Many people dislike ironing their clothes because either they are clumsy or are too preoccupied with their jobs. Some even hate to do the chore as they find it boring. So, offering your ironing services to these people will not only help you make money, but you will also solve their problems. But what if you don’t know how to start your ironing business from home or how to market it?
That’s why I’ve created this guide that shares some of the best tips to get you started.
How to Begin Your Own Ironing Service
The first thing you should do is purchase an iron and an ironing board. You don’t need to spend any extra money if you already have one.
Once you’ve completed the necessary preparations, it’s time to promote your company through advertising. You can spend a little money on printing notices that include your company name, work address, and phone number. If money is an issue, simply write it with a sketch pen on a 3′′ x 5′′ card.
Customers dislike having their clothes ironed in an environment where dogs and cigarette smoke are present. As a result, it would be preferable if you could include a “no pets and non-smoking house” message in your notice.
Once you have your notice ready, you can post it on various advertising/notice boards.
How Much Should You Charge for Ironing services?
It’s time to decide how much you will charge for your products or services. Overcharging will result in a loss of customers, whereas undercharging will result in a loss of profit. As a result, it is best to strike a balance that is not only customer-friendly but also profit-friendly.
Check out what other ironing services in your area charge to get an idea. You can also multiply the minimum wage by two, or charge them on an hourly or weight basis.
You can also have their clothes ironed and hung on hangers to provide a better service. This will make a better impression, and they may recommend your service to others.
Tips on Collection and Delivery Service
If you own a car, a pickup and delivery service is a great service you can provide. For this, you must first decide on your area and how much you will charge.
Make sure your car is clean and free of cigarette smoke and dog hair. If you smoke, inform your customers ahead of time because the odor can transfer to their clothes.
Overall, setting a flexible rate and keeping your car clean will give a better impression to the customers.
How to Develop a Customer Base for Your Ironing Business
While there are numerous ways to develop a customer base, word-of-mouth is still the most effective. Give everyone you know the heads-up that you have an ironing business and ask them to help you get the word out about it!
You may also want to think about placing ads in storefront windows, libraries, your local newspaper, the yellow page, or even on your own website.
Tips On How To Keep It Professional
Always finish all ironing tasks on time. If you have given your customer a deadline, make sure you meet it.
However, if there is a problem that could affect the delivery time, it is always a good idea to notify your customers ahead of time.
Also, when delivering clothes to the customers’ homes, it is always a good idea to call ahead to see if they are available. This way, you won’t waste time or have to return for delivery another time.
How to Fold T-Shirts and Dress Shirts Properly
Well, ironing looks good. Folding and hanging clothes on a hanger makes them look more professional and appealing.
After ironing, hang clothes to cool so that you don’t get those obnoxious creases when you fold them right away.
If you don’t know how to fold them, you can simply do a quick search on YouTube to see all the shirt-folding tutorials.
These small details go a long way toward creating a professional image for your company, and that’s what any business wants.
Things You Should Consider During Collection Or Delivery
If you want to sound more professional, pay attention to how you deliver the clothes.
It’s always a good idea to store ironed and folded clothes in a plastic bag. I’m not referring to the discarded grocery bags. Instead, use reusable bags that can be purchased for a low cost.
It is also necessary to organize the items on the hangers so that they are ready for pickup. This is especially important if you’re serving multiple clients at the same time to ensure that no orders get mixed up.
In addition, most cars have a hook above the back door where you can hang a couple of hangers. You can add more hanging space to your car by purchasing and using a clothes bar.
The back seats of most family-sized cars can easily accommodate these.
Conclusion
If you’ve never run a business before, starting an ironing business may appear daunting. However, things will become easier for you if you have the right plan and know how to execute it.
Moreover, if your ironing skills are excellent, your business is guaranteed to boom with repeatable customers. But if it is mediocre, you may have a chance to lose customers.
As a result, having faith in your abilities is always a good idea. If you’re not sure whether you’re up to the task, practice ironing on clothes so you feel confident when offering your services.