4 answers
1
Question
Asked
489 views
What is the best way to promote your own business?
I would like to eventually open my own food truck but before I get to that point I have to promote my food and start putting myself out there as well as my food for support feedback and customers what is the best way I should do it??# woman business owner #baking
Login to comment
4 answers
Updated
Brandon’s Answer
I would suggest starting out small and gradually work your way up. Start with selling samples at farmer markets where there are usually a crowd and anybody that you consider close and will give an honest opinion on the food. After you do that and people start actively looking for your food, then maybe expand out to other larger local venues. Promoting yourself online after you have made a decent following will further expand your business. Having flyers or a website that they can reach you for more information will be a plus as well!
Updated
Bernabe Ted’s Answer
For small business promotion expanding a group of people who know you directly that you can sell to and expanding outwards through referrals and word of mouth as Christine mentions. When starting up a new business, take account of how much time, energy, and financial costs it takes to get a sale and connect to people.
If you find that you have a discretionary budget for marketing, you should look at promoting through social media advertisements. If you have a lot of time and energy, looking to friends and family and doing things like limited catering events that are low cost but return a modest profit to cover operational costs is going to be useful.
If you're just looking for feedback on your products, look to friends and family first and ask them to be honest with you, then try to engage with customers that are repeat buyers. Consider also giving all customers a way to deliver feedback for products and give a small incentive to encourage them to deliver feedback, like 5 or 10% off their next order or a special thank you gift.
For a free option, you can use Google Forms to create a survey to give to people! There are other survey websites out there as well that are mobile-friendly.
You can also look to your social networks for people who you can pay to do some promotion for you that are more skilled that you trust. There are many ways to approach but frame up a plan and figure out your resources, then make do with what you have.
One main thing to keep in mind is that when starting a small business like a food truck, success will not come overnight, it will require long term commitment and dedication because the day to day operations might not give way to runaway success.
If you find that you have a discretionary budget for marketing, you should look at promoting through social media advertisements. If you have a lot of time and energy, looking to friends and family and doing things like limited catering events that are low cost but return a modest profit to cover operational costs is going to be useful.
If you're just looking for feedback on your products, look to friends and family first and ask them to be honest with you, then try to engage with customers that are repeat buyers. Consider also giving all customers a way to deliver feedback for products and give a small incentive to encourage them to deliver feedback, like 5 or 10% off their next order or a special thank you gift.
For a free option, you can use Google Forms to create a survey to give to people! There are other survey websites out there as well that are mobile-friendly.
You can also look to your social networks for people who you can pay to do some promotion for you that are more skilled that you trust. There are many ways to approach but frame up a plan and figure out your resources, then make do with what you have.
One main thing to keep in mind is that when starting a small business like a food truck, success will not come overnight, it will require long term commitment and dedication because the day to day operations might not give way to runaway success.
Updated
Christine’s Answer
Is it possible you could start with family and friends? Maybe give away free samples at an upcoming event? I know this may be hard if a lot hasn't opened up near where you live but thinking some type of fair, farmers' market, flea market, etc.
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
I am impressed that you have started your food business at this age. I would suggest the following :
Firstly, you can offer your food to your friends, classmates, neighbour and relatives, etc. to collect their comments. This can help you to improve your food quality and also these people may help you to promote your food.
Then, you can start put take pictures and promote your food on some social medias, e.g. Facebook, IG, etc. You can also take videos on how you prepare your food and put it on youtubes. A lot of people start with online shop before they open the 'real' shop. It can help you to build the customer base.
When you feel confidence and your business size grows to a substantial size, you can start considering to invest open a 'real' shop / food truck.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Firstly, you can offer your food to your friends, classmates, neighbour and relatives, etc. to collect their comments. This can help you to improve your food quality and also these people may help you to promote your food.
Then, you can start put take pictures and promote your food on some social medias, e.g. Facebook, IG, etc. You can also take videos on how you prepare your food and put it on youtubes. A lot of people start with online shop before they open the 'real' shop. It can help you to build the customer base.
When you feel confidence and your business size grows to a substantial size, you can start considering to invest open a 'real' shop / food truck.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!