Alright. I admit it. It has been quite a while since I have door knocked. But I did it for about three months in February, March, and April of last year.
There was a riduculous cold spell last February. Temps were under 20 degrees for two weeks straight. My coldest evening was 6 degrees. Brrrr.
I would begin knocking at 5 o'clock. I would knock till I spoke with 10 people at their doors. The reception was suprisingly positive. In the rare cases someone was mean, that was OK. It still counted towards my 10.
It would usually take 40 to 45 minutes to get finished. I did it 4 times per week. If I missed an evening, I could make it up on the weekend. Mornings are great on the weekends for door knocking.
I would print out a basic CMA (market analysis) and staple my business card to them. I carried ten along with a notebook to write down the contact info.
Everyone I spoke with (even the door slammers) would get a hand written card sent to them as follow up.
It worked. I got lots of leads. I still have those leads in my database. They have been a little stubborn about moving (such is the market), but they will eventually.
I will be ready to help them when they do.
My script? Real simple:
Hello. My name is Ken Tracy. I am a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. I market your neighborhood very effectively. The reason I am out this evening is that I am looking for people moving in two years or less so that I can go to work for them.
For those that would say yes. I would get all of their contact info (especially the email), and set them up with an internet search of their neighborhood.
Pick your neighborhood carefully. They are not all the same.
I found townhomes the best to work with. Easy door knocking (no long driveways) and a much more transient demographic generally.
Good luck and happy prospecting,
Ken
Check out my Naperville Real Estate site to find your next home.
good for you for doing proactive things to generate leads.
Although I am all about the Internet...I believe agents should do whatever is working for them at the time. Nice post and great luck...sometimes things go full circle...and maybe this approach is one of them.
Ken, I sold ADT security systems door to door. So, I know the trials of the door to door saleman. Do you think people would be receptive to the door to door refi guy. Hey, I might of just come up with a new USP.
I am an internet junkee, but I do remember knocking on doors, and over the years, signed up several sellers and listed my share of listings using this meathod- I guess when they see you, they are more receptive-
Bill
Great blog- All the best!
Ken, door knocking is great. It just takes some time but it can be pretty effective.
This is old school, but it still works. Good for you.
Glad this worked for you, keep us posted on new leads, I just finished walking a neighborhood yesterday. Great exercise!
Hi Ray, Atlanta, Jim, Bill, Jimmy, Dimuria, and Carrol. Thanks for stopping by.
Haven't done it lately. Probably start up again soon.
Ken
The personal touch is important - especially in this ever increasing impersonal world. I live in a very small community and rather than door knocking (rural folks have dogs that will chase you for miles because they aren't chained or fenced in), I'm in the habit of having about 5 daytimers with my company info on them and will spontaneously stop someone in the grocery store or elsewhere in town and give them one. People love free and they always remember me when they see me in town as one of those people that is nice to talk to -- an important first step in a small town.
Hi Property. Way to go. Dog's can be dangerous!! Watch out for German Shepards.
Thanks for stopping by.
Ken
In markets like this, sometimes going back to the basics is a GREAT idea. I have successfully door knocked in the past and might think about is again when we get out of the 90-100 degree heat of the hot Texas summer. Keep up the good work and congratulations for realizing what works for you and doing it!
Ken. I love that you're considering door knocking (it's a frigin' lovefest!). You're going to fall out of your chair when I tell you though that I think your script is a little "hard sell". Is there anyway one of those 6 or 7 listings in Riverbend is a Keller Williams listing? If so, ask the agent if you could hold it open for him/her and then door knock in the neighborhood and say, "Good afternoon, I'm Ken Tracy with Keller Williams Realty, I specialize in your area and I just wanted to let you know that I will be holding your neighbor's, the Smiths, townhome open house this Sunday from 1PM to 4PM and I wanted to give you the first opportunity to pick your new neighbors! Do you know anyone thinking of moving into the area?"
Probably one of my favorite pitches because you're knocking on their door and giving them an immediate BENEFIT to talking further with you. Plus you build instant rapport by associating yourself with their neighbor's around the corner - third party endorsement of your services. If you're good enough for the Smiths to use ...
If you're feeling all hard-sell, after the above you can say, "Have you considered moving in the near future?" or "If I could show you how I can sell your townhome today for the best possible price and in the least amount of time, would that be something you'd be interested in hearing about?"
Bravo for getting out there, Ken - I think you'll love the results if done consistently. Do the above 2 hours a day and you'll be a top-3 guy at the new KW office in 6 months - if not sooner!
Leonard
Hi Leonard. It truly is a love fest. No KW listings in River Bend. Yet. Good points all.
Ken
I have always felt a face to face was worth ten times the telephone call.
Hi Ken,
Nice to see you out there meeting people! Door knocking can be tough, but thats what makes it more rewarding when your done. Keep it up your efforts will pay off! :)
Hi Suzanne and John. Thanks for stopping by.
Face to face is preferred. Harder. More time consuming. But the best.
Ken
The reception was suprisingly positive.
Hey Ken,
Don't be surprised. If your market is anything like ours, you might not have much competition from other agents. You have a friendly, helpful manner about you. I expect you will continue to have a positive reception when you start door knocking again. You're probably a natural.
Hi NYL. Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words.
Ken
Morning Ken,
In person contact is always the best. Knocking works well in some areas and not so well in others. We would be ousted if we knocked in our market area. So we do trade fairs and the like. That works for us.
I love taking the initiative to get your name out there. Takes courage and passion and Im sure within 2 years or less, you will see the results !
Hi Hal, Christopher, and Stephanie. Thanks for stopping by.
It's Sunday AM. We are going this morning to hang fliers on another farm area.
Ken
THanks for the encourgaement and input..
Hi Marlando. Your welcome.
Thanks for reading my post!
Ken
Door knocking is the best. Exercise and free leads. Gotta love it.
Ken,
I walked for the first time today door knocking. It was an awkward start but I was proud of myself. I am going to continue! Thank you for your post!!
Wendy
Hi Wendy.
I am proud of you! Keep it up and you will have a record year...
Thanks for reading,
Ken
What a great blog. Am a relatively new agent and I didn't realize there were so many POSITIVE, kind hearted realtors out there. Thanks for the great info.
Hi Ken,
I know this is an old post but i just read it. I have been door knocking for the last 6 weeks or so and i have been able to generate about a dozen people who have some sort of interest in moving. But I am getting stuck there. Would you be kind enough to share how you follow up with people who have expressed an interest. Mail? phone calls? a second visit? A bunch of the people I meet during the days are retirees who dont use email. And when do you feel is appropriate to make the next contact for someone who "is starting to think about it"? a week? two weeks? a month? sorry for all the questions, but i could use all the help i can get!
great post you will have me giving it a try
Hi Susan, Michael, and Stan. Thanks!
I think it is an important topic...
Michael, I didn't knock during the day. I was knocking when they were getting ready for dinner. Some might think rude. I thought effective...
Anyone who expressed interest, I would set up with an email search. One for their neighborhood, another for homes they might be interested in...
I sent them a hand written note the following day. I would also set up email searches. Other than that, I let them contact me...
Thanks again everyone!
Ken
This post for sure motivates me to get out there more often and to get away from the computer....Wait !! I am at the computer now. I better get out there.
Hi Jillian. I hope it does!
Good luck...
Ken
Ken,
Great post, I am a believer in the face to face but have not yet been effective. A am in Naples Florida, we have what is recognized as a "season"; a time when folks from up north converge to enjoy our winter weather. My campaigns usually begin mid to end of October, your post will get be moving again.
thank you very much for the informative and interesting post. I get so much out of the active rain network.
Hi Agnes and Paul. Thanks for reading!
This is an old post. I have a much newer series!!!
Thanks again!
Ken