Advertising Question.?

Wow - I wish I lived in your neighborhood! Yum!!! *smile*

Keep in mind marketing is not just about paid advertising in newspaper, radio, TV, etc.. That's one way to get the word out - but there are so many others.

Marketing is all about getting the word out about your business - it goes ahead of you or precedes you. In a way you are asking for people to slightly change their shopping habits to purchase baked goods in a bakery (an extra stop) rather than just grab a loaf of bread and a package of cookies off the shelf at the grocery store.

What are you known for? What do you specialize in?

For example there are specialty bakeries in some upscale areas that just sell cupcakes. How about birthday cakes and special occasion cakes? How about the popular artisinal breads like foccacia and ciabatta breads? It doesn't mean that you stop selling other things but it means that in whatever you do to get the word out you focus on one special item.

How about distributing flyers or coupons in the neighborhoods for a dozen cookies free if they buy a certain amount of products? Say $5 or $10

How about donating goods to a highly recognized local meeting like the Chamber of Commerce - and make sure that they give you credit AND hand out coupons to attendees.

Take donuts or muffins to a local radio station and give them to the show host and producer. Do it a few times and they'll say on the show, "We got the most amazing blueberry and cranberry nut muffins this morning from John of Neighborhood Bakery at Jones and State Street and boy are they delicious. Thanks John!" That's worth gold.

How about selling scones, muffins and cookies to local coffee houses? I often pay $2. for a scone, muffin or cookie to go with my tea to sit and relax or meet with friends. Plenty of mark-up.

Do you serve coffee and have a couple small tables inside and outside so you become a destination where people want to sit, linger, read the paper, eat their pastry, sip their coffee and maybe buy some more to take home before they leave?

Provide great customer service so people want to come back. Don't try to encourage employees to be friendly. Hire naturally friendly, outgoing people who smile and like people. Encourage them to learn the names of customers and address them by name when they come in. In our impersonal world - this brings customers back.

Create a slogan that encourages people to make a special stop for your quality products rather than just get baked goods at the grocery story like, "So good! Worth a special stop!"

Hope this is helpful to you.

all the best,

Denise Michaels

Author, "Testosterone-Free Marketing"

PS: Get the book at http://www.tfmbook.com/

Hi, Paul!

Well, I understand your position. Advertising is important, but not very affordable.

In your line of work, my friend, word of mouth is really important.

Studies show that if 1 person has a bad experience, they tell (on average) over 11 people. Those 11 then (on average) tell 5 more people. Over 60 people hear about this bad experience!

But it works the other way around as well.

Give GREAT deals, and more people will come.

Why not have a day where you offer free products to every customer?

Good luck!

-Andy

Well if all the ones organizations are sponsoring the Lads, in which the heck does the Department of Defence are available in. And who's taking the sponsorship cash..... Me off to consider

hey paul am some guy, you answered one of my questions earlier and wondering whats your best offer???