Hey folks, so I know that one of the big items on the new guy advice list is to go out into the nice neighborhoods around your house and pass out some flyers in order to start generating your first customers. I want to to do this, but there is just one little thing nagging at me about it: this doesn’t make you look unprofessional?
I know it’s kind of a stupid question, and I already know the answer because I see that it has worked for many of you. And while it seems like a good idea, I just have this paranoid worry that it’s going to make me look unprofessional. I don’t really have any alternatives though because I can’t afford a bunch of nice postcards and mail them out and what not. I also designed my own flyer so that might have something to do with it.
… “If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck” So if you look and act and speak like a professional you will be seen that way. If you are going door to door in a t-shirt, jeans with holes in the knees, ratty sneakers and a 3 day growth, that says something very different.
When you are beginning, there’s nothing wrong with admitting to customers that you are just starting out. Even if you don’t tell them, they will know because of the fliers unless they are professionally printed. The bottom line is cost. If you can afford to start out by doing EDDM or professional door hangers then fine. If all you can afford is inexpensive fliers printed on your computer, that’s OK too. It costs money to look professional. It costs nothing to act professional. It all depends on what you can afford. In my area, Direct TV and DISH network goes door to door with sales man, so do most of the alarm companies and such. These are professional companies. You have to start somewhere. Even if you can afford a large mailing campaign, I’d suggest fliers until money starts coming in.
Great advise…
BUT are you fliering or door to door selling?
Unless I am doing 5 arounds I NEVER flier in my work duds
To get the most BANG out of fliering you gotta hand out alot. And move fast and furious .
My fliering duds are
Work out shoes
Lightweight cargo shorts
Performance moister wicking tee shirt
Hat
And of course my fliering belt that has my flier pouch and water bottle holder.
I have handed out thousands of fliers in different neiborhoods. Only one time I remember getting stopped by a woman ( who was watering her lawn at the time) to ask me what I was putting on her door. I stopped and told her the script I had ready:
"I am expanding my window cleaning biz and working to get the word out. With the economy the way it is this is the most cost effective way for us to do this."
So be ready for IF you get asked
And she ended up to be my first client from that neighborhood!! Workout clothes and all!
as long as your getup is neat. Don’t stink of beer and cigerettes you should not have a problem.
The only problem I see is your neighbor hood.
Is it a high income neighborhood with disposable income?
Those are ones you need to concentrate on for best results .
Either way just get out and do it!!
Pax
