Welcome to Lesson Four
Lesson 4 - Finding the Latest Trends in Cakes and Cake Decorating!
Whether you are a seasoned cake shop owner or just starting your cake decorating business, staying ahead of the competition and keeping up with the latest trends is crucial to attracting more customers and increasing your sales.
Researching current cake and cake decorating trends is essential for staying ahead of the competition and attracting more customers. Â There are several ways you can do this
Online Communities
First, join online communities and forums dedicated to cake decorating, where passionate cake decorators share their latest creations and techniques. There are many Forums out there - so the best thing is to just Google "Cake Decorating Forums" and many will be suggested.
Find one or two that suit you and check in occasionally for Information & Ideas.
Attend industry events and trade shows.
Attending local or national cake shows and workshops offers fantastic opportunities to learn from experts, discover new techniques, and observe the latest cake trends up close.
These events not only help you stay informed but also provide networking opportunities with other professionals in the cake industry, potentially leading to collaborations, referrals, and partnerships.
If you subscribe to some of the Professional Cake Decorating Magazines, they will let you know when the Shows are coming up.
When you visit the trade fairs, take a partner or a good staff member with you. Actively discuss the more interesting exhibits with questions like this, between the two of you -
- Would that fit in your range?
- Can I incorporate the best part of this idea with an existing design we use?
- How would it look in different colors?
- Could you change it to better suit your customers?
- How would it pack or travel for delivery?
- Take photo's if you are allowed.
Professional Magazines
Subscribing to cake decorating magazines or following reputable cake decorating blogs is another way to stay updated on the latest trends.
These publications often feature articles and tutorials showcasing the industry's newest techniques and designs.
To stay updated with industry trends, subscribe to industry publications like Cake Central Magazine, American Cake Decorating, and Cake Masters Magazine
These magazine usually have their own Social Media Channels so you can always start there to keep your costs down.
Wedding Shows & Trends
Keeping an eye on wedding and event trends can also influence cake design choices, as they often go hand in hand.
Following wedding planners, event stylists, and bridal magazines can provide insight into current themes, colors, and patterns in demand, helping you create cakes that perfectly complement these trends.
Social Media
Social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook are also treasure troves of inspiration, with decorators regularly posting their latest designs.
Pay attention to the number of likes, comments, and shares as an indicator of a trend's popularity.
When you find someone with an interesting post, click further into their account and see what else they have posted.
Join the feeds of some of the large cake decorators on Instagram & Facebook. If you don't want your business name showing, use your private name pages.
Like And Comment on their posts regularly so that you will be shown their posts. You never know what ideas will turn up.
YouTube
You will often get the full tutorial on many of the latest trends - if only you could see the newest ones! - Did you know that if you do a search, say for "Cake Decorating", on the top right hand side of the result page, see the Filters button, on both desktop and mobile searches.
Click to filter for This Week, This Month, or This Year. - So have a look through regularly and see lots of great videos & tutorials.
Once you've identified the latest trends, remember to add your unique touch and style to make them your own.
- Can you improve on the design using your own experience?
- Can you make it faster, cheaper, bigger, smaller, or better, in different flavors or ingredients?
When you have settled on a new idea product, Share it as a "Limited Time Offer" on your own Social Media.
- Promote it as a "Try Out this New Thing" in your store.
- Offer a small discount if they 'SHARE' the New Thing on their social media NOW!
- Give a Freebie or a discount to a regular customer, if they will stand in front of a poster about the new item in your store, with all the details for that new item, and take a selfie to share on the customer's social media.
- Promote on your Website, Social Media, and by email.
Creativity and experimentation are key to offering fresh and exciting options that set your cake shop or cake decorating business apart from the competition.
Implementing the latest trends into your cake designs and decorations is crucial for attracting more customers and increasing sales. By combining research, networking, and experimentation, you can stay at the forefront of the cake industry and offer innovative designs that capture the attention of potential customers.
Next Steps
Review this lesson again, after a break, to allow you to digest & absorb the information.
You can always refer back to this lesson as a handy resource whenever you need it.
Remember, attracting more customers and orders with new and innovative designs is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and adaptation. Stay proactive, stay creative, and keep striving for excellence.
List of Lessons
These Lessons are not in any specific order and are all stand-alone,
So, see what interests you the most and do that one next, but don't forget to study them all as soon as you can!
Chances are that the ones you find least attractive at this stage, are the ones that will make the biggest difference in your business.
- Updating Your Website.
- How Best To Use Your Social Media.
- Using Business Directories to Bring Customers.
- Finding The Latest Trends In Cakes And Cake Decorating.
- How To Become The Local Cake Expert.
- How To Collect And Use Email Addresses To Target Your Audience For Birthdays & Seasonal Products.
- Expand Your Range Of Products And Profits With Not Much Extra Effort.
- Staff - Morale, Productivity & Upskilling Ideas and Methods.
- Optimize Pricing Strategy And Decrease Costs To Maximize Profits And Competitiveness.
- Business Promotional Ideas And Supplies: Enhance Your Presentation And Productivity.
- What Might Make Your Business Look Unprofessional?
. Be part of our email newsletter community, but if you're already subscribed, no further action is necessary.