What are good ways to advertise my catering business i am trying to form?

I am considering starting my own catering business, what are good ways to introduce myself to the population. i am a certified chef and i also have a family member who is a pastry chef and i was thinking that maybe we could start something together but i do not know much about marketing if we do really decide to start it. we already have experience catering for weddings and other major functions.

Advertising is good for increasing awareness of your company and its offerings. The point of advertising is to firmly plant your marketing message into the consumer's mind so that they think about you when they look for what you offer. Advertising also gets the company in front of a wide variety of people in a timely manner.
Keep the following points in mind when you consider advertising:
1. Many companies provide money to distributors for cooperative advertising. If you mention their products in specific ways in your ads, they pay for a portion of the ad. Include enough suppliers, and the suppliers can pay for the entire ad. Contact each of your suppliers for their specific restrictions.
2. Yellow Page advertising is a must for any business trying to reach the general public, such as a restaurant. The phone book comes out only once a year, so you should plan in advance to be included. Check with colleagues about their success with the various ad types and sizes; take the plunge and hope for the best.
3. Placing an ad just one time in a paper or on TV or radio is generally useless. You need to repeat your ad on a regular basis to get the best results, so plan for six to ten insertions, or don't waste your money.
4. Advertising firms specialize in making companies succeed with advertising. They also have an art department that can design an ad for you.
5. Contact each publication, radio, and TV station you are interested in advertising with and ask them to send you a media kit. (Media kits are prepared by the advertising departments of newspapers, magazines, and television and radio stations as a means of encouraging companies to buy ads. These kits typically contain demographic information about their audience, a rate card, and an editorial calendar for publications, which tells readers what to expect in upcoming issues.) The kit includes demographic information about the people who read each publication, listen to specific radio programs, and watch individual TV shows. Typical information includes age, sex, education, and marital status. This information lets you determine whether the people who will see or hear the ad are the ones most likely to buy from you.
5. Ask each media supplier if they have ever run ads like yours before and what type of responses they received. This might help you determine whether it makes sense to invest in advertising there.
There are a number of new advertising tools now available via the Internet, including banner ads, site ads, and search engine listings. For people using the internet regularly, this can be a great way to get their attention.
Advertising can be a useful tool when used properly, but it can also drain massive amounts of cash from your company with minimal financial return. Make sure that whenever your ads appear, they are seen or heard by serious potential customers for your company's product or service offerings. It is also wise to pay for professional help when producing ads. There's no sense paying for ad time or space only to run an ineffective, poorly designed advertisement.
Hope I helped! Good luck! I will say a special prayer tonight for you and your future successful business!

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35 yrs ex in adv

I sold Yellow Pages for 25 years and had many successful caterers in my directory.
They have ads for every budget and your local rep can help you design an ad for free.
When people have a need, they go there first.
You'll want an ad under "Wedding services" as well.
Also, you might want to print a simple brochure describing your services and place it with every hotel or resort in your area. Also, many companies hold local events so be sure to contact the largest in your area.
Finally, put together a website with great pictures of your products. Link that to the local on-line Yellow Pages as well.
Good luck.

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Word of mouth. Period. I have a friend who did the same thing and had no intention of ever actually starting a business. Now, because of 1 free party with some rave reviews from the attendees she is booked through the rest of the year and is making money hand-over-fist.

Bottom line? Leverage your friends, family and former clients. If you have worked weddings and other major functions already then you've got a leg up.

You can also hook up with local realtors/business people and offer to cater some of their client meetings at a discount for the extra exposure. Never underestimate how good it will make somebody look to perspective clients to have a beautifully catered spread at their meeting!

Business cards. Get them. Make them POP! I use these guys www.M13graphics.com. (And notice there is no affiliate link, I honestly like and use this company)

You don't need a website right now, but you will. Budget about $1500 for it. Get photos and testimonials from former clients. In a few short months that will be what drives your business.

Above all: DO NOT WASTE MONEY ADVERTISING IN THE YELLOW PAGES OR NEWS PAPERS!!!!!

Sorry for the shouting, but I get a bit carried away by that subject.

Using either of these forms of advertising will expend money you could be using on other much more valuable business-building ventures... like flushing $100's down the toilet.

Focus on the presentation and flavor of your food, passively work the crowd when you are working… and always have a simple, yet catchy business card ready to present when somebody asks "Wow, this Swedish Meatball is amazing... do you do Bar mitzvahs?"

Advertise in the phone book, provide brochures to halls and other locations where people hold events and try to get contracts, get booths at local events like fairs or at the flea market so people can taste the food and remember you.

Advertise your services through Google local ads and Google maps, both have less competition for keywords.

Check this site out, it might help you get started.

http://theartofsem.com/search-engine-marketing-sem/pay-per-click-advertising/search-engine-advertising/search-engine-advertising/

You can use the site www.pixelsinthetown.com, you can advertise your services in the zone "Restaurants/Food", there are some free places.

Depending on what market you are in, maybe try to hook up with a wedding/event coordinator. A lot of times they have a list of options for their clients to go through, or just use themselves. Just starting out you will need to piggy back off of other businesses until you grow to the point of others piggy backing off of you!

I've been in direct marketing for many years, and I think you might want to consider doing a mailing to your area and tell your prosepects what you're doing, what your best dishes are and maybe invite them to a local library or office to taste test them.
When we were in NY hiring caterers for parties, the owners brought over several goodies for my staff and I to taste. One lady was outstanding and we use her service for many years.

It sounds like you already have experience to build upon. I suggest creating a few case studies based on the "weddings and other major functions" you have already catered.

Take the time to speak with your previous customers and get some feedback on how your catering helped enhance their event. Use that feedback and develop a more detailed explaination of your catering efforts in relation to a each wedding or event.

Submit the case studies as press releases and/or advertising articles to the local media.

Testimonials and case studies are great ways to influence potential customers and establish credibility.

Your target audience is well off consumers and businesses. I'd try a small billboard on a busy commuter highway leading to upscale neighborhoods.

It's expensive. Hopefully after your catering business is established you can thrive on word of mouth. You gotta spend money to make money.

Edit: iman w is a paid poster for revivemybusiness.con.

If you are just starting a catering business I strongly advise you visit the site below. You they offer great methods and ways to grow a business.

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