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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.

AI apologize if I misunderstood, can you clarify the situation if I assumed something incorrectly?

My impression was that you were providing free cakes for the photographer in exchange for the photographer referring you to his customers.

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You suggested I"bribed" him with offering a free smash cake, which was not the case he actually basically begged me.. In fact it took me two days to get back to him on his offer.

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It works perfectly for me :). Thanks for your input.

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Unless I'm understanding something incorrectly.

AWell, based on her response to mariel's post, either she already has the type of arrangement mariel was suggesting, or she doesn't understand the difference between mariel's suggestion and her current deal.

If it's the former that's not a problem, but if it's the latter OP will need to overcome her cognitive dissonance so she can understand what's going on from a business perspective.

The OP isn't looking for help, she's looking for people to tell her she's right and everyone else is just wrong, and that she will get there no matter what any of those nasty people who don't praise her at every turn say. I'm pretty sure we're all wasting our time offering her actual advice, because she's not interested in it. I'd even go so far as to suggest we may have a troll on the loose. 

^^^ where's the "like" button?

When I first started I gave free samples to a radio station. They then talked about them all day on the air, it was great.

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Wow really? That would be a very sweet deal.

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I read over everything I said last night and a few weeks before, like my mom said when I used to work at a gas station and people would walk in taking EVERYTHING out on me and I was like what did I do or the worker next to me? What did she do so wrong to this person? She told me its never about me personally but what happened that day at home or work and they just want to take it out on everyone other then who they should have taken it out on.. So here's my apology something terrible is going on in my life and I'm really taking it out on all the wrong people..

You guys are not my only "target" I have been this way for a few weeks towards everyone due to something that happened in my life..

That's why when I run into others having a bad day at my day job, I let them take it out on me because I truly understand were they are coming from even though its not right by any means but you just never know what's going on behind closed doors.

I guess I should read the whole thread...I posted a suggestion before I read through the pages..I will go get myself a coffee and hunker in for a read.. I hope to find some ideas myself about more promotion for my business and I am sure I will see it in this thread. my suggestion might have already been suggested oops sorry if it was

This got a little off topic. Hope you find the answers you need OP. stick to what works for you because what works for one might not work for another.

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Thank you for your positive comments Izzy :D!! I to hope to find some very useful information on promoting my business as well.. :)

I don't give out free samples to random business. I do take cupcakes from time to time to the salon I go to, but that is because I really like my hair girl and nail girl and want to take them a treat a couple times a year.  I also take a couple dozen to my accountant at tax time, but again, that is because I like him - not because I am trying to get business.   Both businesses know me so they have never had a problem with me bringing cupcakes to them.

I honestly can't see how this deal with the photographer is good for you...

He gets free cakes and you MIGHT get an order in return, but no guarantee???

You should really think about revising the agreement.  He gets the first month free but after that then the photography client (or the photographer) needs to pay for the cake but maybe at a discounted rate. 

OR you throw in the smash cake for free if they order the birthday cake or cupcakes for the party.

You may see it as only being 4 cakes a month but how long are you going put out from your own pocket with no guarantee of any kind of return?  It's not good business sense.  It's one thing to offer a few free samples to try and get business in the door, but to keep giving away cake for free in the hope that he might refer people to you...and wait until he spreads the word to his friends that you are giving him free cake and really, there's no obligation to provide you anything in return.  It will be very easy to get taken advantage of here.

ok I have read through the pages LOL ( This is advise for anyone else reading, NOT the OP)

If I was to do any deal with a business, it would have to be win win NO MATTER WHAT.

For example, I cannot take a photo to save my life, but if I struck up a deal with a photographer, it would be something like, I will give you a smash cake for your shoot this week, if you can do a shoot of my cakes for my business.

They get the cake they need, I get some professional photos. If it was on going, the most I would do is offer a discount if he was needing many cakes (more then 4 a month) That way again, he gets the cake he needs for the shoot at a price for how many shoots he does, and I get PAID.

I will not had out free smash cakes for a MAYBE order...

OP you will be lucky to get 1 out of 4 cakes for a inqury, let alone an actual booking.

And PS - the photographer will be charging his client for that cake, probably a pretty penny too.

I have really learned alot from this thread...and alot of buisness threads on this site. I must also say that what i have realised is that   jason_krafts comments are like medicine it may seem harsh but it's actually good for you. 

Agree with posters above about the photographer thing- Why should you give away free cake just so that he can recommend you? We have many fellow wedding and event vendors that do that for us without us having to give them anything. Now, if he is willing to work out a deal with you where he gets a discount on the smash cakes for ordering all of them from you, that would make sense. Otherwise, he's just getting freebies.

I want to ask as well, What if he books more sessions then your 4 a month? Is he going to get someone else? Ther eseems to be no upside for you whatsoever

Oh and one more thing I wanted to add sorry lol

You shouldnt need to cold call (tho depending on the situation sometimes it can be helpful). If people like your work they will recommend you.

I am buying my bosses shop, and I have a customer that comes in from a hair salon across the street, when I told her I was taking over SHE ask ME for business cards to hand out.

Question: How would you go about asking event planners to consider your product for their clients? Is it also a wrong Idea to call them? Is it a good idea to offer them free samples or a tasting?

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