3. About Kevin
Good Food Catering Company– Tampa, FL
Started Company from scratch in 2008
Quickly became known as an upscale caterer
Rapid growth was due to grass-roots sales &
marketing techniques
Focused on events, weddings and parties
Started as a small caterer doing small parties
Now we are a small caterer doing large events
4. Why Are We Here Today?
Because business ($) doesn’t walk in the door
by itself! You have to “build the machine”
Marketing vs. Sales
How to open your mind and think outside of the
box
You can get creative without spending a bundle
You will leave here with an idea that will make
you $1000.
8. “Creative” Marketing
Pros
Inxpensive
- One-on-One (it’s personal)
- VERY targeted
Cons
It takes effort!
(if it were easy, everyone would do it)
9. Primary Marketing Tools
Consistent Brand & Logo
Professional Web Site – Get it done right!
Professional Photography
Media Exposure
Social Media (FB, Twitter, Instagram)
Networking (NACE, ABC, etc.)
10. Get Creative - #10
Get a Blog – and Write!
Best idea for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Can be VERY targeted (key words in titles)
Allows you to build relationships through linking (to photographers,
wedding planners, etc.)
Allows you to be an expert on a topic
Cost: Time
11. Get Creative - #9
Make Your Social Media Visual!
People LOVE looking at photos!
Cost: Time
12. Get Creative - #7
Do a photo shoot
Planners and Photographers LOVE doing photo shoots
They utilize these shoots for marketing
They may want to integrate the food, or just be fed!
Make it clear to the organizers what you want to get out of the shoot
Get free press and free professional photography
Cost: $100-$150
16. Get Creative - #6
Coffee or Cocktail with a Pro
Go into the appointment with a purpose
WII-FM?
Go someplace local and/or unique
Bring him/her something (hint: not a brochure)
Cost: $10-$50
(depending on how much they drink)
17. Get Creative - #5
Happy Hour
At Your Office
Create a Signature Cocktail
Make fun signage
Selectively invite a small group of
clients, friends, COI, event pros, etc.
Cost: $100-$150
18. Get Creative - #4
Co-Host a Meet & Greet
Team up with a vendor that has a storefront and a great reputation -
Photography Studio, Wedding Planner, Florist
You provide food, beverage, etc. – They bring in their clients Win / Win
Cost: / $150-$450
19. Get Creative - #3
Teach a Class
Cost: / $100-$200
(better yet, have them pay you!)
20. Get Creative - #2
Make your Food the Star!
Handing out food samples is not a new concept
So… You need to find a way to make it unique
Cost: / $30-$100
21. Get Creative - #2
Make your Food the Star!
Food Samples Should:
Reflect your style
Be easy to eat (or bring them utensils, chopsticks, etc.)
Easy to heat or re-heat
Have your logo and company info
Have a story
Be fun and whimsical – Make it Memorable!
22. Get Creative - #2
Make your Food the Star!
our “Cajun Paella” in a Chinese style to-go box
23. Get Creative - #1
Host a Networking Lunch
You need to provide value and a REASON to attend
Free food is not enough of a reason – WII-FM
Tapas Tuesday: How and why I created the concept
Cost: / $100-$250
24. Get Creative - #1
Networking Lunch
Make Your Guests Work For You!
25. Get Creative - #1
Networking Lunch
Make Your Guests Work
For You!
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
27. Get Creative - #1
Networking Lunch-Does it Work?
Hey Kevin!
Thanks for connecting with me on Linkedin. It reminded me I meant to shoot
you a message to thank you for having us over the other week. We got to
reconnect with <planner>, and because of that, we were able to
book a wedding with one of her clients literally the following week.
I really liked the intimate atmosphere and the food was superb!
Thanks again and we look forward to hopefully working with you guys in the
future!
28. Get Creative!
Make the Most of Your Time Today
Before you leave today –
jot down your favorite idea
On The Plane Ride Home –
Revamp Your Marketing Plan
29. Get Creative!
Questions?
Kevin Lacassin – Good Food Catering Company
Tampa, FL
Contact me – kevin@goodfoodtampa.com
Now Go Make Some Money!