Posted by sam sears, cec on September 09, 19100 at 02:03:20 :
In Reply to: Catering Business posted by Maria on September 08, 19100 at 22:19:31 :
: Hello,
: I would like some links or suggestions on "Starting"
: I am a non full service caterer. I specialize in Party Trays and Desserts ONLY. I need marketing information...I have business cards-post them. I have beautiful menus-hand them out when I can. How can I get myself out there.
: I donte trays but that gets costly too.
: Thanks in advance for the help!
in my opinion, a catering firm on the move UP, should have a yellow page ad of some sort, you could join the local chamber, and get a mailing list of members, & direct mail to companies that would be likely to "cater in" meetings/trainings/small lunch parties, employee appreciation or safety awards (industrial plants), get involved w/ your local culinary association(ACF) if there is one, if none exists start one, great networking & learning opportunity.....or another avenue you could tap would be "budget" rehearsal dinners (go introduce yourself & company to bridal consultants & bridal shoppes) "budget" luncheons for fraternal orgs, funeral catering (big in metro areas)...do you also offer Boxed Luncheons, you could market this area (which can be quite profitable) to tour companies & bus companies, government agencies (because they are usually limited to say $8 for lunch, by stautes or regulations........just some places to start.....remember a lot of marketing can be done cheaply....you can do "door to door" introductions w/ a sample of food (always!)............hope this helps some.....I'm sure others on this board have more to say on marketing & advertising......sam sears, cec