Website design By BotEap.comMost of us were taught a door-to-door sales opportunity that guarantees failure. I don’t know who came up with this method, but it doesn’t work and it closes a lot of doors that could be hot and open.

Website design By BotEap.comThe classic opening to avoid goes something like this: “Good morning. I’m Carl Davidson from Acme Inc, the world’s largest fountain pen distributor. I’d like to show you some of our products. May I come in?”

Website design By BotEap.comThis common opening contains several major bugs. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Website design By BotEap.comError n. # 1 It’s about you, not the customer. I agree that we need to identify ourselves, but it should only be our name and company name. Then immediately switch to what’s in it for the customer. In our example, the customer probably doesn’t care that we are the world’s largest distributor of something, and the customer was probably not inside the house waiting for a fountain pen salesman to come along. They have no interest and when they have no interest, the door closes.

Website design By BotEap.comMistake # 2 is continuing to focus on ourselves with the following sentence, “I’d like to show you some of our products.” It is about us and not the customer. I feel like the door is closing right now with this approach.

Website design By BotEap.comMistake # 3 Asking a question, “Can I come in?” This is a giant mistake because there is no way to recover when the client says “no”. Never ask a question to which they can say “No.”

Website design By BotEap.comNow, let’s look at alternative ways to restructure your opening to focus on the customer and create enough interest to be allowed in the door.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you sell something that can be seen from outside the house, try to find something that you can point to to create interest and happiness for what happened. For example, “Good morning, this is Carl with Acme Roofing. Sorry to bother you, but I was driving and noticed one of the chimney flashing is loose and may be leaking. Get out there and take a look.”

Website design By BotEap.comI think you will agree that this opening arouses interest. Once they come out with you to see the issue, they will be glad you came and got their attention. Please note that this is a statement and not a question and that you are not trying to sell anything directly.

Website design By BotEap.comFor those selling something that they cannot see from the street, there are several other openings that are effective. Let’s take a look at a few:

Website design By BotEap.comThe intriguing question

Website design By BotEap.comTry to create an intriguing question that sparks interest without trying to sell. If you sell a pre-necessary burial, you might ask something like, “If death were to touch your family today, how many of the 48 immediate decisions are you prepared to make?” If you’re selling a freezer plan, you might ask something like, “If our company gave you 50 pounds of steak every year at no charge, would that help with your food budget?” This is one way of explaining how much they will save, but note that there is no direct selling yet. You always walk in the door using interest and then you start selling.

Website design By BotEap.comThe neighbor

Website design By BotEap.comAnother way to generate interest is to explain that you were at a neighbor’s house and have a few minutes before your next appointment to test your equipment free of charge.

Website design By BotEap.comNot only does this get you to the door, but while you are inspecting, you can usually sell add-ons or upgrades or new equipment. If they say they don’t have equipment, this is a good time to explain that most of your neighbors do and why.

Website design By BotEap.comThe unusual

Website design By BotEap.comDon’t be afraid to try unusual things and see if they work. One of our customers was assigned to call unhappy customers who had left the cable company due to poor service.

Website design By BotEap.comThe opening we resolved was, “I’m Carl from Acme Cable. The company sent me to offer you a bribe.” Pause while they try to figure out what you mean. Then explain that they left your company and sent you to bribe them to come back. It’s just a different way of saying you have a special offer.

Website design By BotEap.comI hope you try some of these approaches. It doesn’t stick to the classic self-centered methods taught by most companies. Try new approaches. keep what works and discard what doesn’t.

Website design By BotEap.comThe change will also keep your interest.

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