One way that my husband Floyd and I got to know so many, many people in our area is that we approached them originally to offer Fuller Brush Products.   While one sounds stupid to just go up to a stranger and say, "Hi, I'm Bess!" , it's a lot different to approach someone and say "Hi, I'm Bess, and I'm one of your neighbors (clients, customers, etc.). I wanted to let you know I'm a Fuller Brush (and Stanley Home Products) distributor.   Have you ever used Fuller or Stanley products?"  

Follow up by either finding out what they've used, and making notes or taking an order, or if they say they don't know the products, say "I bet your mother or grandmothers used them.  Remember the...." and mention some of the products such as the Fuller brown household broom or the Stanley multicolored Woolux dry mop.   Usually that jogs their memory or makes them curious enough that they ask to see the book, which you happen to have with you, always, in addition to an order book and a pen or pencil.   Even if they don't buy, you've often made a new friend.

Another way to meet new people easily is, when taking an order from someone you know, or delivering an order to a customer, ask casually: "Do you know your next door neighbors?  Do you think they'd like to have a free (handi brush, spatula or whichever free gifts you have on hand)?  What is her name?  What about the neighbors across the street..."   etc.   Then you go to each person, knock and introduce yourself.  Say "I'm (calling on, making a delivery to) your neighbor, Mrs._____, and she mentioned that you might like to have a free ____ and take a quick look at my Fuller Brush and Stanley catalogs." while holding out the gift for her to take.  It's a rare person who will not take the gift and look at the catalog. 

When you take an order from one of these customers, upon delivery do the same thing, and soon you will have a whole cluster of customers in one area, and get acquainted with some new people.

Bess W. Metcalf
In So. Florida: 305-638-8500
Elsewhere:  1-866-638-8505