Cake decorating is a costly hobby.
I’ve observed so many instances when home bakers were reluctant to charge what they ought to for a cake, claimed they didn’t mind making cakes for free/cheap because they enjoy baking, or thought they were still learning despite having years of experience.
I’m guilty of doing that, and it had no effect other than to undermine my confidence.
In this post, I go over the seven mistakes I made as a home baker.
Let’s dive right in.
1. Blind Faith
Blind faith is trust that someone will act morally.
It can get really awkward when it comes to money.
Receiving payment upfront is important when selling cakes so that there aren’t any problems when it’s time for pick up.
I’ve came across countless bakers who have had issues with not receiving payment because they thought they could trust the customer to pay for the cake order.
2. Pricing too low
Take the time to know your costs.
Depending on where you SHOP and where you LIVE, the costs of goods and items VARY.
Knowing your costs will give you a realistic idea of how much you SHOULD be charging for your cakes.
I’ve noticed a lot of people asking in Facebook groups how much a particular cakes costs, but in all honesty, you have to determine that for yourself.
You can start doing this by breaking down the cost of a vanilla cake recipe.
Then break down the cost of materials like cake boards, decorations, fondant, flowers, packaging, the list can go on.
TIP: One way I updated my cake pricing was to charge a minimum order amount and then include additional fees based on flavors and designs.
Every cake is special and you may be surprised at how much it all costs. Especially, after you factor in time and profit.
I’d rather charge fairly for fewer orders than undercharge and find myself unable to manage several.
3. No Plan
It’s a good idea to have a plan for how you want to organize your cake orders.
For a long time I didn’t have a plan. I took orders as they came and wasn’t sure what to focus on.
It’s important to play to your strengths and what you enjoy doing most to avoid overwhelm and burn out.
4. Not promoting yourself
You can NEVER promote yourself too much.
SAY IT LOUD and PROUD!
You cannot accept orders if no one is aware that you exist.
Sharing pictures and videos of your cakes online might help you get the trust and familiarity of your audience.
Don’t be afraid of showing your face and your cake skills on camera.
Additionally, I find it motivating to see other bakers doing their thing online.
It allowed me to have the confidence to publish this blog post.
5. Afraid of complaints
Imagine putting a lot of effort into a cake for which you likely undercharged the customer, only to have them contact you to complain and want a refund.
I had a similar experience at the beginning of my cake journey, and it traumatized me for life, lol.
Customers will complain, which will make you believe that baking is not for you.
I allowed myself to feel that way, and as a result, I missed out on a lot of opportunities.
6. Not having a strict policy
Having a policy in place is great for you and your customers.
It will help streamline everything and save you time and money.
Here are a few things you should have or can add to your policy TODAY.
For example:
- 2 weeks notice to place a cake order
- 50% non-refundable deposit to place the order
- Pay the remaining balance prior to pickup
- Delivery fee/Rush fee
The best part is that you may alter your policy to fit the needs of your business.
7. Keeping up with the trends
You shouldn’t ever feel pressured to follow trends.
I’ve personally tried some amazing trends such as cakesicles and drip cakes.
However, there are some trends that you might not want to follow.
For instance, “cake pops” are great, but many bakers have complained about selling these because they could require a lot of effort with little payoff.
Watch Part 1: 7 Home Baker Mistakes to Avoid when Selling Cakes
Want to stay connected? You can find me @heavenmycake on Instagram.