Staying Cool at the Door
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Any of you veterans have some advice on how to stay cool (er) while door knocking in the summer. I had to call it quits at about 2:00 PM the other day because I was sweating too much. I don’t want to have to just do the 9:00 to 11:00 AM because door knocking is so good.
Did you just say “door knocking is so good”?
If that is the case for you, then go at night, or bring several changes of shirts. the four weeks i did it, I ruined 14 ties. Wait until August, you’re going to die.
Also, bring some water. And get in your car to cool off.
I wore a polo shirt and a nice pair of khakis. I figured the look was better than a sweaty mess with a discolored tie. I think people were also less convinced that I wasn’t a Jehovah’s witness. On cooler days or for businesses, I always did the tie thing. Either way, it was hot! If you’re like me and were a little nervous as well it was even worse.
Good luck! By the way, it really does work. I was more of a skeptic than most. This month I opened two households that I door-knocked two summers ago. One of them is even a good one!The FA i talked to said he used to leave his car running and would walk up one side of the street and then get in his car to cool off before doing the other side. If you have a car with a remote entry you can just take it off the keychain and keep the car locked so you dont have to worry about someone stealing it. This is in texas so we get plenty of 100 degree days with high humidity. He also said he would carry around a towel to pat his forehead with just as the prospects were opening the door to milk it lol. He said other people only would walk the side with shade covering it etc etc.
I would recommend parking your car, door knocking four houses (two on each side of the street), and then getting back in your car, driving two houses down, and doing the whole thing over again. Getting in and out of your car with the AC on full blast is SO much better than parking in one spot and hitting like twenty houses in a row. That way, you can keep your water in the car. Also, if you have any handouts, I would only carry up to four at a time. The sweat from your hands will ruin a stack of handouts.
We had a guy in our region door knocking in a full suit in August. He said he decided to go in when he started SLURRING HIS WORDS! That's messed up.5 Ways to Maximize ‘Hot Day’ Door Knocking:
1 - wear two t-shirts under your white short sleeved shirt (with tie) 2 - avoid mid afternoon sun, knock between 8:00pm and 6:00am 3 - go to trailer parks and apartments to avoid long distances between doors 4 - wear hat with the two drink holders (and straw) to stay hydrated 5 - do something more productive to prospect (like a professional, not an amateur) Oh - and ALWAYS bring chocolate chip cookies!Try to hit residential areas (retirees) earlier in the morning or late afternoon. Don’t believe the “not going to door-knock during the dinner hours”. You’ll catch a lot of folks home. Hit the business during hot of the day - right after lunch.
Try the khaki/golf shirt thing. I found people were MUCH less intimidated, as I didn’t have a suit on. And it was much cooler.
I've done plenty of doorknocking during the hot months. Missouri isn't as bad as it is down south, but we still get some warm ones.
Water is essential. I have a water bottle that clips onto my belt. I carry it with me every time I go doorknocking. I've left it behind on accident a couple of times and was miserable after about 10 doors. I too wear polo shirts when it gets warm. I'd rather people see me in a polo shirt than with pit stained sweat soaked shirts and ties. And I'm not about to put on a short sleeve dress shirt. Maybe it's TMI, but I also wear boxers that let the boys breathe a bit so that I don't get that...well, that's enough of that in mixed company. 9-11 is my prime doorknocking time in the summer. By 11 it's getting pretty warm. I can head back home for a quick change of clothes or back to the office to cool off. I can stand anything for those two hours. Beyond that it just gets silly. You also have to remind yourself that it won't last forever. You won't have to doorknock every summer for the rest of your life. Also thinking that behind each door might be that next million dollar account helps too. It sucks doorknocking in the summer, but just push through it and you'll be asking how do you doorknock in the snow before you know it.5 - do something more productive to prospect (like a professional, not an amateur)
I don't work for EJ, but what are examples of professional ways of prospecting, rather than the amateur way of door knocking.I agree with Spiff, water is the key. When I used to door knock(sold vacs) I wore one of those Razorback helments that held a bottle of water on each side both had straws. And when you find someone that opens the door, just ask if you can refill your bottles. But I didn’t worry about changing clothes, they would just get soaked too.
Ha! I had just the opposite door knocking experience in my beginning days. January. In the snow. Temperature about 32 to 36. I did get lots of people inviting me inside for hot coffee and cocoa though I’m sure they thought I was insane.
How much do you think them inviting you in was as a result of you being of the female persuasion? As a guy, I wouldn't think I would have the same success of being invited in...not even close.Ha! I had just the opposite door knocking experience in my beginning days. January. In the snow. Temperature about 32 to 36. I did get lots of people inviting me inside for hot coffee and cocoa though I’m sure they thought I was insane.
I had the most success door knocking when I wore pants. The times I didn’t I got many strange looks.
In all seriousness.... I know some guys say don't wear a polo, but I disagree. You look like a goon pitting out. Wear a nice polo, nice pants and bring something to wipe your forehead with that can fit in your pocket. Hit 50-75 doors between 9-11am, talk to 10-15 people, add your 3 good ones and grab some lunch, the remainder of the day will be much easier.Spiff, good idea on the boxers… Chicks dig me, because I rarely wear underwear and when I do it’s usually something unusual.
I can't resist the occasional "Stripes" quote!Who says it has to be just “residential” door knocking? Save the residential door knocking for the cooler parts of the day, then switch to shopping centers and malls for business cold walks, for the hotter parts of the day.
Ideally, your marketing schedule should take into account various types of weather. For example, if it rains for a couple days straight, what would you do?Only someone who has never done it, scared to do it or is no good at it would say door knocking is unprofessional. I held out for one year thinking the same thing...but it's the best, most productive form . However, you've got to have some skills. Sooner or later you've got to get in front of them why not make that the first contact.
By the way I now carry a beach umbrella..with flowers on it. It's ten degrees cooler. Some people look at me wierd but who wants them as clients anyway.