What is the best way to market cakes & pies to start up a bakery?

Question

I want to start my own bakery. I have all the equipment and recipes just need to rent a space. But first, I need to get my name out in the streets. To get it started and make income.

Answer 1

We're thinking of something similar. Here's a few things that we thought of:

1. Take some samples to a local business establishment (bank, office, etc.). Leave a business card.
2. Word of mouth. Tell your friends, have them keep you in mind for special events.
3. Website. Put your link (should be easy to remember) on local bulletin boards at the mall, community centers, churches, etc.

Good Luck :-)

Answer 2

Try setting up a small booth at a flea market/farmer's market etc.Give out samples and sell at the same time.This will help build up your customer base.

Answer 3

Once you're open you could host a neighborhood night that invites locals to have coffee and cake on you -- if you direct it toward women they could have a girls night out on you. It would be a nice networking opportunity for them and you.

Answer 4

my suggestion is to target your clients...............bake a cake or pie and take to a busines and donate it to their breakroom or store manager with a catch..............they have to post or display your flyers,business cards, or price list.........let your creations do the work for you..............also include schools, law enforcement.factories....etc.....also you can set up a taste table for samples to entice people to come in.............you didnt mention if you baked cookies.......but you can package cake slices.......pie slices.........cookies.........with a business card or print out that says......IF YOU LIKED THIS YOU CAN FIND MORE AT...............put your samples in a basket and hand out at a mall or parking lot.............dont waste the opportunity to talk up your business to everyone..........have friends and family to do the same.............take pictures of all your creations and make a photo album for people to browse..............contact caterers, wedding planners, event planners, human resources of businesses to let them know you are available.............offer discounts for contract work............food vendors need cake slices for their machines..........and dont forget to include food banks and non profits for that tax credit for overbakes and stales............ALL MARKETING COSTS AND DONATIONS ARE !00% WRITEOFF...........you can use a punch card to get customers to repeat business........for example buy 5 cakes get one free.............or if you have eat in offer free coffee..........always come up with ways to keep your customers happy and satisfied.........just dont go broke doing it..........be reasonable.............keep an eye on operating costs...........when they go up.................your prices will have to reflect it........use your chamber of commerce for marketing resources.............they have all the information you need to make your decision on rental space.................they know all about target areas...they know where the money is.............contact the small business administration for another resource they have the best loans and you may be elgible for some of their grant money that you dont have to pay back at all...........contact social services and the employment office for tax breaks and credits for employee training..........there are programs where you wouldnt even have to pay salary........check every avenue out..............in state. city, and county..............the first 3 years in a business are crucial...............it will take that long before you will be considered a success...................track your daily sales............learn the best and worst...............when your business is slumping....................you will know its time for more marketing to start................join business groups and market your business from the inside out................hope these suggestions helped you..GOOD LUCK