as I get closer to going fully legit...
crossed my mind that maybe (don't know for sure -- why I'm asking advice)
promo give-aways would build business.
examples
plastic cake server for when delivering to corporations and such.
ice cream scoop for home parties and such.
and at VistaPrint saw custom calendar magents that could be giveaways too.
was even thinking custom imprinted baby bibs "Having a smashing 1st birthday" but --- OW...can't find any at reasonable (aka under $1) price.
so, ladies and gents,
> do you do promo give-aways?
> advisable/worth it?
I like the icecream scoop and cake server ideas; I'm not currently giving promo's but think these are good idea!
Are you able to share your source for the above items and if they come with imprinting or where you suggest having imprinting done...
Good luck to you in launching this idea! 
I think it would be great.I even dabbled with the idea of magnets inside my cake boxes so my regular customers can put it on their fridge to find my number quick when ordering a cake.
Are you able to share your source for the above items and if they come with imprinting or where you suggest having imprinting done...
those are the actual sites to order from
(and once again he dangles a preposition -- like any good Midswesterner!)
I think magnets with your name, etc, on them for the refrigerator would be good. Always good, ink pens with you name/logo on them. You can get those real cheap! Koozies are a good giveaway as well. Not cake related but you never know . . .I like the bib idea.
Leslie
Here is the best advertising my mom used (she owned an accounting business) It is a magnetic business card notepad. I don't think this was her source (i can check with her tomororw) but she ordered ones that were blank. Everyone loved them and were asking for more!
http://www.adproductstogo.com/Card%20Mag-Flex%20Pad%20New.htm
It took a little bit to put business cards on each one (they come with paper on it you just peel off and stick your business card on it) But they are great! When the notepad is done people just take off what is left of the notepad (backing) and then the card is still a magnet and it is a nice magnet.
My mom always gave them with consultations for their next appointment written on it. You could just send it with each cake, or a reminder of their next big event.
OK, so now that I rambled on about how much i like these, I'll let you make the decision! 
HTH
LEily
I printed up small coupons to give to each new customer also. It gives them incentive to call again, and it adds a layer of professionalism to your customer service. It has worked for about 50% repeat business for me.
Wow, Doug, good luck. Are you giving up your day job? I thought I read that you are a teacher but that dangling prep has me wondering? I know you'll do great - you always have such good ideas for everyone's problems.
I like the magnet idea and love the bib idea if it is not cost prohibitive (of course, I am a rank amateur).
I really like the baby bibs idea.
Maybe you could check with a local sewing/alterations shops to see if they could make plain white baby bibs for you at a low cost (or maybe you have a friend who likes to sew). They are quite easy to make and then you could do an iron-on of the image and logo that you want.
Wow, Doug, good luck. Are you giving up your day job? I thought I read that you are a teacher but that dangling prep has me wondering? I know you'll do great - you always have such good ideas for everyone's problems.
I like the magnet idea and love the bib idea if it is not cost prohibitive (of course, I am a rank amateur).
not giving up day job, yet (tho' don't I wish)....this will be like for so many here a side business for extra income. Now if it should grow enough....
re: dangling prep....yes, I am a teacher and an English/Speech/Theatre/Communications one at that. But, Midwest upbringing trumps training. Also, in certain instances, it is now considered acceptable to dangle the preposition!!! The Midwest won! Check closely and you'll see it done in Time, Newsweek, and even The New York Times! 
Thanks all for the input on the bibs. I just think it would be such a cute suprise for costomer. And of course, it would be personalized with my companies name....make that baby an advertisement!!! 
I like the bib idea, but what if the cake isn't for a baby? I think the cake cutter is a better idea. Everyone can use a cake cutter! Another idea would be to give a coupon giving a discount to the customer if someone they refer to you orders from you.
I like the bib idea, but what if the cake isn't for a baby? I think the cake cutter is a better idea. Everyone can use a cake cutter! Another idea would be to give a coupon giving a discount to the customer if someone they refer to you orders from you.
the bibs would be only for 1st b-days....the imprinting would read something to effect of: "having a smashing 1st b-day" and then my logo.
would ALSO do cake cutter or ice cream scoop.. if I could be organzied enough...give cutter on first order, scoop on second....or do cutter for corporate/office parties and scoop for home. These would only go out on first two orders to same address. If I could find them cheap enough could give out the cutter every time.
matches could go w/ any b-day order (gotta set fire to the house...oops, cake...ok, candles ya know)
magnets ditto on orders. --> these i'm thinking could be generic biz card at first and then w/ start of new year do the calendar or note pad ones.
and i've found little stick-on pouches designed to hold biz cards that could go on box and allow to send multiples easily. ( biz card holder )
have even thought about little packs of candles, but not sure that would fly since so many people like to get their own...or would it??? advice??
i'm trying to create a full spectrum presence, build brand identity, with coordinated everything (stationary, website, promos, etc.)
figure, everyone wants to get something for free...so a few different give-aways couldn't hurt.
re: dangling prep....yes, I am a teacher and an English/Speech/Theatre/Communications one at that. But, Midwest upbringing trumps training. Also, in certain instances, it is now considered acceptable to dangle the preposition!!! The Midwest won! Check closely and you'll see it done in Time, Newsweek, and even The New York Times!
I was just kidding - should have used a 
Wouldn't have noticed it if you hadn't pointed it out.
Still totally love the bib idea. Think I would only do item like cake cutter on first order (not follow up with anything else, except maybe a magnet. Like the pouch idea for the boxes. )
Again, good luck.
I was just kidding - should have used a
Wouldn't have noticed it if you hadn't pointed it out.
no need to apologize...i knew you were kidding!!!! 
it's just that Midwesterners have been so picked on for dangling prepositions and then being trained as an English teacher...
well...I'm just sosososososososo happy that we are finally winning this grammar battle!!! so had to do the verbal equivalent of the "touchdown shimmy"
I LOVE the bib idea. I had a streak a couple months ago where all I was doing was first birthday cakes. Do you have a Dollar Tree in your area. I know a lot of time here they have bibs (usually in a multi-pack). So if you could then get 2 or 3 for $1 and like someone suggested earlier use an iron on image that would be pretty reasonable. Also check Family Dollar/Dollar General too. I really like the magnet idea as well. I think Office Max carries the business card size magnets pretty cheap. Sorry I don't have anything new to add, but I like where you are going with this!
The cost of the 'give away' will increase your operating costs. The margins are so narrow in cake, especially birthday cakes. If you have an upscale, freespending market, it might be worthwhile.
On the other hand, if they are a market that spends freely, will they want their angel to wear advertising? I only use promotional items with advertising when no one is around. I don't use them with company-your potential new clients.
It would make more sense to focus on business cards that they keep handy, magnets are great. I found a small zip-lock bag that holds a business card and a decorated sugar cube. I use these at fairs. they are a big hit. I even got one call from 3 states away to tell me how cute they thought the sugar cube was.
Just my opinion.
I found a small zip-lock bag that holds a business card and a decorated sugar cube. I use these at fairs. they are a big hit. I even got one call from 3 states away to tell me how cute they thought the sugar cube was.
Just my opinion.
very interesting...however do you work on something so small??? not sure my eyes could do that? do you have a pic...this is something I really would like to see!
and your other points are well taken -- at this point I'm just doing biz cards, magnets, letterhead & envelopes, and post cards -- scored very well with several freebies at VistaPrint.
Michael's crafts sells the magnets that are the right size to use for business cards, and you can use the 40% off coupons for them also!
::hitting self on knoggin:: uh, duh!!
and I'm lucky enough to have Michaels AND AC Moore AND Hobby Lobby AND JoAnns to go to with coupons. (tho' mostly good ol' AC Moore)
thanks for the reminder!
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