i was thinking, i don`t know if anyoen has does this, but...
what if you offered an OPEN HOUSE...
Have a bunch of samples for people to try, leave out business cards... have some artificial cakes decorated for people to see...

has anyone does this, and got business this way?? what would be a downfall to this idea????

thanks

I think that is a good idea. I have not tried it yet though.I stay pretty busy as it is.

On the surface is might sound good, but there are several problems.

Who would you invite?
How would you let them know=advertising is very expensive
How would you control how many poeple come?
What about parking?
What if you bake for 50 and 200 show up for free cake
What if you bake for 50 and no one comes

Provided you are 'legal', you would be much better off donating a cake or cakes to people and place that normally need cakes.

to do an open house there is so many unknowns like joann said... so what if you did something like " come to a free tasting session...... to reserve a spot please call...." it would be similar to doing a tasting session for what you would do for a bride.... i don't know, to me, doing an open house there is just to many unknowns and if you did the free tasting session then you could control it more...

What I've decided to do to boost my business is to make some sample trays and take them to various businesses (mostly local caterers) with my cards. This way you don't have a bunch of strangers running thru your home.