I've been getting great reviews and support from friends/clients. They say that their guests are so impressed with my cakes and that they ask for business cards and say that I'm going to order my next cake with her. Yet I never hear from these people.
This also happens with close friends. I had one birthday cake that my friends told me that two of our mutual acquantances said they were going to order the next event cake with me, but no calls.
Should I be following up with the known guests? How can I encourage my friends to follow-up for me? lol
Sometimes people just talk, they don't really mean to order. The last party I went to, I must have handed out about 10 cards and I put about 10 on the table. The guests were going back for cake to cake home or just another slice to eat. I only got 1 call. The caller did order 2 cakes.
I gave a tasting at my home, had about 20 guests, I also got 1 call and the caller ordered 2 cakes.
Hang in there, it will get better.
My husband passes out cards like cold water bottles on a hot summer day 'cause these people act as though they are dying of thirst (for a cake) but either I never receeive a call or they call and never call back after I give them a price. I don't let it get me down....I'd rather do the work for someone that will be okay paying me x amount of $$ for the time I put into it. I agree with Tyty. Things will start to grow and you will never have to wonder if someone will call. Just hang in there. (you'll be wishing some of them never called or will ever call back again LOL LOL LOL). Your golden ticket will come...that one good referral that leads to MANY great referrals.
I have the exact same problem!!!
But I'm jsut being persistant and bringing cookies or cake to EVERY function I go to, I always get comments and the "oh I'l definetly call you"...usually get nothing...but I beleive that persistance will pay off 
Someone will realize your talent and business will skyrocket
Keep me posted! I wish you the best of luck!!!
and I charge on the lower end ,$1.50 for butter cream and $2 for fondant.Come on people. 
I have made stickers to put on the back of my business cards that sez 20% off first order, or next order. What ever discount you want to give. Just when you pass out the card bring attention to the discount on the back. Also, I put some cards on magnetic backing and pass out saying something like "just put my card on your fridge so it's handy when you need to order.
I've also passed out 2 at a time to people stating when (not if) the referral calls for an order, they get a $5 (or % off) referral discount on their order.
Just keep at it and you will have too many customers.
The referral credit has worked for me for years. Here's a link from a fellow CC'er with her testimonial on how the referral credit works: http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-4183413-.html#4183413
Also know that it is normal for it to work like that. They love it. They sincerely want to order. And they just don't get around to it. It happens.
zubia, I've responded to over 200 inquiries for the 2007 booking year and I've converted close to 20% to actual orders. Anyone in sales/marketing will tell you that a 3% close rate is good. That means you have to pass out 100 cards and/or emails to get 3 orders. If you're doing better than that, then you are above average! 
Oh yeahhhhhh, I completely forgot about the referral program. Yep, that works and I completely agree with Indydebi...that's so true. You're learning from the best!
Indydebi is absolutely right. Most of those people really intend to order, but then they forget or get sidetracked or whatever. I don't do cakes, but in my other job it happens all the time. The referral program is an awesome way to motivate people. The other thing that works well is to give some incentive for them to order immediately. If you do another tasting or any sort of show, perhaps offer something free if they place an order that night. If you have an email list of customers, you could send an email that you're running a very limited-time special..."for anyone who places an order wtihin the next week" or by the end of the month, or whatever. Just don't make it far enough out that they can put it off again.
I've also been successful at doing a physical mailing to existing customers with 2 coupons. One for 10% off for them and one for 10% off for them to pass along to a friend. It was a summer special only good for orders placed in June or July. I'm not saying you have to do discount, but maybe give some type of premium...cupcakes, a cute cake knife,etc. It just helps to give people some reason to order right now, before they put it off and forget.
The other thing is to put a phase on any materials you have to the effect of..."Our calendar fills up quickly, so be sure to place your order today to reserve your date."
I've also been successful at doing a physical mailing to existing customers with 2 coupons. One for 10% off for them and one for 10% off for them to pass along to a friend. It was a summer special only good for orders placed in June or July. I'm not saying you have to do discount, but maybe give some type of premium...cupcakes, a cute cake knife,etc. It just helps to give people some reason to order right now, before they put it off and forget.
These are great ideas that I'll have to steal, uh, I mean "borrow" real real soon! I especially like the cute cake knife. I have a source where I could get a wedding cake cutting set for under $5 .... what a great booking gift / giveaway!
Don't forget that when a client tells you s/he gave a card to a friend who says s/he will order a cake next special occasion, that the special occasion might not be till next year.
Frequently people will call me saying, "I got your card at a party I went to last October for so-and-so"( or last summer or whenever)
Special occasions happen all year long... some people have a lot of them, others have only one.
Be patient. It takes time to build up a clientele.
I agree with everyone else. Sometimes, people just say things and simply don't follow up. I can't tell you how many last-minute orders that I get for folks who "forgot" 
that tomorrow is son/daughter's bd, can they get a cake. Okay, I've given birth twice...NO chance of FORGETTING those days. LOL. Many are procrastinators and just end up grabbing something 'quick' from the local grocery store bakery. Keep handing out the cards to anyone and everyone.
Hey, vehicle magnets are another great idea... Last night, my DH and I took the kids for a quick bite to eat. The lady operating the drive-up window asked about my cakes (from the magnet on the driver's door), and asked for some cards. She's got several occasions coming up that she needs cakes for. She may call, and she may not, but more cards are out in circulation.
Indy's idea is hands-down the single best marketing idea that I have attempted. 
(I was the one that she mentioned having success with her method above). It's awesome!!! Referral discounts is the way to go. Believe me, just as much as word of mouth can break your business, it can most definitely MAKE your business!!! People talk about products that work well for them, or that they are pleased with. I can go on and on about Magic Erasers...LOL...people can go on and on about a fab cake that they got from such-and-such, too.
Take sample cakes to anyone and everyone!!! I call it "cold caking." LOL. I took two sample cakes to businesses (both local physician's offices) yesterday morning. At the first office, I was just going to pick up a napkin for a lady who "just wanted to see if I'd be able to work with that design". She ended up placing a $150 order! The staff there asked for a ton of cards, which I had brought with their sample cake, as well as, about a dozen of my brochures. At the second office, more success! Three more orders with two more calling back next week to order! It has been my notion that once I get them to taste my cakes, and see what I can offer, they'll be hooked.
Whatever you try...just be consistent and persistent. Make a plan and stick with it. Success WILL come. It just takes time for your name to circulate. With the referral discount program, it only took one satisfied customer to start the ball really rolling...since December, I've been having to turn orders down on a weekly basis due to already being booked solid!
All the best to you!!!! Amy
Thank you so much every one .It was soooo encouraging to read all your advise. I was just worried that may be my prices are high or some thing . To be honest I just want to make cakes ,getting money to do what I love is is a BIG plus.
I just had my bussiness cards printed and I am making a game plan for advertizing .
Thanks again for the invaluble advise.
I too have been 'cold caking' it too...took 6 trays to several businesses the past several weeks....no calls yet, but they know what I can do.
I intend to do a couple more this week, and couple more next week....gotta get that word out there! Word of mouth and vehicle signs are what is working for me......still tweaking the website, and intend to have it up and going soon.
debi, (an amym) do u credit the referer when the pther person has paid in full? I am assuming yes.... soooo if my friend refers her cousin who orders (and pays) for a cake that is 150.00 then my friend gets 7.50 credit.. if its a large amount then do u make them use it off a purchase or can it be completely free?
debi, (an amym) do u credit the referer when the pther person has paid in full? I am assuming yes.... soooo if my friend refers her cousin who orders (and pays) for a cake that is 150.00 then my friend gets 7.50 credit.. if its a large amount then do u make them use it off a purchase or can it be completely free?
I give them the credit when the wedding is considered "booked", not necessarily paid in full, and this is because so many weddings are booked so far in advance. I have almost a nil cancellation rate, so this has not been a problem.
"can it be completely free"..... yes. I had a bride get her wedding cake free because she sent me multiple brides and she earned over $400 in referral credit. Bear in mind to do that, it meant that she had sent me over $8000 in business.
In another thread on this topic, I shared a story about a minister who was surprised that I really would do a $2000 reception for him if he had $2000 in referral credits.....until I explained to him that to earn $2000, it meant he had referred $40,000 worth of business to me, so heck YEAH i would do a lousy $2000 reception for him for free! (The $200 free cake was earned when you were given $4000 worth of business .... the $20 batch of free cookies was earned when you were given $400 worth of business.)
I never issue a check for a credit because it's cheaper not to. Using the $400 free cake example above ..... It didn't cost me $400 out of pocket, it only cost me the supplies & ingredients ..... roughly about $100. So it "cost" me $100 to get $8000 worth of business.
Not bad, huh?
i got it... and yes its not bad LOL.. I totally gt that the total out of pocket for you is less than what the customer gets... Do u only do this for wedding cakes and catering? Or anything./. I know its completely up to me but I am just trying to wrap my head around it lOl
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