If you run a dry cleaners or a laundrette and you aren’t using social media to promote your business, you could be missing out on new business and the chance to connect with new and existing customers.
People are spending more of their time online – whether that be apps, websites or social media – and if you don’t have a presence in this space, you’ll be left behind by the competition. Especially when it comes to local residents who are located near your business.
As a local business, potential customers will be walking past your doors every day. It’s likely some of them may have even used your services in the past. So, how can you get them to keep walking through your doors?
Through social media of course! If you’re new to social media, or you aren’t getting the most out of your current accounts, don’t fret – we are here to help.
Below, you’ll find social media tips and post ideas for dry cleaners and laundrettes:
Be in the right Place
Even if you’re already active, or just looking to begin with social media, the best place to start is by choosing the correct platform. Don’t go all out by starting with every platform at once. The platform you choose will depend on your goals, so we recommend starting with the basics and building from there. Follow this guide to choose the best platform to start with:
Facebook- Arguably the most well-known platform. Here you can create a business page where you can share images, videos, links and updates with those who have liked your page. It’s also a good platform for interaction as you can run polls and interact with your followers directly.
Twitter- Short and sweet. Twitter has a character limit, so it’s not ideal for longer content. It is useful for quicker updates.
Instagram- Where photos and videos are king and queen. This platform can be useful for architects to show off new designs, client work or the culture in the office.
The other two major platforms are YouTube and LinkedIn. Whilst these two platforms have a high number of users, they won’t be the most effective for generating new business.
Once you’ve selected your platform of choice, it’s time to get posting!
Business Updates
A great place to start with posts is business updates. For starters, make sure any and all information that may be necessary about your business is available on your page. This way, any new and existing customers can get info they need simply by visiting your social media accounts. Consider adding the following info:
- Business contact number.
- Opening hours.
- Your business address.
- Prices or package information.
- A link to your website.
You could have this information available in a number of areas, including your Instagram bio, your banner image on your Facebook page or in a pinned tweet.
Outside of this, keep your followers up to date with any other key updates about your business. This could be the announcement of a new product or service, a change in services or packages, or updated opening hours during a holiday. Keeping your audience informed will keep you front of mind when they are in need of your services.
Promotions and Offers
Give something back to your followers with an extra incentive to visit your business!
There are a few ways you can do this:
- Offer a limited discount to any new followers or those who share your page with others. This will not only drive your followers up, but when people have a discount, they tend to spend more as they’re getting a saving.
- Share a phrase or word that can be quoted in store for a small discount. If you share this on social media, it gives an incentive for your followers to come in and shop.
- Share limited discounts you have in general. If you share any promotions in-store or on your shop front, you will have limited exposure. In addition to flyers, sharing these offers on social media gives you a wider audience.
Lost and Found Curiosities
People leave all kinds of crazy things in their pockets – why not share these with your followers?
This could be a weekly series where you can share the most random or strange thing that ended up in your lost property – who knows, someone may ask for it back?
If you want to take this to another level, you could do a guessing competition by posting a silhouette of the item and offering a small prize to the winner! This will drive your engagement and will encourage people to keep visiting your page.
Tips and Tricks
Sharing your expertise with your followers will have so many positive effects on your brand. It builds trust amongst your audience, which is key for repeat business. It also gives value to your followers, as they will get more from following your pages than constant sales messaging.
Start with stains. To some, stain removal can feel like a lost mystic art, so why not share some simple explainer photos or videos?
Another tip could be general clothing care. Like how to machine wash a silk garment at home or the correct settings to use on an iron?
Posts like this are a great way to keep your content regular as well!
Final Thoughts
The mains points to remember are:
- Be consistent. Regular posting keeps you relevant and at the top end of people’s feeds.
- Use relevant tags. The best way to give your posts more traction is by using the correct tags.
Juggling this, and your business can be tricky – especially if you want to make the most of your platforms. Not to worry though, we can help.
At 99social we offer cheap social media management from as little as £99 per month.
Get in touch today to find out more, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for social media news, tips and advice.