Summary of "DON'T Start Your Pitch by Offering a FREE Roof Inspection! PROOF Why and What to do Instead"

Summary of Financial Strategies, Market Analyses, and Business Trends

Main Concept: The video challenges the common roofing sales approach of starting a sales pitch by offering a free roof inspection. The presenter, Adam Benson, argues that this tactic is ineffective and often leads to immediate rejection from homeowners. Instead, he advocates for a strategic conversational approach to create the need for an inspection before offering one.

Key Points & Methodology

Why Not to Start with a Free Inspection:
- Homeowners without obvious roof problems automatically say no to free inspections.
- Offering a free inspection upfront sets a negative tone, creating distrust and skepticism.
- Many homeowners perceive unsolicited free inspections as pushy or sleazy.
- Data shows 57% of homeowner mindsets will reject a free inspection outright.
Understanding Homeowner Mindsets: The video outlines seven homeowner mindsets related to insurance claims and roof conditions:
1. No claim filed (homeowner believes roof is fine)
2. Partial insurance payment for minor repairs
3. Denied insurance claim (homeowner agrees with denial)
4. Denied insurance claim (homeowner is angry)
5. Check in hand, looking for a roofer
6. Others in varying emotional or informational states
Only some of these mindsets actually want or need an inspection.
Creating the Need Before Offering an Inspection:
- Salespeople must first diagnose where the homeowner is in their thought process.
- The sales pitch should be tailored to the homeowner’s mindset.
- The goal is to get the homeowner to want the inspection, not just offer it.
The SLAP Formula (Briefly Introduced):
1. Say Hi – Break the ice and build rapport.
2. Make it Familiar – Reference a nearby neighbor or recent event to establish relevance.
3. Ask an Open-Ended Question – Discover where the homeowner is in the claims/repair process.
4. Present to Their Answer – Tailor your response and build the need for an inspection.
5. Link to Inspection – Offer the inspection only after the homeowner is engaged and interested, e.g., “Do you have any objection if I hop up on your roof for a free inspection?”
Analogy Used:
- Comparing roofing inspection pitches to offering a free tire inspection at someone's home to illustrate why unsolicited free offers feel intrusive and unwanted.
Sales Philosophy:
- roofing sales differ from other sales like car sales because customers often don’t initially perceive a need.
- The challenge is to create the need and desire before selling.
- Emphasizes selling like a doctor diagnosing a patient—ask diagnostic questions to understand needs.
Additional Resources and Offers:
- Free pitch training video library available at theroofstrategist.com.
- marketing and sales strategy packages with ROI guarantees.
- Book recommendations on business, leadership, finance, and sales.
- Ongoing email newsletter ("far snapshot") with tips and insights.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Recommended Pitch Approach

Approach and Greet:
- Say hi and break the ice.
- Make a personal connection (compliment pet, reference neighborhood).
Establish Relevance:
- Mention a recent nearby roofing job or storm damage.
Ask an Open-Ended Question:
- E.g., “How has the process been for you?” or “What did your insurance company say when they came out?”
Listen and Diagnose:
- Understand the homeowner’s mindset and where they are in the claims process.
Tailor Your Response:
- If they don’t perceive damage, explain how others didn’t know their roof’s condition until shown photos/videos.
- Build trust and transparency.
Create the Need:
- Explain the value of the inspection in terms of information and peace of mind.
Offer the Inspection:
- Ask for permission with a soft close: “Do you have any objection if I hop up on your roof for a free inspection?”

Presenter / Source

Adam Benson, The Roof Strategist roofing sales expert, coach, and content creator specializing in improving roofing sales techniques and strategies.

This summary captures the strategic sales approach recommended in the video, emphasizing the importance of diagnosing customer mindset and creating demand before offering services, rather than leading with a free inspection offer.