Running a catering business is no easy task. However, the upside is that catering businesses are in increasing demand. And remarkably, if you have a dessert catering business, prospects for your company’s future look very good. Numerous dessert caterers are actually in the process of expanding their businesses. With more and more people entertaining at home and with COVID restrictions loosening so that larger gatherings are becoming the norm, dessert catering businesses are experiencing something of a boom. So how do you keep up? How do you keep pace with the demand out there? And how, consequently, can you expand your dessert catering business?
Creatively Grow Your Dessert Catering Business
Expansion is not just about physical growth, though certainly, many caterers are interested in physically growing their businesses. Expansion can also be about attracting more clients, diversifying your portfolio of offerings, and entering new markets in different regions of the country. The question is, in terms of expansion plans for your dessert catering business, which type of growth do you have in mind?
How to Attract More Catering Clients
First off, let’s talk about getting more business, which means attracting more clients. People won’t hire you if they don’t know that your dessert catering company exists. One of the most important things you can do to this end is to ramp up your marketing efforts. Among some of the key ways that you can more effectively market your company:
– Enhance your social media presence. Social media is the best way for numerous business types to attract new clientele and engage with potential customers. So make sure that your Facebook page, Instagram account, and Twitter account are all up to par. And make sure to be diligent about interacting with followers and posting new content. Consistency here is everything.
– Host a tasting event. Your company is all about food, right? So let people get a taste of that food. And not only will people be able to try your desserts, but by hosting a tasting event, you show them your presentation skills as well.
– Create a referral program. Caterers often get the most business through referrals. So why not reward those customers who do refer you? This will inspire them all the more to recommend your services if, for example, they get a $50 gift card for every catering referral. Or maybe you offer them a discount on their next event. Get creative.
Expanding Your Catering Market Reach
For many caterers staying local is key. However, if you are trying to expand your business, you may look at other areas and other markets. Some ways that you might go about doing this:
– Participate in festivals and events in other towns or communities. Setting up a booth or truck at a festival, for example, will enable you to easily give people in another neighborhood or community a taste of what you have to offer. While you’re there, be sure to do an excellent job marketing your dessert catering business to this new group of potential clients.
— Use SEO to your advantage. SEO strategies are essential for any business, even a dessert catering business. Using geographic keywords and tags in blog posts, social media posts, and on your website increases your chances of coming up in search results for those targeted areas. You might want to enlist the help of an SEO specialist for this particular job.
Whatever your expansion efforts entail for your dessert catering company, you’re likely to need some additional cash to help you fund your projects. This is where getting a business loan for your catering company could be a brilliant move. If you work with an online or alternative lender, you could get the money quickly and thus make your expansion dreams come true. At First Union Lending, we work with numerous small businesses throughout the country, helping them thrive and, yes, helping them grow. If you need a short-term loan, merchant cash advance, or SBA loan for your catering business, we would love to help. Even if your credit score is less than ideal, we still may have a financing solution for you. Call today and let’s get started together.