What Seasoned Shop Owners Did To Generate Sales
Business By tasteebakes Updated 10 Oct 2007 , 12:50pm by leah_s
I would love to know what all you cake shop veterans did that worked for you to generate sales when you first opened shop. What worked and didn't work?
I had 12 cake orders for last Fri-Mon. That was my busiest weekend since opening up in July. I would like to have every weekend have AT LEAST this many orders. This weekend I have two cake for Friday and one for Saturday(so Far, despite the one week advance notice I posted, people still wait until the last minute)
I have a limited advertising budget and would like to avoid putting it where it won't do much good. I would love any and all advice on this.
My main source of customers has come from word of mouth so far. I did a bridal shower cake yesterday and she sent me a nice email this afternoon telling me it was the hit of the shower and everyone was asking who did it. (It went to an elementary school) She wants business cards to put in the teacher's lounge, which I am tripping over myself to get to her. Sooo...word of mouth is good. Any other suggestions?
Unfortunately there's no magic that will make the customers come calling. It just takes some time to build a steady base. I will say this, don't waste your advertising dollars in newpapers. Save it up and make a commercial, it's worth every penny and isn't as expensive as you might think. Also get some sort of web presence, there are a lot of free places to get your name out there. Also when all these places start coming in asking for donations (which you won't have enough $ for) offer a cake or cookies or whatever. It will pay off in good will and won't cost you as much as cash + of course people get to see and taste your product. Don't be afraid to give some stuff away, it doesn't cost that much and it will give you more practice and cake photos for your portfolio. Also spend the money on bridal shows. Anywhere you can get a captive audience and put some cake physically in front of people is great! Good luck! and don't be afraid to try anything! -Lori
Thanks for the advice. I have been going back and forth on the newspaper thing and would love to do a commercial.
I have been entering shows, the bridal shows sounds like a terrific idea. I will see about any of those going on in my area tomorrow.
Thanks!
when i opened in 02, i took half sheet cakes to almost every high school in the area...just dropped it off in the teachers lounge at lunch time....with a price list.
those teachers really get the word out, when i painted for a living, teachers were some of my best customers, thats what gave me the idea.
i did radio and newspaper, neither one was effective.
the newpaper did do a few front page stories on me...that really helped, but of course ya gotta wait on them for that, i could have never afforded a full front page.
it takes a little while to get a client base, but if you treat the customers right, they are very loyal.
a friend of mine has a photography studio, she does a tv spot from time to time, if i remember right she said it was like 1800.00 for the package....but boy, she said after the spots run...the phone is ringing off the hook!
Just jumping in here although i dont' have much experience. I think the teacher's lounge idea is fantastic! I was a teacher BC (before children!) and two things teachers love to do is eat and chat. Anything in the lounge will get devoured and chatted up. The school here has been a good source of business for me. The teachers keep ordering cakes for eachother!
There are no trade secrets. You are your own best advertising. Pass out 10 business cards per day. Wear a badge, button or anything else you can to get people's attention, so you can talk to them about yourself. Networking in other words. Print advertising I agree is not worth all the hype. Word of mouth is your best testimonial. Good tasting products and good business practices will make it work. Best of Luck to you.
I've had my cake business for about 25 years.....and like everyone else so far....it takes time to build a good base of customers. When I started, I did some of the same things. I took cupcakes to the schools for the teacher's lounge, to the banks for their break times, the court house employees, etc. My husband took cakes in for special things at his work place and I got a ton of orders. Drop off business cards to bridal shops, tux rentals, party supply stores in your areas. Many of those places...I would take some of their business cards then and have also in my shop to share. Running ads in the newspaper....only if they might be doing a special for a bridal section. Newspaper ads are pretty high. Best kind of advertising there is....WORD OF MOUTH! The more your cakes get out there and get tasted and seen....you will being to get more and more orders and your customer base will build up. But like some have already said....it takes time and week to week it's never the same amount of orders with me.
When I started, the pros I asked said it generally takes about 4 years to build up enough client base to make your business self-sustaining with little worry. I'd saythat's about right. I do mostly wedding cakes, and that first year I only did 12 cakes all year.
I did a bunch of shows, I network with other vendors, and I drop off sample cakes to other vendors periodically. Now, I'm actually turning away some business.
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