Due to the passage of the Texas Cottage Foods Law (9/1/11) I will finally be able to advertise and bake for people. I am hoping to increase my client base and get the word out.

I recently set up a facebook page in preparation for the launch, and am trying to plan ahead for upcoming deals and specials to offer to increase interest and gain loyal customers - what do you all offer?

What specials/deals/promotions do you have both regularly or seasonally? What works for you?

First, Congratulations!!

Second, as far as "getting the word out", pick some busy businesses in your area and take in a box/tray of samples (mini cupcakes) with your card. Our hairdresser was always ready to accept samples to offer his clients. We got a lot of referrals from that.

When I offered discount or %/coupon off I always changed it up each time - that way I could determine what worked and what didn't. For example - the pennysaver ad did not work, the coupon clipper add did - since they were different, I knew what to re-invest in, and what not.

Some people are actually turned off by discounts (believe it or not!) some areas thrive on getting a deal. Best of luck to you!!!

Thanks for checking out my blog! (At least someone reads it

At first, when we first opened, we took small white boxes, filled them with our famous brownies (I knew that would "hook em"!) wrapped that with ribbon and tucked in several cards.

We gave those to the business owners. At the time of drop off, we introduced ourselves (my partner and/or I) and said we wanted to gift them with a taste. A few days later, when the taste was still fresh, we phoned and asked them if they would be willing for us to drop off (at our expense of course) a tray of goodies for their clients to enjoy. All eagerly complied.

We made up a tray of approx. 3 different flavored minis and a bunch of cards. We did this every couple of months and around the holidays, we'd take our holiday samples (mini pies for Thanksgiving samples) and left (with the owners permission) several order forms for Thanksgiving pies/cakes.

We got tons of orders from giving these samples - and giving samples is a LOT cheaper than advertising! Best wishes!

It costs far more in time and money to get brand new customers, so once you have got a new customer - working on ways to keep them coming back is key.

If you identify who your target market is - also helps as then you know precisely where to go to find them and market to them. For instance is it childrens party cakes, or weddings, or novelty cakes for weekend parties for special birthdays?

If you know exactly who you are baking for - it is far easier to target that segment of people to market to them - and let them know about your services. Word of mouth is of course the cheapest - so making sure that every cake that leaves the kitchens is superb - as bad news travels 10 x faster than good!

Hope that helps. Good luck!

Just dropped in, lots of good ideas just wanted to stay in the loop of things to do Thanks

Most wedding websites allow vendors a free listing. Sign up for everyone of them. Google pages (also free) has been great for me.

I pay for a listing on the knot. It has brought me a lot of business.

Have a website, not just a facebook page. I do not have a facebook page so any business that only has their info on facebook will not be found by me (I hate social networking, if someone is my friend I have their phone number and if I want to know what they are doing i will call them).

Word of mouth is the best form of advertising (and also free). Sell a good, reliable product in a professional manner and people will continue to purchase your cakes and tell others about you.

Thank you all for responding, I appreciate your insight