I have a dry-clean software solution that is in use at more than 20 drycleaners throughout the metro Detroit. The software has grown significantly in maturity and functionality over the last couple of years. I have got all of these clients from references. Every single dry-clean owner is extremely happy with the easy to use yet comprehensive functionality of this stable software. It’s more than a POS software program. In addition to the baseline features for daily activity, it comes with a lot of built-in suite of tools very useful for successfully and effectively running the business.
I recently installed it at a huge drycleaner. I networked 7 computers there, installed my software and transferred data from his old software. Multiple users work on it simultaneously. The owner has never been happier. The software provides great control of the business, inventory, financials, expense/income tracking and wages in addition to the basic daily activity. I am currently working on the website to host details about the software and the screen shots and may be an evaluation version of the software. I will post the link once its complete.
I am looking for some ways of advertising the software through personal visits to local drycleaners and/or sending them marketing mails. I am looking for suggestions on how to proceed from here. I know the system has a lot of potentials, especially with the great references that I can provide. At least that’s what I hear from every business owner who is currently using it.
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*Originally posted by Asif2000: *
I have a dry-clean software solution that is in use at more than 20 drycleaners throughout the metro Detroit.
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You have it in 20 locations? I would imagine thats 20 different clients.
How did you market it to them? Perhaps you could give me some ideas on how you approached them. :)
I am doing something similar for the hotel industry. I already have 1 client who loves my software. He is keeping me busy enough with enhancements/upgrades that I don't even have time to look elsewhere yet. Once its complete, my plan is to market it to others. Its easy to find other hotels, I just need sales/marketing tips.
You have it in 20 locations? I would imagine thats 20 different clients.
How did you market it to them? Perhaps you could give me some ideas on how you approached them. :)
I am doing something similar for the hotel industry. I already have 1 client who loves my software. He is keeping me busy enough with enhancements/upgrades that I don't even have time to look elsewhere yet. Once its complete, my plan is to market it to others. Its easy to find other hotels, I just need sales/marketing tips.
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Yes it is in use at 20 different locations, not 20 different clients though. That is because one of them have 3 stores, another one have 2 and one has 4 stores so 9 locations from 3 clients and rest are individual clients. Some are relatives of each other, spreading the word. All of them have approached me from references of each other. I have some on monthly installments who couldn't afford to pay me the whole amount at once.
Where are you located?
I would love to get some help marketing in other States. I am willing to the pay a fair share.
I am in Canada. So it will be a little more complicated. Try to find periodicals or magazines for your type of industry. Many have tradeshows where you can do demonstrations of your software. You can ask your clients for such material. Also, stay away from the little guys, you know, the desi dude on the street corner bargaining at every dollar. Go after the big boys like a large corporation or franchise. Trust me, 1 large client will be enough to keep you busy. Dont go after small customers, that automatically establishes an image of your product and you will need to work twice as hard getting the higher profile customers.
Couple of things to think about:
What size of dry cleaners are you marketing to?
Does the software require updating and tech support and do you have that staff (essential if you wanna move to franchises)
Are you advertising online?
Look at how much you think you can spare for the marketing effort, where you want to market (as in what type of dry cleaners) and think about how to go about it.
If you are focused on small companies talk to your current clients and ask them if they are willing to tell you about their competitors. Then focus your marketing to them. Also take out ads in yellow pages if you want to though thats somewhat limiting in this day and age.
Reference connections are the best way to build business but its really slow. Also use your clients names if its ok in your ads so people have references.
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*Originally posted by hmcq: *
Couple of things to think about:
What size of dry cleaners are you marketing to?
Does the software require updating and tech support and do you have that staff (essential if you wanna move to franchises)
Are you advertising online?
Look at how much you think you can spare for the marketing effort, where you want to market (as in what type of dry cleaners) and think about how to go about it.
If you are focused on small companies talk to your current clients and ask them if they are willing to tell you about their competitors. Then focus your marketing to them. Also take out ads in yellow pages if you want to though thats somewhat limiting in this day and age.
Reference connections are the best way to build business but its really slow. Also use your clients names if its ok in your ads so people have references.
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Thanks for the kind remarks and suggestions.
I don't think that the size matters, in this case anyway. ;) I have a client with more than a thousand orders per day and a client with less than a hundred. I have a client who has over 10 vans driving around in the entire state collecting huge drycleaning orders from hotels but doesn't provide service to general public. So the number orders is not that big but number of garments per order is really big.
I provide three months of free after-sales support which has been plenty in ALL cases. Future updates will have to have a price tag.
Online marketting? yes I am planning on doing it real soon. I have registered a domain. Working on the website currently. Will have it up in the near future.
I have to explore more on how much I can spare on the marketting efforts. I was thinking of paying in terms of commission if a sale goes through. This strategy may have to change.