How is everyone's business this year? My friend is a harpist she would usually be 1/2 booked for the whole year by now and this year has only one event. So far I have 1/2 the amount of weddings booked that I did last year at this time. I do still have smaller cakes/ repeat business for bdays etc... but am concerned that things seem even more sluggish this year than last. How's everyone else out there doing?
I'm doing about the same too, as far as bookings go. The only difference I've noticed around here is that they have slightly smaller guest lists. I've already had people calling em about 2011, though, so I don't see any slowdown overall.
I recently did my first bridal show and the phone hasn't stopped ringing. I've only been legal since August so bookings are up for me 
! I think the most I can do is 3 weddings per weekend and I have a couple of June dates that are fully booked. Otherwise I have 6 others booked and several inquiries and tastings going on. I'm optimistic!
I started booking last summer when I did an exhibit at a festival which as nice! After that, things slowed but I'm now starting to book again. My prices are a bit higher in this area, but my style / ingredients are very different from other local bakeries.
I've noticed a few of us (local decorators) have been helping each other out with referrals, which is a breath of fresh air... it never helps to be bitter about (healthy) competition. I welcome it.
There's a market for everyone's work.
My business is growing slowly....I am doing a bridal show in a few weeks so I hope to really step up the wedding orders at that time.
My work seems to be slightly outgrowing the "party scene" (just because alot of regular parties don't have a high cake budget) but still not too much in the "wedding scene" so I'm working hard to change that.
That's really encouraging...bridal shows are so expensive so its a big step for me to do one...but so far nothing has really booked weddings for me except a small trickle. So I'm really hoping to get some bookings in a few weeks.
Do you guys try to get deposits at the show? Do you give a discount if they book at the show?
I've done 3 things at shows: offered a coupon if they book within 3 months, offer an on-the-spot discount if they sign the contract and pay the $50 deposit, and offering nothing. All have gained me orders, when I did the on the spot orders, I had 7 brides book me, and then another 10 or so bookings because people remembered it. The coupon got me about 12 eventual bookings.
But I'm still getting calls. I got one today from a bride who saw me back in Feb.
I guess the reason I'm still getting calls is my website. It's pretty modern, while still being easy to navigate. I swear, that is really the deciding factor for 99% of my 2010 brides. I redid it right before Christmas on my new IMac, and wow, 100% worth the time.
Jentreu I love your site and I designed mine using IWeb too--It has been such a great marketing tool for me too--being able to send people there has eliminated a ton of emails and phone calls--hopefully potential customers can get most of their questions answered by looking at my site! And I agree about designing your own if you can---IWeb was just so easy!!!
Wow this has been really helpful. First of all I see I need to do a show. I have not done one as they are 900.00 a both most of the time and I have been toughing it out enough financially that I just plain don't have the money. Sounds like it would make the difference though. I have a website which I'd like to also say... I LOVE MY MAC! and I LOVE IWEB! Exactly what I used to make mine. What are everyone else's websites? I'd love to see everyone's websites! So what software are all you other Mac lovers using to run your biz?? I have been wondering what to buy (and no I do not run windows on my mac, sort of defeats the purpose of paying more for a mac). I have a pc as well in the house so I could buy cakeboss, or else quickbooks will run on either.
I've done 3 things at shows: offered a coupon if they book within 3 months, offer an on-the-spot discount if they sign the contract and pay the $50 deposit, and offering nothing. All have gained me orders, when I did the on the spot orders, I had 7 brides book me, and then another 10 or so bookings because people remembered it. The coupon got me about 12 eventual bookings.
But I'm still getting calls. I got one today from a bride who saw me back in Feb.
I guess the reason I'm still getting calls is my website. It's pretty modern, while still being easy to navigate. I swear, that is really the deciding factor for 99% of my 2010 brides. I redid it right before Christmas on my new IMac, and wow, 100% worth the time.
I love the look of your website!
Did your iMac come with the website development software - and who hosts for you?
TIA
I guess the reason I'm still getting calls is my website. It's pretty modern, while still being easy to navigate. I swear, that is really the deciding factor for 99% of my 2010 brides. I redid it right before Christmas on my new IMac, and wow, 100% worth the time.
Jen, your website looks fantastic and I totally agree with you that a website is the deciding factor for most brides. I have never attended a show (plan to do one this year, though) and receive all my bookings through my website. That is why I am redoing the site right now; I want it to be a bit more classy. Hopefully it can go live at the end of this week.
O, and by the way, I agree with Mensch, your cakes are way too cheap!
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