Getting the Word out.

AlabamaGrillBillies · 10-22-2008, 09:39 PM

For all you established guys out there. When you were first starting your catering business, what was the most effective way you got your name out to the people. I have a couple of ideas in my head but would love to hear from those here who have 'been there and done that' as to what worked best for them.

Qcrue2U · 10-23-2008, 02:03 AM

I personally am doing local Farmers Markets. Any public Event you can land. Craigslist is a free way.

AlabamaGrillBillies · 10-23-2008, 05:19 AM

Right now we can't vend any events. The way our county health codes are they make a distinction between 'contract cooks' and 'vendors' We don't have the equipment yet to be inspected and verified as a 'vendor' so until we basically have a small inspectable comerical kitchen we are set up as a 'contract cook' This means individuals can hire us to cook for them, or for any party/event they have. We just can't go and set up and sell/vend to the public.

I haven't thought about craigslist, I'll have to check that out. I just got a Myspace page set up and sent out a ton of friend request.

big brother smoke · 10-23-2008, 08:13 AM

Human Resource Fairs, mailings, word of mouth!

Bigmista · 10-23-2008, 08:58 AM

Sell dinners to your friends, family and coworkers. Pick a day and tell everyone that you are selling dinners to be picked up on that day. Get payment in advance. Offer to deliver for orders of 10 or more. You get the word out and make cash at the same time. I've funded many a contest that way,

lazybonesmoke1 · 10-23-2008, 12:42 PM

Call local catering companies and offer to sell them authentic slow smoked BBQ. Some catering companies get calls for BBQ but don't really do BBQ. Go to local VFW, AM VETS, ELKS organizations that have halls bring samples and ask to be put on thier preferred catering list. Get involved with non profit charity organizations and do thier party at cost (plus a little extra for yourself). Tell them to provide labor help. That way you and your product are being exposed and you are a good person for helping.

AlabamaGrillBillies · 10-23-2008, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazybonesmoke1

Call local catering companies and offer to sell them authentic slow smoked BBQ. Some catering companies get calls for BBQ but don't really do BBQ. Go to local VFW, AM VETS, ELKS organizations that have halls bring samples and ask to be put on thier preferred catering list. Get involved with non profit charity organizations and do thier party at cost (plus a little extra for yourself). Tell them to provide labor help. That way you and your product are being exposed and you are a good person for helping.

I haven't thought about the local VFWs and ELKS. Good idea. We have done some church fundraisers, but it was in another state so no real prospects there. I am contacting local churchs to offer our services for fun raisers at cost just with the stipulation that they let us hand out cards and menus.

lazybonesmoke1 · 10-23-2008, 02:47 PM

Having a website has helped me increase my catering sales.

grillfella · 10-24-2008, 02:09 AM

make full color menus. mine are coming out soon

Dr_KY · 10-24-2008, 06:33 AM

I started smoking ribs and chicken then taking them to my local boozer giving them away and asking for comments. I have been doing Q there during the summer a few years and started a 'you bring it I cook it for beer' campaign.

Once people understood our ability, I asked for sponsorship for a contest ( 300 pounds cash) and brought home the Grand Champion award. The local paper did a big story on us at my local pub and word spread. I was granted access to the pubs kitchen free of charge anytime I liked just as long as the landlord got first choice where feasible if he needed some Q done.

My kids are in on the program too. They returned home from school to tell me they signed us up to do the summer fair so we have been there two years running. I received an email from the head of the PTA asking if I could put something together for an American 4th of July carnival in 2009.

It's slow and the money isn't great but I'm getting out there.

Also we stuck our sponsors names on our team banner too.

Dr. Sweetsmoke

The names are seperate stickers so they can be removed if they want to drop out.

Dr_KY · 10-24-2008, 09:55 AM

I just returned from getting things set up at another pub for a cook tomorrow and I forgot to add that if you can ask local businesses to advertise for you.

This is what they did for in in preparation for tomorrow.

They are busy all week and have several visiting darts teams so what better place to advertise then next to the board..

tony76248 · 10-27-2008, 01:32 PM

I think the secret is to take advantage of an opportunity by cooking the best BBQ you possibly can and getting feedback from folks. I did a three day golf tournament last month and all of the memebrs were rather well off and most if not all have their own businesses. There is no telling when that word of mouth will run dry.

Golf tournaments! A lot of work but was well worth it.

Neil · 11-06-2008, 02:40 PM

I started out by donating a BBQ dinner for 20 at my parish school's annual fund raising auction. From there it's been all word of mouth.

10-22-2008, 09:39 PM	#1
AlabamaGrillBillies is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-07-07 Location: Birmingham Alabama	Getting the Word out. For all you established guys out there. When you were first starting your catering business, what was the most effective way you got your name out to the people. I have a couple of ideas in my head but would love to hear from those here who have 'been there and done that' as to what worked best for them. __________________ ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Leverguns, 1911s and BBQ Thank God i'm American! Matt Pair, member of the AlabamaGrillBillies Cookteam and Catering company. 24x54 Offset stick burner, 18" WSM, UDS, Mutiple Weber Kettles and a 22" WSM on the way.

10-23-2008, 02:03 AM	#2
Qcrue2U is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 06-13-08 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA	I personally am doing local Farmers Markets. Any public Event you can land. Craigslist is a free way. __________________ NexGrill 110,000 btu, (B.A.M.F.) SilverSmoker!! (2) wsm clones :P el cheapO gasser ECB - Smoke N Grill mini webber clone, with warming rack! Brinkman - Verticle My arsenals of the trade!! \m/ The Eatery - BBQ, Grill & other Tasty Treats

10-23-2008, 05:19 AM	#3
AlabamaGrillBillies is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-07-07 Location: Birmingham Alabama	Right now we can't vend any events. The way our county health codes are they make a distinction between 'contract cooks' and 'vendors' We don't have the equipment yet to be inspected and verified as a 'vendor' so until we basically have a small inspectable comerical kitchen we are set up as a 'contract cook' This means individuals can hire us to cook for them, or for any party/event they have. We just can't go and set up and sell/vend to the public. I haven't thought about craigslist, I'll have to check that out. I just got a Myspace page set up and sent out a ton of friend request. __________________ ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Leverguns, 1911s and BBQ Thank God i'm American! Matt Pair, member of the AlabamaGrillBillies Cookteam and Catering company. 24x54 Offset stick burner, 18" WSM, UDS, Mutiple Weber Kettles and a 22" WSM on the way.

10-23-2008, 08:13 AM	#4
big brother smoke somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-06 Location: Ventura, CA	Human Resource Fairs, mailings, word of mouth! __________________ Peace and Smoke, BBS Powered by the West Coast Offense: Big Poppa Smokers and Simply Marvelous BBQ - "Walk with Us" My weapons: Humphrey's Smokers

10-23-2008, 08:58 AM	#5
Bigmista somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-24-04 Location: Long Beach, CA	Sell dinners to your friends, family and coworkers. Pick a day and tell everyone that you are selling dinners to be picked up on that day. Get payment in advance. Offer to deliver for orders of 10 or more. You get the word out and make cash at the same time. I've funded many a contest that way, __________________ Wait! Bigmista wrote a cookbook? Rec Tec RT-700 Bull Pitmaker Vault Remembering Scott

10-23-2008, 12:42 PM	#6
lazybonesmoke1 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-10-06 Location: MICHIGAN	Call local catering companies and offer to sell them authentic slow smoked BBQ. Some catering companies get calls for BBQ but don't really do BBQ. Go to local VFW, AM VETS, ELKS organizations that have halls bring samples and ask to be put on thier preferred catering list. Get involved with non profit charity organizations and do thier party at cost (plus a little extra for yourself). Tell them to provide labor help. That way you and your product are being exposed and you are a good person for helping. __________________ [FONT=Comic Sans MS]DENI-DETROIT[/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS]LAZYBONES SMOKEHOUSE[/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][URL="http://www.LazybonesSmokehouse.NET"]WWW.LazybonesSmokehouse.NET[/URL][/FONT]

10-23-2008, 02:47 PM	#8
lazybonesmoke1 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-10-06 Location: MICHIGAN	Having a website has helped me increase my catering sales. __________________ [FONT=Comic Sans MS]DENI-DETROIT[/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS]LAZYBONES SMOKEHOUSE[/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][URL="http://www.LazybonesSmokehouse.NET"]WWW.LazybonesSmokehouse.NET[/URL][/FONT]

10-24-2008, 02:09 AM	#9
grillfella is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 02-13-07 Location: Best BBQ in south whittier los angeles	make full color menus. mine are coming out soon

10-24-2008, 06:33 AM	#10
Dr_KY Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-15-07 Location: England	I started smoking ribs and chicken then taking them to my local boozer giving them away and asking for comments. I have been doing Q there during the summer a few years and started a 'you bring it I cook it for beer' campaign. Once people understood our ability, I asked for sponsorship for a contest ( 300 pounds cash) and brought home the Grand Champion award. The local paper did a big story on us at my local pub and word spread. I was granted access to the pubs kitchen free of charge anytime I liked just as long as the landlord got first choice where feasible if he needed some Q done. My kids are in on the program too. They returned home from school to tell me they signed us up to do the summer fair so we have been there two years running. I received an email from the head of the PTA asking if I could put something together for an American 4th of July carnival in 2009. It's slow and the money isn't great but I'm getting out there. Also we stuck our sponsors names on our team banner too. Dr. Sweetsmoke The names are seperate stickers so they can be removed if they want to drop out. __________________ www.drsweetsmoke.com Slappin that bass like some delerious funky preist!!! UDS, Half Pint (Mini UDS), Weber, ProQ 20, Kegrilla 250 gallon cooker- 'The Meat Beast!!' British BBQ Championships Grand Champion 2008 ~~~~ British BBQ Society - Southern Championship Grand Champions 2009

10-24-2008, 09:55 AM	#11
Dr_KY Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-15-07 Location: England	I just returned from getting things set up at another pub for a cook tomorrow and I forgot to add that if you can ask local businesses to advertise for you. This is what they did for in in preparation for tomorrow. They are busy all week and have several visiting darts teams so what better place to advertise then next to the board.. __________________ www.drsweetsmoke.com Slappin that bass like some delerious funky preist!!! UDS, Half Pint (Mini UDS), Weber, ProQ 20, Kegrilla 250 gallon cooker- 'The Meat Beast!!' British BBQ Championships Grand Champion 2008 ~~~~ British BBQ Society - Southern Championship Grand Champions 2009

10-27-2008, 01:32 PM	#12
tony76248 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-10-06 Location: Fort Worth, TX	I think the secret is to take advantage of an opportunity by cooking the best BBQ you possibly can and getting feedback from folks. I did a three day golf tournament last month and all of the memebrs were rather well off and most if not all have their own businesses. There is no telling when that word of mouth will run dry. Golf tournaments! A lot of work but was well worth it. __________________ "Grilla in the Pits" "IMAGRILLA" There's plenty of room for all of God's creatures. Right next to the mashed potatoes. Brinkmann Model 6668 Gasser Hibachi Grill Stumps GF223 w/ Stoker assist ECB that wins the $ Weber One-Touch Gold 22-1/2" #3 Komono Large BGE w/ Stoker assist 55 gallon Drum Smoker Wood Crate Cold smoker w/ smoke injector No need for certification, I already know good BBQ!

11-06-2008, 02:40 PM	#13
Neil Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-04-04 Location: St. Joseph, MI	I started out by donating a BBQ dinner for 20 at my parish school's annual fund raising auction. From there it's been all word of mouth. __________________ "You can't always get what you want but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need" Mange Bene Viva Bene! Old Country Over/Under, Weber: 18.5" WSM, 22.5" WSM, Weber Performer(Col. Steve Austin Mod), Two 22.5" Kettles, & a Smokey Joe; Old Country 36" griddle, Luhr-Jensen Big Chief, Turkey Fryer, Rocky Mountain Camp Stove and a UDS.