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How would you market a a catering business?

by DABK
14 replies
Anyone,

how would you market a catering business that doesn't have set menus? You go to them and you tell them what kind of things interest you and they create a menu just for you. Their difference, then, is that you get a party like nobody else.
#business #catering #market
  • Profile picture of the author mindwire
    Google Places is a good way to gain local exposure, thus bringing in more clients.You should create a G+ profile for your business and get yourselves some citations.

    Sincerely,
    mindwire
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Emphasize the custom or themed catering. Contact organizations that would be interested in this, such as the people who put on rodeos or do Civil War reenactments. Non-profits that do themed fundraisers. Corporate parties. Network or advertise to event planners.
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    • Profile picture of the author DABK
      Never thought of themed fundraisers.

      Thanks.

      Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

      Emphasize the custom or themed catering. Contact organizations that would be interested in this, such as the people who put on rodeos or do Civil War reenactments. Non-profits that do themed fundraisers. Corporate parties. Network or advertise to event planners.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    High end event planners. The people who will want custom like that likely will hire someone to handle it. So marketing B2B to wedding planners and such with a kickback (just make sure you do it legally) is likely the best way to get business.

    Also if they have time they could contact larger companies and try to build relationships with them. But compared to the event planners it will only make sense for the largest companies that plan multiple events.

    Also check their pricing. If their pricing isn't high enough and they are just starting I would recommend you to not take them as a client. Too often "custom" in catering means they are not good at anything and only do it to try to be all things to all people. Which isn't a good way to run a business.

    Make sure the pay and the client are worth the effort you will put into this.
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    Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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    • Profile picture of the author DABK
      He's just starting out. Well, started out about 1 year ago. His prices are not high enough and he doesn't believe me when I tell him that.

      In addition, he doesn't have money... He'd pay me a few dollars per person. So, if I get him a 100 people party, I'd get $500.

      The world of catering is so alien to me that I don't even know if that's good, ok, or bad in relation to the effort to produce.

      But I like the guy, and, as a chef, he's awesome. Based on how he cooks, he should be immensely successful. But he has no systems, except for cooking and baking. And he's gotten some poor marketing advice (which he paid for) so far.

      I thought he should connect with some wedding planners, party planners, banquet halls that don't serve food.

      Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

      High end event planners. The people who will want custom like that likely will hire someone to handle it. So marketing B2B to wedding planners and such with a kickback (just make sure you do it legally) is likely the best way to get business.

      Also if they have time they could contact larger companies and try to build relationships with them. But compared to the event planners it will only make sense for the largest companies that plan multiple events.

      Also check their pricing. If their pricing isn't high enough and they are just starting I would recommend you to not take them as a client. Too often "custom" in catering means they are not good at anything and only do it to try to be all things to all people. Which isn't a good way to run a business.

      Make sure the pay and the client are worth the effort you will put into this.
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    • Profile picture of the author misterme
      Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

      High end event planners. The people who will want custom like that likely will hire someone to handle it.
      Nah, if they're high end, they're not going to use an unknown newcomer they've never worked with on their clients.

      My advice: They're better off trying to be known for something specific. Like be the go to caterer for Greek parties or the go to caterer for BBQ.
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      • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
        Originally Posted by misterme View Post

        Nah, if they're high end, they're not going to use an unknown newcomer they've never worked with on their clients.

        My advice: They're better off trying to be known for something specific. Like be the go to caterer for Greek parties or the go to caterer for BBQ.
        I agree with this. Custom only truly works for high end. But as you pointed out those people are unlikely to take a chance.

        But if this chef is the real deal he might be able to get them to give him a chance by wowing them with the food and giving the planner a hell of a kick back on the first few. But very few could pull that off.

        So for most being known for something and paying their dues at the lower end of weddings and events would be the smart way. But it sounds like this guy doesn't want to take that advice. Nor does he want to price his service as a premium. He wants to be everything to everyone at walmart prices and likely will fail with that business plan.
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        Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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        • Profile picture of the author misterme
          Originally Posted by DABK View Post

          I thought he should connect with some wedding planners, party planners, banquet halls that don't serve food.
          That would probably be the most direct route.

          Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

          But if this chef is the real deal he might be able to get them to give him a chance by wowing them with the food and giving the planner a hell of a kick back on the first few.
          The way high end planners work is IF their client happens to book the vendor and brings him in, this is what introduces the vendor to the planner. It's impossible to cold call a planner. They have their reputation at risk and so they just won't refer anyone unless they've vetted them. And vetting them means they've worked with them and know personally they can deliver the goods - and aren't egotists, snarky, shady, difficult to work with or otherwise give off bad vibes.

          The day of the event they work together and if the vendor doesn't show an attitude, keeps his composure, works gracefully with the planner and nails the job, then there's the opening to approach the planner to network. But if the vendor makes it difficult for the planner and doesn't cooperate, they're not going to get anywhere.

          And a lot of them are insulted if you offer a kick back. They build their businesses on clients' trust - which can be broken if they're seen as recommending vendors because they get money from the vendor.

          Right now your caterer is a chameleon. He should decide what business he wants to be in. Does that make sense to you?
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  • Profile picture of the author Voasi
    Use Facebook and drive event planners to an EVENT, where they're the client and you feed them, showcase your talent and give them a reason to work with you.

    Tell them you'll provide free food/lunch/whatever and your (their) only requirement is to fill out a card with their information (for follow-up and business).

    Additionally, I'd use FB and send business owners to a landing page with a video of a couple of jobs you've done, with testimonials and pricing underneath the video (or contact form). Do different themes for each, for instance... Halloween is coming up so start advertising "Halloween Catering Services" in FB...
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    • Profile picture of the author DABK
      I like the feed them approach. They'd get to taste the food, see the presentation, see how he and his team handle things.


      Originally Posted by Voasi View Post

      Use Facebook and drive event planners to an EVENT, where they're the client and you feed them, showcase your talent and give them a reason to work with you.

      Tell them you'll provide free food/lunch/whatever and your (their) only requirement is to fill out a card with their information (for follow-up and business).

      Additionally, I'd use FB and send business owners to a landing page with a video of a couple of jobs you've done, with testimonials and pricing underneath the video (or contact form). Do different themes for each, for instance... Halloween is coming up so start advertising "Halloween Catering Services" in FB...
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  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    Every high end caterer has tasting sessions before hand for apps/dinner/wedding cakes etc.... It'd be a miracle to get to people book an event without it unless they are repeat customers. Wine and dine all the area event/party/wedding planners. Go to all the meeting/party/group venues that don't have in-house kitchens and get on their catering list.

    You should have some basic menus already, especially for corporate catering. Do corp lunch meetings etc....you are then in place to do their big extravagant functions and also networking with higher income individuals who will hire you for private personal events.
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  • Profile picture of the author Seantrepreneur
    Facebook and rely heavily on pictures so people can experience what it's like to have them catering for their party. Plus, with facebook ads you can laser target your ads to their local audience.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sugar Cube
    Catering business is generally for the local market so i would prefer to work it in the local way. Local news papers, pamphlets and ads on local tv channel would give you lots of business.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonwebb
    free online methods like local seo and the such. then used paid offline methods such as direct mail, space ads and trade magazines. ( if you can afford it)

    -Jonathan Webb
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