I made it anonomous (sp) also, if you didn't want to share.

Just curious what everyone's close ratio is for they wedding consultations, taste tests. I would like to know which brains to pick.

Seriously, I just wanted to see if my close ratio is below average or not? I know indydebi is around 98% and I would love to be that high. Also, as always any tips are appreciated (even though I know there are already a ton on this site )

Mine is 50% right now, but I have a contract signing next week so that should bring it up to 68%.

thursday I talked with 6 brides, I quoted my new higher prices and only 3 of them booked. 5 of them are getting married w/in 3 weeks (last minute shoppers?)
mpc

Most of my business is on referral, of those, 100% bookings. I do not do tastings. Of the rest that call say from the YP, or see my frontage sign, if I get them here I usually book them, so I would say at least 98% on those. I also do home appts, that seems to be a plus for some busy brides. I use a DVD player and have a slide program to show them.

So, am I not booking them because I am not pre-qualifying them? Meaning they can not afford me. At the end of the consultation then, do you bring out the contract? Are the bride and fiance both there? Why am I not getting more bookings. My husband said 33% is good if they are not word of mouth referrals. Is this true? Am I asking for to much? I am new to my town, so I do not have the whole word of mouth thing going for me, yet.

My final question, is my percentage good for people finding me on the internet and in the phone book, or do you think I am capable of getting it higher? I know a ton of questions, thank you to anyone that responds.

I know I am probably rambling, so I will shut up now.......
Wait...

One more thing.....


Just kidding.

That is good to know mypastrychef. Thanks for the info. I will remember that so I do not get discouraged.

Most of my business is from referals also and I have 100% bookings. The other bookings is about 98% seems the ones that want cupcakes keep shopping around or make there own thinking it will be cheaper so I just let them go only lost 2. I am to the point that if they don't book someone else will. I have rasied my prices so I'll see how that goes. I do taste testings if requested but not very often.

So mainly, just keep getting my name out there. Slowwwly keep getting more business. Then it will become easier for a higher close ratio? Is this right?

yep contact some of your wedding planners and Venues. I work with someone that does chair covers /table cloths its really big here in Canada and she always mentions Cakes on Demand and highly recomends me and I recieve all her business since the brides see her first and she is busy busy ,busy. We are entering a Bridal show in Feb and taking up a whole corner with Cakes On Demand, Cinderella Slip-Ons and Fairytale Chocolate fountains. One stop shopping for a Wedding.

also,
I keep on taking wedding cake orders, so actually I'm never booked for weddings. I dol cut off birthday orders when necessary.
So with that in mind I may see alot of brides for a particular weekend. Where if I only did 2 weddings I may not be giving out very many chances, therefore my percentage rate will be less than 100%.

Today I booked an April wedding brides cake only for $1300.00...Happy New Year!! I hope the rest of the year is that way.
mpc

I thought of something else to add.
My closing is statement is "Do you want to book it today?"
I just figure if they want what I do they will book.

I use to kinda pressure brides and give them reasons why they should book right on the spot and yes that actually did work. But that is not my personallity to be pushy. And now I feel more comfortable during the appointments.

And some brides come in saying, "You were highly recommended!"
They are all about picking the cake and when they get the price they have a different look on their face. (not so excited anymore) I can tell cause now... they suddenly have to run the price past someone. I feel very sure if I was cheaper I would have 95% or more booked. (I do this to make a living and just can't compete with decorators who don't have the same goals)

Also don't forget about spies, you never know when you will have an appointment with a spy. I mean a curious bride! lol

Some brides will say, I can't afford that and I work on a different design for them.
mpc

Thank you! My husband and I were in sales before. My husband in hard sales, so he is trying to get me to do the sales he used to do. I love him, but I am not like that either. I guess my first step would be to actally ask them if they want to book with me. (I guess I am missing that important step). I always thought that they would just let me know, that I wouldn't have to ask. Guess I was wrong. Now, I know and knowing is half the battle. I am getting my name in more with other industry professionals. I guess I just have to be patient.

I keep hearing how many weddings people have already and I only have 4. I should be happy though, since I am brand new to my town and have only been licensed since October. I guess that isn't bad.

Anyway, thank you for the information and helping me know what I was missing. My husband told me it was to "ASK FOR THE SALE" but now it has been confirmed.

THANKS AS ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!

Hey I just had a thought... for the next bride, at the close I'll say " Can I make your cake?" Wonder what kind of response that will generate?

It was about 6months after opening before we got our first wedding cake. I still remember it was a 6 and 10. At that time I didn't have a lot of wedding cake experience. It was "ugly" now that I look back. After that it just started picking up. We started before the internet was hopping. The yellow pages were the best way to get the word out at that time and other vendors. I remember having 10 wedding cakes one weekend. But I was undercutting bad (mostly out of ignorance and going by grocery store prices). I even had in-store bakeries referring me. Shocking!

Honestly, after I understood that wedding cakes are specialty and I raised the prices up to the standards of my actual competitors (specialty cake shops) I started making more money and working less.

After 11years I am still learning and making changes... seems like every week I have a new idea as to how I will handle business.
mpc

Don't know what kind of response you will get from that. It will be interesting to find out. Me, I just have to get the courage to ask them all together.

Oh, and it's good to know that in 11 years I will still be changing how I do things.

Does that make us perfectionists? Always trying to improve things, even if they are working fine the way they are?

I thought that was pretty funny that I saw your topic after I responded to you. I have been laughing pretty good on this end of my computer from your responses for your topic. They are GREAT!