I'm talking to be used as a donation, auction for good cause, or simply to "bring" a cake to a private function you are attending?
I'm just getting my business off the ground; I make it a point to not "give" cakes away, but I'm all for the free advertising associated with a cake auction. I have a cake going out tonight for my kids' elementary school annual Silent Cake Auction. I included a business card and a 15% off coupon.
Do you do this sort of thing?
I'll hopefully post a pic by the weekend - I did a white chocolate-cherry 8" cake with fresh whippped cream filling, decorated with sunflower and fall foliage in BC. It really looks nice 
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I always donate a couple cakes for a Cake Walk at my DD school. It's usually for the end of the year carnival. Just regular like 8" round or square. Decorated simply.
I've also just agreed to donate cakes for 400+ for her Cheer Banquet next month. I don't do this for everything. But I couldn't turn down the amount of people. I've recently taken a year off because I just had 2 babies. I pulled all my advertising. So it's kind of like starting from scratch.
I think these will be the only 2 things I do a year as far as promo goes.
I will donate once in a while for local events.....like the local radio station will have a business auction for special events. So I will donate a coupon for a free quarter sheet cake to be used and they always mention the businesses who donate, so some free ad time. I also take leftover cake batter...make it into cupcakes, slap of some quick frosting and a little decoration for the season and I take them to the local banks......put my business card on it and tell all the tellers to enjoy at their break time. I hit different banks off and on....believe me...I have gotten lots of business for more cakes and some wedding cakes! I don't mind giving away some free cakes when I know I will get quite a bit of business from it.
When I attended business classes we were taught this method. Determine what you advertising dollars will be annually. From there determine where is the best place to put those dollars. If it means you will be donating cakes it should translate to full price in your budget, not cost of materials. In other words if you would charge $30.00 for a cake but it cost you $10.00, don't put $10.00 into your books because its lost of revenue. (Although its in hope of generating more revenue)
The trick is when your annual ad dollars have been spent, not to spend more. Which is the hardest thing to do sometimes because we are often passionate about causes and want to lend a helping hand.
Good Luck in your ventures. HTH
I donate to the things that are either very close to my heart, or will give my business the maximum amount of exposure to my target clientele.
There is no limit on what or how much I will donate, nor is there a minumum.
Last year, I donated 2 cakes and a $300 gift certicate to a breast cancer function, as well as a gingerbread house (which was judged and I tied for 1st in the professional category) to a children's organization which was auctioned off at the end of the contest. There were some smaller donations here and there when/if I had the time.
I'm starting out, too. So far, I've donated a cake as a door prize for a mom to mom event (the fish cake in my pics) and this week I'm donating a cookie/brownie gift basket for a local fundraiser to help abused/neglected foster kids.
It makes me happy - but the gift basket is costing a lot of money (those little wrappers and sticks, the basket... it adds up!). Hopefully, it will pay off.
From the mom to mom event, I got 3 people who told me they'll be calling me. One for a baby shower in December, one for a wedding next year and one for a birthday party (not sure when).
Hi!
I have only been in business for a little over a year, and was in a whole new state!
I started making cakes (I think of it as "practicing my skills") and had my hubby take them to work. Not only did I enjoy honest feedback (gotten from my hubby easedropping on conversations about my cakes) on recipes, flavors ect. I also started gettign orders immedietly! Then they tell all the people they know and BOOM I was busy!
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