How to Get Laundromat Business From Commercial Accounts
If you want to build a portfolio of regular customers for your laundromat business then why not focus on getting a number of commercial accounts? Households are not the only users of commercial coin laundries. Many businesses require the use of washing and drying machines on a regular basis and they often outsource this to a local laundromat.
In this article I take a quick look at what kind of businesses often find themselves in need of laundry services. I also talk about the value of such commercial accounts and go into detail about how to get laundromat business like this.
Businesses that Use Laundromats
Think of some local businesses that have sheets, towels, linens, uniforms and other materials that require washing. These kinds of businesses include hair salons, motels, restaurants, health clinics, beauty salons, gyms and child care centers to name just a few. Of course many will have their own washing and drying machines on site but there are also some that don’t. Others will have their own equipment but find that they get overloaded at times and need your help.
Why you Need Commercial Accounts
The best thing about having commercial accounts is that they will throw regular business your way. Once a relationship is place and they become used to doing business with your laundromat you may get multiple loads of washing from them on a weekly basis.
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 handle washing, drying, ironing, folding, mending, stain removal and even dry cleaning for them. If you are struggling to keep your attendant busy then commercial accounts are a great way to go.
Securing Regular Business for a Coin Laundry
To go after these potentially lucrative accounts you will need to have a marketing system in place. You need to identify prospective 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 will need machinery that can handle decent volumes and you will need to schedule these kinds of jobs for times when your laundromat is not so busy so that you don’t inconvenience your ‘walk-in’ clients. Commercial accounts can be a great way to keep your machines making money during quiet periods, provided that the order is not absolutely urgent.
An employee dedicated to winning accounts and servicing them well could be just what you need to take your laundromat to the next level. They will have to get out there and identify some local opportunities and then make contact through direct marketing or cold calling. They will need to be skilled in sales so that they can persuade the prospect that your service can be of considerable value to them.