It’s Saturday morning, almost noon. It’s cold, and we’re all hunkered in, ready for the big snowstorm headed our way.
The kind of day where you just want to stay cozy, sip coffee, and catch up on everything but interruptions.
Then… there’s a knock at the door.
First of all, let me just say—I don’t like surprises. If you’re knocking on my door unannounced, I’m already skeptical. Add in the weather? It’s a hard no from me.
But, here we are.
The Knock and the Dog
Now, I’m not rude. I’ve got Charlotte, my dog, who’s a total sissy but looks scary to anyone who doesn’t know better.
I let her out the side door, and she does her thing. Meanwhile, this AT&T guy is at my front door, shouting “hello” like he’s on a mission.
Okay, fine. I go to the door. I answer it. I’m greeted with the usual salesman spiel, and I cut him off (politely, of course). “I’m sorry, I’m not interested. We’ve had AT&T before, and the service wasn’t great.”
When No Isn’t Enough
At this point, a reasonable person would take the hint. But nope, he dives right back into his script.
Now, back in the day, I might’ve stood there, awkwardly nodding and trying to figure out how to escape the conversation. But let me tell you, that version of me is long gone.
This time, I said, “It’s cold outside, I’m shutting the door now,” called Charlotte back, and closed the door.
Done and dusted. He walked off, and I went back to my day.
Does Door Knocking Even Work Anymore?
Here’s the thing: door-to-door sales had their time, but that time is not today.
People don’t like unannounced visits anymore. We’ve got the internet, social media, and a million ways to research and connect that don’t involve someone showing up on our porch uninvited.
Why this approach doesn’t work now:
- It Feels Intrusive: Most people value their privacy and don’t appreciate surprise visits—especially on a cold Saturday morning.
- Persistence Isn’t Always the Answer: When someone says, “No thanks,” respect it. Ignoring that boundary doesn’t build trust; it annoys people.
- There Are Better Ways to Connect: Email, social media ads, even a well-timed flyer in the mail—those methods let people engage on their own terms.
What Brands Should Learn From This
If you’re still relying on door-to-door sales, it might be time to rethink your strategy:
- Be Respectful: A quick knock with a simple, friendly flyer is fine. Pushing your pitch after someone says no? Not fine.
- Adapt to the Times: Meet people where they are—online, through targeted ads, or even hosting local events.
- Read the Room: When someone isn’t interested, take the loss gracefully and move on.
The reality is, showing up unannounced isn’t just outdated—it risks leaving a bad impression.
And as for Charlotte? She got her moment to shine, and I got to practice setting clear boundaries. Win-win.
