Door Knockers

[JimmyUt]

I think they work about the same. But I also think that it's much more efficient to call.

I would call exclusively if folks answered the phone here. I knock because I have to, not because I want to.

 

[jdeasy]

I would call exclusively if folks answered the phone here. I knock because I have to, not because I want to.

I had that same discussion with Newby today. We work kinda the same geographical area. He doesn't mind doorknocking and says he can't get people on the phone. I hate doorknocking and make appointments instead. I don't have a problem getting people on the phone.

As an example, I got 16 leads Sat. 4 were bad leads so I had 12. I've been having some work done around the house and I couldn't get on the phone for today most of yesterday. I got in the house at about 4:30 and hadn't made the first call. I thought just using today as m y call day and running appointments tomorrow but thought I would call a couple to see how it went. This was a county I haven't worked in months and had no extra leads there. Starting with 12 leads one of them had no phone number and I couldn't find a number. Down to 11 leads. The first one I called was for a barge worker. She is on the boat until July 31 and then will be home for 20 days. Supposed to call then. Down to 10 leads. By 5:15 I had 6 appointments scheduled for today and had not even called 2 of the leads. I usually will go ahead and call through the list of new leads even once getting 6 , {my goal}, scheduled. This time I didn't. Those 2 still haven't been called.


That makes me believe that it's as much mindset as anything else. The agent that call regularly do not seem to have the problems of getting people on the phone.

If I was quick to default to doorknocking then I bet I would have trouble getting people on the phone too?

I can't speak for your area but in this case I'm talking about two agents in the same area. How can one get them to answer the phone and the other can't?

 

[JimmyUt]

I had that same discussion with Newby today. We work kinda the same geographical area. He doesn't mind doorknocking and says he can't get people on the phone. I hate doorknocking and make appointments instead. I don't have a problem getting people on the phone.

As an example, I got 16 leads Sat. 4 were bad leads so I had 12. I've been having some work done around the house and I couldn't get on the phone for today most of yesterday. I got in the house at about 4:30 and hadn't made the first call. I thought just using today as m y call day and running appointments tomorrow but thought I would call a couple to see how it went. This was a county I haven't worked in months and had no extra leads there. Starting with 12 leads one of them had no phone number and I couldn't find a number. Down to 11 leads. The first one I called was for a barge worker. She is on the boat until July 31 and then will be home for 20 days. Supposed to call then. Down to 10 leads. By 5:15 I had 6 appointments scheduled for today and had not even called 2 of the leads. I usually will go ahead and call through the list of new leads even once getting 6 , {my goal}, scheduled. This time I didn't. Those 2 still haven't been called.


That makes me believe that it's as much mindset as anything else. The agent that call regularly do not seem to have the problems of getting people on the phone.

If I was quick to default to doorknocking then I bet I would have trouble getting people on the phone too?

I can't speak for your area but in this case I'm talking about two agents in the same area. How can one get them to answer the phone and the other can't?

JD, you make a valid point. I used to have no issue getting folks to answer, but lately it seems different. I may have to switch up calling times and see what happens. You do have the monkey dust from Travis, and Newby is just starting to get his.

 

[rousemark]

I had that same discussion with Newby today. We work kinda the same geographical area. He doesn't mind doorknocking and says he can't get people on the phone. I hate doorknocking and make appointments instead. I don't have a problem getting people on the phone.

As an example, I got 16 leads Sat. 4 were bad leads so I had 12. I've been having some work done around the house and I couldn't get on the phone for today most of yesterday. I got in the house at about 4:30 and hadn't made the first call. I thought just using today as m y call day and running appointments tomorrow but thought I would call a couple to see how it went. This was a county I haven't worked in months and had no extra leads there. Starting with 12 leads one of them had no phone number and I couldn't find a number. Down to 11 leads. The first one I called was for a barge worker. She is on the boat until July 31 and then will be home for 20 days. Supposed to call then. Down to 10 leads. By 5:15 I had 6 appointments scheduled for today and had not even called 2 of the leads. I usually will go ahead and call through the list of new leads even once getting 6 , {my goal}, scheduled. This time I didn't. Those 2 still haven't been called.


That makes me believe that it's as much mindset as anything else. The agent that call regularly do not seem to have the problems of getting people on the phone.

If I was quick to default to doorknocking then I bet I would have trouble getting people on the phone too?

I can't speak for your area but in this case I'm talking about two agents in the same area. How can one get them to answer the phone and the other can't?

They screen Newby's calls?

 

[jdeasy]

They screen Newby's calls?

Can't really blame them for that. I do it too.

 

[gordon112]

I had that same discussion with Newby today. We work kinda the same geographical area. He doesn't mind doorknocking and says he can't get people on the phone. I hate doorknocking and make appointments instead. I don't have a problem getting people on the phone.

As an example, I got 16 leads Sat. 4 were bad leads so I had 12. I've been having some work done around the house and I couldn't get on the phone for today most of yesterday. I got in the house at about 4:30 and hadn't made the first call. I thought just using today as m y call day and running appointments tomorrow but thought I would call a couple to see how it went. This was a county I haven't worked in months and had no extra leads there. Starting with 12 leads one of them had no phone number and I couldn't find a number. Down to 11 leads. The first one I called was for a barge worker. She is on the boat until July 31 and then will be home for 20 days. Supposed to call then. Down to 10 leads. By 5:15 I had 6 appointments scheduled for today and had not even called 2 of the leads. I usually will go ahead and call through the list of new leads even once getting 6 , {my goal}, scheduled. This time I didn't. Those 2 still haven't been called.


That makes me believe that it's as much mindset as anything else. The agent that call regularly do not seem to have the problems of getting people on the phone.

If I was quick to default to doorknocking then I bet I would have trouble getting people on the phone too?

I can't speak for your area but in this case I'm talking about two agents in the same area. How can one get them to answer the phone and the other can't?

I always call my leads first just like you do to set apts. However, my point was the fact that if your out and have some openings and downtime, you mine as well do some DK's on those leads that are in the same area. It just makes good use of your time.

I really don't see a wrong way. If you are having a hard time setting apts, you might want to switch up your calling times as mentioned. (Even nights and weekends).

 

[InsuranceManMike]

I always call my leads first just like you do to set apts. However, my point was the fact that if your out and have some openings and downtime, you mine as well do some DK's on those leads that are in the same area. It just makes good use of your time.

I really don't see a wrong way. If you are having a hard time setting apts, you might want to switch up your calling times as mentioned. (Even nights and weekends).

Generally speaking, what are "good times" to call? (I'm talking about getting a list and smiling & dialing; not calling to set appointments from DM mailer).

Part B, if you don't want to make a lot of calls at night, what should you start the age group filter at, 60? 62? 65?

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Generally speaking, what are "good times" to call? (I'm talking about getting a list and smiling & dialing; not calling to set appointments from DM mailer).

Cold calling? Any time will be equally ineffective.

 

[gordon112]

Generally speaking, what are "good times" to call? (I'm talking about getting a list and smiling & dialing; not calling to set appointments from DM mailer).

Part B, if you don't want to make a lot of calls at night, what should you start the age group filter at, 60? 62? 65?

I tend to call in the am, usually 9:45 up to 11:00 am. I then will start calling from 2-5 and again from 7-8pm. Apt days I don't bother calling at all unless its follow ups. The leads I have or lists are 55-80.

I haven't ordered DM cards in a while. I have my own dialer and have telemarketing leads and internet leads that I buy.

I think the age range is 55-80 on mailers, but I think it is narrowed down a bit nowadays.

 

[InsuranceManMike]

Cold calling? Any time will be equally ineffective.

What's the most "effective" way to find prospects in FE? Why is telephone cold calling ineffective in your opinion/experience?