Door Knocking FAQ
Here are the questions that I most frequently get when it comes to door knocking. If you have a question about door knocking that doesn't appear in this section, please submit it by clicking HERE.
- What do I do if I simply can't find them home?
- How do I get passed locked gates surrounding the home?
- What do I do if my lead is located in a gated community?
- What if my prospect doesn't speak English?
What do I do if I simply can't find them home?
If you are like most FE agents, there are 2-5 prospects a week that you simply can't find home. If you have been to their home 5+ times over a span of several days and can't catch them, you need to break out the big guns. Here is my foolproof method to get them to call you! It works every time.
Here is what you do. Write on the back of your business card:
Tom,
Call me. It's important.
-Cody 123-123-1234
Don't feel like you are trying to trick them. You aren't. Is it important? YES! And if you don't think it is, then I would suggest doing some more studying. Plus, it's important to you...isn't it?
How do I get passed locked gates surrounding the home?
Locked gate that surround the house are much more common in the inner city than in country or farm areas. If you approach a home and there is a huge gate you should do the following (in order):
- Tap on the gate with your keys to make sure there isn't an aggressive dog on the premises.
- If gate is unlocked, let yourself in and walk to the front door.
- If gate is locked or a dog is aggressive, loudly call from the gate, "Hello?"
- Call the prospect on the phone using the number provided on the lead card. If they answer say, "Hi, Mary? This is ______ I'm just out front, but the gate is locked/dog/etc. and I just dropped by to get you that information you requested...." Make sure you open the phone conversation with "I'm just out front..." This will help them feel a little more urgency to go outside and talk to you.
- Place a note in the mail box that says:
"Mary, I tried to contact you to get you the information you requested.
Call me ASAP, it's important."
-Cody 123-123-1234
* SUPERSTAR TIP: If you are calling the prospect because they have a gate you can't get through, make sure you ask, "Is there a code or anything I will need in order to get in?" Often times they will give you the code to the complex. If they do, save it in your GPS so you can enter with ease the next time you have a lead in that community.
What do I do if my lead prospect is located in a gated community?
If you are working in a wealthier area you may find yourself in communities that are gated and/or have a guard at the entrance. If that should happen, do the following (in order):
- If the community is gated but does NOT have a guard, simply wait at the entrance and follow/tailgate a car in. Don't worry about being sneaky, family and friends of the residents do this all the time. After all, once you make the sale you will be considered a friend too.
- If a guard is present, simply tell him/her this:
"I am trying to get a hold of _____. They mailed this card in and wanted some
information. I am here to explain it to them."
Sometimes, this is enough for the guard to buzz you in, but other times he or she will have to call the prospect to 'verify an appointment'. This is typically a bad sign because you don't have an appointment. If the guard starts to call the prospect, stop them. Let them know you don't have an appointment and not to bother with the call because you are going to call the prospect to set up a time. Take note of these complexes because, in them, your only option is to call ahead and try and set up an appointment.
- Call the prospect to get an appointment. Once you have an appointment with one lead, you will have access to the complex and can visit your other lead prospects because you will already be in the community.
*NOTE: If you can, try to get the prospect or customer to tell you the code to the complex so that you can save it in your GPS. That way, the next time you have a lead in that community, you will already have the code to gain access.
What if a prospect doesn't speak English?
Once again, this is a problem that you will typically face in larger cities and Spanish speaking communities. To overcome it you have three options:
- Find a translator. In VERY basic English, ask the foreigner if somebody there speaks English. If somebody does, ask them to translate for you.
- Visit the neighbors. Often, foreigners of the same nationality live in the same geographical area. If this is the case, visit the neighbors and ask them if they speak English and will translate for you.
- Learn the basics of that language. I only recommend this for Spanish. It is not too difficult to learn a few words here and there to help you find a translator. It will take some time and dedication, but it is well worth it. I can't tell you how much money I have made in my career just because I know Spanish.