Special offer

Future Generation of Salesmen!

By
Industry Observer

Last evening was the big fundraiser for our high school's football program.  As in past years, $10 "Gold Cards", good for discounts from local restaurants and other businesses, were to be sold door-to-door by the football players.  Our job as parents was to pick a section of town, drive our individual 'team', and act as coaches...motivating them to get as many cards sold in 3 hours as possible.  The goal was 125 cards sold per team.  I didn't count the boys, but there must have been about 7 teams, with an average of 7-10 boys on a team.  Just about every boy from freshman to varsity showed up to help the cause!

One of the coaches in charge of the fundraiser advised the boys what to say when they knocked on a resident's door:

  1. Excuse yourself
  2. Indentify yourself
  3. Ask for help

Here's an example:

"Excuse me, I'm Sam Gabriel from North Olmsted High School.  Can you please help me?"

If the homeowner said, "Yes, what can I do for you?", GREAT!!  The kids were then to say they were asking for $10 donations to the Athletic Department and with that donation, the resident would receive the Gold Card...and go on to explain what the card was all about, and how it would benefit the homeowner.

If they received a "No thank you", then thank them for their time and move on to the next house.  They would hear "No thank you" many times in their lives, and not to take it personally.  Sound familiar??  : )

As I stood in the cafeteria listening to this, I started to imagine how I would apply it to my future prospecting efforts.  I still don't feel comfortable with the idea of door knocking...at least not for ME.  I'll door-hang!!  I love to walk, and if someone's out in the yard I'll have no problem striking up a conversation.  I just don't want to disturb anyone.  Privacy is very important to me, and I've made a promise to myself that when I begin my real estate career, I will respect everyone else's.

So...how did they do??  The total for the evening exceeded $8,000!  Not bad for 3 hours worth of work!

Watching them excitedly ask each other, "How many cards did YOU sell?!?!" made me long for the beginning of my new career.  Soon...very, very soon!

It also made me long for something else...FOOTBALL SEASON!!!  Now don't misunderstand, I absolutely LOVE summertime!!  Sunshine, warm weather, shorts, roller-coasters...BASEBALL!!!  But seeing those boys in their football jerseys conjured up memories of sweaters, hot chocolate, and wearing orange and black.  GO EAGLES!!!

                                   North Olmsted Eagles

 

 

Posted by

 

Sue

 

Does Your Real Estate Agent "Sell With Soul"?

The Golden Rule...it's that simple!

 

Comments(5)

New Jersey Real Estate James Boyer Morris, Essex & Union County NJ Realtor
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, Real Estate - Morristown, NJ
I don't like door knocking ether, at least door knocking for its sake itself.  I like door knocking with giving the home owner something, a report, something like that, more of a reason to be at their door.
Jul 19, 2007 01:21 AM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Great advice from the coach.  He might be a REALTOR on weekends! 

But don't knock door knocking - it works!  Just do it as a meet and greet activity, in conjunction with mailings.  Cold calling person to person is no time to ask for business. My mother used to pass out giant paperclips with her name on it, and a 1-page area handout called "Mary Lu's Area News."  People used to cross the street or stop their cars when they saw her in the neighborhood to say "hi" and thank her.  I've never been able to think of a catchy title for a handout - nothing seems to go well with Margaret... but you could always do "Sue's Area News" - If you keep it to one page, it's not time-consuming to do, and it helps to achieve the goal of helping prospective clients to

  • Know you
  • Like you
  • Trust you

so they'll do business with you.

Jul 19, 2007 02:13 AM
Sue Gabriel
Cleveland, OH

James ~ As soon as I hit the "post" button, I thought to myself "You'll knock on doors one day...just wait and see!"  : )

Margaret ~ I like that idea..."Sue's Area News"!  I was trying to come up with a way to brand myself -- "Sue's Golden Rules" was something I'd toyed with putting on a door hanger, with a list of my rules...Not knocking on their door was #1.  Kind of ironic, isn't it?  : )  I could have a bunch of "Sue's" things...so folks would always be wondering what "Sue" was going to come up with next!!  I like it a LOT!!!  Thank you!!!!

 

 

Jul 19, 2007 03:22 AM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

I wished I had learnt some skills in door-knocking when I am in high school. Never did do that and probably never will - if I dont change my mindset. I am learning to overcome my shortcomings too...... 

Here's what someone told me when I mentioned about the fear of rejection: He said that my time is just as valuable. Do not perceive as if I am wasting someone else's time. Those who has no interest in real estate talk, I wouldnt want to discuss it with them either. Those who is considering it can gain value and insights to what I have to share because I am knowledgable and good at what I do. [He said all this with a humble attitude, not fiesty or corky]

Thanks for sharing.

Jul 19, 2007 03:47 AM
Sue Gabriel
Cleveland, OH

Thank YOU, Loreena!!  Good insight from your friend.  A lot of my fear, whether real estate related or not, stems from the unknown.  The more I learn, the more I DO, the more comfortable I become.  Heck, a few years ago, I probably wouldn't have even volunteered to help with the fundraiser...I was too shy.  Still am, but I'm learning what I can and can't tackle.  A car-load of teenage boys was within my comfort level.  : )  I'm just another "Mom" to them.  A car-load of WOMEN who I don't know...THAT scares me!

 

 

 

Jul 19, 2007 06:01 AM