When I first started my business, door-knocking 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, trying to figure it out.
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 stuck to the script like a robot. It was my safety net. But I quickly realized there are two ways to succeed in door-to-door sales: you either master the script or go full charisma mode. The second one is better, by the way. People buy from people they like, and showing up with genuine energy and excitement makes all the difference.
That said, it’s not easy to stay charismatic when you’ve knocked on 50 doors in a row and heard “no” 48 times. It’s a numbers game, and you have to remind yourself that every “no” gets you closer to a “yes.” That mindset kept me going, even when I wanted to give up.
The biggest lesson for me? Door-knocking works. It’s not glamorous, it’s not fun, and it’s definitely not easy—but it’s effective. It’s how I landed over $80,000 in sales in eight months.
Now, I’m not knocking social media—it’s essential. But, let’s be honest: it takes a different skill set. You’re not walking into someone’s home; you’re crafting content, videos, and trying to master things like video production, editing, and algorithms. It’s an art form, and it’s way more complicated when you’re just starting out.
That’s where door-knocking shines. It’s fast. It’s direct. You don’t need to be a pro at video production or worry about how many likes you’re getting on a post. If you want to get results quickly, door-knocking will get you there.
If you’re thinking about starting a home service business—or any business, really—don’t underestimate the power of knocking on doors. It forces you out of your comfort zone, teaches you skills you can use forever, and gets 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. And if you’re willing to put in the work, it can do the same for you.
