Today’s topic is proof that good PR need not be complicated.
There is photo going around Facebook that shows a sign on the door of Plaza Cleaners in Portland, OR which reads: If you are unemployed and need an outfit cleaned for an interview, we will clean it for free.
Call it brilliant PR. Call it a clever customer loyalty program. Call it a sign that all is not lost for humanity in this dog-eat-dog world. No matter the name, it is simplicity at its finest.
This local act of kindness has given a small, independently-owned cleaners national visibility and made them a local legend. Their Facebook fans have grown by more than 300%. Local media have spotlighted their offer. I’m all the way on the other side of this continent and I am blogging about it.
But, the best part is what a friend of mine said on Facebook when I posted the photo, “When those people get employed they will give that dry cleaner their business going forward and they’ll refer their friends to them.”
A lot of times we get lost in our big fancy ideas for community engagement, publicity stunts and loyalty programs. But the truth is, the simplest idea that makes a real, tangible difference in someone’s life is usually the best way to build brand loyalty.
Good for you Plaza Cleaners. And, thanks for restoring my faith in humanity.
Bravo! There’s a lot to be said for sincerity.
~Beth