strong backbone. Its never going to get easier until you get out there and do it. Once you do it on a regular basis it will feel normal.
Good post Matthew.
Do whatever you need to do to be successful!
