So, you love to bake, in fact you love to bake so much that you even started your own business. Or you may be seriously thinking about launching your own bakery. You know your bakes are awesome and you willingly put all your energy and effort into the business, but what about the competition?
It’s fair to say that there are a lot of bakers out there, whether they’re professional or hobby bakers and they all want a slice, if you pardon the pun, of the action.
Here’s 6 steps to creating your ultimate baking business and make you really stand out from the crowd
6 Steps on How to Stand Out From Your Competition:
Create a brand
Take some time to think hard about your target market, about who you want to attract and build your brand around that. If you haven’t already got one, a distinctive logo is a must, preferably one that is simple and easily recognisable whether there’s text attached to it or not. Think about brands such as Nike, Apple or MacDonald’s, all simple logos but you know who they are straight away. Take that brand and add it to all your social media, your emails, your cake boxes, your car…..everything.
What’s your niche?
There are literally hundreds of cakes out there that even the most amazing baker would have a problem perfectly baking and decorating every single style of cake. So think about where you position yourself in the world of cake. Are you an expert in your field and the ‘go to’ baker for wedding cakes, vegan cakes or cakes for dogs? Do you only use local produce, organic ingredients or keep your own hens and only use their eggs? And as for cake decoration, what do you want to specialise in? Photo cakes, for example take personalised cakes to a whole new level and easily make every single cake unique. What do you want to be known for?
Offer value
This doesn’t mean being the cheapest in the area, it means giving your customers absolute value for their money and they will keep coming back to you. They already know that they are going to be eating the most amazing cake or cookie, but what do you offer as an extra? Is it a discount off their next order, free delivery within a certain area or how about a free birthday card with every birthday cake? Offering value doesn’t have to cost a huge amount but it can ensure that your customers keep coming back again and again.
Provide amazing customer service
One of the most effective ways to advertise your business is through word of mouth, and if your customers love you then they are going to let their friends and family know. It all starts with a friendly face and great communication with your customers, and then going that extra mile to deliver more than you promised. It almost goes hand in hand with adding value. An unhappy customer can become a loyal customer if their needs are met and their expectations exceeded.
Stay ahead of the field
Like anything else, cakes go through fads and fashions and they can change very quickly. The easiest way to keep yourself ahead of the trend is by looking online and see what other people are talking about. If you see something you like and no one else in your area seems to have cottoned onto it, make it your own. Photo cakes are also a huge up and coming trend, and can be used in a wide range of interesting and innovative ways.
Be Unique
Look what everyone else is doing and do the opposite. Be different, be daring and be inspirational. Create your own recipes, revive old recipes and put your personal stamp on baking.
If you want to take that first step to making your cake business really stand out from the crowd, sign up to our edible printing course now and discover how it can make all the difference to your business.
