Since we are all socially and morally expected to clean, clothes are constantly being washed, and the laundry industry is continuously rising in Africa. As most middle-class people work more than one job, it is quite hard to make time to do simple chores, such as washing clothes. This and many other factors are contributing to the rise of the laundry industry in Nigeria and Africa in general.

The fact that one can start a laundry business, with little or no capital, is another factor that contributes to its rapid growth. The laundry industry refers to businesses that are along the lines of washing, drying and ironing clothes for money. Since most people nowadays hate to do chores, or simply do not have time to do them, it explains the profitability of the business, even though the market is saturated.

Introduction to SMS

SMS is a method of messaging that involves two or more cell phones. The advent of SMS has over the years been said to have simplified the communication process, making it easier and more convenient. SMSs are alphanumeric and they can carry a maximum of 160 characters. This medium of communication has a 98% read rate, this is to say that most people read their SMSs. If this is the case, it is safe to say that SMS is a reliable means of communication. 

Over the years, a good number of people, organizations, and businesses have subscribed to the use of  SMS as a tool to communicate and maintain relationships. A prime example of this is the banking sector. Banks use SMS as a marketing tool, advertising tool, and public relations tool. Using SMS, they send updates, alerts, seasonal greetings, birthday wishes, etc.

SMS as a Tool to Grow Your Laundry Business

To stand out in your business, you need to do things differently. The fact that the laundry business is saturated, is a clear indication that the competition is strong, thus the need to stand out. When trying to grow a business, especially small and medium scale businesses, it is important to think out of the box. This involves investing in advertising, marketing and public relations. The cheapest way to achieve this is by using SMS as a basic tool. Having looked at the success of SMS as a marketing tool in other industries, below are a few methods of using SMS to grow your laundry business.

1. Marketing campaigns;

SMS can be used as a marketing campaign tool. This can be achieved by sending SMS containing information about new deals, new offers, a new branch, and home delivery services, e.t.c, to your customers. This way, you are advertising your services, and at the same time, keeping your clients informed about the changes in your business that can benefit them. This would also go a long way in showing that you are serious with your business, and consequently different from your counterparts.

2. Feedback mechanism;

Laundry businesses can use SMS as a feedback mechanism, to measure their customer satisfaction. SMS asking your customers to rate your business and service can be sent to your customers, from time to time, this SMS can also ask for improvement tips from your customers. Since most people read and respond to SMSs, rest assured that your business would get feedback, and this feedback would inform your decision making, plus, you would make your customers feel like a vital part of your business, this is effective in achieving brand loyalty.

3. Public relations;

SMS can be used as a tool to stay in touch with your customers, and a tool to reach out to your old customers too. SMS can also be used as a tool to maintain relationships, in that it fosters constant and consistent communication, between businesses and their customers. This keeps your business fresh in the memory and minds of your customers. Public relations SMSs are simply SMSs that seek to check on the well being of your customers, celebrate with them, or mourn with them, as the case may be. These kinds of messages are; seasonal greetings, birthday wishes, etc.

4. Updates;

Laundry businesses can use SMS as a means to keep their customers updated. You can send an SMS notifying them that their clothes are ready, or an SMS reminding them to pick them up at a given time. This way, you can avoid confusion and disappointment. If your laundry business does home deliveries, SMS can be used as a tool to schedule such deliveries, thereby ensuring a smooth delivery process.

5. Referral;

You can use SMS as a means to get referrals, thus growing your customer base. This can be done by sending SMS to your customers, reminding/ encouraging them to refer your business to their friends and family, incentives can be added, as an extra push, to inform their decision.

SmartSMSSolutions

If you want to try using SMS to grow your laundry business or any business at all, SmartSMSSolutions is the right service provider to engage. SmartSMSSolutions is a communications company that has over the years gained experience on how to improve communication between our client businesses and their audience, using simple tools, such as Bulk SMS, Emails and Voice calls. To learn more about us and to create a free account with us, visit our website or call us on 08035515868 for directions.