Successful Laundromats Know How To Promote Their Business

Gabriella know how to promote a Laundromat

Gabriella is another girlfriend of mine who is a genius when it comes to inexpensive ways to promote her papa's Laundromat.  Now, if you own a Laundromat within a mile of Gabriella's father's store, you have to promise you won't use this idea in your own.  Raise your hand and promise.  Ok.  Then here's a promotion used by Gabriella:


Her favorite promotion is to get a big whicker basket and fill it with all the flavors of Tootsie roll pops.  She keeps the basket in the back room.  Whenever a child comes into the Laundromat, she (or one of the cleaning staff) grab the basket and take it out the children.


First, Gabriella asks the child's parent if it's okay with them if she gives their child a lollipop.  Gabriella is worried that one of the little kids will be diabetic, or - being raised by one of the new wave of parents who never allow their children to have candy - will sue.  Not many of these kids exist in the Latino culture, but there probably are a few.


Gabriella lets the child pick the color of lollipop they want.  This can take a long time, but all of the parents are watching and she wants to present a warm and understanding personality to her customer base.  This is surprising to hear from Gabriella because she once dropped a boyfriend because he wore the same shirt two dates in a row.


Gabriella once tried the same promotion using chocolate bars, but in the summer they melted, and in the winter they were much harder to clean up after the little angels dropped them on the floor.  Remember: if a child drops their lollipop, you whisper "three second rule" and convince them to pick up their own mess.  :)


The final step Gabriella goes through is to go back to all the mothers (and sometimes there are fathers, too) and offer them a lollipop.  This builds goodwill and makes all the children demand that their mother take them back to the lady with the candy.  It's the same concept employed by  Micky D's with their Happy Meal toys: keep the kids happy and the parents keep coming back.


This promotion is inexpensive, has few downsides and builds goodwill and store recognition.  It's really worth the effort.  Try it and let me know how it works for you.  Gabriella says she has two more great promotions, but will share them with us later.   

           -The Latina Laundromat Advisor