[ogre]

I am pretty slow as of late and plan of going door to door in my area. Any suggestions on how I should do this. I do not do a lot of advertising. Almost all of my work is word of mouth. I do not want to sound desparate. I am new to the area and want to target it anyway. Should I just hand out cards or other literature. Any help would be great. Thanks Mike

 

[timhag]

go here and read these post http://www.painttalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4

 

[Tonyg]

A lot of people will swear that door to door is the most successful approach but in my area the home owners are bombarded at least 2-3 times a week, sometimes a day in my neighborhood, with salespeople for replacement window, viyl siding, etc. I remember passing out flyers in the area of a job and an old man on the porch asked if I was selling siding, windows, or roofs, and was surprised when I said painting.

I will drop off literature but will not do the door to door sales. Not because I am afraid or unable but I hate to get mixed in with these van loads of salesmen/saleswomen that troll our neighborhoods. There is just such a negative impression because of the oversaturation.

 

[Paint Works]

I don't care what you are selling, sales is a numbers game. If you are going to go door to door investigate the area first. Example: Exterior work, Neighborhood with lots of cedar houses about 5 years old or older great area to cold call.

I will go door to door in a area where we are working and introduce myself. Be honest with people and don't use a sales pitch (DONT SELL)use your honesty and personality. " Hi, sorry to bother you. Don't worry I'm not selling anything. My name is___________ and I'm a painting contractor. We are new to the area and haven't done much advertising here yet. I'm just trying to get my name out there and pass out some cards. If you might know of anyone in the area whose looking for painting we are offering a finders fee.gift card to home depot or whatever. Don't offer a free estimate or inspection of property, If they are interested they will let you know. Why bother selling to people who don't want to be sold to.(remeber numbers game, get to as many people as possible and sell the easy ones first) If you have done any work in the area, get refferrals and pass those with card.
Talk to them as if you are talking to a neighbor. Maybe leave them a pen or a magnet. SELL
WITHOUT SELLING.

My two cents
- jason

 

[timhag]

timhag, is that all you do is post links(bad links?) How about offering advice or some insite?

Bad Links? The links i post are very appropriate for the thread that is being posted. How about asking a question that has not been asked, how about doing a search b 4 posting questions that have been asked 50 times, how about asking a question that i could answer instead of asking questions that have answers and how about you learning to do a search so we don't have to answer the same questions over and over and over.

 

[timhag]

timhag, is that all you do is post links(bad links?) How about offering advice or some insite?

Dude asked for help, i gave him more help than you ever could by posting that link my brother.

 

[timhag]

Here is another link http://www.painttalk.com/showthread.php?t=71&highlight=cold+call

 

[vermontpainter]

timhag, is that all you do is post links(bad links?) How about offering advice or some insite?
- jason

Your 5th post on painttalk and you have the audacity to mess with one of our residents? Bad form.

 

[cole191919]

Agreed, tim is our very own resident Painttalk.com encyclopedia. Sure is a lot more than 5 posts can say.

 

[TiffyBrown]

Actually, I like the links. Fairly new to this site. Keep the links coming. Thanks timhag.

 

[The paint whisperer]

I personally don't like it whensomeone knock on my front door and try to sell my something.:no:

So, Please do not knock on my front door.

 

[Brian]

Timhag's links are good. They save everyone from repeating themselves and direct people to the appropriate place. I think what he does is very beneficial, and it's free.

When I go door to door, which is rare, I have a couple of things I might say. If we are working in the neighborhood, I point out that fact. That builds a little trust and credibility.

Otherwise I'll say that we are introducing our company to the neighborhood and leave some literature.

If you are targeting exteriors it is easy to see homes that need work. This can be pointed out in a diplomatic way-- I'm Brian with Philpaint and we're doing work down the street. It looks like you might be in the market to have your house painted soon, and I thought I would leave you some information about our company. If the customer is unaware of the need to paint, you've got an opening to show them and discuss the project further. If not, you at least got some literature in their hands.

Brian Phillips

 

[Dave Mac]

On Contractor talk, go to marketing and sales, and look under a thread called canvassing, it is a great thread with several company's that are having huge sucess with it, something like 5 leads per hour I think was given as typical numbers, with probaly 2 of the leads that wont actually be good. Those sound like some good numbers to me. the thread is several pages long. Their are always going to be people that dont like it, but from what I have read it seems like the a very good and fast way to get leads.
Let us know how it works, I may want to try it out myself.

dave mac

 

[Capella]

He's always been helpful to me. Timhag for President!

Peyton Manning | Marvin Harrison :yes:

 

[ProWallGuy]

While I agree that Timhag's exceptional searching ability is invaluable, I still like to see new members post questions, whether they have been hashed over or not. Sometimes, new ideas/problems/issues come to light, and it keeps the content fresh.

 

[timhag]

Thanks guys for making my time looking for links worth the effort.

 

[The paint whisperer]

While I agree that Timhag's exceptional searching ability is invaluable, I still like to see new members post questions, whether they have been hashed over or not. Sometimes, new ideas/problems/issues come to light, and it keeps the content fresh.

:yes: :yes: :yes:

 

[crow]

The last time we folks round here had sombody drive up and get outta their car to sell sumthin was over at ma parkers farm, Shes 81 years old, and she held them at gunpoint until they split a cord a wood! and cleaned out her shed! she then offered them a lard samich, they declinded, she told em get the hell off the propterty! they called the law, and waited down the road, only to be arrested for tresspasin!!! we folk round here dont not take to sales folk! only one round here that aint answerin the dorr with a 12 is that toad eater he hadda trade his for da blujuice!!!

 

[ProWallGuy]

Crow, I do believe its time to quit with the ******* BS and start contributing in a professional manner. :yes: We really don't need the comedy relief anymore. :no:

 

[timhag]

Never had any success going door to door. Door to door in this area is frowned upon. One thing that we did have success with is passing out fliers and post cards at the local grocery store.