1. Recruit or die. There is no ‘Plan B’ once recruiting fails–besides fixing it and doing it better.
2. Recruiting is akin to selling. You have to believe in your product. Only convinced people can be convincing.
3. Do know thoroughly your ‘product.’ Do not sell illusions, yet speak openly of the positive effects of your proposal.
4. Give a face to your selling. In most cases testimonies are everything. Quote well crafted sentences especially when they come from ‘representative’ people. For example: a good quotation from a committed young man would do more than a grumbling argument about ‘fading out faith among men in modern times.’
5. Keep your language simple and straight-forward. It should require no-effort to understand the structure of your discourse and your examples or related stories should come to the point and be really ‘sticky.’ It should remain well to the front what you are proposing.
6. Know as well as possible your ‘client.’ Most people you meet are mainly or only interested in themselves. Unless you connect to their focus of interest you are just speaking to yourself.
7. Eye-contact cannot be overestimated. Even if people deny the importance of your proposal they more likely will not reject the sincerity and kindness of your message. Moreover, from their eyes you will know well how much impact you are having in them.
8. People are highly sensitive of anything that could look as accusing or condemning them. Most simply feel that their relationship to God and to the Church is not in a good state. Whatever you say should come from a real understanding of their fears, prejudices… and excuses. Speak as someone that is on their same side and fighting the same battle.
9. Be ready not only to speak but also to hear. Pay real attention to their problems and small things, even if they are not immediately related to your proposal. If you look as only concerned in completing your quota of recruiting they will notice–and act accordingly.
10. Generally speaking is not a good idea to mix inviting to a meeting and selling a particular item (say a book, a rosary, or similar). Many people will feel that in buying your small item they are also getting rid of you.
11. Do insist. Be always nice and friendly while keeping your invitation open and relevant. It is not a good idea to repeat the same words over and over but it is perfectly right to knock the door more than once. Later on, they will be grateful.
12. Pray. Pray before, during and after the meeting with your ‘clients.’ Pray always with faith, hope and utmost charity. Pray with spirit of confidence, thankfulness and keep praising the Lord, who has called you to work at his vineyard.