Hi Everyone, I am fairly new to this site but love how everyone gives an input so I have a dilema. I am wanting to start a business in prime location I have been doing cakes from my home for about 2 1/2 yrs and have built a client base (small) but have come to find out through several clients that they do not tell people where they get their cakes so that they are the ONLY ones with custom cakes. I am very reasonable priced compared to my competition so that keeps them hooked also. I am looking into doing personal advertisement but meanwhile how can I get my existing clients to spread the word?

Give them a card and if it is presented by a new person they can get a discount if the person brings it in.

Maybe hint around that you need enough business to stay in business. Or maybe you could stamp your name and phone number on the cake box.

I give referral credit. Alice refers Betty to me. Betty spends $1000 on her wedding. Alice earns 5% of the $1000 ($50) to apply toward any future order. (Most of my brides apply it toward their cake/catering balance).

I don't have a real formal system. Betty just tells me "Alice sent me" and Alice gets the credit. On my order form I have a "referred by....." space that I fill in. Once Betty's order is confirmed, I send an email to Alice letting her know "COngratulations! You have earned a $50 referral credit for sending Betty to me!" and keep a copy of the email in Alice's electronic file folder.

You'd be amazed how this motivates people! I had two co-workers fighting over who got the referral credit for a 3rd co-worker! The "Betty's" tell me "Alice told me to BE SURE TO TELL YOU she referred me!", so they pretty much police it on their own.

I've used this for over 20 years. It's a great advertising tool! Satisfies the "what's in it for me?" syndrome in folks!

I have done the cards and also placing labels on all my boxes, even to the extent of labels on the to go boxes I provide as an extra. Think it would be wise to raise the bar? More of a discount? Right know its about 20% or flat $ amount.

Great idea Indydebi. I would have never thought of that. If I ever get a business going(in my dreams..) I might have to borrow that policy.

I give cards plus the discount is a great idea.