I've seen other cake decorators on Kijiji or Craigslist putting an ad up stating that they are preparing their portfolio. They offer wedding cakes for a cheal price in order to build that portfolio.
Do you think it's a good idea?? I'm considering doing it - more for the practice in transporting and setting up a bigger cake at a venue. I'm not sure it's a great idea though because I don't want to sell myself short (as a cheap cake maker in people's minds).
I have heard mixed reviews about this especially on Kijij or craiglist..Not that reputable...Another idea is offer a cheaper alternative wedding cake that is lower priced than say a totally custom cake. It includes a VERY specific cake design (Usually plain and easy)for a set price..No changes,No substitutions,No extras..this is what you get for X amount of dollars no if ands or butts...offer maybe 3 choices in this alternative price range.I have heard so many terrible things about advertising cheaply on Kijiji and Craiglist I think it would hurt your Potential business and reputation and that is hard to regain after you get a few Kookoos that want a cheap cake for nothing and cause total grief!
There are a few decoraters here that have done this with good success..Maybe they can chime in!! 
agree with kiddie. If you advertise cheaply on CL, then you earn business thru the "Oh she's really cheap!" circuit.
I had a $199 wedding cake special: 6/8/10 (serves 74); all white or all chocolate; no sampling or consultation; limited designs; no delivery (must be picked up); paid in full at time of order; non-refundable. I called it my "Just A Simple" Wedding Cake.
I remember one bride who was tight on money, but passed on this option because having multiple flavors and having it delivered was more important to her.
It's an option you can offer, but I found most brides, while initially interested in this cake, opted for the bells and whistles.
I know a wedding chapel who has the same kind of thing. She offers a 2-hour rental, but when she gets calls from brides planning 100 guests, she walks them thru the timetable to "educate" them on how they can't get 100 guests in and out PLUS a ceremony and photos inside of 2 hours. They called because of the small package ... they bought the bigger package.
I would prefer to make dummies and have them for bridal shows instead of doing a 'sale' on cakes.
Yes. All good points. Thank you everyone!!
I felt weird about it so now I have some confirmation not to do it. I was going to make some dummy cakes anyways so I'll stick to that plan. I like the idea of a set menu/design and if they want it, they want it. Thanks again for the input.
I just want to be confident making deliveries and setting up the bigger wedding cakes. I guess that will have to be trial and error! We all learn somehow.....
I did the same thing indydebi is talking about only mine were $99 and I ran the special for only 3 months, hoping to just fill up my calendar and not have to answer the phone all year LOL. I got about 8 wedding cake orders from that special and only 2 of the 8 actually stuck to the special......the other 6 wound up picking something else and paying my regular prices! lol
agree with kiddie. If you advertise cheaply on CL, then you earn business thru the "Oh she's really cheap!" circuit.
I had a $199 wedding cake special: 6/8/10 (serves 74); all white or all chocolate; no sampling or consultation; limited designs; no delivery (must be picked up); paid in full at time of order; non-refundable. I called it my "Just A Simple" Wedding Cake.
I remember one bride who was tight on money, but passed on this option because having multiple flavors and having it delivered was more important to her.
It's an option you can offer, but I found most brides, while initially interested in this cake, opted for the bells and whistles.
I know a wedding chapel who has the same kind of thing. She offers a 2-hour rental, but when she gets calls from brides planning 100 guests, she walks them thru the timetable to "educate" them on how they can't get 100 guests in and out PLUS a ceremony and photos inside of 2 hours. They called because of the small package ... they bought the bigger package.
This is definitely the way to go! Don't do Craigs List!
agree with kiddie. If you advertise cheaply on CL, then you earn business thru the "Oh she's really cheap!" circuit.
I had a $199 wedding cake special: 6/8/10 (serves 74); all white or all chocolate; no sampling or consultation; limited designs; no delivery (must be picked up); paid in full at time of order; non-refundable. I called it my "Just A Simple" Wedding Cake.
I remember one bride who was tight on money, but passed on this option because having multiple flavors and having it delivered was more important to her.
It's an option you can offer, but I found most brides, while initially interested in this cake, opted for the bells and whistles.
I know a wedding chapel who has the same kind of thing. She offers a 2-hour rental, but when she gets calls from brides planning 100 guests, she walks them thru the timetable to "educate" them on how they can't get 100 guests in and out PLUS a ceremony and photos inside of 2 hours. They called because of the small package ... they bought the bigger package.
Debi, you heathen, that's called bait and switch!!! 
Maybe that's why I love you... we're both made of pure evil! Or was it pure chocolate? I can NEVER remember.
Anyhoo, back to the point, I wouldn't advertise on Craig's List, simply because of the things I've HEARD about CL. I've never used it, not familiar with it despite my intense online surfing and previous eBay addiction. But to me, a 'business' who was on CL may have a less 'legitimate' feel to me. Just my own personal feeling, not slamming anyone. I thought CL was kind of a 'for sale by owner' type of thing. I'm probably grossly misinformed, it's happened before. 
I'm sure it will happen again. But I wouldn't put an ad for a wedding cake in the local newspaper's 'for sale' section. Just my own preconceived biases there.
i did the special on wedding cakes last year...made enough $$$$$$$ to put a new roof on my house.
i wouldn't do it again tho...my roof was leaking bad and i needed the $.....a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do....it beat gettin rained on.
i'm so busy now...my son moved here from tennessee to partner with me at the shop...he's young (34) and full of energy so he's wanting to take things to the next level...about to wear me out! lol!
I was thinking of craigslist but now that I hear from everyone I won't. Looking ahead Sept to year end and want to generate more $$$. I like the idea of the $199 cake for 74 people and I'd love to hear what Khalstead offered for her sale.
I've seen other cake decorators on Kijiji or Craigslist putting an ad up stating that they are preparing their portfolio. They offer wedding cakes for a cheal price in order to build that portfolio.
Do you think it's a good idea?? I'm considering doing it - more for the practice in transporting and setting up a bigger cake at a venue. I'm not sure it's a great idea though because I don't want to sell myself short (as a cheap cake maker in people's minds).
i did a dummy wedding cake for partice and to help with my portfolio yesterday, no need to turn to cl or kijiji...
check out my floral cake in my pics....
14-10-6 inch dummies......
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