How to Make Money, and Get New Customers for Your Business

I have been the manager of a local Laundromat for over the last ten years. We offer a self service Laundromat, and a wash-dry- fold service. Our wash-dry- fold service is where we make the most of our money, the self service part really doesn't bring us a lot of cash when you consider the overhead expense of water, and electricity.

Usually, our wash-dry-fold service brings in enough cash to run our business, plus make an extra $1,500.00 per month free and clear. Lately, we have lost over half of our business. I would imagine that it is due to our falling economy.

Most small business owners are finding themselves in the same position. We all have been left wondering how to get more business in a time like this. If we lower our prices any more we wouldn't be able to be in business, so that is not an option. We also only have two employees, so down sizing is out of the question, too.

Advertising is a wonderful idea, but most general advertising cost money, which is what we are already lacking. So, for the last few weeks I have been trying to think of ways to bring in business with out spending what little money we are making.

First of all, we made a free blog online. This hasn't done a whole lot for our company, yet. I know it takes quite some time to get traffic, and followers but maybe it will help soon. If business doesn't pick up soon, I'm afraid we will be going out of business before the end of the year! I really do love my job, and I would like to help save it.

We have also made up some specials on flyers, that we have been passing out. This has brought in a few new customers, but most of them aren't repeat customers. They only came in for the specials. Which helps but with this business you really want recurring customers.

We did have some success with a side walk sale. We had a huge garage sale out front, which pulled in a lot of new faces. Once we got them up to the business, we passed out our flyers and explained our business. Would you believe that we actually got about 15 new customers for our Laundromat, through that garage sale.

We have now decided to have a monthly side walk sale. It seems to be a great way to bring people to the door, and then you may sell them on your business. Give it a try you might have as much luck as we have.