What I did was, while I was taking my cake deco classes, I would bring the class cakes to work and give them out for everyone to try. Then, I printed a "flier" and passed it around, during Christmastime, and people ordered from there. You could also make business cards and pass them around to the people u know so they can recommend u. HTH! 
In the beginning, it seems like it takes FOREVER for people to find you. But with each cake you make for family and friends, you are being exposed to an add'l 10 or 20 or 30 people. There will come a point at which you will turn around and say to yourself, "Wow! When did all of THIS happen?" It will snowball before you know it.
But in the beginning......... wow. Slow going.
Mine also started with taking the cakes from class to work and then kids birthday parties, family and friends kids and I now I have been getting alot of business. I find that some months I have so many to do and then there are months that there are none, which is kind of nice for that little break.
I'm in the same position as hamlove, do you need to be legal for this...
I did a few flyers at christmas time & handed them out to a few neighbour as I'm new to the area... However I was frightened because i'm not legal, not to sure I can keep on doing that???
I too am wanting to get started by making a few cakes from home but I have been afraid that I would get into trouble and I just didn't know how to get my name out there. Then there is always the fear that people won't like what you give them. I have been looking for a few good recipes to use to get started because I'm also worried someone may want something and I won't be able to find a recipe to make it.
Good luck getting started.
I'm also worried someone may want something and I won't be able to find a recipe to make it. Good luck getting started.
I tell my clients, "If I can't make it, I'll be the first to tell you." And then I will help them find someone who can take care of them.
No one has ever requested something so far in left field that I wasn't able to accommodate them.....cakes or catering. So don't worry too much about that. It may be a bridge you never have to cross. No one can do "everything" so if you can't make something, that's ok.
All of you that responded, we are all in the same boat. I just need to get my name out there and I believe that I could get good business. I have passed out fliers and I have bought a magnet for my car. I look forward to the day when I can get much cake orders. Any other ideas or help just let me know. Thanks to all of you for answering back. 
I started baking a cake or cookies each week and would donate it to the doctor/dentist office, hair salon, etc. It was effective for me. I'd leave a few business cards w/the cake. It brought me several orders. My husband was getting kind of sick of cake and I needed to do something w/my practice goodies. My goal was to do only 1-2 cakes per week and I'm accomplishing that, so I'm not doing many freebies anymore.
what kind of cake do you usually leave or take to people or would it be smart to try and mix up the styles of cakes to different places. This maybe a stupid question but I guess I will ask. Can you take free cakes to places that don't know you. A doctors office you don't go to.
Well, I, personally, would think that ur own dr would be the best place to start just bc, they "know" u and could "recommend" u, unlike any other dr who if u tried to leave a cake in his/her office, might be skeptical and just throw it out bc they have no idea who u r or what u put into it. But, that's JMO. I would recommend doing a basic vanilla, yellow or white cake for people to sample. Those r cakes that most everyone likes.
Well, I've done the dentist's office, the local High School, the local grocery store, the local hospital (used to work there), the local bank, friends and family.
No orders yet. 
So when you say "in the beginning", what time frame are you talking about. Getting pretty discouraged and sad not having anyone to do a cake for and wanting to practice embroidery, impression stamps, impression cutters and different fondant techniques. Getting tired of trying to figure out "ok, where should I take this one?".........
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