Canvassing Training for Employees

What is canvassing?

Canvassing is simply speaking to local homeowners face-to-face to let them know about our exterior cleaning services. There's no hard selling. You'll be staying active by going for a nice walk, meeting people, having a chat, and seeing if we can offer a service that enhances their home.

Your role is to:

• Introduce My Property Pros professionally
• Offer free quotes, or obtain details to quote later
• Build trust in our brand
• Leave information behind when needed

Canvassing helps us connect with customers in a way other forms of advertising simply cannot.

When is the best time to canvass?

We historically canvassed 5–8pm on weekdays with excellent results. There is no 'wrong' time to canvass — only what works best for the business, lifestyle, and economics.

Daylight hours

Preferably between 9am and 6pm. People are more likely to be at home during these hours, especially on weekends. The canvasser can clearly see the property (working hours are less relevant in summer). Avoid very early mornings or late evenings.

Weekends

Historically, at weekends we would successfully canvass 11am–3/4pm. Saturdays worked best.

Avoiding peak hours

Don't canvass when people are likely to be busy, like during early morning or dinner hours.

Seasons

Avoid extreme weather conditions like rain or snow, which can make your canvassing less effective.

Back in the day

Best results were between 5–8/8.30pm when people were home after work. Even with home office workers, we still notice that often, most people are still not home. Weekends were used to make 'call backs' to people not home during the week.

The three windows at a glance

Evening vs daytime: trade-offs

What to wear when canvassing

Canvassers should be clean, look professional but also approachable.

Branded clothing

Wear company branded clothing like a T-shirt or jacket with the MPP logo. Have your ID badge on and visible, and show it to the client as you introduce yourself. This builds trust and shows professionalism.

You should have an ID badge provided. If not, we just need a headshot with your branded top to include your shoulders in the shot.

What you need

A clipboard or document folder, a pen and spare pens, a rucksack, leaflets, details of current customers in the area, new customer sheets etc. *Documents will be provided.

Comfortable clothing

You'll be walking a lot, so wear comfortable walking footwear and breathable clothing, especially if you're canvassing in warm weather.

Be prepared for the weather

In cooler months, wear a branded jacket. In warmer months, light, breathable clothing is important. A light shell jacket is recommended.

Be prepared for canvassing

Tracking where you've been

• Your employer will agree a process for keeping track of where you have canvassed, for example using maps and highlighters.
• You can also use a spreadsheet to list areas, dates etc.
• It's easy to forget where you have leafleted and canvassed, so it's vital to keep track.
• Use the canvass sheets to keep track of doors opened, people in etc. This will let you go back in future and re-knock any doors that weren't opened. Write down door numbers not answered.
• Expect lower conversions during Easter, school holidays, bank holidays, and just before Christmas.

What to take with you

• Before-and-after images ready for each service available
• Access to YouTube videos to show potential clients real transformations
• YouTube Premium so videos can be downloaded and watched offline
• Clean branded van (if possible) visible and close to where you're canvassing
• Use the toilet before you start, and know where one is
• Drinks and food available for breaks
• Canvass for 2–2.5 hours (no more than 3 hours)
• Close gates when leaving — important!

Before knocking: assess the area

Ideally leaflets should be dropped 2–5 days before canvassing where possible. If they have been, you can open with "we dropped a leaflet" and show them. They may have seen it.

Before you knock on a door, observe the property to see if any external cleaning services might be needed. A few quick reads:

• Windows are clean: If the windows are sparkling but the patio or driveway looks dirty, focus your pitch on services like pressure washing. If there's moss or dirt on the roof, then offer roof cleaning. Staining or discolouration to the render, offer soft washing etc.
• Gutters are full: If you spot dirty gutters, that could be a service worth mentioning. Check the roof — moss can be causing the blockage.
• General property condition: Clean windows, nice garden, clean cars, freshly decorated — these homeowners are more likely to opt for exterior services to improve overall appearance.

Dealing with "No Cold Caller" & "No Junk Mail" signs

Respecting these signs is non-negotiable. Disrespecting them damages trust and the company brand, and can even lead to a negative review being left.

Always respect these signs. Ignoring them damages trust, the company brand, and can lead to negative reviews. It's not worth one extra door.

Safety considerations

Your safety comes first.

Always

• Tell someone where you are canvassing
• Carry a charged phone
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Avoid entering homes
• Trust your instincts

Dogs

If you see a dog loose in the garden, do not enter the property unless you are sure it's safe.

Two situations you'll handle politely

Effective canvassing techniques

Confidence

Approach each home with confidence. Be clear about who you are and the services you're offering.

Respect boundaries

Always respect homeowners' time. If they're not interested, politely thank them and move on.

Referral incentives

The business owner will give you guidance on whether you can offer discount incentives. For example, on a terrace, you might mention: "if your neighbour also wants their roof cleaned, we can offer a discount if cleaned at the same time."

Follow-up

Leave a leaflet with a contact number for those who may not need your services immediately but might in future. Ideally, get their contact information and add them to the system so they receive our emails.

How to start the conversation

The pages ahead give you starting points and tips for handling common questions or objections.

Three openers that work

Responses you'll come across

Eight common objections, with a calm, professional response for each. Memorise the structure: acknowledge → offer the next-best option → leave them better than you found them.

Factors influencing conversion rates

Pitch quality

A well-prepared, clear, and engaging pitch significantly increases your conversion rate. Having a strong opening line — like introducing yourself as a local business with great reviews — builds trust quickly.

Objection handling

Your ability to handle objections effectively (price concerns, "I'm not interested", etc.) will influence how many people decide to engage with you or request a quote.

Offer

A free quote can incentivise people to take action sooner.

Social proof and trust

The more you emphasise that you're a trusted, local business with 600+ five-star reviews on Trustpilot, the higher the likelihood of conversion. People trust a company with a proven track record.

Referral and word of mouth

If we've already done work in an area, or have a happy customer who refers you, conversion rates tend to be much higher.

Challenges of canvassing

Knowing what's hard makes it easier to manage. Five honest realities:

Rejection

Not everyone will be interested, and many will turn you down. It can be hard to face rejection over and over, especially when you're putting in the effort.

Time and energy

Canvassing takes time, and it's physically demanding. Take breaks and keep sessions short.

Handling objections

Many people will have objections like "I already have a cleaner," "I'm not interested," or "I don't trust cold callers." You have to be prepared to handle these objections quickly and professionally without getting discouraged.

Loneliness

Canvassing can sometimes feel like a solo job, especially if you're working in a quiet area where not many people are out. It can be hard to stay motivated when you're out there on your own.

"No Soliciting" or "No Cold Caller" signs

Some areas or houses have signs that make canvassing difficult. It's important to respect these boundaries, but it can feel like an obstacle when you're trying to make contact with potential customers.

Rewards from canvassing

Direct contact with potential clients

You're meeting people face-to-face and building a personal connection. People are more likely to trust you when they've had a direct interaction, rather than just seeing an ad online or a leaflet through the door.

Rewarding conversions

The feeling of success when someone says yes is incredibly rewarding. It's not just about the sale — it's about the trust you've built and the satisfaction of solving a problem for them. It's a win-win.

High conversion potential

Canvassing, when done correctly, can lead to a higher conversion rate than many other marketing methods, especially because you're offering a personal, no-obligation quote. The face-to-face interaction builds rapport and trust, which often results in better outcomes.

Feeling of achievement

Even after a long day, when you convert a customer, the sense of achievement is huge. You know your hard work has paid off, and you've helped grow our business one door at a time.

How to stay motivated

Mindset for success

Persistence pays off

Canvassing is a numbers game. The more you knock, the higher your chances of conversion. Don't be discouraged by any difficulty — persistence is key.

Build relationships, not just sales

Think of canvassing as building a long-term relationship with the community, rather than making a one-time sale. This will change your attitude and help you focus on providing value to others.

It's a marathon, not a sprint

Canvassing is a long-term strategy. Even if you don't get a customer on your first attempt, the more you canvass and the more confidence you gain, the more success you'll have.

Success stories

Real moments from the road. Read them not as anecdotes but as templates — each one shows a decision point most canvassers face every week.