HOW TO STAY COMPETITIVE IN THE CAKE INDUSTRY
- ekatmetcalf
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
I know you've been staring at those beautiful cake photos online, wondering how to make your own creations stand out in a crowd overflowing with talented bakers and artists.
Trust me, I've been there!
Starting a cake business wasn't easy. I came from a food and beverage background, but cake decorating was a whole new world. The passion was there, the orders trickled in, but let's be honest, the income wasn't exactly setting the world on fire. It's a common struggle, believe me.
But the good news is, there are ways to rise above the competition, and I'm here to share some helpful tips that I've learned along the way.
1. Know Your Niche & Own Your Flavor
My baking journey began with a leap of love—creating my own wedding cake! The joy it brought inspired me to focus on wedding cakes and start taking small commissions.
Specialization is key to success in the cake industry. Find a niche that matches your passion and skills, whether it's detailed fondant designs, dietary preferences like vegan or gluten-free, or themed event cakes. This sets you apart and attracts your ideal clients.
2. Stay Ahead of the Curve
In a rapidly evolving industry, staying stagnant is not an option. Be updated of the latest trends by immersing yourself in social media platforms, attending workshops, and enrolling in online courses. Embrace new techniques, flavors, and design concepts to keep your list fresh and captivating.
Social Media Savvy: Use Instagram to follow popular cake decorators and bakers, keeping up with the latest trends like gravity-defying cakes and sugar floral decorations.
Embrace Online Courses: Improve your skills and learn new techniques through online tutorials, from flavor mixing to creating stunning sugar flowers. There's always something new to discover!
WANT TO LEARN NEW RECIPES AND CAKE DECORATING TECHNIQUES?
Check Ekat’s Academy for various online courses, including chocolate making, entremets, wafer paper flowers, sugar flowers, edible mediums, edible fabrics, and other modern cake design techniques.
3. Presentation is Key
"You eat with your eyes first" is especially true for cakes. Through trial and error, I learned that investing in exquisite packaging and creating a cohesive brand identity that reflects your style and values ensures a memorable customer experience from the first sight to the last bite.
Invest in beautiful packaging, like boxes or cake stands that match your brand, as presentation is key to making a lasting impression.
Develop a brand identity with a distinctive logo and color scheme to stand out in a crowded market.
Build your portfolio using skills from courses to make wedding cakes with dummies. Take photos and upload them on social media and your website. I used Wix to build my site, Ekats.com.au, which is simple and user-friendly.
Learn basic photography skills and use natural lighting. You don't need a professional camera—your phone will do. Finding the right background and time of day for the best light can become your signature style.
4. Prioritize Customer Service
Every morning, I make it a priority to check my DMs, emails, and comments to quickly respond to any customer inquiries or concerns.
Exceptional customer service, personalized experiences, and consistently exceeding expectations help build loyalty and generate invaluable word-of-mouth referrals in a competitive market.
5. Network & Collaborate
Connect with other specialists in your industry. Send a greeting card, or email, or even a DM showing a few great cakes from your portfolio to event planners in your area. I used to drop off my handmade signature chocolates with the leaflet to big venues and event coordinators to say hi and introduce myself.
Networking helps expand your reach and uncover new opportunities, so build relationships with industry professionals and participate in online communities and local events. Be open to collaborations and communicate your availability to vendors to boost your chances of being included in future projects.
WANT TO LEARN CHOCOLATE SHARD FOR FREE?
Start offering this as bonbonerie or a small gift box, not just to build relationships but also to showcase your crafts and expertise.
6. Passion is the Secret Ingredient
My love for baking, art, and fashion fuels my cake creations. Doing something I enjoy makes the challenges of running my own business a lot easier to handle.
Let your love for baking shine through in every cake. Your dedication will be the sweetest ingredient in your success. Infuse every cake with love, creativity, and dedication. Your genuine enthusiasm will shine through in your creations, leaving a lasting impression on your customers and setting you apart from the competition.
Final Thought
I hope this little guide has armed you with some helpful tips!
Believe me, I've been there – the struggle to stand out in a sea of talented bakers and ever-changing trends online. It can be tough, but it's definitely not impossible!
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