A smarty pants answer would be, "One door at a time" but that does no one any good.

So let me offer a REAL answer.

#1 Select the community that meets at least one of these criteria

• matches the target identified in your business plan. You have one of those right? 
• has some observable activity or event
• offers you the opportunity to share a meaningful service
• presents a reason to introduce yourself (live in community, need their help, an announcement)

#2. Know your data. How many homes in community. How many sold each month for the past 12 months. Types of homes. Average prices, SP/SF and DOM. My market reports are great examples of what you need to know.

#3. Develop your value position. When you knock on the door and someone raises their hand, that is not the time to guess the value you bring to the table.

Understand, door knocking is the most beneficial, and cost effective means to get your business started along with open houses. (OH would be bullet 4 in #1.)

You will learn more in one month of door knocking than you will in three years of warming a stool in a conference room.

Of course there will be a choir of those who will tell you to stay home, don't disturb people who are like them, and you should spend you time blogging.  

What you have decided to do, is the right thing for you to do at this time.

Now, meet up with your mentor or broker to put real fabric into this effort.

In pairs.

With comfortable shoes and a very good knowledge of the community and value of the homes in it.

haha Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 - my initial smarty pants answer would be to wear comfortable shoes. Adding to Annette's answer would be ... offer something of value, ask for permission to include them in your email updates (get their email but do not spam them), just engage them ... learn about them, how long they have lived there, etc.  Follow up with a hand-written note thanking them for their time. Not every door you knock will answer. You should be able to write 10 thank you notes a day.

Have a good attitude. Realize that if you get 1 out of 10 to listen to you than that's a good outting.

Look good, dress comfortable but neat, have a very positive attitude and a LOT of patience:)

All the best!

Just do it. 

Get some door hanging bags to leave your materials in when the homeowners aren't there. I suggest houseofmagnets.com for a cheap source. 

Leave valuable information that the home owner wants. Not a lot of crap. Maybe a few paragraphs on a printed sheet about the neighborhood market. Let them know about the home values. 

Introduce yourself and have fun. This is a great way to get your name out there. 

Target just a few subdivisions to begin with. Don't overwork yourself. Give it time, too. Success doesn't always happen overnight. 

just don't ignore do not solicit signs.  Do you want sales people knocking on your door?  

Good question. I have struggled with that very thing. A number of the neighborhoods are not conducive to door knocking- gated, residents frown on it, HOA prohibits it- and homeowners today (at least where I live) are so busy working, the last thing they want is to be bothered by someone coming to their door.
I've done it, it's a very intimidating part of the job.

Wow, looks like Annette said it all.  Great Advice To Follow!

Practice some scrips so they sound natural and you know what to say. I only went door knocking when I first got into the business 2009. Be ready to knock on a lot of doors to get one solid lead, it's a numbers game.

Know exactly what you will say if someone comes to the door and know exactly what you will leave at the door if there is no answer.

Let me know when you post this question on one of your blogs and I will suggest what to leave when there is no answer.