Ok so I've been really getting into making cookies, and the occasional cake which I think I'm ok at, and now I'm at the point that I would like to tell family and friends I'm available to make these items for them, but to start charging. What would be a good way to do this? Should I use a cute business card or something? I also wondered if for a couple months I should offer a discount while I build my "pastry portfolio" so I can have a bunch of examples. If any of you have any advice on this, please let me know, I really appreciate it.

-Amie

My advice is NOT to do cakes for a discount as it's very hard to get the price back up again once you start getting more orders (there's countless posts on here that prove that!) Instead, to build your portfolio up, start giving cakes etc. as birthday presents. Get yourself a price list and base it on what the going rate in your area is, please don't undercut yourself. If you give the presents as gifts then you build your portfolio up and you get to choose the designs based on what you think you can do and the kind of look you want your cakes to have. People will ask you questions like 'how long did it take' 'how much would that cost?' and at this stage tell them the price you would charge for it and how long it took - people wil soon see how long this kind of work takes and be less grouchy about paying for it. Good luck

I agree with emmascakes. I'm just starting out too. I have been giving cookies and cakes away as a form of advertisement. My husband is a contractor - so he's been bringing boxes of cookies and brownies to realtors and builders for me. It was basically a way of saying thank you for your business for him, but people asked where he got them and told them. Now I'm getting orders. Plus, I've been giving cakes as presents to friends. Be patient - it'll work. I just did an order for 6 dozen cookies and 2 dozen brownies for an open house. And I have a couple of graduation cakes in the pipeline.

Along Emmas line of thinking, mine is much the same. What I am doing, and it is working, is giving my cakes away to businesses of which I want their business in return. One example would be to take a large cookie bouquet (or cake or whatever it is you are wanting to be known for) to the hair salon in which you have been giving your business to for xxxx amount of months/years. Let them know you are in the cake/cookie business and would like for them to take this "complimentary" gift as an appreciation of future business and referrals. Hand them a handful of business cards at the same time. Two things accomplished here; 1. You have made a high quality extremely tasty baked good for them which will hopefully be a strong reminder of you when they get a sweet tooth or special occasion, or know of someone that does. 2. You have not set prices by offering the free complimentary gift so you are locked in to nothing except your permanent prices they will be quoted when they call you with their first order. They will be happy to pay your price because they know your product is good! They tasted it for free already!


In this day and time the competition is strong in many areas. I believe one has to give themselves away first and then the prosperity of it all will come rolling in. HTH

What I did was make up business cards through Vista Print. They sent me like 200+ cards and you just pay the shipping.

good luck!
tara

Craigslist (don't forget the "s") is a quick and free way to post advertisements...I'd still do all the other stuff too but I've gotten a couple really good contacts by posting there every so often.

Hi,
I've only been decorating since last August but seriously started thinking about the "real" thing this January. My oldest daughter is a SAHM with 4 children. She's very creative with software and ideas. She came up with my business name "A Cut Above" for my business cards and used the same design (Microsoft Publisher) for my brochure. I used other bakery brochures and prices to base my pricing on and gathered a WHOLE lot of information from all the wonderful people here on CC. It started by bringing in decorated cakes to work for birthdays and went from there. Each time I did a class cake in it came to work. I now have 2 weddings booked and have done several baby and wedding shower cakes and paid birthday cakes. Pretty good for 3 months worth. Take your time and do lots of research on-line and everywhere you go and talk to lots of people and tell them you are starting out - it will work - just give it a little time. Much good luck to you and pm me for any other details.

I agree with Emmascakes....do NOT give discounted cakes...I made that mistake and am now paying for it....literally. Start your prices out at what you think is fair, then there is no confusion and people don't start to expect you to do their cakes for cost. If you just start making things for friends, family, work, church, and so on, it will pick up.

Remember that advertising, included business cards, can bring the attention of the licensing authorities. In many states, includin Nevada and Texas, it is illegal to sell home baked goods.