WAHM Forums

Hi all!
I was wanting to hear about going door to door, I wanted to try it in a neighborhood close to mine, its a nice one that I feel safe to go into.... So, I wanted to know what should I take? What do I say? Are people usually rude, to people who are "soliciting" in their neighborhood? I know everyone is different but I need to get moving on these candles I have http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gif, so this seems to be the best route to take.

Please share your experiences with me, Thanks

Oh and did you use a little wagon or just put some in a bag?

I haven't been door to door yet. I live in the country and most neighbors are not walking distance.
I would use the catalogs for sure. You could attach a scent sample of the candle, soap or mia melts. You could even throw in some car freshners if you wanted. If you have business cards, you get buy the magnets to glue to the back - that way they could put your card on their Fridge.

If you know of someone along your route that really likes candles, you could give them a jar candle to try....yes, I said give it to them to try. I had a partially burned jar candle that a lady really liked - I gave it to her to try and now she is a good customer! So, take some jar candles with you - even if you just use them to show how the candles burn evenly.

Thanks! I was thinking of going door to door to sell the candles, but now I think I am leaning more towards the business opportunity. I have no idea what to say, "I just showed up at your house to......?"http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley22.gifAs you can tell, I am neeerrrr-vous

I would personally lead with the products. Let them know you live in the area and that you work a home business as an Independent Rep for MB and just wanted to drop off some information about your products. Ask if they burn scented candles or know someone that does - as your asking, open a so&cp scent sample for them to smell - hand them a catalog and a business card.

If they like candles, get their name and phone number and ask if it's ok for you to contact them later about any specials, etc. Ask what type of scents they like - that way you could take them over a few scent samples offloral or fruity or spicey or whatever scent they like.

If you see a house that has very nice, very clean CARS out front, offer a car freshner - or put some scent samples in an organza bag and give it as a car freshner. My husband is a car nut and loves the so&cp car freshner - our cars are always spotless!! They get washed at least once a week! So, he would buy car freshners in a heart beat.

Take a potato peeler and shave off some of your soaps - put the shavings in an organza bag and give that as a sample if you run across someone that doesn't really like candles - surely they use soap http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif--- put enough shavings in for them to wash their face and hands - my favorite is so&cp - slate & stone is a nice scent also.

Be creative and have fun!

The organze bags as air fresheners is a great idea! I have some so I am going to put one in my car. I love my Fresh Apple air freshener but it does not seem to last very long. This will be great!

Thanks Deadra, you gave me soo many ideas, I saw some pics of all things you were talking about on the Yahoo Groups (online candle club) and I think I will make them, but for now I need a FREE way of advertising I have spent more then I would have liked on this business so far....

I am going to go door to door tomorrow, if I can...

Has anyone went business to business? What type of places did you go to? I would love to go to some message places and stuff but people don't seem to like "sellers" in there stores around their cusotmers...any help there?

Oh and calling just doesn't seem to work for me, if I try if agian what should I say? (when calling businesses)

How about have a jar in hand, maybe SOCP or Hot Apple Pie...

Say.... "Hello! How are you today? (pause) Do you know anyone who burns scented candles?"

If the person says 'no thank you' say, okay thank you for your time, here's a free sample! And give a biz card with grated wax sample attached!

If the person says 'yes' get that jar under their nose and say "I'm your local Mia Bella distributor and I'm sharing these natural wax candles with my neighbors..etcc.etcc.etccc

Check with your city offices first! Ours has a strict and enforced soliciting policy. A permit is required. Some cities have them and some don't. I hope you have fun and great success stories to tell!

Hi Jarmelia!

I'd be happy to do some role playing with you if you'd like!


Lorihttp://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley20.gif

I'm not trying to be the "bad guy" here but I absolutely hate it whenpeople come to my door--no matter how nice or polite they are. The best thing I think a salesperson can do is leave something on the mailbox (if allowed in your area). That way, you're not interrupting people at home (it seems as though salespeople come to my door on an almost daily basis--always when the kids are napping or I'm busy doing something so yes, maybe I'm a little bitter). I don't mind having something on my mailbox, I can look at it in my leisure time, and can call for information if I'm interested. Just thought I'd throw my 0.02 in here! : ) Good luck!

I'm not trying to be the "bad guy" here but I absolutely hate it whenpeople come to my door--no matter how nice or polite they are. The best thing I think a salesperson can do is leave something on the mailbox (if allowed in your area). That way, you're not interrupting people at home (it seems as though salespeople come to my door on an almost daily basis--always when the kids are napping or I'm busy doing something so yes, maybe I'm a little bitter). I don't mind having something on my mailbox, I can look at it in my leisure time, and can call for information if I'm interested. Just thought I'd throw my 0.02 in here! : ) Good luck!

I am the same way so... That's why I am a bit nervous! But, I need to do something to get these candles out of my hands and get some business and to get the word out for a cheap price...I may just pass out some flyers and leave them on doors and stuff, depends...

Thanks for all the advice! Lori I sure will give you a call! Thanks!

Okay, I'll brainstorm with ya!

See YOU at the TOP!


Lorihttp://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley20.gif

How about perfect your 30 second commercial and use the 3 foot rule!

How about perfect your 30 second commercial and use the 3 foot rule!

Hi Jarmelia,

I just PMed you back.


Lori

Personally, I didn't really have any luck going door to door. My sister and I went to about 100+ houses in my town and I think I got one call back. I left catalogs, business cards, and scent samples. It might just be my town. Every place is different.







As for going to businesses, Charlie is right. A lot of places in my area have big red "no solicitation" signs on their doors and on counters. But it depends on what kind of business it is. For instance, if you go to an office, like a loan office, or bank or someplace like that, more than likelythere are a women (who love candles) that would go crazy for the candles and won't mind you being there. It just depends on the business and your state solicitation laws.


Jennifer

Okay, well I read about going business to business on a yahoo group, but she also got kicked out and stuff, but still went back (sooo not me), I don't think I can handle being kicked out in the first place.

Thanks for all the replies and Lori, I really went into some "deep"http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley17.gif thought and I think I am going to go to summer camps and things in my area and leave some flyers for the parents. I just didn't want to be a "haggler" and since I am not comfortable going door to door, I think I will pass on it.
Thanks agian!

I was more talking about door to door in the residential areas but the same for businesses. Our city ordinance prohibits any door to door anywhere without a permit from city hall. $100 fine for offenders and r-u-n-n-o-f-tsmileys/smiley36.gif

Jarmelia,
You could try leaving a flyer or business card in the mailbox. I had one person leave a card for piano lessons on our front door and they live on the next block. I'm thinking of returning the favor and leaving one of my cards at their househttp://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

If you are going into retail stores or businesses a loaner jar may be a good idea.

Best of luck to ya!
Yolanda

Leaving something "in" the mailbox? Isn't that illegal? I wouldn't mind doing that, but I don't think I can put anything on or in a mailbox, right? I could be wrong, please someone, tell me I am wrong so I can go do this!http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley36.gif

I want to put flyers on houses and I think I will when I get some flyers done.

Thanks for all te replies!

I don't know if it is illegal but we get cards and mini flyers posted at the door all the time!

I have a letter for retail stores and loaner jars if you want it.

Yolanda

I worked for our local govt here in MD for 31 yrs. I did zoning enforcement for the last 8 yrs of it. We had topost properties with violation notices all the time.
Placing items in the mailbox is illegal. Ifa person decides to report you, watch out!!!!

We weren't even allowed to post on the mailbox pole. This was a directive from the postal service, itself.

Just an FYI for you to consider.

I am also one that doesn't like anyone knocking on my door trying to give me something or sell me something.

Maybe you could ride through the neighborhood and see if the have a community bulletin board, that would allow you to post info.

One other consideration, try riding through the neighborhood, write down addresses & names for 1 street at a time and mail info out, just1 street at a time.
Also see if you can find out who is head of the community assoc., do they have a newsletter? find out and see if you can advertise, even if its 1 time to see if you get any response. Or if they are having an event thatwould allow you to set up a table????
All they can do is say no.

hope this helps,

Deborah thanks for the info! I did notice at my local post office they had a community bulletin board where you could post your flyers. The supermarkets in the area and the local laundrymat also allow flyers to be posted.


I suppose it does depend on where you live and what the local climate is.

Well, again I guess I'm different. I don't really mind people stopping by to leave me information. If I'm interested I'll call them back, If I'm not I won't.

We had a lady that start working Home Interiors - She went around and left catalogs with everyone up and down our road. Notice I said "road" - I live in the country, we don't have a traditional "neighborhood". Almost everyone that lives close to me is kin to mehttp://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

So, If I lived in town, I might have a different attitude. Most of my neighbors are "older" people and they absolutely love the company - even if it happens to be someone selling something.

It is illegal to place un-posted mail in a mail box. Bill used to be a mail carrier here in CA and the office in Walnut Creek had instructed their carriers to hold any "non-mail" items and return them after the route to the postal office where the "offender" would then get a letter of warning from the Postal Service. Just a heads up for everyone.

Okay thanks! I thought that was illegal but, wasn't too sure. Also, I am liking that idea about going down one street and writing down the address and then mailing them a letter. I did door-hangers today, soI will see how that goes. I used these little bags (1x1, I think, Joli sent them to me) at first I thought they were too small, to use but they look soooo nice on the door hangers and professional, putting a few on letters and fliers would be so cute. IMO I'll post a pick if I can, I just can't get over the difference! (weird I know)

Oh, and I talked (my husband actually did it) to a city hall lady and she told me that since I work from home (home business) then I can't post anything outside; lamp posts, picket signs, benches etc. I could only post "inside" businesses, she said that was part of the meaning of "home business" and it was against the law. I never knew that!

In my application for my business license it makes it very clear that "home" businesses could not advertise in that way and I even had to get my car magnets cleared because I park my car in my driveway and "they" might consider that "outdoor" advertisement.Ithink some of it is silly because it is not like I have a sign painted on my garage. LOL

I think it is because we don't pay taxes as a business, I think, I amy be wrong. But, that might be why we can't use the "city" as a way of advertising. But she did sayI could use my car b/c it was "my" car and not the city's property. But not my house, though....