How It All Began
Marketing as a whole began in the 1400’s with business owners mass producing flyers and brochures to be handed out in the street. The first paid advertising in a newspaper happened in France circa 1836, radio advertising began in 1922 and TV advertising started in the 1940’s. Magazine and print ads began in the 80’s and it wasn’t until the 90’s that online advertising came into the scene, but that was just the beginning. In the mid 2000’s and still today social media advertising is the latest in online marketing but unfortunately in the textile industry many companies have yet to jump on the bandwagon, not just with social media advertising but online advertising altogether foregoing even offering their customers a company website.
Importance of Online Marketing Today
The following are the 5 most important aspects of marketing your commercial laundry business online:
– Branding: online marketing allows you to create product awareness with your existing customers as well as potential ones. Most times a customer will assume you do not carry a product – however by having a customized website in conjunction to social media pages such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Google +, FourSquare, Pinterest to name a few as well as constantly updating these sites with your latest offerings you can keep these consumers in the know about your business and its products/services.
– Cost Efficiency: When compared to traditional forms of advertising including print and tv ads, social media and online marketing is a much more cost effective and productive route. Once you have a website established, the cost of continuously establishing an online presence is much more affordable.
– Increase Sales & Web Traffic: Having an updated company website and online social media accounts allows customers different avenues in which to do business with you – be it by searching your products and services online before even having to communicate with a salesman. The more informed a customer is the greater chances you will close a deal with them.
– 24/7 Availability: Conflicting work schedules can make it difficult to be available around the customer’s schedule. The great thing about online marketing is it doesn’t matter if a consumer visits your sites outside of normal business hours. They will be able to find the information they need and possibly contact you through an online contact form or through e-mail – this ensures you will never miss a potential deal, even while you’re away.
– Credibility: The way customers perceive your brand will affect their purchasing behavior. To keep your business credible it is important to keep your site as well as any social media pages up to date. Having 3rd party references and testimonials on your sites is also a great way to allow potential customers to see that you are a legitimate business. Adding logos of companies you have done business with or are currently doing business with is also a great tool in allowing visitors to see you as a successful and trustworthy company.
Starting An Online Marketing Strategy for Your Business
– First things first, a company website is a key component to your online marketing efforts. You can run as many Google ad words campaigns as you want, but if you have no site to send your visitors to, you might as well throw hundreds of dollar bills off of your building’s rooftop.
– Is there a niche your company specializes in? Perhaps you have the best floor mats in the industry and your competitor XYZ offers flimsy ones at twice the cost. Well make sure your best products and services are introduced the minute a visitor lands on your website.
– Third party reviews can be a very powerful marketing tool because they allow customers to show that you are a credible business without needing to show off or give your own praises. Ask satisfied customers to write a company review on why they are happy with your products and services. It’s also nice to give them something in return for doing so.
– Social Media presence is a MUST! Not just checking your pages but also engaging on them, posting interesting content and having visitors comment back. Make sure to keep the topics fun and interesting while still tying them back to your brand.
– Show off your business. Post pictures of your place, current employees and satisfied customers, company events, or businesses you service. Potential clients love to see companies who have faces and are personable.
Questions or comments about our article? Feel free to let us know what you think below.
We also love feedback from customers and friends on their marketing efforts!
5 Questions To Determine If Your Restaurant Needs To Evolve
/in Restaurant and Food/by Linen & Uniform NewsIs it time to Evolve your restaurant?
In order to stay relevant with the times, companies including restaurants must evolve and do what works best for their customers. Remember, your business needs to make them happy as they are the ones that make your company successful. New generations come with new requirements. If you feel like you are losing clientele or have reached a plateau in your restaurant business you may want to consider a linen and or marketing “face lift”. There are many ways to tell if your business needs a little tweaking to keep up with the times, but here are our top 5 questions business owner’s should answer:
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Commercial Laundry Marketing – Past vs. Present
/in Business Tips/by Linen & Uniform NewsHow It All Began
Marketing as a whole began in the 1400’s with business owners mass producing flyers and brochures to be handed out in the street. The first paid advertising in a newspaper happened in France circa 1836, radio advertising began in 1922 and TV advertising started in the 1940’s. Magazine and print ads began in the 80’s and it wasn’t until the 90’s that online advertising came into the scene, but that was just the beginning. In the mid 2000’s and still today social media advertising is the latest in online marketing but unfortunately in the textile industry many companies have yet to jump on the bandwagon, not just with social media advertising but online advertising altogether foregoing even offering their customers a company website.
Importance of Online Marketing Today
The following are the 5 most important aspects of marketing your commercial laundry business online:
– Branding: online marketing allows you to create product awareness with your existing customers as well as potential ones. Most times a customer will assume you do not carry a product – however by having a customized website in conjunction to social media pages such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Google +, FourSquare, Pinterest to name a few as well as constantly updating these sites with your latest offerings you can keep these consumers in the know about your business and its products/services.
– Cost Efficiency: When compared to traditional forms of advertising including print and tv ads, social media and online marketing is a much more cost effective and productive route. Once you have a website established, the cost of continuously establishing an online presence is much more affordable.
– Increase Sales & Web Traffic: Having an updated company website and online social media accounts allows customers different avenues in which to do business with you – be it by searching your products and services online before even having to communicate with a salesman. The more informed a customer is the greater chances you will close a deal with them.
– 24/7 Availability: Conflicting work schedules can make it difficult to be available around the customer’s schedule. The great thing about online marketing is it doesn’t matter if a consumer visits your sites outside of normal business hours. They will be able to find the information they need and possibly contact you through an online contact form or through e-mail – this ensures you will never miss a potential deal, even while you’re away.
– Credibility: The way customers perceive your brand will affect their purchasing behavior. To keep your business credible it is important to keep your site as well as any social media pages up to date. Having 3rd party references and testimonials on your sites is also a great way to allow potential customers to see that you are a legitimate business. Adding logos of companies you have done business with or are currently doing business with is also a great tool in allowing visitors to see you as a successful and trustworthy company.
Starting An Online Marketing Strategy for Your Business
– First things first, a company website is a key component to your online marketing efforts. You can run as many Google ad words campaigns as you want, but if you have no site to send your visitors to, you might as well throw hundreds of dollar bills off of your building’s rooftop.
– Is there a niche your company specializes in? Perhaps you have the best floor mats in the industry and your competitor XYZ offers flimsy ones at twice the cost. Well make sure your best products and services are introduced the minute a visitor lands on your website.
– Third party reviews can be a very powerful marketing tool because they allow customers to show that you are a credible business without needing to show off or give your own praises. Ask satisfied customers to write a company review on why they are happy with your products and services. It’s also nice to give them something in return for doing so.
– Social Media presence is a MUST! Not just checking your pages but also engaging on them, posting interesting content and having visitors comment back. Make sure to keep the topics fun and interesting while still tying them back to your brand.
– Show off your business. Post pictures of your place, current employees and satisfied customers, company events, or businesses you service. Potential clients love to see companies who have faces and are personable.
Questions or comments about our article? Feel free to let us know what you think below.
We also love feedback from customers and friends on their marketing efforts!
Linen Finder’s Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions
/in Company News and Events/by Linen & Uniform NewsWe receive many service questions here at Linen Finder. However, there are some that come up more often than others. These are the 5 most common questions we receive on a daily basis, and our answers to them. Take a look over this list, maybe your question is one of them!
1. What is the difference between a linen rental service and a laundry service? A linen rental service is a service in which the company provides you with linen, then take it back when it’s soiled. With a laundry service, you are using your own products, and the service only launders them. They both have their own benefits, if you prefer using your own products or have certain preferences that linen services do not provide, then the laundry service is for you. On the other hand, if you do not want to spend time and energy on purchasing your own products, then the linen service will be for your benefit.
2. Good afternoon, I’m in Canada. Do you service there? Yes! We provide service to all of the US and Canada. Call us or visit our site in order to get a quote on the service you are craving.
3. I am currently working with a provider and need a new service. Can you help me? Yes! Just let us know which provider you are currently using and we will make sure to locate a different one that suits your needs better.
4. I need to speak to someone right now, can you give me a direct #? Since we provide service to all of the 50 states as well as Canada, our database is massive! We go through specific channels to ensure you are put in touch with your local rep without having to jump through any additional hoops or being left on hold.
5. What industries does your company service? We assist all types of businesses, from medical, restaurants, spas, salons, to automotive and industrial in locating a quality linen and uniform company in their area. If you are in need of uniforms for your company, we are here for you. If you need towels, then we’re the ones to call. Sheets, napkins, tablecloths, we’ve got you covered!
Did we answer your question? If not or if you would like to get an absolutely free quote on a quality linen or uniform service, please call us at 888-770-2489 or visit our website. Our live customer service reps are waiting to hear from you!
Anchorage Alaska Linen and Uniform Service Companies
/in Commercial laundry services, Commercial linen services/by Linen & Uniform NewsRead more
Frustrated Business Owners Tired of Late Deliveries and No-Shows
/in Commercial laundry services, Commercial linen services/by Linen & Uniform NewsThe worst is when you call and speak to someone whether it is the salesman who signed your account or a member in their customer service department and they tell you, someone will be there soon…and guess what…no one shows (we are shocked too!). So now that you’re all riled up remembering these awful scenarios we answer the oh so important question – Why do linen service companies no-show or not deliver when they say they will? There are many different factors that can cause this problem. Here are some of the most common reasons why linen service companies fail their customers:
1. Not enough product – If the linen service provider is fresh out of towels they would be unable to provide them to your business. This is not a valid excuse – if the company is aware they are short on supplies they should remedy the situation immediately to provide prompt and timely service to their customers.
2. High Employee Turnover – Perhaps they have the items but they are short staffed when it comes to loading their trucks or have a high turnover of drivers. If that is the case it would be difficult to get their products to customers. A company with high employee turnover should be a large red flag. There is a reason why their employees keep leaving, do you really want to stick around and find out why?
3. Disorganization – So they have the products and the employees but items are still not being delivered. This makes us question – How long has the company been in business? This can be a huge factor if you have new owners who have little to no experience in the industry. If they are unable to streamline their process in-house, how will they be able to fulfill their commitment to your business?
4. Service Area – Is your business out of their way? If they don’t have enough accounts on your route you are in danger of being dropped as a client at any moment. Is your service already struggling with getting timely deliveries because of this? It may be time to start shopping for new service.
5. Odd Hours – Is your delivery time inconvenient with your current linen service providers schedule? Are they unable to accommodate your needs?
6. Special Requests – Another issue with many sub-par linen services is the fact that many of their sales reps & customer service employees do not advise their drivers of special requests that their customers place. A disconnect in communication can cause interruption of timely deliveries.
The linen and uniform service providers we work with have gone through a rigorous pre-screening process by our company. We ensure that their current customers are satisfied with the items as well as the service they are receiving. Our providers are there for you when you need them the most, and will stick with you until all your needs are met.
Ready to start a new life with a new service and ditch the missing deliveries? Contact us today by calling 888-770-2489 or visiting our website.
Our Linen and uniform providers won’t treat your products like this (unless that’s what your looking for):