People Asking For Advice On Our Fb Page

Decorating By LoveMeSomeCake615 Updated 27 Mar 2014 , 3:39am by CFCakes

LoveMeSomeCake615 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LoveMeSomeCake615 Posted 25 Mar 2014 , 1:22pm
post #1 of 19

We have had a lady ask on our FB page for tips on smoothing buttercream a couple of times. The first time we posted a pic of a buttercream cake, and she commented on the pic saying she is a pastry chef and does custom cakes, and asking if our icing artist would give her some tips on how to smooth buttercream.

 

My husband is the buttercream smoother, so he commented and basically just told her that it takes the right consistency of icing and a lot of practice to get the right touch. We told her she could find lots of tutorials online, and these would be the best way for her to learn, since it would be difficult to just try to explain it in an FB message or comment. She's better off finding a tutorial where she can watch someone do it while they explain it. Besides, there are different techniques for smoothing buttercream, and what works for my husband may not be what works for others.

Last night we posted a fondant cake, and she commented again, asking if the buttercream expert could email her with advice on how to get buttercream and fondant so smooth. I'm not sure how to answer her, I don't want to come across as rude or uncaring, but what else can I say other than "Look it up!" once again?

I know a lot of you use your FB pages to teach other decorators, provide advice, support, tutorials, etc and that's great! But we have no desire to do that. I love helping people and will gladly give advice if I can, but our FB page is for posting our work and promoting our business only.

 

Should I just point her back to Google?

18 replies
AZCouture Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AZCouture Posted 25 Mar 2014 , 1:49pm
post #2 of 19

AJust keep directing her back to Google, that's perfectly fine. If she keeps it up, just ban her. Chances are she'll think your page disappeared, not that you booted her. Trust me, sometimes the greatest feature of the page is the "ban button". ;-)

AZCouture Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AZCouture Posted 25 Mar 2014 , 1:52pm
post #3 of 19

AAnd it's not rude, it gets tiring. You know what's super tiring? The "how about a tutorial?!" on every. stinkin. cake. ever. posted. lately. What is going on out there? Here's your tute....it's called "Experiment!" followed up by the best selling "Try, and Fail, and Try Again!" Seriously...((sigh))

LisaBerczel Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LisaBerczel Posted 25 Mar 2014 , 4:39pm
post #4 of 19

My reply is usually "This is a question that comes up quite often. The (FAQ or Google Search or Site Search) provides a lot of good information."

 

Then I provide the link.....

AnnieCahill Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AnnieCahill Posted 25 Mar 2014 , 7:35pm
post #5 of 19

Yeah I don't get the need for tutorials on every little thing either.  A tutorial for how to pipe a cupcake swirl?  Really?  I mean I can understand if it's something really difficult, but it seems like no one wants to experiment anymore.  That's part of the fun of cake decorating!

LisaBerczel Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LisaBerczel Posted 25 Mar 2014 , 8:32pm
post #6 of 19

I'm of two minds......

 

Sometimes it's hard to visualize written words - especially with a new process. One look at a video or sitting in a class, and *bingo* everything snaps into place.

 

On the other hand..... I'm seeing more and more posters expecting to be *spoon fed* the process. It's like there's an expectation that we're somehow able to provide a shortcut to good old fashioned Practice for Perfection. Or that a video can replace a good classroom experience.

 

Making a mess, a technique not turning out the way I want - that's where most of my best *ooh. not what I wanted, but WOW is that a cool look for another time...."

howsweet Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
howsweet Posted 25 Mar 2014 , 10:53pm
post #7 of 19

I agree about more and more people expecting to have info spoon fed, but I recommend being very careful about how you discuss it because I made an off hand remark about a tutorial for something simple and then made the terrible mistake of seeing humor in it and compared it to something Ellen said in one of her stand up routines. It was the one about how directions on a shampoo bottle aren't really necessary.  And the thread got reeeealy nasty and eventually someone apparently insinuated I was gay. Which was awful because she meant it as an insult.

 

And that was after I'd apologized.  So tread lightly on this subject, just sayin'. :lol: 

LoveMeSomeCake615 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LoveMeSomeCake615 Posted 26 Mar 2014 , 2:34am
post #8 of 19

Thanks everyone! Yeah, I just don't get asking for advice on something so basic, especially from a business, unless they have made tutorials and advice available before. It's so easy to find basic cake decorating info if you just google it! 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by howsweet 
 

I agree about more and more people expecting to have info spoon fed, but I recommend being very careful about how you discuss it because I made an off hand remark about a tutorial for something simple and then made the terrible mistake of seeing humor in it and compared it to something Ellen said in one of her stand up routines. It was the one about how directions on a shampoo bottle aren't really necessary.  And the thread got reeeealy nasty and eventually someone apparently insinuated I was gay. Which was awful because she meant it as an insult.

 

And that was after I'd apologized.  So tread lightly on this subject, just sayin'. :lol: 

 

Well, that escalated quickly! :eek: 

AZCouture Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AZCouture Posted 26 Mar 2014 , 3:08am
post #9 of 19

AWhat the..why...what?! I really wanna hear that unedited uncut story! :D

IAmPamCakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
IAmPamCakes Posted 26 Mar 2014 , 9:03am
post #10 of 19

AMe too. I miss all the best stuff!

AnnieCahill Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AnnieCahill Posted 26 Mar 2014 , 12:47pm
post #11 of 19

Careful...you might get called self-righteous, creepy, and controlling.  :lol:

Crazy-Gray Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Crazy-Gray Posted 26 Mar 2014 , 1:11pm
post #12 of 19

A

Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnieCahill 

Careful...you might get called self-righteous, creepy, and controlling.  :lol:

 

What?! That's horrible! and with all the help you give too! pah...

As for facebook page advice askers: just offer a decorating class at $120 an hour :-)

AnnieCahill Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AnnieCahill Posted 26 Mar 2014 , 1:13pm
post #13 of 19

I guess we just get some rogue threads around here sometimes...maybe on days when there's a full moon or something LOL.

 

I'm with you about the classes.  I'm sure she'd shut up really quick if she knew she had to fork out cash to get the tips and tricks!

Norasmom Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Norasmom Posted 26 Mar 2014 , 1:18pm
post #14 of 19

If people don't have time to do a Google search, read, and practice, why do they think experienced bakers have time to send out tutorials upon request?  So silly.  In school, kids are expected to struggle and figure things out…why are adults different?   Google, read, practice, repeat.

LoveMeSomeCake615 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LoveMeSomeCake615 Posted 26 Mar 2014 , 1:41pm
post #15 of 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norasmom 
 

If people don't have time to do a Google search, read, and practice, why do they think experienced bakers have time to send out tutorials upon request? 

Right?!? My response (in my head) when I saw it was like "NO, he doesn't have time to send you a tutorial! He works two other jobs (aside from cakes), and he taught himself to do this stuff (never had a Wilton class or any other training). You're a pastry chef, figure it out for yourself!" :-?

LoveMeSomeCake615 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LoveMeSomeCake615 Posted 26 Mar 2014 , 1:43pm
post #16 of 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy-Gray 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnieCahill 
 

As for facebook page advice askers: just offer a decorating class at $120 an hour icon_smile.gif

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnieCahill 
 

 

 

I'm with you about the classes.  I'm sure she'd shut up really quick if she knew she had to fork out cash to get the tips and tricks!

 

Now for $120 an hour, we might be willing to consider it... :D

MimiFix Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
MimiFix Posted 26 Mar 2014 , 1:59pm
post #17 of 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by howsweet 
 

I agree about more and more people expecting to have info spoon fed, but I recommend being very careful about how you discuss it because I made an off hand remark about a tutorial for something simple and then made the terrible mistake of seeing humor in it and compared it to something Ellen said in one of her stand up routines. It was the one about how directions on a shampoo bottle aren't really necessary.  And the thread got reeeealy nasty and eventually someone apparently insinuated I was gay. Which was awful because she meant it as an insult.

 

And that was after I'd apologized.  So tread lightly on this subject, just sayin'. :lol: 

 

Was this a CC forum thread?

mareg Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
mareg Posted 26 Mar 2014 , 3:13pm
post #18 of 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norasmom 
 

If people don't have time to do a Google search, read, and practice, why do they think experienced bakers have time to send out tutorials upon request?  So silly.  In school, kids are expected to struggle and figure things out…why are adults different?   Google, read, practice, repeat.

EXACTLY!    That is how I got smooth buttercream..... and Sharon Zambitios DVD didn't hurt either!

CFCakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
CFCakes Posted 27 Mar 2014 , 3:39am
post #19 of 19

ASomeone on here had a fantastic answer for one of us newbies and I thought it was hilarious as well as it got the point across!!! I don't think the OP thought it was funny though....her response was a link to "let me google that for you......" You could always refer her to craftsy and she can pay for her tutorials.

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%