Jehovah's Witness

Nov 12, 2008 4:12 pm

Potential

I've been contemplating starting with EJ and as you all know, there's a doorknocking component to their training and marketing plan.  The thought of being some unwanted monkey walking up and down a neighborhood's streets annoying everyone, is, of course, off-putting.   But the other morning, two well dressed and smiling Jehovah's Witness' people knocked on my front door.  I answered, with my 11 year old son standing next to me.  They introduced themselves, gave me the usual literature and went on their way.  It didn't last more than 20 seconds.   Although I have no interest, the exchange was pleasant enough.  But as soon as I closed the door, my son said, "Boy, they seemed really nice.  What did they give you?"  He's had a lot of God questions lately, so I gave him the leaflet.   Then I began thinking about the entire exchange.  They knocked, they smiled, they made us like them.  I got their "sales" literature, glanced at it and passed it along to someone who was more interested than myself.   They spent no money on junk-mail postage, which I would have thrown away without even looking at.  And they made the human connection, the most important connection of all in sales.   Just thinking back on it, I have to say that it seems like an incredibly effective approach to getting face time with clients and sharing a smile, as opposed to simply annoying them with an unsolicited phone call and unread junk mail.   Anyone else have opinions or experiences they'd like to share about door knocking?
Nov 12, 2008 4:21 pm

Squash

Yeah most of the time, people don’t answer… Also you mention a specific religious organization that is known for spreading their ideas through that method, and doesn’t involve you giving them any information.



When doorknocking for Jones, you are asking people to give you information(that they may or may not be willing to share) and it deals with financial advice(do they wonder what you are doing there instead of watching your clients investments?)



So what if the Jehovah’s asked you for your phone number so they could contact you later regarding sitting down with them or attending their place of worship(do they have one, not real informed on that group). Would you feel different…



On a positive note, Door knocking does work and is time consuming. I did it for two years(buy a set of shoes specifically for doorknocking)

Nov 12, 2008 4:24 pm

UNDERMINDED

Great attitude!

Just keep in mind, most folks will pretend to be nice to you, some may even ask a question, but the struggle is getting the cheeks in the seats.  Keep the positive mental attitude and you'll do fine.  Doorknocking is the hardest part about getting started at Jones, people may argue that but I firmly believe that going from the doorstep to the checkbook is very very difficult.... oh and the Johovahs don't make it any easier!  I was out for 5 hours one day, only had like 14 prospects for the day, then it happend... Jahovahs started knocking the same neighborhood.  At that point you just need to pack up and find a new neighborhood, its bad enough being knocked once, let alone twice!
Nov 12, 2008 4:40 pm

exEJIR

When I started door knocking I felt the same way.  Then I stole an idea from another FA (very few original ideas in this biz). 

  When people came to the door the first thing I said was, "First, I want to let you know I'm not here to change your religion."  If said with a smile on your face and light heartedly, it would break the ice and people would start to let their guard down.
Nov 12, 2008 5:46 pm

Potential

[quote=Squash]When doorknocking for Jones, you are asking people to give you information(that they may or may not be willing to share) and it deals with financial advice

  Does Jones require the survey for the first 25, or for every door knock?  I was under the impression it was only for that first trial run, after that, you could pitch any way you wanted.
So what if the Jehovah's asked you for your phone number so they could contact you later regarding sitting down with them or attending their place of worship(do they have one, not real informed on that group). Would you feel different..   Well, nobody wants their religion changed.  But everyone's interested in having a good retirement.  If a mechanic knocked on my door and said he was doing free auto evaluations, either right then and there or down at his shop at a specific time, I might listen to what he had to say...
[/quote]
Nov 12, 2008 6:00 pm

Potential

exEJIR:

“First, I want to let you know I’m not here to change your religion.”  If said with a smile on your face and light heartedly, it would break the ice and people would start to let their guard down.

  That's a great intro!  Thanks!
Nov 12, 2008 9:13 pm

Squash

The survey is before you get hired(or at least it was when i was there)… You will spend 10 weeks(maybe more) Doorknocking without a specific product because you are not licensed. You will just be looking to get names and numbers to call during you class(then you can sell)…



Not fun, but it works if you put in the time.

Nov 13, 2008 3:32 am

anonymous

I did religious door-knocking in my past.  Here was the gist of it: 1)  Introduce ourselves 2)  Have you heard of our church?  (Substitute your firm here) 3)  We believe that ... (insert investment or planning philosophy here) 4)  Ask a couple of quick questions about that topic 5)  Would it be okay if we shared our message (philosophy) with you (to see if it fits)?  Would now be a good time or would another time be better?  It can be as few as 15 minutes to as long as an hour - depending on your questions.   Do that enough times, and you'll  - treat people with respect  - weed out the pikers  - have people think highly of your high integrity approach.   Just my thoughts.  Take it and run with it!
Nov 13, 2008 3:35 am

anonymous

If I was door knocking residences, I would avoid wearing a white shirt while you were doing it.

  You don't want to be confused for other religious people (and they don't want to be confused with you either!).
Nov 13, 2008 3:43 pm

exEJIR

[quote=Ominous]If I was door knocking residences, I would avoid wearing a white shirt while you were doing it.

   [/quote]   I don't think it's necessary to avoid white shirts.  Just make sure that they aren't short sleeves (which I hope you do already), and you should also wear your suit coat.    
Nov 13, 2008 3:54 pm

theironhorse

doorknocking is all about your attitude and the way you present yourself while doing it.  i understand the demopraghic can play into your success, but i really found doorknocking to be extremely easy.  this is the marketplace from which you will be working.  if you look professional, speak pleasantly, don’t come off as too pushy or as an idiot, you will be fine.

  all you are doing at this point is introducing yourself, nothing much else.  my only goal, other than getting a few bullet points (and contact info) was to present myself in a positive light.    i have never understood why doorknocking is viewed as such an intrusion but cold calling is not, simply because it is, gasp, more personal.  we all hate people knocking on our door but we all love those sales pitchs over the phone from somoene we don't know and who might live 3 states away?  ok.   "The thought of being some unwanted monkey walking up and down a neighborhood's streets annoying everyone, is, of course, off-putting."  if this is your preconceived notion then yeah, it will be tough for you to do.

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