Got More Time Than Money for Marketing?
Stop waiting for the phone to ring! Discover a killer door-to-door script for residential service companies. Then learn how a simple free gift can fill your schedule fast.
KickStart: Door-to-door marketing WORKS! Try my step-by-step (pretty funny, huh?) system! Read on…
We’ve all been there. Your Google ads aren’t performing, the dispatch board is empty, bills are piling up, the phone isn’t ringing and your bank account is in freefall!
NOTE: A wise mentor once told me, “Steve, the hardest door to make it through is your own!” Yep, quit staring at your phone praying for it to ring! 🫣 NEWS FLASH: It isn’t going to ring!
Sooo... what to do when your business line quits ringing? Two words: STOP WAITING! 🛑 Hit the pavement and literally start (wait for it) … knocking on doors!
Sure, I know. Knocking on strangers’ doors conjures up some very uncomfortable feelings but work with me here. Here’s a few reminders:
🗝️ Reaching out and talking to people face-to-face, belly-to-belly 😯 is the simplest, quickest and certainly the cheapest way to drum up work when the phone isn’t ringing!
BUT, you must do it right! Do it wrong and you’ll waste time, energy and flame out quickly. Even worse, you will turn off homeowners that, handled correctly, would have become loyal, profitable clients! 🥹
Here’s the deal! Knocking on a stranger’s door can be downright intimidating! 🥹 Trust me, I know! Here’s what I discovered…
I needed an intuitive door knocking script to immediately transition the homeowner from an irritated “Who are you and why are you intruding into my day?” 😠 to a slightly surprised, grateful “Well, wow… thank you!” 💖
🗝️ STEVE’S SECRET SAUCE? Break the ice by immediately handing the homeowner a small, useful gift the second they open the door!
Steve’s Doorstep Gift Strategy
What should you hand the homeowner? A practical gift that they’ll actually keep and use around the house. For example…
A branded refrigerator magnet, a sturdy notepad, a kitchen gadget, or even a specialized drain-maintenance packet. The item itself isn’t the magic—it’s the gesture. 💖
BONUS POINTS if you come up with a gift that is related to the service you offer. For example, in my carpet cleaning company we handed out logoed bottles of free carpet spotter.
BINGO! Even better, we included “FREE Lifetime Refills” on the carpet spotter labels! This was genius and our bottles were a HUGE hit! 🎉🎊🎈😁
Now let’s continue forward sticking with the carpet cleaning sector. You’ll just need to change a few words to make it fit the home services you offer…
Step-by-Step At the Door
Dress sharply in your company uniform, make sure your photo I.D. badge is easily visible, have their free gift in your hand, ring the doorbell, and take two steps back.
While waiting, take a deep breath, RELAX, and don’t crowd the door. You want to give the homeowner plenty of “personal space”.
ProTIP: Remember doorbell cameras are everywhere and likely the homeowner has been watching you from the moment you set foot on their property. (Obviously don’t cut across the lawn! DUH!)
So, as you wait no fidgeting and paste a big smile on your face. When the door opens, smile even bigger, look the homeowner in the eye, and enthusiastically follow this script:
“Good morning! I’m Steve Toburen with Home Front Cleaning, and here is a free gift to help you ...” explain what the item does as you hand it to them. As they accept it continue…
“When you need us, just give us a call—no obligation whatsoever! Here is my card. We take a lot of pride in our work, so please let me know if we can ever be of service.”
The homeowner will almost always let their guard down and reply with a somewhat relieved, “Oh, thank you!” 🙏
This is where you can casually pivot:
“By the way, our company also offers guaranteed “No dirty carpet ever” maintenance plans where we clean your dirty carpet twice a year for basically the same price as a one-time yearly cleaning…”
You’ll be amazed at the response. Quite a few homeowners will say, “You know what, we’ve been talking about getting the carpets cleaned. Do you have time to take a look?”
Even if you don’t book a job on the spot, remember that every interaction is planting a seed. When the Kool-Aid gets spilled or a friend’s dog poops on the carpet, your branded carpet spotter is sitting in their utility closet!
Your HOMEWORK assignment: Copy and paste the carpet cleaning example above into a Word document. Then translate it over to your industry.
BONUS: Email your final homework results from above to steve@homefrontsuccess.com and I’ll reply with my suggestions- NO CHARGE!
The Commercial Approach
Don’t ignore the businesses in your area, either. This small gift approach works incredibly well for getting past the “gatekeepers” at office buildings and retail shops.
SMILE, hand the receptionist their gift, introduce yourself smoothly, explain why you’re stopping by and ask if they arrange the (services you offer).
If not, ask who handles their facility maintenance or property management. If they’re not available hand the receptionist your card and ask for your new contact’s card or email. DONE!
Stop waiting for the work to come to you. Grab some business cards, a pocket full of giveaways, and start knocking! You can thank me later…
Steve
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