If you want to build a regular customer base for your laundry business, why not focus on getting a number of business accounts? Households are not the only users of commercial coin-operated laundromats. Many businesses require the use of washers and dryers on a regular basis and often outsource this to a local laundromat.
In this article, I take a quick look at what types of businesses often need laundry services. I also talk about the value of such business accounts and go into detail about getting a laundry business like this.
Businesses that use laundromats
Consider a few local businesses that have sheets, towels, bedding, uniforms, and other materials that require laundering. These types of businesses include hair salons, motels, restaurants, health clinics, hair salons, gyms, and child care centers, to name just a few. Of course, many will have their own washers and dryers on site, but there are also some that won’t. Others will have their own team, but sometimes they get overloaded and need your help.
Why you need business accounts
The best thing about having business accounts is that they will bring you regular business. Once a relationship is established and they get used to doing business with your laundry, you may find yourself getting several loads of laundry from them weekly.
They are also likely to require premium services. They will often require you to pick up items from them and drop them off upon completion. Your laundromat may have to take care of washing, drying, ironing, folding, mending, stain removal, and even dry cleaning. If you’re having a hard time keeping your assistant busy, business accounts are a great way to do it.
Securing regular business for a coin laundry
To go after these potentially lucrative accounts, you’ll need to have a marketing system in place. You need to identify potential accounts and have someone contact them and try to seal the deal. You will have to put together an attractive package that makes everything easy for them. This may include offering discounts for bulk orders.
You’ll need machinery that can handle decent volumes and you’ll need to schedule these types of jobs for times when your laundromat isn’t so busy so you don’t bother your ‘walk-in’ customers. Trading accounts can be a great way to keep your machines making money during quiet periods, as long as the order is not absolutely urgent.
An employee dedicated to winning accounts and serving them well might be just what you need to take your laundry to the next level. They will need to go out and identify some local opportunities and then make contact through direct marketing or cold calling. They will need to be savvy in sales so that they can persuade the prospect that your service may be of considerable value to them.
