Which of the following is the best way to get your catering business started?

Question

A. Research your area and develop a marketing strategy.

B. Wait for your excellent food and service to build you a good image and reputation.

C. Leave your business cards every appropriate place you can.

D. Get involved with local organizations and become a speaker.

Answer 1

Hi,

I have a lot of experience marketing small companies online (I have 3 companies).  One of the best ways is to sign up at business directories and protals.  These are basically listings of businesses (simliar to the phone book).  The advantage is that these portals usually get a lot of traffic and they're ranked high on Google because of all the quality links they contain.

My favorite portal is called Directory Exclusive.  I signed up a few weeks ago because they're giving a away a free business card holder when a person enter's their company info.  I received it in the mail 3 days ago =)

I don't know if they still have that promotion, but you can try to get the free card holder here:

http://www.exclusive-directory-business....

Good Luck

Answer 2

All of these strategies are sound, but if you are just starting out, you may have to focus on just one of them.

Certainly, you don't want to launch a business without knowing whether or not there is a market to support it, so you will definitely want to do your research. Perhaps there are untapped markets in your area that are not being served by your competitors. Or perhaps your competition is catering to just one end of the economic spectrum. Or perhaps there are opportunities to serve clients outside the downtown area? Your research should reveal such opportunities.

Once you have established a name for yourself, good word should follow you. This may lead to an opportunity to be a speaker or to address Public Relations groups. You should also not overlook the Web as a marketing vehicle. The Web offers a venue to showcase your services, show food, offer testimonials and so much more. It is also easier to update a Web site than it is to reprint an expensive 4-color brochure.

Of course, you should always be marketing yourself. Providing brochures and business cards are a no-brainer. You may also want to invest in some metallic signs to attach to your vehicle while serving catered events. The more often people see your name, the more likely you are to become Top of Mind when they need a caterer.

Good luck.

Answer 3

you need all of those

also you need to have a venue where people can sample your services...not freeloaders..people who have events

Answer 4

Write articles about your website or ideas.

Submit your website for users to review, free!

Post Free Classifieds.

Go to Famous Pages

http://famouspages.info

Answer 5

The best way is to get exposure, which might be the most expensive way, unless you get a little creative in how you do it. You might want to deliver free food to radio personalities and be on the air as they sample your great food products. You could also do this with food critics in your local newspapers.

Another thing you could do is approach party planners and DJ's and any other non competing services which target the party maket and ask them all to co-promote each other. Maybe all of you could create a coupon booklet which highlights each of your individual services and maybe if you find a few who are easy to work with, then you could offer money off savings if they pick two or three of the companies listed in your booklet.  Along these same lines you should ome up with package deals for your potential customers of just your services. Maybe if someone who is having a graduation party could save 20% if they also hire you for their Xmas office party they're having at the office later in the year.

You need to get your name out there for people to see on a regular basis, and you need to get your product out there so people can sample it and since you're just a start up you need to be creative, even if you had the money, at this stage creativity is going to be better for you because you have to start creating a place in your potential customers minds for your business.