After the violence of 4 separate “wrong-place, wrong-time” shootings final week, Inman contributor Rachael Hite penned an op-ed that explored the assorted situations of gun violence, posited that knocking on strangers’ doorways isn’t a secure option to get new enterprise and known as for an finish to door-knocking.

“Today, telling your brokers to door-knock for brand new enterprise isn’t simply dated recommendation, nevertheless it is also a lethal endeavor. In a world the place gun violence is in our headlines each day, it’s time to retire this system for good.” — Rachael Hite

Our readers responded in a giant approach.

Many stated it’s nonetheless secure to door-knock with the proper precautions and planning.

San Ramon, California-based agent Wendy Legerton responded to Hite’s piece with, “Don’t knock door-knocking. The advantages nonetheless outweigh the chance,” during which she discusses the advantages of door-knocking, like creating and being part of your neighborhood.

Within the curiosity of making an attempt to current as many views as attainable, we’ve turned to the feedback part to pick out the perfect and most attention-grabbing recommendation from business veterans who insisted that not solely is door-knocking secure, nevertheless it’s a technique that top-producing brokers separate from the pack and achieve market share.

“Two of my brokers, feminine, let me know they had been door-knocking immediately. They generated 3 attainable itemizing leads on 50 doorways knocked. Sure, our brokers have to be educated and perceive the security considerations of door-knocking, however it’s nonetheless a really productive type of prospecting and could be very secure should you’re correctly knowledgeable.” – Travis Baron, dealer, RE/MAX Premier, California

Let’s dig into the Realtor information, have a look at readers’ feedback and dig by way of the strategies:

NAR says brokers already make security a precedence

Based on the Nationwide Affiliation of Realtors, statistically talking, nearly all of brokers have a security plan.

• The standard respondent meets potential shoppers whom they’ve by no means met earlier than both at their workplace or in a impartial location 66 p.c of the time.
• 73 p.c have private security protocols that they comply with with each shopper. That is extra possible amongst females (76 p.c) than amongst males (67 p.c).
• 40 p.c of residential Realtors stated they participated in a self-defense class.
• 43 p.c of males and 54 p.c of ladies carry a self-defense weapon or device.
• Amongst those that participated in a Realtor security course, 75 p.c stated they really feel extra ready for unknown conditions after taking a Realtor Security course.

However let’s take a deeper have a look at this survey that was despatched to 54,622 residential members. There have been 2,227 respondents for a response price of 4.1 p.c. On the 95 p.c confidence degree, the margin of error is +/- 2.08 p.c. However of all of the questions requested, no questions had been requested about whether or not brokers ever felt uncomfortable door-knocking. It’s simply not a part of the survey.

“However lets not cease speaking to your neighborhood. You’ll be able to nonetheless stroll and discuss by assembly and greeting if they’re exterior, having neighborhood occasions, and many others. Please cease making this in regards to the weapons and keep on with all the knowledge relating to door-knocking.” – Wendy Legerton, eXp agent, California

Door-knocking suggestions from the professionals who go

Listed below are a number of suggestions that commenters left about how they door-knock with a plan:

“My brokers are out within the neighborhoods too. That’s the place the homes are.” – Laura Stevens, dealer, Keller Williams Massachusettes

Latest Ballot on Inman Coast to Coast Fb Group

Alternative routes to door-knock

For those who’re nonetheless not offered on the concept of door-knocking, listed below are a number of workarounds:

Door-knocking is a private alternative. Trade leaders say it’s secure when accomplished accurately, however the security data appears obscure, and a few of it contradicts itself. Many of the data round it’s based mostly on scripts and strategies and find out how to deal with rejection. It additionally comes right down to trusting strangers.

The underside line is that this boils right down to revenue. If this works for your corporation, then go for it. The enterprise of getting listings and new shoppers is continuous.

NAR has created an inventory of instruments and smartphone functions so that you can use to be secure when working with strangers. Keep in mind, these apps are designed to display screen people earlier than you are taking them out, not earlier than you present up on their doorstep.

The discuss round door-knocking is that it’s nonetheless a good way to get enterprise. Sadly, we’ve no information to help how secure it’s — simply (seemingly) a streak of excellent luck for almost all that participates.

Practice, be good, choose the proper outfit, learn and have good luck.

Rachael Hite is a former agent, a enterprise growth specialist, truthful housing advocate, copy editor, and is presently perfecting her lengthy sport promoting properties in a retirement neighborhood in Northern Virginia. You’ll be able to join together with her about life, advertising, and enterprise on Instagram