Door Knock Vs. Phone Calls

[xrac]

I am curious to know what my fellow final expense insurance agents think about doorknocking as suppose to making phone appointments. Which one do you prefer? I'm curious to know what you think. Thanks.

Newby door knocks and JD phone calls and both are very successful.

I think the answer is which suits an inidividual the best.

 

[GAInsuranceGal]

If I have enough leads in a specific area, I prefer knocking on doors. I optimize my stops on line. I find that if I can't get in the door when I'm there, I have a very good shot at making an appointment for the next day. If no one is home, I leave a delivery notice, and usually get called back. Got into 3 homes on Wednesday, made 2 appointments for Thursday, got 2 calls from the notices, and converted both of them into appointments. (1 no show, was told in advance of the possibility, re-set the appointment.)

This is what I was taught at NAA. Are you with NAA?

What I like to do if I have a few that are out of the way is to call them when I am in the area. I also call the ones that I have knocked several times with no answer. Not the day before but while I am in the area so I can get to them right away. I let them know I have the information that they requested and would like to drop it off in about 10-15 minutes. This way I know they are home and will most likely be there. Works most of the time.

What my upline told me (and several agents on my team) was to not answer the phone when the prospect called back. Instead, go back to their home because you know they are home.

When you mentioned that you optimize your stops online I remembered I had this:

Route Optimizer

Thanks for the link. I use the app "Route4Me" on my IPhone. That works really well too.

The top FE agents in the country set appointments.

Do you want to be at the top of the profession or do you want to be a part timer?

Great question! I want to be at the top (with you and Newby) and trying hard to get there.

 

[Jake07712]

This is what I was taught at NAA. Are you with NAA?
What my upline told me (and several agents on my team) was to not answer the phone when the prospect called back. Instead, go back to their home because you know they are home. (Quote)

I'm not with the NAA. (In fact, although I see the NAA mentioned on this site fairly often, I really know nothing about them.
As far as the prospect calling back is concerned, if you hit *67 before dialing, it blocks caller id from showing your number.
I wonder if door knocking is more effective that phoning. I do know that the rate of appointments to leads is higher, but I don't know if it's the most efficient way to use your time. Does it produce more sales? I don't know. That's why I do a combination of both. But don't get me wrong. Although I've been an agent for a long time, I'm relatively new to the FE market, very hungry for knowledge, still feeling my way, and really loving this end of the business.

 

[mbattle]

I am relatively new to the Final Expense market and when I started out I only called and set appointments. I was unsure about door knocking. However, in the past few months I have switched to door knocking almost exclusively. It works for my area (which is rural). If they are not home I will call later to set and appointment. I only do this in areas close to my home. If it's an hour drive I use the phone first. Also, have found that if a person will not set an appointment over the phone set that lead aside and go knock the door about 2 weeks later, they won't remember telling you no and there are so many FE mailers out there they won't know which one you are anyway. I guess for me it a combination of both door knocking and calling. Both work but for me I know if I knock on doors I will write business.

 

[cds251]

I think it depends on what you call "top fe"........I do nothing but door to door, very rare am I below 20 apps a month AND my lead bill is almost non existence.

Sure there are lots of guys putting up big numbers, but they are also spending large amounts on leads. I used to do that. But realizing on Monday morning that I am already in the hole before starting the week was not a nice feeling.

There is gold in the streets, you just have to be willing to do what others will not......I'm much happy now that I don't have a lead bill.......and my income has actually increased.
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cds251 are you knocking on doors from a list of addresses or canvassing a street door to door? What line of insurance are you selling?

I pick a poor neighborhood, park the car and hit the streets....no list, no nothing.......just plain old prospecting

 

[Pete Cormie]

I think it depends on what you call "top fe"........I do nothing but door to door, very rare am I below 20 apps a month AND my lead bill is almost non existence.

Sure there are lots of guys putting up big numbers, but they are also spending large amounts on leads. I used to do that. But realizing on Monday morning that I am already in the hole before starting the week was not a nice feeling.

There is gold in the streets, you just have to be willing to do what others will not......I'm much happy now that I don't have a lead bill.......and my income has actually increased.
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I pick a poor neighborhood, park the car and hit the streets....no list, no nothing.......just plain old prospecting

What's your pitch at the door?

 

[cds251]

Hi my name is xxxx and I have been talking with your neighbors/people in the area about their life insurance coverage. Most said that they either had x or y company and im here to let you know I can save you up to 75% on what you are currently paying....

That's enough to get the conversation started. You will get 1 of 3 responses:

1) I'm not interested......
2) I don't have any coverage/not with those companies
3) Really?

With all 3 responses I'm in the door.

 

[jdeasy]

I think it depends on what you call "top fe"........I do nothing but door to door, very rare am I below 20 apps a month AND my lead bill is almost non existence.

Sure there are lots of guys putting up big numbers, but they are also spending large amounts on leads. I used to do that. But realizing on Monday morning that I am already in the hole before starting the week was not a nice feeling.

There is gold in the streets, you just have to be willing to do what others will not......I'm much happy now that I don't have a lead bill.......and my income has actually increased.
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I pick a poor neighborhood, park the car and hit the streets....no list, no nothing.......just plain old prospecting

What I consider the top is agents making, {not writing}, over $100,000 per year after lead costs.

 

[cds251]

Yep. Although 100k doesn't seem to go far these days......

 

[jdeasy]

Yep. Although 100k doesn't seem to go far these days......

Maybe so, but how many people do you know that make six figures?

In any job, not just this business.