I actually drove around an industrial park last week and walked into about 15 businesses to introduce myself. Got chased out of a couple, but had 3 really good conversations and left materials with 7 office managers. One of the good conversations turned into an LOA signing two days later. Am I crazy or does door-to-door still work?
Door-to-Door Prospecting - Too Old School?
Not crazy at all. I did this a lot in my first few years. Industrial parks and commercial districts are perfect because the businesses are concentrated and you can hit 20 in a morning. The key is having a short, confident intro and not being bothered by rejection. You're going to hear no thanks 80% of the time.
I think it works because it's so rare now. Every facility manager gets 50 emails a day but almost nobody walks in the door. The novelty factor alone gets you a conversation. Just be respectful - if they're busy, leave a card and move on.
In-person prospecting is underrated in the digital age. The face-to-face first impression is impossible to replicate with an email. Ruben's 1-out-of-15 conversion rate is actually fantastic for any outreach method. My only caution: be mindful of security-sensitive facilities. Walking into a hospital or government building unannounced can get you escorted out by security.