When I first started my business, knocking on doors felt like the scariest thing in the world. Imagine walking up to a stranger’s house, hoping they’d not only answer the door but also listen to your pitch. I didn’t grow up dreaming about selling house painting services door-to-door, but there I was; 18 years old and figuring it out as I went.

Fortunately, I got one day of training from the company I franchised with. I learned the script, watched someone else do it, and practiced a bit. Then it was all on me.

At first, I clung to the script like a safety net. It felt robotic but gave me something to fall back on. One key lesson I learned early: never apologize for being there. People appreciate confidence, and showing up with genuine energy goes a long way. Over time, I realized there are two ways to succeed in door-to-door sales: master the script or go full charisma mode. Take it from me; the second option is better. People buy from people they like, and enthusiasm makes all the difference.

I still remember the moment I landed my first sale. I showed the client the price, and they simply said yes. It hit me then; sometimes, just being the person who can get the work done is all it takes. People are busy, and if you show up at the right time, you might be their only option. That realization was a game-changer.

Of course, staying charismatic gets tough after knocking on 50 doors and hearing “no” 48 times. It’s a numbers game, plain and simple. Every “no” gets you closer to a “yes,” and that mindset kept me going when I wanted to quit. I reminded myself that all this effort was a learning opportunity; every tough day now would lead to easier days in the future.

The biggest lesson I learned? Door-knocking works. It’s not glamorous, fun, or easy—but it’s effective. That’s how I managed to land over $80,000 in sales in just eight months.

Don’t get me wrong; social media is an amazing tool. But let’s be real: it’s a completely different skill set. On social media, you’re not walking up to someone’s door; you’re crafting content, producing videos, and trying to master editing and algorithms. It’s an art form, and when you’re just starting out, it’s far more complicated.

That’s where door-knocking shines. It’s fast, direct, and requires no tech expertise. You don’t need to worry about how many likes your post gets or whether your video hit the algorithm sweet spot. If you’re looking for quick results, knocking on doors is hard to beat. When starting out, the ROI on door-knocking is unmatched. Ads are often too broad and expensive, especially when you’re on a tight budget. The best and cheapest option? Use your feet.

I also noticed a pattern among the people who said yes. They’d often already been thinking about painting for a while, and my visit simply reminded them to act on it. Timing is everything, and just being there in person gave them the nudge they needed to go for it.

If you’re starting a home service business—or any business for that matter—don’t underestimate the power of knocking on doors. It forces you out of your comfort zone, teaches you skills you’ll use forever, and delivers real results.

I’m not saying you have to love it. I didn’t. But I learned to appreciate it for what it was: the fastest way to get my business off the ground. If you’re willing to put in the work, it can do the same for you.