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acookieobsession
Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 24, 2005
Posts: 877
Location: NC
Birthday: Mar 19
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:36 am |
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I have the opportunity to participate in a wedding show here in September. I am kind of on the fence about how much return I will see on the $450 it costs to enter. Not to mention the expense and time involved in creating the dummies and the samples.
The literature on the site says they have about 800 brides there though.... Also I looked at the previouscake people and a lot of people from right around me participate.
Any insight from your previous cake show experiences (good and bad) would be greatly appreciated.
Julia |
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emrldsky
Frequent Member
Joined: Nov 28, 2007
Posts: 229
Location: Indiana
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:13 am |
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I've never been to a bridal show as a vendor, just as a bride, and I have to say, I booked my baker from the show. 
She had TINY samples (1/2 inch squares, I believe, with a teeny bit of butter cream) and I booked her based on her price and the taste of her chocolate cake (and her personality).  HTH! |
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acookieobsession
Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 24, 2005
Posts: 877
Location: NC
Birthday: Mar 19
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:27 pm |
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Thanks emrldsky! That would be great. I just hate the thought of doing all of those dummies and not getting any business from it!
I suppose I would get a lot of practice though, huh?
Anyone else?
Julia |
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Jenn123
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Aug 14, 2005
Posts: 1636
Location: Georgia
Birthday: Dec 29
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:53 pm |
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The only advertising I do is Bridal show and yellow pages. Both are EXCELLENT sources of new customers. You could make up the expense with one good order! |
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k8memphis
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Mar 21, 2005
Posts: 1011
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:55 pm |
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Y'know some vendors do great and a lot of vendors just get ripped off.
My experience working for someone else who did shows was that they got ripped off but it was an ego thing for them. Marking their territory--scoping out the competition. Ripped off in that they did not at all garner enough business to warrant the expense. Not by a long shot.
You gotta test the waters.
I mean some folks get most of their bookings that way too. |
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acookieobsession
Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 24, 2005
Posts: 877
Location: NC
Birthday: Mar 19
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:01 pm |
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Hmmm...Testing the waters at $425 is kind of what I was trying to find out here.
I think it would be interesting and my dh is sucha great sales person..he would go with me. BUT....I have worked so hard for the money so far. Plus I jsut signed with the Knot...so that is expensive too...BUT again...I got 3 weddings from that since June 1...so that is a good expense
I would like to hear how some go about the whole deal.> Tell me your wedding show stories. Kind of like your birth stories but hopefully less painful.
Julia |
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debster
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Nov 28, 2005
Posts: 1327
Gallery Supporter Member
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:14 pm |
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If you don't mind me asking just how much does the Knot charge? Is it a yearly thing or monthly? Thanks |
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mommy2djb
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 10, 2006
Posts: 69
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:16 pm |
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| Quote: | | Tell me your wedding show stories. Kind of like your birth stories but hopefully less painful. |
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acookieobsession
Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 24, 2005
Posts: 877
Location: NC
Birthday: Mar 19
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:20 pm |
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My Knot is $120 a month, but I think it varies by location. |
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Cakebelle
Frequent Member
Joined: Mar 21, 2008
Posts: 224
Location: NYC
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:28 pm |
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Thanks Julia for asking this I've been meaning to do so myself! You're quite lucky that it's $425.00, the people that I was contacted by for a bridal show here in New York, asked me to pay $1200.00 for 8 hrs.!!!!   I don't think so! I'll just go by word of mouth for now, thank you very much! |
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mommy2djb
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 10, 2006
Posts: 69
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:41 pm |
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bridal shows in my area are around $700 |
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acookieobsession
Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 24, 2005
Posts: 877
Location: NC
Birthday: Mar 19
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:42 pm |
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Yikes! That is steep! i would definately have to sit that one out. I thought that was a lot for 5 hours!
Julia |
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SweetConfectionsChef
Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 21, 2006
Posts: 986
Location: Texas
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:32 pm |
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I love doing the bridal shows! Not only do I make my $$$ back with 1 or 2 cake orders but I meet a lot of people and get tons of exposure. The last show I did with samples, labor, cake dummies (had 5), and show costs ran me about $1500. Since the show I found out I am pregnant and have sold my shop but I'm still referring brides who are contacting me. The show was in January. Also, it's amazing what the networking can do for your business! Definately worth the money! |
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indydebi
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 14325
Location: Indianapolis IN
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:41 pm |
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$450 is really good. I'm looking at two of the bigger shows coming up in Jan and they are $1500 an $2000. Everyone I talk to says they are SO worth it.
I did a small show in my hometown last Feb. It cost me $300 and I got around $5000 in bookings.
I really believe it so depends on you and your presentation. Someone mentioned "personality" sold the cake ..... it's basic Sales Rule Number One: you sell yourself first, THEN you sell your biz/product.
I put pics of my cakes on a powerpoint and set it up to loop over and over. Had the laptop right up front ... this gave bride B something to watch and look at while I talked to Bride A. My cake samples were about 1/2" square in white tartar sauce cups with lids. I could be talking to Bride A, while Bride B was watching the powerpoint, and at the same time, without even looking, reach down and pick up a cake sample and fork to hand to Bride C, without even breaking eye contact or stopping mid-sentence with Bride A.
I turned the table they gave me sideways to create a more open and inviting booth ... welcoming them INTO the booth to look at the cakes.
HEre's some pics of my booth ... (Scroll down to RIchmond (IND) Bridal Show pics): http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/page3/ |
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ccr03
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Sep 16, 2005
Posts: 1464
Location: Independence, MO
Birthday: Jan 31
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Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:10 pm |
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I did a wedding show back in February and while I shared the booth with my sister, I have definitely paid back my money with one order - and that one order got me 3 other orders within one month. If I would have done it by myself, I'd be head 3-4 times - and it was a small show. It was definitely worth it for me. |
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