1st off I want to thank you for your help and making me feel so welcome. I must say this is the best site ever. I made my 1st cake EVER mothers day for a friends birthday( the sugar cake in my photos). They told me what they wanted, I researched how to do it and made it. It was a great hit. Ive made 4 more cakes for friends and they too were a huge success. Now here's where the problem lies. I have gotten 8 orders for cakes for Sept. and Oct. from people I know, willing to pay, but I dont know what to charge. I also want to know if it is acceptable to show a customer pictures of other peoples cake designs to get ideas of what they want. As I only have pictures of my 1st 5 cakes to show. I do not want to step on any toes. As I said I love this sight and would never want to offend anyone. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I think I may have finally found my calling after 44 years of looking...lol
Thank you again,
Polly
You can show pix of any cake found on the internet as long as you DO NOT TRY TO PASS IT OFF AS YOUR WORK. When you save any pic it's best to put the creator's name somewhere in your description area so you rememvber where you got the pic from.
As for pricing - it's best to charge by the 'slice'. If you follow the Wilton chart for the # of servings in each size you should come out alright. I suggest about $2 or $3 per serving.
If you can, call a few local b akeries to see what they charge....*NEVER* charge less (unless it's a minor amount; like if they c harge $26.99, then maybe you could charge $25. I always prefered to keep my prices in round #s so I didn't have to make change. It's not always handy/easy to keep change on hand.)
Great idea putting the designers name with the pic, credit should go where it is due, and I would never pass off someone elses cake as mine. Thats just not right. As for the charges that sounds great but how do charges for a sheet cakes compare to the charges for a carved cake, or a cake with embellishments such as sugar bottles or hand painted plaques? I'm sorry if this is to long, I just want to start out right.
Thanks so much for your help,
Polly
Whenever I use someone design I pm them first and ask if it's alright then when I post I credit them such as with this cake.
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1159352.html
I charge $2.00 per serving for my wedding cakes buttercream or fondant
Jibbies
PollyMaggs first of all your cakes are beautiful no wonder people want some more!
You dont say where you are from. You might want to take a look at a few posts about charging for cakes. There are some states that allow this and others that do not.
http://www.cakecentral.com/article57-us-wanting-to-start-a.html
I know there is a tread, I just cannot find it where it talks about which states that allow home baked cakes.
Maybe someone else can help.
Good Luck.
Thank you very much gateaux. I live in hammond Louisiana, It's a small town and we only have one bakery and a few catering business that do wedding cakes but the only specialty cake come from home bakers and as far as I know we only have one about 30 miles from me. Thats why I really have no one to ask about pricing unless I go to someone in New Orleans or Baton Rouge each about 50 miles away. Most people around here arent thrilled about having to go so far to get a cake so I think I will do good. I would love to open a shop one day but I really have alot to learn first. Thanks for your help it is greatly appreciated.
Polly
WOW jibbies, that cake is beautiful and tall...lol Im not brave enough to try something that big yet...I'm gonna have to work my way up to that.
2 tier, 3 tier maybe....I think I'll stick to the easy stuff for now...lol
I think your work is beautiful....And you say you are just starting out??? You will go far!
I charge $4.00 per serving (includes filling, torting & IMBC), but like the other posters said, it often depends on the area you live in. However, one thing I've definately learned, Don't undercharge for all the hard work and time you put in, customers will come, and they will not think twice about paying for quality work such as yours.
Thank you sweetcakes, I had a few years of art lessons growing up, then was a remodeling/building contractor for 17 years. I broke my back in 2001 and havent been able to work since then. I have tried every craft in that time but got bored with them all. Plus no one buys crafts here. I just love the cake designing....every cake is a challenge and I love peoples reactions when they see them. I feel as if I am useful again. So thank you very much, your comments mean the world to me.
Polly
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