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How would you market this local business?

by criniit
8 replies
Hey guys,

A friend of mine is starting a gourmet cookie business. He dosen't have a location, he is going to be selling in farmers markets, local retail/coffee shops and wholesale dough to restaurants.

He came to me asking how he should market (to consumers as well as restaurant/store owners) both offline and online.

Anyone have some creative ideas?

Thanks in advance!
#business #local #market
  • Profile picture of the author Voasi
    I'd suggest social media. I'd suggest videos he puts on a Facebook fan page that makes him different. I suggest him/her having a "personality" and then advertising those videos via Facebook PPC to the business verticals he/she is wanting to target.

    In the videos, start by telling the story. Why cookies? What makes them different? Who are you? Etc...

    Give a reason for people to fall in love with these cookies.
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  • Profile picture of the author Abitha
    About online marketing, these are so many classified ad sites where users can just register and post a free ad.
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  • Profile picture of the author bob ross
    For marketing to consumers, I think Voasi has good advice about facebook. I would highly suggest that he gets some good packaging together though because that's actually more important than the quality of the product.

    for marketing to restaurants, I think that sending samples (with good packaging) and a personal letter to the prospects would be a fantastic strategy to consider.
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    • Profile picture of the author DABK
      I'd send samples to companies that lease out space for meetings/events that don't do catering.

      I'd make friends with the management of office buildings, let them make me put flyers in the lobby. Or, better yet, a stand, at lunch time, where the people in the offices walk by on their way out to lunch.

      Also, hospital cafeteria is not that hot. A lot of people work in hospitals who might like a cookie now and again that's got some taste to it. So, maybe approach businesses around hospitals, ask them to carry a few cookies.

      I live close to one hospital. There's a bagel place (they make their own bagels and sandwiches) but they also sell cookies that someone else makes. I have no idea what the cut is.
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  • Profile picture of the author Krisz Rokk
    Checkout the two websites below. You'll find some amazing marketing ideas and suggestions.

    The guy from Element Bars was on Shark Tank

    Element Bars - Custom Energy Bars and Custom Protein Bars
    Chocolate Bars by Chocomize | Custom chocolate your way!
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  • Profile picture of the author pingsters
    Banned
    Hi, you can use social media, local classified ads And flayers.

    Marketing to restaurants online is't easy. Because they are always busy ! So i would suggest, to set-up appointment with them and then visit them physically.
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  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    Go to local/regional food shows.
    contact local food distributors, probably smaller specialty distributors.
    contact regional chains- cstores/restaurants/gift shops
    enter them into multiple contests to get PR/notoriety
    contact large local fundraising organizations, many of them sell cookie dough now.

    you have to have something very novel or custom as a gift for online sales as it will be very expensive. Other than calling on local companies for corporate gifts for their clients (monthly/quarterly program with a different cookie.)

    IM and social media to sell a cookie here and there to individuals is largely a loser proposition. Unless you started a network marketing cookie party business.
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    • Profile picture of the author midasman09
      Banned
      I know a gal who makes great Fudge. She set up a "route" of Hotels/Motels (10 in each of 10 towns) where she places her Fudge (in plastic bags) in a striking display near the front desk.

      Charges $1 for each bag. She makes the fudge and has people she pays to deliver.

      Tourists are HUNGRY.

      You could do the same thing with cookies.

      Don Alm
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