Bad Weather Door Knocking Ideas?
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[quote=schlemoc] I was mostly looking for ideas on how to refrain from freezing …
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Layers. Long underwear, silk is light but very warm. A stocking hat. Gloves. Boots. Your hands still freeze and that is what usually drive you back inside.
Merry Christmas!
You're right, you are getting your contacts, and THAT is the main thing. My post of looking like an idiot was not a personal assault on anyone. Maybe it's just because that's what I felt like while I was doing it. But alas, you have to do it because it's the "Jones" way. My tip: Dress in layers, go up a block and back down the other side, get in your car and start it up, warm up. I kept a Thermas of coffee to drink, write down your information for the contacts, drive to the next block and repeat.Whether I have to door knock or hit businesses, either way I’m getting my contacts. I agree. Regardless of what you are doing, people are going to be leery of you and consider you a stranger. They will also consider you idiotic at most times, so what does that matter? I was mostly looking for ideas on how to refrain from freezing, but like those said, you do what you got to do to succeed in this business. That’s what I plan on doing.
Thanks for the input. I went out on some warmer days between Christmas and New years and had some pretty solid success. It was still a bit of a haul to get those 25 contacts, but it was done. I got some thermals to wear and layers, but I have noticed people do not want to talk in the cold weather. Give me a mild day and people will talk all day long. It’s the cold days that people don’t want to see me. Just means you have to stop back later. Here’s to spring, and a prosperous '09.
I’m going out doorknocking today, hell or high water… its been too long and I HAVE to do it!
who am I kidding, I say this every week and I never do... Oh well, today's the day, I can feel it.Do you EJ guys really have a good deal of success opening accts door knocking? What kind of acct sizes? In my area of the northeast, I cannot see how this would be a viable way to build a biz. How do you deal with angry folks who take their frustrations out on you? Not saying that happens but people are losing jobs and assets and I could see some people coming to the door and getting real pissed that there is some investment guy on their doorstep looking for their business. I did do some cold canvassing of biz owners in my newby days and did not find it very worthwhile. I typically could not get access to the owner and when I did they were shocked that someone in my business would be out looking for clients that way. I got the impression that they pretty much dismissed me as a guy who was struggling to survive and maybe not the best guy to turn their money over to. Just my experience. Im not dissing you guys that do this as I know from experience it takes some guts and tough skin to be able to to this at all.
Tough skin would be an understatement for door knocking. To keep the weather out and the bad responses from bugging you. It is rough, that is a terrible understatement. As to opening accounts, I am not allowed to handle accounts. It is actually helping me out a lot. I am in a depressed community where a lot of companies recently left. Many people have recently lost their jobs and are looking for new careers. Many of them are alright with talking to me. Those who are uncomfortable, I stress that I am not there to sell them something but to just learn a little bit about the community in which I will be working. They tend to calm down after that. It opens the door for some other questions which have led to some great prospects. Out of the 200 people I have spoke with, I have had 3 people openly tell me to contact them about setting up retirement accounts or their brokerage accounts. It’s what you make of it, but I am glad I am not farther north.
I knocked on 35 doors on Sat. I spoke to 22 people, 12 of them gave me phone numbers, 4 are very interested, and I have an appointment with one. It was freeeezing cold out but it wasnt raining or snowing. That was a good day.
what were you doing to keep the individuals at the door? I tend to have a difficult time keeping people’s attention when it’s cold out.
[quote=F@C@]I knocked on 35 doors on Sat. I spoke to 22 people, 12 of them gave me phone numbers, 4 are very interested, and I have an appointment with one. It was freeeezing cold out but it wasnt raining or snowing. That was a good day.[/quote]
Liar.
Wow, what an honor, my first post and I already caught the wrath of hank moody. : )
I am past "can sell" so I can talk investments, everyone has something to say about that subject right now. Sometimes they say it with a closed door. I hit an unusually good street with friendly people at home. Every day sure isnt like that.
I would not dismiss that statement as a lie. I’ve hit 3-4 blocks where almost every house someone has talked to me. Like stated, it’s not every day, but it happens.
Juggling and/or magic tricks. I kept 3 golf bals in my pocket and would pull them out to keep interest while I discussed my favorite Muni. It is amazing how warm you are while you attempt to present a Muni and juggle 3 golf balls. Try it...it works. Magic tricks work best for a discussion of your favorite stock. A deck of playing cards can do wonders to illustrate the benefits of a good dividend paying stock. One ace turns into many if we are buying Pepsi for the dividends. Try it...it works.what were you doing to keep the individuals at the door? I tend to have a difficult time keeping people’s attention when it’s cold out.
[quote=Fud Box]
This is my first post…I was just hired on by EJ and my Eval/Grad date is in June. I live in the South and will almost certainly see lots of 95-105 degree days…with awful humidity to boot! What about hot weather? What's the best way to avoid looking like a smelly, sweaty mess on those humid, hot-as-hell, summer days??? [/quote]Picture Paul Woodward playing Ben Quick in The Long Hot Summer. White shirt, maybe a string tie. No jacket. A straw hat if you can make that work.
Go straight to Willie Varner's door -- he has all the money in the county. Take your pick of his daughters, catty Lee Remick or if you want more classy, Joanne herself.
Definitely before my time! But from what I can gather, I almost certainly could not pull of that look!
Bud, I started in April several years ago, so I was doorknocking all day through my first summer. Although Jones trainers are taught to tell you not to, I actually bought some Jones golf shirts (polo’s), and wore nice pants with them. I have to say, in the heat of the summer, the reaction I got while wearing that outfit was FAR better than when I wore a suit. People were just much more relaxed seeing me. You see someone approach you in a suit, and it just can’t be anything good. You just have to make sure you are clean, pressed, etc.
On the cooler days, I would go with the suit pants and button down dress shirt but no tie. I hated doorknocking in the tie and jacket.[quote=B24]Bud, I started in April several years ago, so I was doorknocking all day through my first summer. Although Jones trainers are taught to tell you not to, I actually bought some Jones golf shirts (polo’s), and wore nice pants with them. I have to say, in the heat of the summer, the reaction I got while wearing that outfit was FAR better than when I wore a suit. People were just much more relaxed seeing me. You see someone approach you in a suit, and it just can’t be anything good. You just have to make sure you are clean, pressed, etc.
On the cooler days, I would go with the suit pants and button down dress shirt but no tie. I hated doorknocking in the tie and jacket. [/quote] I lost the jacket, got a much better response at the door, too. I also stopped getting the "Jehovah's Witness" criticism. Just a shirt and tie worked just fine. In fact there was a guy in my class that rolled up his sleeves and walked around with a cup of coffee. Sounded wierd, but he said that it was much more disarming. I agree with B24, you can lose the coat and do just fine.[quote=SometimesNowhere][quote=B24]Bud, I started in April several years ago, so I was doorknocking all day through my first summer. Although Jones trainers are taught to tell you not to, I actually bought some Jones golf shirts (polo’s), and wore nice pants with them. I have to say, in the heat of the summer, the reaction I got while wearing that outfit was FAR better than when I wore a suit. People were just much more relaxed seeing me. You see someone approach you in a suit, and it just can’t be anything good. You just have to make sure you are clean, pressed, etc.
On the cooler days, I would go with the suit pants and button down dress shirt but no tie. I hated doorknocking in the tie and jacket. [/quote] I lost the jacket, got a much better response at the door, too. I also stopped getting the "Jehovah's Witness" criticism. Just a shirt and tie worked just fine. In fact there was a guy in my class that rolled up his sleeves and walked around with a cup of coffee. Sounded wierd, but he said that it was much more disarming. I agree with B24, you can lose the coat and do just fine. [/quote] Hey, the rolled up sleeve look worked pretty well for the President-elect.Thanks for the tips everybody.
The polo shirt idea sounds promising. Did you have them custom made or were they purchased through EJ?