What Do You Think? Potential Winning Idea???

Business By cakesbyamym Updated 20 Dec 2006 , 2:17am by indydebi

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cakesbyamym Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 1:28pm
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I am thinking in overdrive. Now that I'm licensed, I want to get my name out there with a bang. I know that the mailer-type of advertising has done very, very little for my business, but word of mouth...ah, that has BUILT my business. Still, I would like to do more. I was thinking of hosting monthly bridal tasting parties on Sundays, since my Saturdays are for wedding cakes, etc. My idea is to take a sample tray, along with fliers (advertising my first tasting, discounts for bookings, etc.), and business cards to local bridal boutiques and florists. I have on the fliers that although the tasting party is free, brides need to register. I am planning on doing up a few dummy cakes to have out; along with a few cake samples (precut); petit fours, mints and decorated wedding cookies already packaged, so the potential brides can get the "full effect" of the cookies that they can expect. I was also thinking that along with the discount for booking at the tasting (15% off their entire order), how about registering brides for a FREE wedding cake *maybe up to $300*? Would that be a bit much? I'll bet that that will be enough to draw in more brides?

I would appreciate any and all feedback and insightful ideas, as this will be my FIRST tasting party. I'd like to do these monthly. I'd like to do the first one in January, since many girls get rings at Christmas. Anyway...I'd appreciate any and all ideas and suggestions to make this a success...

Thanks to each of you for always offering such great advice!!! I'd be lost without CC and all of you!!!

Merry Christmas!
Amy

15 replies
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jillchap Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 1:36pm
post #2 of 16

Hi Amy,
I think it sounds like a really great idea. There's a bridal boutique in my hometown that draws a lot of people in by having a yearly raffle for a free dress... it's a small, by appointment only, boutique, but a lot of people have started going so that they can enter for the free dress.
It sounds like a great idea to showcase your talents and draw new clients to your business!
Good luck,
Jill icon_biggrin.gif

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jguilbeau Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 1:44pm
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Wow, I think that is a great idea. I am curious to see how it goes. It is an idea I would like to use once I feel comfortable doing wedding cakes. I am doing ,my first paid customer wedding cake this week.

Good luck, and please keep us posted on how it goes.

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MomLittr Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 1:48pm
post #4 of 16

Wonderful idea, but once a week may be a bit much. My thinking would be once a month to give yourself a chance to really get ready. As far as a raffle for a free cake, would not give away more than one or two a year, although one every 3-4 months might be a consideration if you want to do it. That would be alot of work and cake to give away (ok, I am cheap). Good luck on your first tasting and let us know how it turns out!

deb

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cakesbyamym Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 2:04pm
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LOL. It should have stated once a MONTH. Boy, that sounded adventurous...and CRAZY, huh?

Amy

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MomLittr Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 2:07pm
post #6 of 16

know what, you did say monthly tastings............sorry, too early and only had one cup of coffee icon_redface.gif LOL!!

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TPDC Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 4:23pm
post #7 of 16

It sounds like a wonderful idea! $300 in my small town would be a free cake, so make sure to check the average amount of people attending. (Average cake price) Giving away that much free cake every month or every 3-4 months could become draining and it could hurt you by having a week-end booked for a free cake when someone wanted that weekend for pay.

Hope this made since.

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cakesbyamym Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 5:48pm
post #8 of 16

I'm glad that I'm not the only one that this sounded good to. LOL. I'm going to work extra hard to get this plan in place THIS week. I work in the school system, so I can have everything delivered by Wednesday afternoon to all of the area bridal shops. That way, as soon as the holidays are over, everyone will KNOW where to go for a free tasting party. icon_smile.gif I'll be sure to let you know how it goes; bookings; etc.

Thanks again!!!

Amy

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mypastrychef Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 5:59pm
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I wouldn't give away a free wedding cake, Maybe a free grooms cake or a wedding cake for 50 cents a serving. You know like a cute promo "dollar days" or something more original -cute theme.

lora

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cakesbyamym Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 6:03pm
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Oh! I LOVE the free groom's cake idea! MUCH cheaper and less detail work needed than an actual bridal cake. I think that I will do ONE free bridal cake for ONE June bride, though. I'll fine tune this as I go, I'm sure.

Thanks again!
Amy

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mypastrychef Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 6:08pm
post #11 of 16

be sure to let us know how it goes!!!!!

Just a thought... it might be cheaper to get in a bridal fair.

Be careful how much you spend on advertising. Some times it would be just as effective as putting your money on the sidewalk.
lora

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JoanneK Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 6:18pm
post #12 of 16

I think it's a great idea. You may be able to work our a great deal with a bridal shop as it would bring in brides for them too.

I would go ahead and do the cake or even 1/2 off the cake. Not all brides want a groom cake.

Plus everyone thinks the big bucks are in the wedding cake and are more likely to go for that.

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Kitagrl Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 6:34pm
post #13 of 16

I would probably do a drawing for one free cake per year...have the drawing during your promotion and say its good for one free cake during the year of 2007 and it would expire Dec. 31, 2007.

You could do small monthly promotions though, like small party cakes or a box of cookies, etc.

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TPDC Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 6:45pm
post #14 of 16

I like that idea kitagirl.

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Horselady Posted 17 Dec 2006 , 7:00pm
post #15 of 16

I know nothing about wedding cakes (and have never been married, but I'm hoping to get asked very soon, lol) so take this for what it's worth.

I think it's a great idea, and maybe you could pair up with your local bridal stores to hold them in THEIR store. Like one stop shopping for brides. + it is great exposure for both and takes some of the stress and driving out for the bride, I'm sure they would remember that about you.

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indydebi Posted 20 Dec 2006 , 2:17am
post #16 of 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by mypastrychef

I wouldn't give away a free wedding cake, Maybe a free grooms cake or a wedding cake for 50 cents a serving. You know like a cute promo "dollar days" or something more original -cute theme.

lora




Or a free groom's cake with the purchase of the wedding cake?

I'm thinking of running some booking specials. For example: Book your wedding during the month of January (note: not get married in January but pay your deposit in January) and receive 2 dz free chocolate covered strawberries for the head table. Or a free ring bearer pillow, or free toasting glasses (which I can pick up wholesale really inexpensive).

I do an annual price increase on September 1, so at the end of July, I put a notice on my website of "Book your wedding by August 31st and hold current pricing for your future wedding." My phone is ringing off the hook and my calendar for the next year starts getting full as people try to lock in the "booking special".

Just some ideas..... icon_smile.gif [/u]

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