Remember you're there to help them identify issues that they might not know they have.

One of the biggest mistakes some people make when door knocking is trying to hard-sell total strangers on their doorstep. Unless you have a stellar track record in their neighborhood, this will turn off most homeowners.

Instead, focus on how you can help them. The distinction is subtle, but important. Check out Chis Linsell’s video for a quick run-through of his door knocking strategy and why it works.

Focus more on moving the conversation to the next step, rather than closing the deal. In many cases, this may be scheduling a more formal inspection.

While you may be eager to close deals, pushing too hard for goals that are unrealistic is a surefire way to get a door slammed in your face. Sure, you want to seem confident and maybe even a little bit hungry to close, but most people instantly turn off when presented with a sales pitch, no matter how good it is.

A sincere compliment works wonders. Try to find something genuine to compliment the homeowner on, like their well-kept lawn or their decor at the front door.

When starting a conversation, remember to make it about them, not you. Ask questions and show genuine interest in what they are saying. The goal is to lay the foundation for a solid relationship.

Use the demographics provided by Lead Scout on the prospect to help to personalize your approach. High household income? Think about pushing the luxury line. Low income? Think about pushing financing.

Build common ground based on the hobbies and interests of the homeowner. Do they have toys in the yard? They likely have a family. A leash? Likely a dog. Fishing poles in the garage? You can make conversation more natural and non-invasive by being observant and understanding the homeowner's life situation, hobbies and interests.

You have about 15 seconds to get and keep the homeowner's attention. If a homeowner can give you a simple yes or no then it makes it easy for them to end the conversation.

So to avoid giving them an easy out, and never ask questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no. Instead, try to get prospects engaged in a conversation by asking open-ended questions and actually listening to their answers instead of just waiting for your turn to talk. Here are some pro-tips from The Roof Strategist.

Ask open-ended questions that like:

No matter what they say, you can now present to their answer. So, by using the opportunities to be up on these other roofs, you can:

You’re not stopping by cold. You’re stopping by to start a conversation.