I am quickly running out of ideas, if you advertise, then in what ways do you advertise. I have put ads in the local newspaper, and I have just completed an order of post cards. I am not into the whole marketing thing. I was thinking about hiring someone who just does this. I will probably at the first of the year, But what to do in the meantime. I know this business is mostly about word of mouth, and if people like your stuff then they will return, but in my small circle of friends and family, there are not enough celebrations to keep me busy. I have some walk-ins and some calls, and lots of emails that turn out to be nothing. So I was just wondering how you all keep busy.

I have given away my share of cakes to church and school auctions. Our school also has a Fall Fun Night with a cake walk and I try to do several for that. I always use plastic seperater plates or a nice heavy cake board that people will know needs to be returned, and then I tape a business card on the underside of it that says please return. People have come to me later with orders saying they saw my cake at such and such auction or school function or heard about someone who won my cake at the cake walk and said it was so good, etc. It has taken a few years, but I finally have a client base. Holiday and bridal fairs are also a great way to get your name out. Especially if you have some of your goodies to sample and a small door prize to sign up for. Make sure you get addresses or email addresses on those sign up sheets so you have a mailing list for later. Hope some of this helps.

countrysidecakes-
I am in the same boat that you are. I do not like marketing. I was in sales for many years and I got so tired of it. Now, I too have post cards that need to be handed out, but I am terrified of doing it. It is so silly, that marketing can be so scary. Anyway, I am sure that business will come your way. If you are licensed check into a bridal fair. I heard they are great! I am doing my first one in January and am very excited.

How about giving cakes to Dentist office, Doctors office, nursing homes, banks ect.... They would love to eat cake and you can get your name out there! Try to make a cake to go with the type of business you are giving it to.
Judy

Your cakes are beautiful. Maybe one thing you can do is put a link to your website as an automatic signature on your outgoing emails.

I've always taken cake to work and let them sample it to see if it will sell. I take half to my job and send the other half to my husbands job. That is how it all started, I took cake to work just to be nice and have been selling it every since. When you are invited to a gathering take a cake and put your card on the box. If someone has questions give them a card and flyer. I also made a flyer which shows several cakes I've done, some people are visual and want to see other cakes you have done. Even if they like the cake they may want to see others.

This great to know for advertising. I think you should look at other businesses and see what kind of advertising they are doing. Then maybe it can be applicable to your business.

I just recently started trying to advertise my cakes to build a bigger cilent base and I have found one thing that has helped me more than anything. I made some business cards and on one side of them I put my contact information and on the other I put a picture of a cake that I done. I then took them to a rental store than rents out things for weddings, such as candle holders, altar decorations and things like that. The guy that runs the store told me that he gets alot of people in there asking where they can find homemade cakes cause they dont want to buy one from the bakery at walmart or the grocery store. He gives my cards out to all his customers and most of them call me, at least to get my prices and stuff. I have gotten several calls already and am lining up work for the next few months. One advantage that I have is that I am one of the few cake decorators in this area, so I dont have much compotition.

I make it my weekly "mission" to book myself for the following week. I am a major organizer freak, so I have a box full of index cards, each with names of local businesses and their phone numbers. I contact doctor's offices, dentists, banks are a biggie, rental supply stores, churches with upcoming blood drives, holiday events, etc., and so on. I call, introduce myself, and ask if they would mind my bringing by samples for their office/church, whatever to try. NO ONE has turned down my FREE samples yet. On days that I don't already have orders scheduled to go out that next week, I schedule businesses for sample cakes. Do cakes, cookies, etc., that coordinate with the type of business that you're delivering to. It makes it more personal, and it shows that you were thinking just of them when you baked and decorated their sample. Include lots of business cards and brochures. Not everyone will order, but those that do, more than make up from the time and money that you invest in a sample package. For instance, one of my biggest clients has become an OB office. I simply did the above, delivered their 1/4 sheet sample cake, which maybe cost a total of $5.50 for me to make (ingredients only), and bam! My return in the last month since that sample has been over $200 in orders. I also make sure to call or email within a day or two of delivering to check on how my baked goods were received, and to find out if anyone would like to order anything. Offer a first-time customer discount, or a free dozen cookies to go with their placed orders. I've been in "business" since January, and am only now really, really starting to build a big client base from the sampling and word of mouth. I've not placed ads since I'm still in the process of being licensed, but I hand out business cards every where. It takes time, but once word of mouth spreads about how tasty your items are, you won't believe how busy you'll get!!! Hang in there, and all the best to you!!!

Amy