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Knock, Knock... Door-to-door sales are back.

By Gwen Moran Edited by Frances Dodds

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Randy Schneider, 32, and Allen Evans, 39, partners in GeneratorNation, found direct selling to be a very effective way to reachout to hurricane-ravaged communities that needed the permanent andportable backup power systems their Fort Lauderdale, Florida,company sells.

In the wake of the National Do Not Call Registry, some companiesare going door-to-door as an alternative outreach option. TheDirect SellingAssociation, a direct-sales industry trade association, hasseen an increase in inquiries about door-to-door sales. Butdon't knock until you've tried this:

  • Check local legislation. "It does seem like therehave been some increased efforts on [the] local level to putrestrictions on door-to-door sales," says John Webb, associatelegal counsel for the DSA. Some communities ban door-to-doorselling, while others require sellers to register at the town hall.Call the municipality you're targeting to find out specifics,or you could face fines.
  • Shelve the hard sell. "We ask if there is a timewhen we can come back and give a consultation--we don't sellright off the bat," says Schneider. This helps GeneratorNation reps gain trust.
  • Be identifiable. Wear a badge or other identification toshow customers that you're with a legitimate company.
Gwen Moran

Writer and Author, Specializing in Business and Finance

GWEN MORAN is a freelance writer and co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Plans (Alpha, 2010).

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