[Epi]

to promote myself, this is what I did. Each time my friends/family were having a party I volunteered to cook/bake (certain dishes/pastries because I am no professional, yet). Next to the food/pastries I placed pieces of papers with my name, plus my firends mentioned my name at the end of the party.

Also, everytime I baked, I offered my neighbours and told them "if you know anyone blah blah blah. . .please refer them to me." Well, it worked out pretty dawn good.

good luck and blessings!!

[Epi]

OOps!! Moderators, please delete. I am just seeing ONLY FOR PROFESSIONALS. I am truly sorry. Please forgive me

[teaparty]

1. get a website
2. sign up for google local (its free)
3. use Waiter.com Free Online Restaurant Ordering and Corporate Delivery Services if its in your area.
4. sign up at :: Mingamo - Here Now Save - online coupons website :: for free trial (they offer unique customer loyalty programs.
5. KEEP YOUR ESTABLISHMENT CLEAN ESPECIALLY WASHROOMS
6. offer coupons
7. When cash flow warrants but asap. pay for SEO
8. send out letters each week to corporations in your area to the CEO's admin as she usually books corporate luncheons and board meetings
9. get any convention schedules and promote during events.
10. join the chamber of commerce

If you want to grow and compete in a bad economy you must advertise. Word of mouth is in addition to your efforts. You are not desperate if you advertise, you are just being a good "business person".

lisa
Tea Traditions Catered Tea Parties

[DDenay]

Originally Posted by bughut

I dont know enough about paypal to pass on to you. Except that its much cheaper than credit cards. Customers set up a free account which sends payments instantly. My brother uses it now on his websites as its much cheaper.

Best thing would be to google paypal its a very easy, global system.

PayPal

Posted this Blog some time ago and I am sharing it here.

First let me say I am not endorsing PayPal, however I do use it and after almost ten years have found it to be beneficial to both to students in my classes and myself. Recently, a number of home-based bakers in my last class asked what method was best for collecting payment from customers?

My recommendation is always whenever possible get paid up front and use a reliable, safe payment method if collecting by credit card.

Here are my thoughts about PayPal. There was a time many, many years ago when I was not the biggest fan of PayPal (no bad experiences just didn’t get it, like most consumers new to online sales) however today I use it for online class payments and most of the products/books I sell online.

PayPal send funds directly to a seller from a verified bank account or from a credit card. The key advantages include:

* Immediate and convenient
* Your payment is deposited directly into the seller’s account
* You can pay directly from the product/service listing page
* There is absolutely No requirement that you use your credit card (you can transfer money directly from your bank account)
* Sellers don’t see your credit card number (it is safely encrypted through PayPal’s server), which limits the risk of unauthorized use.
* Automatic payment tracking
* PayPal Buyer Protection offered on qualifying items – up to $1,000 in free coverage
* Additional limited protection offered through PayPal’s Money Back Guarantee
* Allows for a degree of anonymity
* PayPal is available in 190 markets and 18 currencies around the world PayPal enables global ecommerce by making payments possible across different locations, currencies, and languages

Visit www.PayPal.com to learn more.

I would not be fair if I did not tell you there are other payment methods availabe and you will want to shop around for what works best for you and your business.

PayPal Alternatives: Top 5 PayPal Alternatives

[nichole]

As for starters of course you must start from the beginning then going up. The best thing you must do is to start with a free webservice. Then try to observe if it will work. Then from there you can invest much more if you find some improvement on it.