Catering Leads

Local Catering has worked for me in the past, not much repeat business though, generally somebody looking for "cheap".

Web sites have never got me incredible business, some orders but no good solid clients. I firmly believe in old school pounding the phones, setting up tastings with corporate clients and a very informative and personable sales person.

I stick to word of mouth and website referrals. Advertising gets you responses from people looking for bargains in my experience. Build your clientelle slowly and stick to your strengths. Don't try to make everyone happy.

 

Ken Harper

 

http://www.chopchop.ca

I am an alcohol catering type company, check out www.drinksinneed.com

 

I provide exquisite bar services, professional mixologists or master bartenders, with high end cocktails with all natural/organic ingredients. We specialize in custom beverages, the newest raves on liquor, etc. We have also provided interesting attire depending on the party (we painted latex outfits on our female bartenders).

 

The Wine Not? llc, provides certified sommeliers for tastings and socials. We have imported some of the finest wines to the basic well known goodies. We have also served the wine from the cellar of a client giving expert knowledge on food pairings, etc.

 

This is a new venture for society, an alcohol catering business, there are some out there but we have a unique style, high end drinks to the basics, and bring excitement with bar flare, costumes, decor, etc.

 

Check it out, let me know what you all think?

These catering websites have been around since the beginning of the internet. Clients that have alot of money spend, who cater frequently, do not use these sites. (like localcatering.com, directcatering.com)  Usually people that use these sites have never had anything catered to them before, and absotutely know nothing about the catering process. People are suckered into these sites because these sites are the first ones that pop up when "caterer" is googled. If you are a caterer looking to get leads from these sites, chances are you are going to get real bottom-of-the-barrow clients, people who don't have much money to spend. My advise is to spend the money on getting your website on the first page of a search engine, it is money much better spent rather than giving it to these losers. There is nobody I know that has ever really snagged a good profitable gig of of one of these sites... and I 've been the catering busines for 20 years. Smarter clients with money look beyond these bloodsuckers and search out caterers with-out the middleman. So, my opinion,.... just spend the extra money and get a great website for yourself

And.... BTW, getting your own website positioned on the first page of the search engine in your geographic area is actually more affordable then many think.

Remember, you are only catering with-in a realistic 20 mile radius from your kitchen right?

Yeh, I agree, these websites will not get you good paying gigs. They are just middlemen internet bloodsuckers. Read my post

I started with Local catering in 2003 got plenty of leads went back and now HUGE difference, could be the economy but like the last person stated not many referrals and they are looking for cheap as of 2011 I received about 3 real leads that came through other than that I am looking for another way/solution...