How do you advertise and what works and what doesn't? As soon as I get my license I can now tell me friends and people I know I do in fact sell cakes. I have been a little afraid before to do that, not being licensed and all, anyways what works well what should I stay away from, I have a friend whose husband can put a sign on my minivan's window for $60 I'm thinking of doing on my car and my husban's truck.
I have vehicle decals which are awesome (but you have to have commercial insurance).
I have all my business cards at the florist/wedding stores in town. I have signs at businesses that have a high majority of working women.
Trade Shows.
Newspaper ads.
And word of mouth.
I did a huge bridal show, which was a bit pricey for a new business..almost $700.00 plus supplies and samples of cake to hand out. BUT I made that back very quick!!!! I booked my first wedding cake from that show and paid for that. I also target my business only to wedding cakes, so I advertise with "The Perfect Wedding Guide" and that has been awesome!
but there are other ways to advertise. I like the decals on the cars...I need to get my some of those.
what about announcing your Grand Opening in your neighborhood newspaper? not sure what that would cost.
My business started off with me just telling my friends that I do cakes and to call me for their birthday cakes.
also, I did small community craft shows to advertise my birthday cakes.
good luck!
melody
Well I'm renting kitchen space and I have been making a few cakes through word of mouth but once I'm licensed I can advertise so just wanted to know what everyone was doing, why do I have to have commercial insirance on my car if advertise on my car window?
I place an an ad in my daughter's monthly school newsletter which all classes in every grade get, word of mouth, business cards and website. I also send e-mail with coupons to all my friends to pass around to their friends.
So far so good.
Well I'm renting kitchen space and I have been making a few cakes through word of mouth but once I'm licensed I can advertise so just wanted to know what everyone was doing, why do I have to have commercial insirance on my car if advertise on my car window?
If you are using your car for ANY business use in your business, you must have commercial insurance. YOUR PERSONAL AUTO POLICY WILL NOT COVER YOU if it is found you are delivering a cake, buying supplies, etc. and were in an accident. I'm sure your insurance company would consider your car a "company car" if you have a sign on it. check with your agent immediately!
My best advertising is respond.com. I recently added an ad to PartySpot.com, a site targeted to teenage parties, proms, etc.
I started selling on ebay. I made sure I was legal (although now I'm having trouble with the powers that be for no reason at all 
) and then opened an ebay store. Its great, because you have all the protection of ebay and a HUGE exposure to potential customers.
I just make sure that I put my city in the item description so people know if they can buy from me or not. I was a bit worried about selling cakes through ebay, but I asked them if it was ok, and they said yes.
I make it clear that people must check the date BEFORE purchase, and they need to give me at least 2 weeks notice and not more than 6 months. Most people respect that, and I know that if I can't accommodate the ones that don't respect it, I have clearly listed it and ebay will back me up. 
How do you sell cakes on Ebay??? Wow I knew you could almost buy anything on Ebay but cakes? give a link to one of your items I would love to check it out..
anyone has a sign to their car windows? I would like to know if that works or would it be tacky?
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