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Free samples :/ advertising advice please - Page 2

post #16 of 55
2/22/13 at 4:45pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft View Post

I think that may be the problem...committing to a marketing tactic because you have heard a few strangers in other areas report success is probably not going to serve you well as a strategy in the long term. You really need to do your own research and figure out what will work for your target market (once you define one) in your area.

I actually read up on this way of marketing for hours and decided to give it a small try, like I said Imyself will try almost anything once to ring in customers. icon_smile.gif it works for me! For now icon_smile.gif
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post #17 of 55
2/22/13 at 4:53pm

Keep trying! Don't give up. I would say 1 in every 15 tries maybe successful. Do you focus a particular type of cake? weddings? couture? birthdays and celebrations? 

http://www.facebook.com/OutOfTheBubbleBakery

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http://www.facebook.com/OutOfTheBubbleBakery

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post #18 of 55
2/22/13 at 5:21pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdovewings View Post

Keep trying! Don't give up. I would say 1 in every 15 tries maybe successful. Do you focus a particular type of cake? weddings? couture? birthdays and celebrations? 
Thanks I won't give up lol not after 3 years of self training lol!
I focus mainly on children's cakes and wedding cakes icon_smile.gif.
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post #19 of 55
2/22/13 at 5:57pm

I'm not sure exactly what your marketing strategy is. You go into a nail salon (for example) with some treats (say cupcakes) for the staff. You ask the owner if you can put some in the break room. And they say no? Or are you asking them to taste your samples and agree to take orders for you? recommend you? or maybe you just want them to display your business card? Or do you give them samples hoping that the employees will order? What is your exact plan and why did you target salons and the like?

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post #20 of 55
2/23/13 at 12:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mariel9898 View Post

I'm not sure exactly what your marketing strategy is. You go into a nail salon (for example) with some treats (say cupcakes) for the staff. You ask the owner if you can put some in the break room. And they say no? Or are you asking them to taste your samples and agree to take orders for you? recommend you? or maybe you just want them to display your business card? Or do you give them samples hoping that the employees will order? What is your exact plan and why did you target salons and the like?

 

 

Yes, my thoughts exactly. I don't understand the OP's marketing plan either. I think it's a bit random that you're calling hair/nail salons and asking to leave samples for the employee's break time. I would say no to that as well. I just find it a bit odd. I don't think that is your potential client base either- besides really- who wants cake lying around (at your workplace/during your breaks) just tempting you to gain weight? Not me! Probably not them either. 

 

 Since you do mention that your prices are below your competition's prices and that you want to target the 'middle class', maybe you can put up flyers of your business at area supermarkets -if there is a business/flyer community notice board- or take your flyers/info to area children's arts/rec. centers- you know places that hold children theme parties? 

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post #21 of 55
2/23/13 at 10:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BakingIrene View Post

What are you doing when you call a hair shop to take free samples of cake?

 

You are asking them to do the hard work of advertising your business for free.

 

No wonder that they are saying no politely.

 

When you start offering free samples to the right places, people will say yes.

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by LovelyCakes4Us View Post


Like I stated before I only have tried this form of advertising because I have read great success with people on CC doing business this way! Must you always say something rude on ALL of my post smh..

If you think that my post was rude, then you don't know the difference between honest feedback and rudeness.

 

When you go to the right places--the ones where your intended customers shop, then you will hear "yes, thanks" to your samples. 

 

You would have a lot less of the problems that you report here on Cake Central if you could learn to read advice and useful information carefully.  

 

Handing out free samples at a cake/wedding show or farmers market or on the storefront sidewalk is not the same thing as handing out free samples to hair and nail salon owners at their place of work. Nail and hair salons have sanitation practises that are are regulated by boards of health.  Sorry but that's a fact of life that has been put in place for the protection of customers. That information is clearly posted online for anybody who should ever want to know.

 

I don't post recipes online because I know that 99% of a good cake is how the baker follows the instructions.  That would appear to be true also for business and other advice.

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post #22 of 55
2/23/13 at 11:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BakingIrene View Post

 

 

If you think that my post was rude, then you don't know the difference between honest feedback and rudeness.

 

 

www.VeryDeliciousDesserts.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Delicious-Desserts/207874222593145

 

It's never "just cake!"

 

You may get a cake for $way to little but you won't get this cake!

Groom's Cakes
(1 photos)
Other / Mixed Shaped Wedding Cakes
(3 photos)
Retirement
(1 photos)
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www.VeryDeliciousDesserts.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Delicious-Desserts/207874222593145

 

It's never "just cake!"

 

You may get a cake for $way to little but you won't get this cake!

Groom's Cakes
(1 photos)
Other / Mixed Shaped Wedding Cakes
(3 photos)
Retirement
(1 photos)
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post #23 of 55
2/23/13 at 5:38pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mariel9898 View Post

I'm not sure exactly what your marketing strategy is. You go into a nail salon (for example) with some treats (say cupcakes) for the staff. You ask the owner if you can put some in the break room. And they say no? Or are you asking them to taste your samples and agree to take orders for you? recommend you? or maybe you just want them to display your business card? Or do you give them samples hoping that the employees will order? What is your exact plan and why did you target salons and the like?

I didn't think I had to explain down to detail, I have them sample my product for free everyone loves free stuff, then ask if i can leave a small amount of business card for staff only if they are interested in placing a order.
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post #24 of 55
2/23/13 at 5:45pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BakingIrene View Post


If you think that my post was rude, then you don't know the difference between honest feedback and rudeness.


When you go to the right places--the ones where your intended customers shop, then you will hear "yes, thanks" to your samples. 


You would have a lot less of the problems that you report here on Cake Central if you could learn to read advice and useful information carefully.  


Handing out free samples at a cake/wedding show or farmers market or on the storefront sidewalk is not the same thing as handing out free samples to hair and nail salon owners at their place of work. Nail and hair salons have sanitation practises that are are regulated by boards of health.  Sorry but that's a fact of life that has been put in place for the protection of customers. That information is clearly posted online for anybody who should ever want to know.


I don't post recipes online because I know that 99% of a good cake is how the baker follows the instructions.  That would appear to be true also for business and other advice.

You know why I said what I said no need for internet arguing or snarkyness lol, I don't ever put any recipes online what are you talking about lol?

Got some free samples sent over to a florist she loved them and wants me to have them there weekly along with my cards! icon_smile.gif also a met with a photographer who loved my samples and we agreed that I would make free smash cakes for his clients in return he will refer me to them for partys, let them know who made the cake, and hand out my business cards. icon_smile.gif overall the hard work paid off greatly icon_smile.gif
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post #25 of 55
2/23/13 at 5:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LovelyCakes4Us View Post

also a met with a photographer who loved my samples and we agreed that I would make free smash cakes for his clients in return he will refer me to them for partys, let them know who made the cake and nd out my business cards.
That sounds like a great deal for the photographer.
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My experimental blog: The Bakery Business Perspective
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My experimental blog: The Bakery Business Perspective
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post #26 of 55
2/23/13 at 5:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft View Post

That sounds like a great deal for the photographer.


It works for me as well, there is a limit to how many I make a month.
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post #27 of 55
2/23/13 at 6:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BakingIrene View Post

What are you doing when you call a hair shop to take free samples of cake?

 

You are asking them to do the hard work of advertising your business for free.

 

No wonder that they are saying no politely.

 

When you start offering free samples to the right places, people will say yes.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by LovelyCakes4Us View Post


Like I stated before I only have tried this form of advertising because I have read great success with people on CC doing business this way! Must you always say something rude on ALL of my post smh..

Well, there went my little helpful tidbit I WAS willing to share...

I would rather make 1 cake for $150, than 3 for $50 each.

The person who works for nothing will always have plenty to do!

My sarcasm is good-humored. People generally really like me, in person ;-) 

Licensed, inspected, insured, home-based commercial...

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I would rather make 1 cake for $150, than 3 for $50 each.

The person who works for nothing will always have plenty to do!

My sarcasm is good-humored. People generally really like me, in person ;-) 

Licensed, inspected, insured, home-based commercial...

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post #28 of 55
2/23/13 at 6:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Annabakescakes View Post

Well, there went my little helpful tidbit I WAS willing to share...

Lol okay.. "rolls eyes and smiles"
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post #29 of 55
2/23/13 at 6:51pm
Generally, reputable vendors are happy to refer customers to other quality vendors of complementary goods and services without being bribed with free stuff (beyond an initial free sample anyway). It's not really clear what you are getting in exchange for providing any amount of free smash cakes to the photographer.
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My experimental blog: The Bakery Business Perspective
.
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My experimental blog: The Bakery Business Perspective
.
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post #30 of 55
2/23/13 at 7:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft View Post

Generally, reputable vendors are happy to refer customers to other quality vendors of complementary goods and services without being bribed with free stuff (beyond an initial free sample anyway). It's not really clear what you are getting in exchange for providing any amount of free smash cakes to the photographer.


I love how people assume things on here its lovely, any who.. He was the one who asked if I could do it for him I said I would get back to him and decided to go with it, I put my limit to 4 free smash cakes a month, i have received one inquire from someone he told about my services, I think it should work out fine.. If not lesson learned.
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