I saw a couple of "advertisements" for home bakers while looking through Craig's list. Would you advertise there? Would it make a difference if you were 'legal' or not?

I would not, it seems people are looking for freebies or next to free stuff.

I would not. People are looking for cheap items on there.

I've seen SEVERAL posts in craigslist for cakes here in Houston. And if you are not licensed, you are just asking for the health department to get you!
It's tough down here on home baking, there is no way I would chance it.

Why wouldn't you advertise on craigslist? It is I believe the seventh most frequented site in the WORLD!!! Granted there are people on there who are looking for cheap stuff but plenty that aren't. I used craigslist when I was looking for vendors for my wedding and found my photographer and cake lady on there. Maybe I am biased...craigslist is my favorite site next to cakecentral.

let me clarify, I do LOVE Craigslists, I've bought quite a bit of stuff on there. I just bought 15 cake pans, all squares and rounds for $60 on there. And what luck, she was 3 blocks over from my house!
But as for being a unlicensed baker, there's where I'd be careful.
If I was licensed, heck ya! I'd advertise on there, it's FREE!

I have booked several weddings from craigslist. I love it!! Although, it turned the health dept. on to me... now I work from a commercial kitchen. Live and learn! So, DON'T do it if you are not legal... just my advice. In fact, if I was not legal, I would not do any advertising.

this is sort of related... I haven't used craigslist because my town isn't really on it... the closest is a 45 minute drive but I've used freecycle for giving some of my practice cakes away and it was kind of a good way to get the word out without really advertising...

I plan on advertising there once I am legal. Craig's list is HUGE here. We put a kitchen table on there for sale and had 10 calls or e-mails in the first hour. Even if a lot of people are looking for a cheap deal, my prices are set. Recently we had someone advertising to do your wedding cake for cost so with that kind of competition I may not get any business but hey, it's free!!

Kristin

maybe I'll reconsider my answer then....and maybe I need to check into advertising on there....yes I am completely legal.

thanks guys!


melody

I did not think I would either, until I did. I get 4 orders a week for stuff. Decorated cookies at $3.50 a piece, I even upped the price on some cakes so they would not order, because I was busy, and they did not even bat an eye!! I would definately advertised on there. I am a legal business though.

I have advertise on CL but my ads were flagged. So I took the hint and do not advertise there anymore. I'm not legal right but CL is super awesome. I did get about 10 customers from the site before I was flagged. I will use once I'm legal.

What do you mean by flagged??? (sorry if it is a dumb question! )

I am guessing that "flagged" means that the health dept. found her add and told her to stop until she got legal, maybe even imposed a fine.

melody

either that or she was listing on a for sale listing and it's really a service. it could have been flagged for violating posting rules.

I'm in the DC area too and BOY is craigslist wonderful and it is not all cheap stuff... I might have been one of the people who emailed you about that table as I'm looking for a new dining set - which are listed anywhere from $50 to $5000 on craigslist here!!!

I've thought about posting too, but have not gotten fully legal yet and honestly, don't have the time to really commit to baking more than as a hobby.

melissa

Flagging is when a user reports a post for being illegal. I doubt that anyone knew you were not legal but maybe your wording or where you were advertising wasn't in the right place. Like say I am trying to sell a bike in the clothing section it could be flagged because it is posted in the wrong category.

Thanks a lot for the clarifications!!!

I wounldn't advertise first because I'm very illegal when in comes to baking and second like Melissa don;t have time for it (sometimes not even as a hobby! )

I had heard that if you are not licenced DO NOT have ads or go to Bridal shows. That's mainly how they catch you.

Do even advertise you web-site on a Bridal web-site.

I should add, I don't even put my web-ste on this site, just in case they are looking.