Starting A New Business?

Business By SprinklesNC Updated 21 Sep 2013 , 12:21am by jason_kraft

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SprinklesNC Posted 20 Sep 2013 , 5:47pm
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I understand all the laws and regulations on starting a new business so that is not my question, I most definitely understand that all needs to come first. My question is how do you get word out that you want to do cakes/have a business? I have made our cakes awhile, I have made "surprise cakes/cupcakes" for neighbors and a very few friends but most friends have no idea that I can bake! I can decorate and well, I'm pretty awesome. :)

As a parent I understand being picky about who makes your childs cake, I understand as a wife stressing about a wedding cake & I understand being a school Mom and taking cupcakes to schools or functions wanting them to be pretty and without hair ;) So how did you get people to let you start making cakes?

Do I need to start a webpage/facebook page/blog and spend one weekend doing nothing but making 10-20 cakes/cupcakes and post pictures of them to show skill? Or do I just offer services and hope someone bites? Do I spend a weekend baking HUNDREDS of cupcakes and spend my Monday dropping them off at Doctors offices, Hospitals, Police Stations, Schools with a business card attached? Maybe a dozen with 12 different flavors?  I'm lost, lost, lost!

Any help is very much appreciated! Thank you!!

3 replies
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jason_kraft Posted 20 Sep 2013 , 8:18pm
post #2 of 4

AWho is your target market, and what are your competitive advantages?

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SprinklesNC Posted 21 Sep 2013 , 12:06am
post #3 of 4

My target until I get a lot of experience would be anyone needing kids cakes, family cakes, baby shower cakes, etc. No weddings yet - I don't feel like I am anywhere NEAR talented enough to take that on yet. And anyone needing cupcakes

My advantages are... um... haha... I'm pretty nice? LOL I have no idea on that really.

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jason_kraft Posted 21 Sep 2013 , 12:21am
post #4 of 4

A

Original message sent by SprinklesNC

My advantages are... um... haha... I'm pretty nice? LOL I have no idea on that really.

Then that's what you should focus on: ask yourself why someone in your target market would buy from you instead of a competitor, then use that answer to tailor your marketing strategy. If you can't come up with a good answer, it's time to go back to the drawing board with a new business plan.

My target until I get a lot of experience would be anyone needing kids cakes, family cakes, baby shower cakes, etc.

That's a really broad target, it covers people looking for dirt cheap grocery store cakes all the way up to 3D sculpted masterpieces.

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