I live in Maryland and love baking. I've posted some flyers but so far only two people called to get prices. I was wondering what would be another good way to get clients... Any suggestions?? I'm a student and I do this as a hobby, but it would be nice to make some profit out of it instead of having my husband eat all the cakes I make (And No! He's not "big"! )!!
Thanks everyone!!!

I sent a few "freebies" out. I took a few to work, and then sent a few with my husband to work. These were practice cakes, but they were good enough to stir up several orders! I already have an order for a wedding cake in June! (a little nervous about that one, it will be my first!)

Wow!! Congratulations!!
I've had friends taste my cakes and they all love it, so I gave them some business cards as well, but I doubt they'll order, since they can come over and have a slice anytime they want (I always have cake in the house). I'll try and send some freebies out too! Thanks for the suggestion!
Good luck with your wedding cake!

Offering pictures on a website is a GREAT way to show people what you can do.

Argh!! I've done the tasting, the fliers, business cards, and just this past weekend I did a website, but so far no calls!!
Is there anything else I can do?!?! Does it really take this long to get started! I can't wait to get my first order!!!!
HELP!!!!

Thank you for all the suggestions!!

I am right there with you! I have done flyers samples,website and I even dropped off samples at the teachers lounge at the elementary school down the street. I have only had one order so far and it was for a boring sheet cake! I would love to hear how people are druming up buisness. I can't afford to keep making cakes for free!

Advertising for free on www.craigslist.com (then go to your local area) has worked really great for me!

Why don't you make some business cards and leave them at your local:

* wedding gown stores
* florists
* wedding photographers
* mother-to-be stores
* bridal supply stores
* wedding hairstylists, makeupartists, beauticians

I booked most of my wedding suppliers this way.

I went to see my reception venue and they gave me a list of their preferred suppliers. I booked my entertainment, car hire, event stylist, cake decorator, and photographer from the list that they provided.

You can get some of their business cards aswell....and they will most likely be happy that you will be giving them exposure too.

I took cakes to work for several months, made Birthday cakes for friends and gave out freebies at school and around my office building. It took some time, but I have finally started really getting some business. I don't know how long you have been
advertising, but don't give up, it just may take some time.

You might also want to take some business cards to the local cake decorating stores. They will post them and if the get a request for a referal, your name is up there. You may want to show them some photos of your work also, so they have an idea of what you can do.

Cindy

Thanks....
But keep the ideas coming, please!!
I've just posted an Ad at Craigslist, lets see what happens!!!

Any other ideas?!?

I've distributed some business cards, but not to such places. I've only done 1 wedding cake so far, and that was for my own wedding. I'd freak out if many orders were to come in for wedding cakes at the same time! hahah... But I'll definetly try!

Be careful about spreading your cards around at businesses if you don't have a license. In my area, it's against the law to do so. You will have to deall with the Department of Health/Agriculture.

It will probably take time to build up some business. Do you have a free "want ad" type of paper? You might consider advertising.

Instead of underpaid teachers....try Doctor's offices and corporate purchasing departments.

Oh yeah...Valentines Day is coming. Make up some dummies and pictures and go after those orders!

Your site looks nice... check spelling and add more pictures as soon as you can. People may know about you, but they may not have an occassion to order yet. Keep trying.

I too had to wait a while for my business to pick up. My husband gave me signs for the sides of my SUV and business has really picked up. Also I spend a lot of time looking for those free listings where I can put my name out there. There are many. Just keep looking. It takes a while for the big search engines to pick you up unless you are willing to pay for them to do so. They have finally picked up my website and I think that helped a lot. If you are good word of mouth is sometimes the best.

Keep your chin up and mixer warmed. If you make them they will come.

The local fire Dept is a good place to drop a cake and cards, as well as the dr. and dentist offices. Word of mouth has been the best advertisement for me. I give my 1st time customers a discount, so they see what they're getting, and then next time they order, they'll see it's worth it. You can buy magnets at Wal-Mart and cut them down to fit your printer and make your own signs with your phone # on it. Hope this helps!

Well, I started to do cakes...mostly baby/wedding shower cakes as gifts...last week I got an order for a babyshower cake....got 45 dollars for it...just a plain sheet cake with the baby cakepan cake on top...
I have another babyshower cake Feb.12th..
I hope to get a picture of this one...the other one..I took and set it up when they got the cake table ready...it was held just 2 blocks from me, so I delivered it myself... I don't like ppl how they handle cakes...scares the daylights out of me.....and forgot to take my camera to get a picture...ugh..

I hear you on the delivery issue! The one cake I sold was a very large sheet cake. It was going onto a military base so I couldn't deliver it. The lady came to pick it up and my husband had to carry it out for her because it was so heavy. then the only place she had to set it was the back seat of her car, all crooked and hanging off. Any sudden jerk of the car and the cake would have been history! I never heard from her about any problems, so I assume she got it there okay.

The office supply stores have magnets business card size ready to apply your business card to. Also, this time of the year people are trying to lose weight so cakes and cookies aren't on their mind.
Just a reminder . . .
Leslie

JennT
I don't mind at all if you use it. It was just something off the top of my head.

Wow!! Thanks everyone!! Loved the responses!

I don't know about distributing business cards to other businesses because I do this out of my home and I don't really have A BUSINESS... I do it because I love cake decorating and I think it'd be nice to make some profit out of it....

Any more thoughts?

It definately depends on your state laws. I have heard MD is especially tough.

PA is pretty easy, they do not require a seperate kitchen or anything. Its basically a no pets, clean equipment, no refrigerated baked goods sort of thing. I guess it might be because so many amish sell baked goods in the middle of the state or something.

It's probably not in the budget, but I saw the cutest thing last time I was home...

There was a new version black VW Bug that was shaped like a cat. It was the cutest thing ever. It had a little fiberglass ?'shaped tale on the back, paws (professionally) painted on the sides and little ears, nose whisker shaped fiberglass pieces on the front with a painted mouth. On the sides of it were the car magnets advertising her kitty hotel service. It wsa the cutest thing ever! I wish I had my camera with me!!

Anyway, if you by chance have a VW bug and know someone who works at a body shop, you could make yours into a cake or a cupcake

The VW would really get some attention!! hahahaha....