As you know, dry cleaning business does not have much marketing strategies to be used.  It was actually thought that there are no method of getting more customers other than coupons.  However, after much research, we have found an effective strategy that boosts your sales within several months.

As every business knows, word of mouth is the best strategy for getting your business known and getting customers.  That's because nobody wants to take the risk of trying out a new service that might be worse.  People don't like to take company's word for it or any other form of advertising because there might be a catch.  But if a friend recommends a place, they have the tendency to try it at least once.  This fact is what you need to utilize.  You can do this by making a real good impression on your customers.  Making their visit a really pleasant experience.  Then they go tell their friends to try your service.  And they tell their friends... etc.  Following are a few tips on making good impressions:

• Always Smile - People like happy people.  Even though their day might have gone bad, some cheerful people might make their whole day go bright again.  Always smile and be happy in front of your customers.  Sympathize with them if they've had a bad day.
   

• Music - Some background music for people that are waiting in line can make it more bearable for them.
   

• Resting Place - There isn't a single person that wants to stand in line for their order.  Give them some chairs with magazines.  Give each person a waiting number and call their number up when it's their turn.  This will only be possible if you have two areas on your counter.  One to take/pickup orders and one for people to take their number.
   

• Customer Relations - Show your customers that they are really important to your business.  Christmas cards, birthday cards with coupons, call first-time customers to see how their results were.  Give them tips on how to take better care of their particular garments.
   

• Air Purifier - Believe it or not, the condition of your air is likely to be 5 times worse than the outdoors.  For customers with allergies, your store is a very irritable to visit.  Put up a simple Air Purifier.
   

• Fast Response - Nobody wants to spend their day in the dry cleaners.  Try to respond to their order and pickups as fast as possible. 
   

• Accuracy - While speed is important, accuracy is even more important.  Double check the pickup in front of the customer.  Make them feel as if their items are in good hands.
   

• Quality - Last but definitely not least, is the quality of service.  There is no point in doing all of the previous tips, if your customers are not satisfied with their order.  Go the extra mile on their dry cleaning service. 

While these were some tips on improving your services, there are other ways of making a great impression on your customers and other target customers.

• Slogan - Make a cool slogan or a motto everybody will like and remember.  Make it easy to remember, short, and simple.
   

• Guarantee - Some kind of a customer satisfaction guarantee is always a plus.  You may have this on your slogan as well.
   

• Coupons - The most famous method of getting new customers.  One tip here is to take a risk and give more discounts.  Remember that this coupon has to be appealing enough for a customer to try your service.  Plus, you've got competition with other dry cleaners' coupons.
   

• Charity Events - A good method but don't invest too much.  Charity event gets your business known but it does not immediately attract customers.  However, it is still a good solid method to give your business a good name.
   

• Delivery/Pick Up - One interesting and effective service we saw was delivery and pickup.  This is an option you really might want to consider because the easier you make it on your customers, the more likely you are to make a deal.  What you do is you drive and pick up their garments and at a scheduled day, deliver it back to their door.
   

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