Hello,
I've been baking for a while but now I think i'm ready to get my name out there and start baking for others rather just family. I want to focus on cupcakes and cake-pops but how do i get my name out there to get people?? any ideas??
-Rachel
When I first started my business, I had no money for advertising. I found my best form of "advertising" was when the local newspaper would publish the restaurant report cards with each business's health inspection report. I would always get a ton of calls the day or so after with people wanting to know more about my business.
Other than that, I would hit the streets once or twice a week and take small cupcake samplers around to businesses or other people that I wanted to be my customers. People just need to taste your product!
..........Where would you take your samples to?..............
Your bank; insurance office; dentist; doctor; hair salon; any BIG office complex. I often would just go to complexes and go door to door asking if they would put the sample(s) in their lunch room w/my cards. Make up flyers to pin on the bulliten board. Sometimes flyers were all I left; sometimes added pictures and sometimes an actual sample of the item I was wanting to sell. I especially did this for Valentines day when I made 9" and larger heart cookies. A few samples of those are in my pictures on here.
I have no money for advertising also. The only thing I have is a card, that I made a deal to make 24 cupcakes to get them designed for free. I get the majority of my customers from kijiji.com and craigslist.com Every week I advertise under wedding and others. In 2 months I built a client list of 20 people. I also created a facebook page to display my cakes. I make 1-3 cakes per week. I also advertise through family and friends.
Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes! It is always exciting to take what you do to another level. 
Nowadays its easy to advertise your business without paying a penny!
-Facebook: Create your own page & advertise for it. That is by liking other pages , tagging & sharing your page & others pages as well!
-Twitter
-Kijiji
-Create your own blog & advertise for that.
-Your signature here on CC could carry your business name/website/blog/FB page
-Your CC name should be your business name.
-Make some business cards & drop them off at your local doctor, dentist, daycare, school etc (Vista prints always offers free business cards you can check out their website)
HTH & good luck 
create a facebook fanpage for your baked goods. post pics of what you've made up to now and keep it updated... it's amazing how, when you just start sharing out to friends and family, how quickly your fan base can grow, with folks having the ability to share your link and pics and that drums up interest, if what you create is something folks are looking for. no matter what, the first rule to marketing is utilize word of mouth... facebook is definitely a good example... and with fanpages, you can get your goods out there to the public and still keep your own profile private, which is nice. it takes a little time to set up, then invite your friends and encourage them to help spread the word. does it get us orders? absolutely!
I was on Vistaprint making business cards and was able to get matching t-shirts inexpensively. Now when I am out at larger events (craft shows, holiday shopping etc.) I wear my shirt, and have a pocket of cards.
When ever I make a batch I take my extras and give to local busines. I was lucky enough from doing this that a local radio statio traded my commercials for cupcakes.
Facebook is also a good tool to use!
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