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Help! Wedding cake Advertising??? - Page 2

post #16 of 37
2/16/10 at 11:15am
Bozilla - You are the only one that can decide what your cakes should be sold at. If you are comfortable with your pricing, then don't fret! icon_wink.gif

One thing that I did when I first started out, was that if I took an order for something I had never done, I would tell them I was giving them a discount on that order for that reason. That way, after I DID the technique, I could then sell it for a higher price without folks complaining that I "raised" my prices.

Another thing I did was that I was always practicing. Get a couple of dummies and have at it! You can take pics of them for your portfolio and get some practice in at the same time!

I had a hard time with pricing at first too, you have to be able to price your goods to make a profit. You have done your homework on what others charge - just make sure you are adding up all it takes for you to make a cake and don't forget to pay yourself too!
Knowledge is a candle that when shared, doubles the light, but the insecure person believes knowledge is a candle that is diminished when it is split between two wicks.
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Knowledge is a candle that when shared, doubles the light, but the insecure person believes knowledge is a candle that is diminished when it is split between two wicks.
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post #17 of 37
2/16/10 at 12:00pm
Bozilla - I would recommend taking off all the pictures of sheet cakes on your website. Your wedding cakes look really nice, but the pictures of your sheet cakes are not quite at the same level. You want your best pictures on your website, because people will form opinions about your skill level based off the pictures.

I also noticed on the Wedding Cakes page, cupcakes start at $2.00/cupcake but on the Flavors/FAQ page cupcakes start at $1.75/cupcake. Maybe I read it wrong, but I don't think so.

Ask the local vineyard if they will keep brochures on hand/display of your cakes for potential brides. You can have them printed for free at Vistaprint.com. They are a nice quality brochure. Everytime you set up a cake at a venue ask the person in charge there if they will do the same. Sometimes I see the photographer taking pictures of the reception area before the guests arrive. Make sure to have a couple business cards (I get those from Vistaprint.com also) on hand to pass out/trade with them. Same with caterer setting up food, florist setting up center pieces, DJ setting up sound...
"who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?"
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"who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?"
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post #18 of 37
2/16/10 at 3:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Loucinda



One thing that I did when I first started out, was that if I took an order for something I had never done, I would tell them I was giving them a discount on that order for that reason. That way, after I DID the technique, I could then sell it for a higher price without folks complaining that I "raised" my prices.



That's a good idea, that way if you're not sure about something you can let them know, and if they get a discount they're not likely to protest!

I'd raise your prices to at least $2.50 a serving for buttercream and $3.50 for fondant, which I think is still too low, but might be on the high end of what you'd be comfortable with. Then if you want to add a discount for some reason you can without losing too much money overall. Maybe a teacher/police/firefighter/military discount, some people do that kind of thing.

I don't think that you should do your pricing based on how long you've been in business, you should base it on the quality of your final product. If you can do the cake, you should be paid for your work whether you've been in business for a week or two years. As long as the photos on your website represent what you can do, you'll be fine because people who see you photos will have an idea of the style of cakes that you do before they decide to hire you.

A lot of people think that they can't charge market prices because they've just started out, but that's a mistake because you'll have a lot of trouble raising your prices if your clients get used to rock bottom pricing. They'll also tend to spread the word that you're the "cheap" baker, and that's not necessarily a good reputation to have icon_rolleyes.gif
http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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post #19 of 37
2/16/10 at 6:40pm
Welcome Bozilla! A good way to get it out there is to sign up for every free site you can find. Google free wedding cakes sites and you should get plenty of listings then when btb in your area are looking they'll find you.
Good luck.
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post #20 of 37
2/16/10 at 6:53pm
You can also search on Google for local sites that you can put your company info on, this will help get local customers. Sometimes they are free but other times they want a yearly fee......not sure if it's worth the yearly fee though....
OneSweetSlice Facebook Page
Utah Wedding Cakes
Salt Lake City Wedding Cakes
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OneSweetSlice Facebook Page
Utah Wedding Cakes
Salt Lake City Wedding Cakes
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post #21 of 37
2/16/10 at 8:21pm
My point is that why would someone put on their website, which is your main advertising tool, cakes that don't show your best work? I have photos of the cakes I did when I first started 25 years ago, and I never would post those as representative works of my ability ESPECIALLY if my other work is distinctively stellar in comparison. It doesn't make sense.
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post #22 of 37
2/16/10 at 9:06pm
hun, i learned this right away- you post in the business forum, you're gonna it all- good and bad, and TRUST me, even the bad will be good for you.
Its great that a vineyard wants your info. However, any venue who sees pricing that low will either do one of two things- scare the venues off, or help them take advantage of you.
HOWEVER, also speaking from experience, I too have done my research in pricing, and if you really feel comfortable where you're at, then great, good for you.
Do the dummies, get nice brochures and pass them out with cake samples.
Good luck to you!
life is short, get a cakesafe.
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life is short, get a cakesafe.
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post #23 of 37
2/16/10 at 9:18pm
it saddens me to see the low blow comment on here.
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post #24 of 37
2/16/10 at 9:51pm
Welcome to the Business Forum. No low blows intended, but a lot of blunt honesty. And I agree, show case your best work only. Stellar weddings cakes, next to not so stellar sheet cakes can be confusing to a customer and may cause them to question your ability...which I am not doing. Just stating the obvious.
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post #25 of 37
2/17/10 at 6:05am
Thread Starter 
Thanks to everyone for their great info. I took the advice and removed the sheet cake pics and a couple others that I thought weren't up to par. So the pics that are left are the wedding cakes, cupcakes, and some of the 2D/3D cakes.

Prices have been changed!!! I changed my buttercream price to start at 2.00 and fondant to start at 3.10. I am comfortable with those prices, and very much more in-line with other bakeries. And the 2.00 pricetag would only be for a plain buttercream cake with a ribbon accent. Any other piping or accents, the price goes up. And the 3.10 fondant pricetag would literally be a fondant covered cake and flowers if they provide them.

So, I was thinking about it last night, and I get why I need to raise my prices, not only for myself but for the entire wedding cake business. I don't want to be apart of cheapening it and I see now that having prices that low will do that. If people think they can pay that, they will begin to expect it and we need to keep them paying what the cakes are worth. I need to have a stronger view of what I'm worth...not just for me, but for everyone else.

Loucinda - that was great advice regarding a technique I havent done, give a discount for that time only so that way later I can charge more for it. I will keep that in mind. Thank you.

I have researched venues in the area and have a top five that I will make appts with in the next week or so to meet with and give my book to.
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post #26 of 37
2/17/10 at 6:40am
Good for you Bozilla! icon_smile.gif Those are very positive steps in becoming successful in this business! Sometimes we need to be shaken to see what others see. I am pretty blunt at times, and here on CC we have had instances in the past with posers that come on here, basically to troll. They will post photos of mix matched ability work, only for us to find out later the low ability cakes were their personal work, and the stellar cakes in their photo galleries were taken from other people's websites or stock photos from online printing companies or print shop applications. Glad to see that you are on the up & up! Good Luck with your venture!
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post #27 of 37
2/17/10 at 7:31am
I would bring a six inch cake, flyer, business cards and your book to show them.
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post #28 of 37
2/17/10 at 7:39am
Good luck Bozilla - you are on the right track! icon_smile.gif
Knowledge is a candle that when shared, doubles the light, but the insecure person believes knowledge is a candle that is diminished when it is split between two wicks.
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Knowledge is a candle that when shared, doubles the light, but the insecure person believes knowledge is a candle that is diminished when it is split between two wicks.
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post #29 of 37
2/17/10 at 8:00am
I agree with julzs.... I bring cupcakes to all my vendors to help sweeten the deal!!! Not only are you showing them how yummy your cakes are when referring brides, but the office staff try them out as well - opportunity for more orders!! I can't tell you how many new customers I receive by dropping off cupcakes to the office staff, my children's daycare, etc.
You may also have these advertising tools... but my "mom-mobile" has a vinyl cling with my name and website. Advertising on wheels. Also, I have a FB fan page. You can look through the engagement announcement in your paper, search FB (or MySpace) for the brides and send them a recommendation to look over your page. FREE!!!
Best wishes!!
~Jaime
I was born to be a cakerator!!

Fan request me on Facebook!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Central-Pennsylvania/JaimeCakes/241230292149?ref=ts
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I was born to be a cakerator!!

Fan request me on Facebook!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Central-Pennsylvania/JaimeCakes/241230292149?ref=ts
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post #30 of 37
2/17/10 at 8:17am
Wow... I must give you a round of applause. I saw things start to get defensive (and anyone would feel that way in your shoes... it's not easy to hear some of the things that have been thrown around... even if they were meant with the best of intentions) and then the light went off. You took constructive criticism and used it to better yourself. So many times it goes the other way with people getting offended and it is great to see people have that "wait a minute... I *am* worth more" moment.

I think you are on the right track. Vista print has free printing options, and if you can spare some money, you can have porfolio books made up at Snapfish or Blurb (my first choice) and they will look very professional. If you are worried about not having enough pictures get yourself some dummy cakes and make some new designs. You can make one up that is plain with just ribbon and take a picture and then add some flowers and take another picture and then add some scroll work and take another picture... before you know it you'll have a bunch of pictures ready to go.

It might sound corny, but I'm proud of you. Baby steps, and before you know it you'll be on the top of your game. icon_smile.gif
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