Things You'll Need:
- Knowledge of food preparation.
- Please feel free to rate this article.
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Step 1
Catering can be a very profitable business, especially when you learn how to use niche marketing to increase your business. Here you will learn how to target market for different types of catering services. For more information about starting and running a catering business, visit the link in the resources box below article.
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Step 2
The first option to get started is by offering your catering services to corporate events. Whether these events are held at the corporate headquarters, or at a local recreation hall, you can offer your catering services to these high paying customers. Start your marketing efforts by designing a highly professional brochure that can be delivered by mail to local corporations. The brochure should cover what menu items you have readily available (that you can prepare yourself or have prepared inexpensively by another baker, food provider, etc.), as well as special request items. Give details on delivery and serving options you provide, as well as clean-up and removal arrangements. Most corporate events will require your full services from preparation and delivery, to serving and breakdown of equipment. Remember, your services should never be too limited, always try to offer as many options as possible, even serving pieces and tables (if possible).
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Step 3
Another great niche you can focus on are special events such as birthday parties, anniversary parties and retirement celebrations. Here you could work directly with a local recreation hall that provides space to rent for these types of events. You could provide an array of packages directly to the recreation hall at a slightly discounted rate to be offered through their facility. This could bring you a lot of extra business due to the large number of events held at these types of locations.
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Step 4
The last additional option to consider is a wine and bar service. Here you can network with a local event facility (as above) as well as with local food caterers. You could provide an array of services with this idea as well. You have the option of just providing alcoholic beverages directly, or service and glasses for the event. Networking is a great way to increase your business fast!
For more ways to make money with catering, and complete details of starting a catering business, such as needed permits, etc., visit the link below under the Resources Heading, titled "Catering Business Start-Up Guide".
Comments
LilacGirl said
on 6/18/2008 This is a great article. Thanks for sharing the facts.