As you have found sales to the public is good but selling to a business to resell - the cafes in town - is harder.How are your products packaged and branded?Maybe get a few friends to go into cafes buy a coffee and ask Do you have Dominic T s cupcakes.If they get asked even a few times they willsoon want to know how to stock them.Also can you include any details of yourself and business on the cakes - especially at the wedding market - lots of people and they have to know about you and your product.One easy way to do this - is note and keep any details of the happy couple - send a christmas card - anniversary card etcPeople do talk about these things and it keeps you in the frame.Can you hook up with any business that is supplying buffets or platters to offices -or stay in front - offer this service as well and then sub out the food side.Creating a package is always worth considering.Get some news - create a huge cup cake and auction it of for charity.Home baking is on the increase -set up a cake competition for kidsthey pay a quid or so to enter - donate the cash to a charity.Gets your name out there.Many shopping malls will allow space for small businesses to promote themselves.http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/w��certainly eye catching.I guess for display purposes this could be recreated in say polystyrene so that it opens to reveal loads of smaller cakes inside.Can you do naughty cakes just look at the ann summers web site.Canine Cakes - a total of ��1.7bn was spent last year on food.Can you do a cake with doggy chocolate and dog friendlyI am amazed now wehn I see folks trawling thru stores and web sites to buy pet stuff -good idea above offer to bring undecorated cupcakes to kids parties or holiday events and let the kids try their hand at decorating.But make sure you can include business details that everyone can take away - How you do this is at the simplest leave some business cards with the organiser. For young children have a colouring in sheet with a big cake just in B W but have your business details on it too.Have you thought about accessing any business start up/advisory services - you can check the phone book or councilthis is usually free service.
take them into your local newspaper and radio station give them some free to try and then ask them for help promoting them
What about an advertisement on Gumtree absolutely free. Is it possible to set up a web site and sell online.? obviously now is not quite the right time with the postal strike on but later perhaps. Farmers markets or perhaps a table at your local flea market. I know ours at Budleigh has several food tables that seem to do quite well. Whatever you do start small don t invest everything you have build up slowly but surely. One more thought speciality birthday cakes might do well.
May offer to bring undecorated cupcakes to kids parties or holiday events and let the kids try their hand at decorating. May not be a long term goal, but might bring in some temporary business.Look into holiday bazaars and craft fairs this time of year. They can be kind of hard to find the first year unless you find a guide listing them online in your area. But food is very popular at bazaars during the holiday season.Check out the local colleges and see if the coffee shops there would be interested in carrying your product.Try to tap into baby showers and bridal showers. Cupcakes are perfect for these events. Check the local baby stores or bridal shops and see if they have a place for business cards.Good luck!
