Has anyone tried going door to door?

[Lawn-Scapes]

Hi guys and gals...

I need some more accounts! Fliers are not doing too good and referrals are lacking to non existent. I know it's late into the season but I need about 10 more accounts to be happy...

I'm thinking of going door to door. Has anyone tried this and been successful? Any good opening lines?

Thanks!

[BrandonGT]

I'm probably going to do that next year.. hopefully, I'll have my own mower by then.

I recommend getting a good first impression by dressing in business apparel. :D

Brandon ;)

[lawnboy82]

i have done this in the past and it worked well for me. now i only do it if i am working in the area for a good length of time, and i like the area.

[sheppard]

Dear TSG, having ben in sales for 10 years my advice to you is make the initial contact with people any way you can. I put flyers on people's cars, front/back doors then call them that night or the next. You can get their address and phone # from www.infospace.com. Go to the reverse address section, then to the street address. Type in the street address with no specifice house number and you will get everyone listed on the street with their phone numbers. It's free and most people are very friendly. Also, just contact businesses directly and ask if they are happy with the current service and that you would love to earn their business. Expect to be offered the contract.

Cordially,
Sheppard

[awm]

door to door will probably produce a higher success percentage
than anything. it wll also be some of the hardest work,unless you
are a born salesman.if you are that. you got no buisiness mowing
yds ,cause you can make mega bucks.
a tip is to work on the first 8 seconds and what you are going to say when the door opens.good luck,youll need it, but you will have fun too.later now TM

[XOFMOT]

I would love to be able to go door to door, but the homes I target are placed so far apart from each other I would spend hours to hit maybe 50 homes...I can "FLYER" 200 homes in an hour. I'm sure that talking to someone would benifit all of us alot more than just seeing a flyer, but TIME is a factor. I also bet that 9 out of 10 homes that you would do the door to door thing would yield a no answer during the weekday hours that I work..they(customers) work to.

[kris]

I have done it on commercial property's ... I have a information sheet "about us" and a business card to leave for whoever is in charge..I then get the person's card (from the secretary) and call him/her in a day or two...it's worked for me.

[plymouthvaliant73]

Originally posted by TSG


...referrals are lacking to non existent.




Hmmmmm. 'nuff said. :p

Before you go door-to-door you might want to check the local bylaws. My town requires a permit from the police department. It's not illegal, just a fine to be paid if you don't have the permit. Only charities and non-profits are exempt from the permit requirement.

[Lawn-Scapes]

Thanks for the replies...

Except for this one:

Hmmmmm. 'nuff said.

I'm not sure what this means but if you're implying that my work is not worth a referral... you're wrong. I do exceptional work compared to the majority around here. I think the customers want me all to themselves ;)

This is my third year back in business in Maryland. When I started down in Florida I had more than I could handle in my second year. It seems people talked and your work was noticed more in Florida...

I think it may be time to target a new area. I was trying to avoid an hour of travel..

[sheppard]

It's great living in the south. And it isn't the north definately. People still work by referals down here. If you mess up they tell twice as many people.

Cordially,
Sheppard

[TJLC]

All my work is from referals, I have never advertised. The problem I have now is I'm overloaded. What's makes it so bad is I cut my hand pretty bad last week(non work related) and I still can't use it. It's very sore and swollen, 5 stiches.. My son has been running the mower for me while I trim and edge. It's been very tough. Sorry to ramble on.

[Island Lawn]

Why not?
If you've got the time and need the work.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[George777]

My Partner and I have done door to door. We did not get good resualts because most were not home. I have had better resualts with flyers. Maybe if you go door to door on a Sat. morning you might do well, after all that is the time all the home owners are thinking about cutting the grass. Look sharp and present your business well and you will land some accounts. even if you see a mower in the garage still ask if they need your services. Almost all of my customers own a lawn mower.

I have done door to door in another business and found that you will get rejected and that is ok. Just move on to the next one.

When passing out flyers and I see somebody working in the yard I will stop and see if I could earn their business, Picked up some accounts using that technique.

Good luck and pound the street and you will pick up some accounts.

[CSRA Landscaping]

I tried it and I hated it. For some reason it seems as if I have a mental block on going door to door. Maybe it'll work better for you. Good luck.