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Do you ever feel like,"Should I really be doing this&qu

post #1 of 79
9/19/12 at 3:45pm
Thread Starter 
Im feeling really out of whack today I just need someone to relate to...I am a licensed and insured baker in NJ (3 miles away from the Cake boss) lol...So needless to say competition is stiff. Well I haven't had any orders in the last two weeks..I feel like a failure. I left my job of 11 years to pursue this full time because I absolutely love decorating. Honestly baking not so much but I LOVE decorating. I taught myself everything like most of us here on cake central. I get allot of comments and great reviews but NO ONE is ordering!!!!! Its driving me insane, I cant help but doubt and question myself if I did or Im doing the right thing...

To top it all I get a notice in the mail today from the city of Hoboken that I cant place my flyers on cars since thats littering!! I had no idea that was illegal. I get things on my car all the time!! Ohhh what a day..leaving my job really had a financial effect on us, being backed up on bills and putting more pressure on my husband really doesn't help my state of mind. I just need someone to vent and relate to...sighhhhhhhh
=(

Heidi
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post #2 of 79
9/19/12 at 4:00pm
Where else are you advertising?
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post #3 of 79
9/19/12 at 4:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar

Where else are you advertising?




Thats the thing Idk where else to advertise...I have car magnets and Im registered with the search engines like, google places, yelp, yellow pages etc...Any recommendations or advice would help please...
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post #4 of 79
9/19/12 at 4:18pm
Get a job as a decorator at Valastro's bakery? No need to bake, just decorate...
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post #5 of 79
9/19/12 at 4:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BakingIrene

Get a job as a decorator at Valastro's bakery? No need to bake, just decorate...



I had that thought too!

I'd say that you should figure out who you're selling to and target that person. I do mainly wedding cakes, so I concentrate on ads in the two local wedding magaziens that are handed out at the biggest wedding shows in town. Plus my website...I also have a blog and an etsy shop, so that helps me in the search engine rankings. If you do birthday cakes you could check with local party venues or party planners to see if they can refer business to you. I haven't found facebook or google ads to be much good for bringing in business.
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post #6 of 79
9/19/12 at 4:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BakingIrene

Get a job as a decorator at Valastro's bakery? No need to bake, just decorate...



As crazy as this sounds I cant imagine having any boss never mind the Cake Boss lol
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post #7 of 79
9/19/12 at 5:47pm
You should really have a solid advertising strategy as a part of your business plan (clearly identifying your competitive advantages and target markets) before you open your doors. This includes a financial plan for how to pay your bills, since you can usually expect to either break even or lose money in the first year.

To be honest, putting flyers on cars may have been doing more harm than good...whenever I get a flyer on my car I make sure to never patronize that business and warn against using them if asked.

Your top priorities are to figure out who your target market is and how to reach them. This may involve your web site, in which case you should look into hiring a professional designer to revamp your site with a strategy for SEO and online advertising.
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post #8 of 79
9/19/12 at 6:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft

To be honest, putting flyers on cars may have been doing more harm than good...whenever I get a flyer on my car I make sure to never patronize that business and warn against using them if asked.


Why is this so offensive to you that you would need to warn people against businesses who advertise like this? I'd much rather a flyer on my car than, for instance, a telemarketing phone call, or a flyer on my home's door (I don't like random strangers coming up to my door).
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post #9 of 79
9/19/12 at 6:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kelleym

Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft

To be honest, putting flyers on cars may have been doing more harm than good...whenever I get a flyer on my car I make sure to never patronize that business and warn against using them if asked.


Why is this so offensive to you that you would need to warn people against businesses who advertise like this? I'd much rather a flyer on my car than, for instance, a telemarketing phone call, or a flyer on my home's door (I don't like random strangers coming up to my door).


Non-targeted cold calls, flyers on my door (except menus for highly-rated local restaurants), and in-person solicitors get the same response. In my opinion, if a company can't afford to pay for advertising, it probably means they aren't getting enough business. This could mean they are new and word of mouth hasn't spread yet (in which case I will hear about them via other means if they are good), or they don't compare favorably with their competitors.

Given the choice I would rather get a cold call than a flyer on my car, at least the former doesn't create a huge mess (since many people will just toss the flyer on the ground). Said mess then needs to be cleaned up by city workers, so in effect the city's taxpayers are unwillingly helping to subsidize this form of advertising.
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post #10 of 79
9/19/12 at 7:23pm
What is your target market? What do you specialise in? With something as 'major' as Cake Boss around the corner that could actually work to your advantage - either doing what he does, but better, or offering something completely different. It depends on your market there though...does everyone who wants cake immediately want a Buddy-style/tasting cake?

If its weddings, then wedding networks are a good thing, as liaising with other wedding professionals and venues is a good way to get respected word-of-mouth referrals.
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post #11 of 79
9/19/12 at 7:38pm
So you've been in business since July 2011 and have only had a slow period for 2 weeks? If this is correct, tell us what you think has changed during the past 2 weeks that's different from the prior 13 months.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft

Non-targeted cold calls, flyers on my door (except menus for highly-rated local restaurants), and in-person solicitors get the same response. In my opinion, if a company can't afford to pay for advertising, it probably means they aren't getting enough business.


You're assuming these companies aren't paying for advertising, when (to be fair) in fact it does cost money to hire telemarketers, solicitors, and companies that deliver flyers on doors.
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post #12 of 79
9/19/12 at 7:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by CWR41

So you've been in business since July 2011 and have only had a slow period for 2 weeks? If this is correct, tell us what you think has changed during the past 2 weeks that's different from the prior 13 months.

I have been doing cakes for friends and family since 8/2011. Its on 8/2012 I became certified and inspected to actually sell my cakes. I haven't done anything different at all.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft

Non-targeted cold calls, flyers on my door (except menus for highly-rated local restaurants), and in-person solicitors get the same response. In my opinion, if a company can't afford to pay for advertising, it probably means they aren't getting enough business.


You're assuming these companies aren't paying for advertising, when (to be fair) in fact it does cost money to hire telemarketers, solicitors, and companies that deliver flyers on doors.



I totally agree with you!!
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post #13 of 79
9/19/12 at 7:55pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Evoir

What is your target market? What do you specialise in? With something as 'major' as around the corner that could actually work to your advantage - either doing what he does, but better, or offering something completely different. It depends on your market there though...does everyone who wants cake immediately want a Buddy-style/tasting cake?

My target market market I guess would be weddings but I haven't even got one wedding cake order yet, lol. I make allot of birthday cakes. I am trying everyday to perfect my skills to be better or even as good as he is but honestly he's been doing this for so long that it really is hard to compare...He even has his cakes in our local BJs store now!!! You can buy it for $25.00!!!

If its weddings, then wedding networks are a good thing, as liaising with other wedding professionals and venues is a good way to get respected word-of-mouth referrals.
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post #14 of 79
9/19/12 at 8:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft

Quote:
Originally Posted by kelleym

Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft

To be honest, putting flyers on cars may have been doing more harm than good...whenever I get a flyer on my car I make sure to never patronize that business and warn against using them if asked.


Why is this so offensive to you that you would need to warn people against businesses who advertise like this? I'd much rather a flyer on my car than, for instance, a telemarketing phone call, or a flyer on my home's door (I don't like random strangers coming up to my door).


Non-targeted cold calls, flyers on my door (except menus for highly-rated local restaurants), and in-person solicitors get the same response. In my opinion, if a company can't afford to pay for advertising, it probably means they aren't getting enough business. This could mean they are new and word of mouth hasn't spread yet (in which case I will hear about them via other means if they are good), or they don't compare favorably with their competitors.

Given the choice I would rather get a cold call than a flyer on my car, at least the former doesn't create a huge mess (since many people will just toss the flyer on the ground). Said mess then needs to be cleaned up by city workers, so in effect the city's taxpayers are unwillingly helping to subsidize this form of advertising.



I never knew that putting a flyer on someones car was that offensive. I nver threw the flyers I received on my car on the ground. First because I don't litter second I think thats really disrespectful throwing someones hard work on the floor. Believe it or not flyers are hard work and they cost someone $$. But I respect laws and regulations so I wont be doing that anymore.
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post #15 of 79
9/19/12 at 9:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by prettycupcake



I never knew that putting a flyer on someones car was that offensive. I nver threw the flyers I received on my car on the ground. First because I don't litter second I think thats really disrespectful throwing someones hard work on the floor. Believe it or not flyers are hard work and they cost someone $$. But I respect laws and regulations so I wont be doing that anymore.



Exactly, so now I have to take time out to find a trash can to throw away a flyer I never asked for, and am completely uninterested in. Nuisance of the highest order. It's the same as the people who leave flyers on the door. More trash for me to deal with. Nuisance, nuisance, nuisance! It's disrespectful for someone to leave their property on mine when I did not ask for it. Don't touch my car, and don't touch my door, and don't leave trash for me to deal with. Did I say nuisance? NUISANCE!
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