So you have that annual fundraiser again, but how will you find people to buy from you? Selling to friends and relatives only goes so far, and calling up random people on the telephone never really works too well. So that leaves you one option: door to door sales. But how? Where do you begin? Let’s start from the beginning and take a look.
Before you do anything, you need to get organized. Make sure that you have your catalogue and order form with you, as well as something to write with, most preferably a blue or black pen. With that ready, you should also have a speech prepared. A good basic format might go something like this: “Hi my name is (fill in name), and I am with (fill in organization). We are doing a fundraiser for (fill in cause). Would you care to take a look at my catalogue and see if you would be interested in helping support us? (Hand the person the catalogue).” If your organization also accepts direct donations, such as cash or personal checks, you may also want to add something to this effect in your speech. Remember, the more pitiful and desperate your cause sounds, the more likely it is that someone will buy from you. Now that you are organized, you are ready to begin your door to door adventure.
The location of where you will go is totally up to you, although it would probably be most intelligent to go to trustworthy neighborhoods. At the first house, let’s say it’s one of your neighbors, knock on the door or ring the bell. If, after what you deem is a sufficient amount of time, no one seems to be coming to answer the door, try knocking once more. If there is still no answer, move on to the next house. However, in the case that someone does answer the door, shake their hand while introducing yourself, then give your little speech, and end by giving them the catalogue. At this point they will either find something in the catalogue they are interested in, give you a direct donation, or give the catalogue back to you and tell you to get lost. If the first happens record on your order form what it is they would like to get along with their name, address, and phone number, thank them profusely and leave as soon as possible, without being rude, before they change their minds. In the case that you get a direct donation, again thank them profusely, get their name so you can give them credit for the donation, and leave as quickly as politeness will allow. And if the third possibility happens, it would be wise to get out off their property with a nice “Thank you anyway,” and leave them alone.
Repeat these steps with every house you go to, and if luck is on your side you should do fairly well. Bear in mind, being congenial, having things organized, and getting the catalogue into the customer’s hands are some of the keys to achieving a sale. Be persistent, but not to the point of being bothersome, and always have a smile and a “Thanks anyway” on the ready, in case they resisted your charming personality. And remember you always have next year to win them over.
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