I have posted before, just recently, about going door to door in my farms and how much I enjoy it. (See here). I realize that door-knocking is not everyone's favorite, but there are few other ways to get to know people in the areas in which you work - or as least meet them face-to-face. And it is true that people like to do business with people they know and like.
I don't like phone calling as much. For one thing you have to make sure you aren't violating the Do Not Call rules, and people just simply aren't generally as friendly when they can just hang up. When you meet
people and smile at each other, you have a connection that is different, and I have never had anyone be really rude to me when I knocked on their door.
My main goal when I knock on the door is to introduce myself. Once we are in relaxed conversation for a moment, I ask them about whether they have ever thought of moving, where they would move, if they have a time frame in mind, or if they have simply thought a little about it but probably won't do it anytime soon. I will invite them to be on my Client Portal, so that they will be sent listings by email as soon as they come on the market or have a price change. They can use it just to familiarize with the market so they can estimate what their house would sell for and what another house would cost. I let them know that if they see something they want to see inside, all they have to do is call me and I can get them access to any or all of them. With the market so much in the news these days, people love that idea, and sometimes it does inspire someone to start looking in earnest. And who are they going to call?
Usually I show up with a gift of some kind. It may be an invitation to an open house in their neighborhood, or one of my newsletters, or a market report for their neighborhood, or one of the personalized items I have: a pen, or notepad, or calendar or something similar. Several of my items are 
magnetized so they can put them on the refrigerator and see my smiling face every day. Next time I come to their door, they will remember me. And I do get calls from them and from people who have recommended me after meeting me a few times.
It can be fun if you treat it as making friends, as well as clients. I love getting to know people. My neighborhood is very hilly and lots are large, so I walk a long way to cover it, but I don't have to go to the gym!
Bert Foley also posted about door-knocking, and he has a slightly different approach, but his is a helpful script or outline of what he says. Just do whatever feels comfortable for you.
If you don't do door-to-door marketing, what is your favorite technique or strategy?
Hi Susan:
I'm with you on this...you need the face-to-face contact.
I don't door knock anymore however. My clients come to me from referrals/past customers and I make it a point to meet them in person asap.
I like your post. I am going to do this when it warms up a little. I love the neighborhood I recently moved in to and want to get to know more people.
I am in the pre-foreclosure niche, by choice and necessity, and keep up my letter campaign to those who are in default. I also blog here, my AR blog, twitter and 4 other blogs. I have received business because of my online presence. I only did the door to door thing when I was a brand new REALTOR(r) newly out of school. It didn't really bring any business, but people were friendly, was pleased with the pack of "forget me nots" that I handed out, and I even saw that some had planted them...
Susan, I've not done this for a long time. It's not my personality - way out of my comfort zone. BUT I do remember using a Realtor many years ago to sell my home. Why? Because they would walk our neighborhood and visit. ;-)
My farm has 40 condo complexes with the rest pretty much being a football stadium, shopping malls, restaurants, and parking lots. If I were to walk door to door, I'd probably weight about 50 pounds and wouldn't have to go for a daily 30-minute walk -- LOL.
Actually, the condo HOA's prohibit door-to-door soliciting, so I resort to direct mail using helpful postcards with my picture on them. Then when I show up at the HOA meetings, everyone recognizes me. It's important to me to send postcards with helpful information on them, though, rather than just a sales pitch. The theory is that that if I'm that helpful without being paid, imagine how helpful I'll be when they are paying me.
I don't do this know, but I am going to try it. I'm also thinking of door knocking in an area that I have a buyer for. Wish me luck!
I love delivering marketing reports and sports calendars to my neighborhood. I have found that people do keep them on the frig. and they mention it when they see me.
Whatever your technique for marketing yourself to potential buyers and sellers, I wish you all good luck! In these challenging times, we all need to be open to trying new things or going back to some old ones that we have gotten away from.
I do plan to get out and walk . I am waiting for the snow and ice to clear. I think it would be smart to walk when it is warm. Maybe you catch people out in there yard?
Susan, when you meet all the neighbors, you get to know your neighborhood really. You also get a lot of exercise! This is something we can all use more of... He he.
Join my new AR group and post your blog at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice
Regina P. Brown
Sharon - When the weather is nice you will get a great chance to meet the neighbors outside. I find that walking up to them and handing them something and taking no more of their time than what they seem to want is good. You don't want them to feel pressure - just a meet and greet that occasionally turns into an appointment made on the spot, and at the very least will make them feel that they know a Realtor and that she's nice.
Regina - Yes, I admit I am not very good at working out, but I do get my exercise by walking, added to the swimming I do in summer. The extra exercise in summer is good because we give neighborhood swim and barbeque parties, and I feel a bit more comfortable in a swimsuit if I'm in summer shape!
My farm has 40 condo complexes in it, all of which prohibit door-to-door soliciting, as well as distributing flyers. I rely on postcards with helpful tips and tricks for safety and home maintenance as my introduction. Then, when I show up at their HOA meetings with my "Jim Frimmer, Realtor" shirt on, everyone knows me. "You're the postcard guy. Thanks so much for that tip about [smoke alarms/carbon monoxide alarms/furnace filters/vinyl windows/etc.].
Hi Susan, I am subscribing to your blog because you struck a cord. Isn't it great when that happens? Anyway, while I am a fairly new agent, I do find that door knocking is a great way to meet people and by the way, it might also amount to some new business. I find it is best if I have a plan, for example, I was recently walking a neighborhood for a client who wanted to live in that particular subdivision. Simpling asking if they new anyone in the neighborhood who might want to sell, provoked the most interesting conversations. I have done several CMAs and I imagine that my persistance in this endeavor will sooner or later bear fruit. Thanks for sharing.
Susan, it is uncomfortable for me to door knock, but I know that I have had success with it. I got two clients the last time I did it, and it feels good to know that you are finding someone you can actually help out. I need to do it more often, as I do feel it's a great way to meet new people, and can be productive at the same time.
I haven't done much of this, but I think I will try it soon!
I work with my Clients to find out what they would like to try and then we set up a system to get it done. Not all of them choose the same things, which is good. As Warren Buffet said, "If everyone is doing something, do something else."