Marketing in the BBQ world

S

smolderingbbq

Guest
Hi everybody, I posted about taking my barbecue business to the next level and got some great feed back. I figured I would start a thread about marketing now that I know that it is probably the second most important thing behind fantastic food. So, here goes...

What are some different industries that we as caterers can get into, like hospitals, wedding venues etc. ?

What are the best cost effective ways to market or advertise a product (besides word of mouth) ?

Any other advice would be wonderful!

Blake:decision:
 
I'd use Facebook if you're not already. It's free and it can reach a mass amount of people instantly.
 
I am using facebook. Any insight in how to get more likes, other ways to promote that seem to work?
 
smolderingbbq said:
I am using facebook. Any insight in how to get more likes, other ways to promote that seem to work?
Click to expand...

Keep your page in front of people's face. Put a status update everyday. Since you're into food, cooking and stuff maybe offer some cooking tips on bbq, side dishes, the "do's and don'ts" of things. People love pictures. Their eyes are drawn to them. Post nice looking pics of some of your dishes. Like what many do on the BBQ forum. The main thing is you have to stay at the forefront of people's minds when they think catering. Out of sight out of mind applies here.

Here, take a look at our FB page and get an idea of what I'm talking about. We keep people informed on where we're going to be, what show we're going to be in next, pics of what we cooked over the weekend etc.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Double-Ds-BBQ/112864168786570?ref=hl
 
Last edited:
Bamabuzzard, do you get a good response at the home/garden, and outdoorsman shows? What type of booth setup do you have?
Thanks for the great info already.
 
Smoke House Moe said:
Bamabuzzard, do you get a good response at the home/garden, and outdoorsman shows? What type of booth setup do you have?
Thanks for the great info already.
Click to expand...

We normally cover our cost and have enough money left over to pay next month's overhead. The goal of tradeshows is to get our product in the eyes, minds and mouths of the public. It's not where our "bread and butter" money will ultimately come from. Tradeshows such as hunter's expos, farmer's markets, home and garden shows etc. is another way of advertising.

We normally buy a 10x10 booth, have our booth decorated with our signs and stuff. We sample our bbq sauce with either pulled pork or smoked sausage. We've been doing tradeshows for one year. It's produced repeat customers (some are members of this board) and continues to build our brand.
 
It looks like you're doing it right man. Your page looks great. Keep doing that and if you can afford it get in a few trade shows, festivals, farmers markets etc. and keep plugging along. Patience and persistence is your friend.
 
Would recommend joining your local business network and or rotary group. This set of groups puts you in touch with most of the business people in town and gets you additional connections and usually a favorable nod when you want to get in on the latest fair, festival, etc that is being planned. Plus you get mentioned when someone is looking of a vendor because you are a member in good standing.
 
Bamabuzzard said:
It looks like you're doing it right man. Your page looks great. Keep doing that and if you can afford it get in a few trade shows, festivals, farmers markets etc. and keep plugging along. Patience and persistence is your friend.
Click to expand...

According to my browser your website is not secure for shopping..

If it is wrong, what controls do you have to make it secure?
 
Motley Q said:
According to my browser your website is not secure for shopping..

If it is wrong, what controls do you have to make it secure?
Click to expand...

According to my IT dude it is secure. In the "checkout" function, there is a locked pad image and "https" that appears in the address bar indicating secure.

I've contacted godaddy.com and it is secure and security certificate is valid and working.

This Web site is secured with a GoDaddy.com Web Server Certificate. Transactions on the site are protected with up to 256-bit Secure Sockets Layer encryption.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
The two things I know about South Carolina is 1. There are lots of BBQ places and 2. There are lots of golf courses. I would think you could bring those two things together. Try contacting some of the local golf courses to see if they may have a need for your services. Some courses only have a small deli that may serve a cold sandwich and hot dogs. Maybe they can resell your BBQ sandwiches? Just a thought.
 
GrillsGoneWild said:
The two things I know about South Carolina is 1. There are lots of BBQ places and 2. There are lots of golf courses. I would think you could bring those two things together. Try contacting some of the local golf courses to see if they may have a need for your services. Some courses only have a small deli that may serve a cold sandwich and hot dogs. Maybe they can resell your BBQ sandwiches? Just a thought.
Click to expand...


^^^^Excellent idea. :clap2:
 
This is a great thread. Thanks to all that are participating.

I created my facebook page a few years ago after taking a class.
Cynful Smokers-bbq

One thing we were told in the class (and this may have changed over the last couple of years) is that you want to create your business facebook page as if it were a person. Supposedly you can do a lot more with it, rather than just having people "like" your page.
We invite people to "events" we participate in "chats" and can reply to posts on people's "Walls"

Like I said this may have all changed since I created my page...
 
cynfulsmokersbbq said:
This is a great thread. Thanks to all that are participating.

I created my facebook page a few years ago after taking a class.
Cynful Smokers-bbq

One thing we were told in the class (and this may have changed over the last couple of years) is that you want to create your business facebook page as if it were a person. Supposedly you can do a lot more with it, rather than just having people "like" your page.
We invite people to "events" we participate in "chats" and can reply to posts on people's "Walls"

Like I said this may have all changed since I created my page...
Click to expand...

Yeah, that is correct. I tried to "like" your page from mine and couldn't. I'm very limited on what I can do from my page. You've got a cool page BTW.
 
Bamabuzzard said:
According to my IT dude it is secure. In the "checkout" function, there is a locked pad image and "https" that appears in the address bar indicating secure.

I've contacted godaddy.com and it is secure and security certificate is valid and working.[/QUOT
Click to expand...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Motley Q said:
Bamabuzzard said:
According to my IT dude it is secure. In the "checkout" function, there is a locked pad image and "https" that appears in the address bar indicating secure.

I've contacted godaddy.com and it is secure and security certificate is valid and working.[/QUOT

Neither the http symbol or the locked padlock appeared when I was on your site 2 times.

Both symbols appear today

If its secure, then great, and continued success.
Click to expand...

That's odd because an administrator from this site ("Ron_L") tested it the same day you did and it was secure for him. I also tested it myself with a mock transaction and they were there. So again, I think the problem was with your browser, not my site. Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
We are getting started in the business too. AND we just got married a couple of years ago.
Wedding catering seems to be the cream of the crop jobs, people don't mind paying for GOOD food, and you can set your number of people, unlike festivals.

What I know about marketing for wedding catering is this:
Most large venues have their preferred vendors that they refer their clients to, and most clients don't know who they want until their venue coordinator tells them. Make some great relationships at the large wedding venues around your town, and send them gifts OFTEN! Cater lunch for their staff on an off day here and there...

Wedding fairs are the place to be. Brides and Grooms are out shopping for people that can provide your services, put your best foot out there, and reel 'em in!

As someone else mentioned... networking is the key to ALL of this! Rotary, Shriners, Elk, Moose, Church... get your name and your product out there to the masses, especially to the influential people you'll find at these places!
 
Great stuff guys! There are lots of BBQ places in SC, just not where I live. The few we have are pretty bad so I figured I could make some noise. This is all wonderful information and I really like the golf course Idea. Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Hotch
The 2023 Texas BBQ Brethren Fall Bash Planning Thread
2
Replies
22
Views
4K
Sid Post
S
Hotch
Texas BBQ Brethren Bash Discussion Post.
Replies
13
Views
2K
frognot
frognot
M
Austin and Lockhart weekend
Replies
4
Views
563
markdtn
M
motoeric
Bbq story
Replies
14
Views
1K
oldgfbbq
O
rwalters
Pellet Cookers 101 - Part One
Replies
0
Views
537
rwalters
rwalters
Back
Top