Off the trail here, but, these are my best tips for marketing and promoting your business.
1. In the beginning, I printed my own box labels and business cards and used pics of my product as the background. If I was sending out bridal shower cookies, I would use a label with baby cookies or children's birthday cookies. I felt this put a thought in the customer's mind for the next event.
2. My business was built on 'word of mouth'. I live in a small community and that is how most of my customers have come to me. This is free -- except for the sweat equity and love you put into each order. I, also, have a great following in a town an hour away. My supply house is located there and she gave my card to one customer. She happened to be a very influential lady and my name spread like wildfire there.
3. As far as paid advertising, the best bang for my buck was the $110 spent on window wraps for two vehicles. I receive calls from people on the road all the time. I have had people waiting outside Wal-Mart to discuss possible orders. I have never had good feedback from newspaper ads that cost much more and are only visible for a one time shot.
4. The area I struggle with is talking up my business everywhere I go. I have been encouraged by my tax man to give out cards and mention my business every time I eat out. He says that constitutes a business meal and is deductible! Haha! Seriously, though, I am trying to seize opportunities where I see them to hand out my card and direct people to my website or facebook page.
5. Facebook and/or website availability is a MUST. Many of my customers are young busy Moms and they live and die by Facebook. These sites are able to speak for you all hours of the day and night. And, go a long way to representing your business while you are doing client orders or sleeping. My website doesn't have as much traffic as it should, but, that is because, I have not managed to dedicate the needed time to keeping it current. Keeping those pages current is very important. This is an area that I need to develop and improve upon.
I hope this helps any of you that are struggling to get your name out there.
Hey, JoMama, this is great commentary - but I'm thinking that maybe you meant it for the "Just Getting Started" thread, not this one on photography? Would be great if you could copy it here too: http://cookieconnection.juliau...e-based-or-not-to-be
Don't want people to miss it! Thanks!