Simple Tips: Easy Laundry Promotions

Some experts say at least two percent of a business'' income should be spent advertising and promoting to bring in new customers. Based on that, a laundry grossing $9,000 should spend $180 per month, which won''t go very far. Just an ad in the yellow pages could take half. Refunds and donations the rest. Speaking of yellow pages, it''s true that new people in town do look there to find services they need. Often they look and call after they get home from work in the evening. Most coin laundries already have a telephone for the convenience of the employees and owner. Why not use a phone answering machine to tell potential customers about your services, how to find your location and the hours you are open? This message is basically free advertising going out to those who, by calling, have proven that they are interested in your laundry''s services. It''s like having a radio commercial, except it''s aimed only to those who are interested enough to pick up the phone. Adding 2 or 3 customers a year would more than pay for the cost of the answering machine. Adding 2 or 3 a month would make it one of the most cost effective advertising bargains you''ll ever find. The script for the message should be short (about 30 seconds) and yet complete enough to answer questions customers most often ask. This is Your City Coin Laundry. Look for us in the Safeway Center at North Main and Fifth Avenue. We open at 7:00 AM and close at 9:00 PM. We pride ourselves in being the cleanest laundry in town. Our washers handle any size load, and our friendly staff is there to help you. If you''re in a hurry, we can do your laundry for you. We also have dry cleaning and do alterations. Thanks for calling and we hop to see you soon. Any hotels, motels or bed & breakfasts in your area? Why not drop by and let them know about your services? Leave a few business cards. They may be asked by their guests to recommend a coin laundry, and they might even like to use some of your services themselves. Imagine doing towels and wash cloths for a few motels. It''s easy and profitable. Churches, civic groups, and youth sports organizations are always looking for help and money. There are some simple ways to take advantage of helping others while doing it for the benefit of our business. Before being issued, little league uniforms need laundering and may require minor repairs. A 10 team league will have about 130 kids, represent about 100 households plus 40 coaches and other adults who are involved in that program. An attended laundry could gain exposure by doing the laundry and repair. The attendant is already being paid. Other costs are incidental. Out of all of those families, isn''t there a good chance that there will be more than a few who use coin laundries? Now they will know about your place. Churches and civic groups often have rummage sales and clothing drives. You can get involved by offering use of your facility to wash clothes so they can be sold or given away. One way is to invite the committee involved to come in and do the laundry for half price. They do the work, you take in enough to offset your costs, and you and your laundry get the publicity. Especially if it''s a church group, your laundry can get a favorable mention in their church bulletin. There are a multitude of ways to advertise and promote your business without needing to spend a lot of money. Some, literally without having to spend anything at all. Look for such opportunities, follow through and watch your business grow.