If you run a small biz / side hustle...

[maxiboo]

Where do you do your advertising?

I'm using Facebook local groups which have been really successful but want to reach more people so they can enjoy the wonders of my amazing cakes 😆😆

So I'm looking for local but free promotion, probably not Etsy or eBay as I need to deliver the produce - any ideas?

Instagram?

I'm on insta but it seems hard to target people - don't have many followers so only a few people see my posts.

A small biz is not a side hustle. Hate that phrase anyway. Makes it sound like it's something that you shouldn't be doing.

As a small business (well, my small businesses) I advertise on FB, Instagram and Twitter.

You need to get into mutual marketing, some Facebook small business groups have a buddy system so they also promote your business as well as their own so you get a larger audience so, for example you sell cakes, you might buddy up with someone who sells handmade soap, was melts etc etc. and then schedule posts onto Twitter, FB and Instagram for you and your ”buddies”.

That's wax not was

Try Hike Those Likes marketplace on FB

Think old school - card up in the local post office, supermarket etc. Enquire about cost of ads in local paper, especially free papers everyone gets.

Ask local businesses/community centres etc if they will display a flyer for you? Especially small businesses related to things people want cakes for - wedding shops, party shops, florists, dress shops, photography etc.

Think about the time of year and start pushing those themes. You're probably a bit late for graduation but could do congratulations for exam results - target schools, or people with teenage children. Then once into September, Hallowe'en parties.

Offer people a discount if they agree to post a picture of your cakes on social media using a hashtag which will lead them back to you (e.g. your exact business name). Make sure you use hashtags heavily on your instagram posts, both cake-related and local (So if you live in Caketown post #caketown #cakeshire #caketownlocalbusiness #caketownhomegrown or whatever other random things come up and people seem to be using.) And reblog other local businesses and suggest they do the same for you.

Approach independent coffee shops and ask whether they would like to buy your cakes to sell with their coffee. Include a stack of business cards that customers can take if they ask after the cakes.

Join any local business networks and offer mutual promotion e.g. find a photographer whose work you like and offer to recommend them in return for them recommending you.

Instagram is well worth learning about to get yourself seen, I'd devote some time to it

Thank you all for such great responses, very helpful 😀

I second the Instagram suggestion. Make sure you add hashtags to your post such as #cakemakerlondon (obv replace London with the name of your town)

Also on FB ask customers to put a photo of your cake on their page and tag you in it.

'Side hustle' 🙄 MLM

Provide a cake for a charity event and they’ll advertise you by thanking you, could have your card out etc

Charity stuff and insta are the best. Don't be drawn in by facebook ads, they are generally useless

Advice is don't ever use the word side hustle!!!! Makes it sound like you're flogging younique or juice plus!

Pair with businesses tgat complement yours eg local community centre who may host parties, local soft play, reuseables party ware hire company, balloon shop etc

Stalls at charity events such as scho fares, village fetes (when they start again). Could either sell cupcakes or slices of cake, or do a guess the weight of a cake with 5% off for each person who buys something

I have a Facebook page, but to be honest all my business comes from word of mouth recommendations. When I first started, I put a handful of business cards in the local deli and post office, and that was enough to get the ball rolling.

Take a stall at the Farmer's Market selling smaller, rustic baked goods, but have a few of examples of fancy larger cakes. Have flyers and business cards. Ask interested people to write their email on a clipboard for notifications of specials and discounts.

Do a cake for a local charity and show it, with photos of others on NextDoor app.

Target parents of young children via parent & toddler groups (flyers/emails).

More fab ideas, thank you 🙏

Re side hustle - just thought that was what the youngsters were calling it these days 🤷‍♀️ as a way of saying making some money from homemade crafts/food aside from your main job. Obvs not MLM here 😀

I agree with pp about the phrase ‘side hustle’ as I would assume mlm too.
I started my small business by advertising on Facebook and Instagram and also cards in local shops 😀 Very soon word of mouth was the best form of advertising.

Definitely worth taking time to expand Instagram, engage and post daily, I went from 900 followers in jan to 25000 now also check out handmade kids on Facebook you can add what ever you're selling with no restriction

@maxiboo

I'm on insta but it seems hard to target people - don't have many followers so only a few people see my posts.

Do you use hahtags when you post? You really should as it will increase visibility and engagement?

Local fairs and related shops in their window.
These don't provide a lot of work but no one way of advertising can do this.
It's an accumulation of different situations that does it.
What about the local paper business section, sometimes you have to pay a bit to get work.

Interesting, I wouldn't have made the side hustle = MLM link, but I've mainly seen it used on reddit which is American.