Do any of you ever worry about what the recipient of your cookie orders will think? I've been filling plenty of orders lately for various sorts of decorated cookies and I think that I do a fine job. I've seen better but I'm very hard working and I try my best. But even if I believe they look close to perfect, I always worry so much about what my customer thinks. I don't worry so much about the actual recipient - the person who receives the cookies as a gift and eats them. I guess that's because I don't ever actually see that person. But most of the people who order the cookies from me are my coworkers who I have a lot of respect for. I'm always thinking "Do they like them?", "Do they think they look ugly?", "Are they just pretending they like them?", "Are they regretting that they ordered these?", "Do they even feel like they want to pay for these?". Others of you must have similar feelings. Maybe the longer I do this the more my confidence will grow. I've been selling them for about a year now and I'm better now than I was a year ago. Just last month I made a large order or graduation cookies for this lady that I work with. Her son was graduating from Oregon State & she was having a big dinner party and wanted these cookies for party favors. Each cookie was a scroll that had her son's name on it and the graduation date. I personally think the cookies looked awesome. Almost perfect. But to this day she has never mentioned one word about them! I see her several times a week at work and NOTHING! So I don't ask. She's kind of an intense woman but maybe I'm just overreacting.

Should I expect constant feedback?

I am right there with you. I made a cake for my brother-in-law's birthday a couple of weeks ago. It was a chocolate cake with oreo buttercream filling. I worked hard on it and was so excited to give it to him. He said, "Thanks" but never commented on it after the fact even though I see him regularly. Just yesterday, his wife told me that the cake was awesome. He was there, too, and said, "Oh yeah, it was." -- I think some people just don't think about feedback. As I am one who always appreciates feedback myself, I tend to give a lot.

Along the same lines, my husband isn't one who needs feedback to feel validated and he often tends to overlook validating others as a result.

ckkerber: male's tend not to make comments. All the ladies will go, ahhhh and uhhhh, but the males "that's nice." I've gotten used to this. No offense, but males just either don't care like we do-or just don't want to say anything.

I get worried about what people think, only to a point. When I get upset, decorating becomes a chore, and I don't like it. When I'm calm and having fun-I LOVE IT! So I try my best, and hope for the best. If they don't like it, then oh well. I put many hours into it- and I liked the outcome.

I've had the same feelings/insecurities about my cakes. One in particular, was the first one I did for someone I didn't know on a personal level. she works in another office and had one of my pound cakes at an area meeting and called me raving & wanting one of her own. When I delivered, she also ordered another for 2 weeks later. When the second was delivered, she raved about the first, but had not called or anything. About a week later, she called me again, raved about the 2nd cake and asked if I would do a bridal shower cake. I agreed, went way above and beyond what I was charging for, to impress her. She had her mother pick it up (who told me it looked great). Then NOTHING!!! I sweated blood over this cake (I did a boustier inspired by this site, it was a lingerie shower) and I was pretty impressed by what I had done!!! Well, she FINALLY called me about a month after that and said "by the way, the cake was FABULOUS, I want you to do one for me for July 4th. My thoughts were......COULD YOU HAVE AT LEAST CALLED ME?!?!?! I HAVE STRESSED MYSELF TO DEATH OVER WHETHER YOU LIKED IT OR GOT SICK FROM IT OR FOUND A HAIR IN IT, ETC, ETC, ETC!!!!! She also made the comment to me that she has found her new baker! I guess everyone just doesn't think to call, but the fact that she keeps re-ordering and trying to think of "occasions" to order cake from me, makes me feel better. If you think about it though, how many times (before you started caking yourself) did you call the bakery afterward to give feedback? Never for me.

I was finally able to just relax and figure, no news is good news and maybe they'll think to call someday!

Sorry so long - I get long-winded sometimes!!

heidinamba
You don't have any work posted, or I would give ya an "attagirl" if your work is good, but seriously, if you are getting orders, if they are coming back and it is not just for convenience then Relax! And if you want feedback, post on cake central. The people here will give you tons of feedback!

IS IT STUPID TO ATTACT A SPECIAL BUSINESS CARD WITH E-MAIL ADDRESS SAYING THAT YOUR COMMENTS/OPINIONS ARE WANTED TO HELP ME BETTER MY BUSINESS---PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE TO TELL ME WHAT YOU THOUGHT?



WEB SITES HAVE TESTIMONIES FROM CUSTOMERS/CLIENTS ON THEM

daltonam

Honestly, In my world, I have always just called and asked them if "such and such" lived up to their expectations. People are too busy now-a-days to make the first step. But if you want the feedback on your website asked them if it is okay to print what they just said with their name.......you can try the business card, but I have found in Real Estate when I do anything so indirectly my results are very poor then I become discouraged......

It doesn't hurt to have the card and also call. However, it just seems like double work to me and I don't have the time.

I think attaching a business card with a reqest for feedback is a fantastic idea. I would absolutely do that. The cake I made this past weekend for a friend that did not turn out so well (see my post "First Bad Review" under cake disasters) was one in which I considered doing something similar. Since I'm new to all of this cake stuff, I'm still in the experimental / learning stage. I felt like attaching a survey to get feedback on appearance, taste, etc . . . but thought that would be a bit much, even to ask a friend to do. But a business card with a request for comments is the perfect solution.

I always do a follow up with someone I made a cake for. I usually email and ask if there were any problems with the cake, and how did their event go? That gives them an opportunity to tell me if anything was wrong with the cake, but maybe to embarrassed to bring it up (PLEASE, I hope this never happens!) And also opens the door for some positive feedback that maybe they didn't think about responding to. I also like hearing if things were good, or if they had different expectations, etc...

Ya know, I have not made an effort to take any photos of my cookies. I always plan on doing that but then never get around to it. It's too bad because I've done some really nice decorating jobs lately. Next time I will take photos and I will figure out how to post them on here. I constantly look at the cookie gallery on this site for inspiration. I'm impressed with so many people's work. I'm not a cake decorator but I also look at many of the cakes posted and I'm always ooooing and ahhhing. Thanks for everyone's feedback.

I had done an order for communion party cookies, which took some time and I was very pleased with their outcome, but she never e-mailed me after the party to say how it was. Was not home when she picked them up and she told my son they looked great though. Guess it is nice once in a while to get the "ego stroked" and hear some appreciation for all the work, even though we get paid for it. Guess if they are repeat customers, they liked what we did.

I'd say if a customer comes back - then they definitely like it!!! Also, sometimes no feedback is better than bad feedback!! Sometimes we don't tell someone when we appreciate something - but we'll certainly let someone know when we don't like something! (Or it could get back to you through other sources, if not directly). The cakes I've made recently were for class and then gave them to friends of my mom. It was great to get the feedback from my mother even if those people didn't call me directly to tell me how the cake was. I also think it's okay to follow up with them and ask....... I don't think people will respond to a business card, but if you call them and directly ask them if they enjoyed it, or if they saw something that needed improving, I think that is the best way to get feedback. Also, posting here is great b/c you get feedback on the design (but not on the taste!) So you can balance it out - ask your customers how it tasted and ask us how it looks!

Oh man - I just experienced these feelings this past weekend! I made my first cake for $$ (just a little bit of $$) last week and delivered it to my office for a coworker to pick up. [am getting around to posting a pic...it was for a Mexican-themed party] I work very closely with this guy, and he's always asked to see pictures of cakes I've made and all that, and has immediately given his opinion when he's seen my pictures - or the actual cake, whatever the case may be. So anyway, I kind of expected a phone call when he picked up the cake to tell me what he thought - or at the very least maybe a call on Saturday, after he & his wife had their party. But NO WORD all weekend. And I was so worried about him driving it home and getting it to the party in one piece - it needed to look perfect because he said he'd told some of his friends about my cakes and that they were talking about seeing if I could do cakes for them too. Then FINALLY on Monday afternoon he sends me a text message saying that the cake was a hit, and FINALLY I could breathe again! Now if the cake had been for some random person that I didn't know, I wouldn't expect feedback, but since I work with this guy a lot, I kind of expected an opinion! And his silence was making me even more nervous! Now I'm just relieved that it all worked out okay! But definitely...we pour so much of ourselves in these cakes and just want to see a smile on someone's face when they see them (or at least hear about the smile!). It's an emotional hobby/business!

Oh man - I just experienced these feelings this past weekend! I made my first cake for $$ (just a little bit of $$) last week and delivered it to my office for a coworker to pick up. [am getting around to posting a pic...it was for a Mexican-themed party] I work very closely with this guy, and he's always asked to see pictures of cakes I've made and all that, and has immediately given his opinion when he's seen my pictures - or the actual cake, whatever the case may be. So anyway, I kind of expected a phone call when he picked up the cake to tell me what he thought - or at the very least maybe a call on Saturday, after he & his wife had their party. But NO WORD all weekend. And I was so worried about him driving it home and getting it to the party in one piece - it needed to look perfect because he said he'd told some of his friends about my cakes and that they were talking about seeing if I could do cakes for them too. Then FINALLY on Monday afternoon he sends me a text message saying that the cake was a hit, and FINALLY I could breathe again! Now if the cake had been for some random person that I didn't know, I wouldn't expect feedback, but since I work with this guy a lot, I kind of expected an opinion! And his silence was making me even more nervous! Now I'm just relieved that it all worked out okay! But definitely...we pour so much of ourselves in these cakes and just want to see a smile on someone's face when they see them (or at least hear about the smile!). It's an emotional hobby/business!

I made a Powerpuff Girls for my mother's co-worker last year. She saw the one I did for my niece and wanted one for her daughter's birthday. At first she oohed and aaahed over it and about 10 minutes later, she seemed really unhappy about it. I think someone else told her she overpayed for the cake or something. (I delivered it at their workplace and she seemed unhappy after chatting with another co-worker). I just decided that she knew I didn't do it professionally and she got what she wanted in any way. A week later she phoned my mother, very pleased, to say that her daugter and friends LOVED the cake and that it was the first time she ended a party with not one crumb left. Just my two cents.

The last 2 cakes made, I called the clients a week or so after the hub bub had died down to make sure everything was okay with the cake. Of course I'm gonna be crushed if they are anything less than ecstatic. I always pick up the phone to call with a tremendous feeling of fear and dread. I know I obsess about the cake about a hundred times more than they do. Of course they were happy with the cake. The bride was saying it was delicious and looked amazing. That the event coordinator asked for my information as it was about the best cake she had seen there. That reaction is the whole reason we do it. Not just to have sweet for people to eat.

Of course, I would say to deal with the person who is putting on the event, instead of a third party. Get together with the wife of a coworker if she is the one planning the party. Offer to deliver it to the party if it's not far or inconvenient. You will have better communication as far as what the theme of the party is, and less communication breakdown as far as getting paid, etc. You may have more to go on than, "I know you do great stuff--just make up something cute!" And you will feel more comfortable getting feedback from the actual source.

You guys just have to realize that people don't look at cakes with the same passion and enthusiasm that we do. They have no idea that we agonize over everything and that we are artists. Most of the time it is just a cake to them. Do you call the grocer every time you get a beautiful banana?? No, I don't think so.

I always ask how it went if I really want to know. People just don't think to tell you on their own (usually). You can bet that they will let you know if they hated it though! No news is usually good news. Don't worry yourself to death over it. Just ask...

We cake people think so much about cake that we just kind of assume others will too. I think even if people loved a cake, they just don't think to give feedback to the decorator. They eat it, then it's out of their minds.

I usually don't sell cakes, but a lady from church begged me to make a puppy cake for her granddaughter. I gave in and did it and she was very pleased when she picked it up. However I never heard anything else about it. I was so worried that they had dropped it on the way home or found a hair or whatever. lol (sounds like we all worry alike!)
Well, it turns out that while she didn't say much to me, she'd told quite a few other people at church how much she and her family liked it. At least I finally got some feedback, even if it was secondhand.

I admire all of you who do this for a business. I'd be a nervous wreck! When you're giving someone a cake for free, they can't complain a whole lot.

Oh, Y'all are SOOO on track with this one!

I remember the first time I presented my cheesecakes to someone for resale. GAH--I was torn UP!! I waited by the phone for DAYS. (They actually purchased two cheesecakes just for sampling purposes first.) So, about a week after the purchase, I called her to ask how they were, did they enjoy them, etc. SHE SAID THEY HADN'T GOTTEN A CHANCE TO TRY THEM YET!

Anyway, another few days went by, and I got an e-mail, stating she'd had them "tasted and tested" by two food critics, and a personal chef, etc. Oh, yes--and they'd all raved about them!

Anyway--now they want to buy my recipe. I'm not going for it, but the point of all of this is, we put so much pure effort and emotion into what we do. I know I'm looking for personal validation through my cakes/cheesecakes, and the reactions people give about them is very personal for me.

But, I HAVE gotten to the point where I know that they're wonderful, and if people don't come running/calling with a review--I still have to know they were great!

I'm certainly not a perfectionist by any means but I do try my hardest to make my cookies looks professional and polished. I want my icing to be smooth, my writing neat and straight, my borders flawless, my packaging complimentary to the cookies...etc. every little detail is something I put a lot of thought and time into. Everyone of you is right - these people have NO IDEA how long it takes to do a project like this. I accept that I will not get paid for all of the hours I put into decorating my cookies but if someone is delighted with my cookies, that is a wonderful feeling. I work in an office of about 400 people and I am known for my wonderful cookies. My coworkers are always so impressed with my work and many have ordered some for big corporate meetings they have at the office. The last cookies I made for a meeting were the shape of Washington State and they were iced in green (the Evergreen state!) and some had a steaming latte on the front and some had a red umbrella (very rainy here!). They looked adorable and all of the corporate bigwigs from all over the country snatched them up so quickly and raved about them. That was nice - plus I got paid well for that order! After a few weeks I care less and less about a delivered order if I have not heard boo from the person. My mind is on the next order. I guess it's the moment of delivery when they first lay eyes on their cookies. I always try to act enthused but somewhat nonchalant but I totally try to make my nervousness disappear. I feel that would look unprofessional. Sometimes I can read the person's reactions but sometimes not. I mean, who in their right mind would look at their received order of cookies and say something negative? Especially a coworker of mine. And that is another reason that I refuse to ask the person who has not commented on her cookies she recieved from me. She is not going to tell me anything negative. I gaurantee you. I would never personally tell someone else something bad if I knew they spent so much time on their cookies. I would lie and at the least tell them "They looked beatiful and we enjoyed them". If a person comes to me voluntarily and tells me her comments, that is more truthful I feel. So my strategy is to not ask. I really do feel confident that I did a good job on those graduation cookies so there was nothing negative to say. The only only detail that I can think of that might have bothered her is that instead of a white royal icing background, I used a white fondant background (they were graduation scrolls) and I wrote on the fondant with royal icing. Maybe she did not care for the fondant. I'm not going to worry about it though. I was just in a pissy mood last night when I wrote this original post but I'm feeling better now - especially since I've read all of your posts! Thanks guys!

Jen123,

I had to LOL when I saw your post about the "beautiful banana". What would the grocer think if everyone came up to him/her and said that! Although, I do think that a lot more work goes into a cake than a banana. When you see that someone has taken the time to do a good deal of work on something, I do think it is appropriate to at least thank them and say "it looks beautiful". Even if you don't receive any more feedback than that, you at least know your work was appreciated.

We need to stop calling ourselves "bakers" and start calling ourselves cake artists! Or "Edible Artists!" - wait, no that sounds like you can eat us! LOL

I'll have to addthat to my cards.