subject: Start A Catering Business Through Networking [print this page] A catering business can be built through traditional advertising and marketing methods. If you are starting on a bootstrap budget, consider the slow but sure method of building sales through networking. By building a network of contacts one person at a time, you assemble a group who know your work, know you as a person, and will happily be on the look out for work they can pass your way.
Start With Your Network
To begin networking successfully, it is generally advised to begin with your personal network and work outwards. Talk to friends, family, and past colleagues about your catering business and ask them for contacts of others who might be in need of catering, are well-connected, or might be able to provide some other type of lead.
Meet these new contacts and learn who they are. Try to identify what their needs are, whether personal or for their business, and look for ways to help them. People like to help those who have helped them. Only after thinking about how you can help them discuss your catering business without pushing to sell to them directly. By trading favors with many people you will slowly create a network.
Show Influences of Your Work
When you come across contacts who seem to be in a position or have such a personality that they are able to influence the decisions of many others, try to find a way to do a catering job for these individuals. This could be a small job at a discounted rate or even free to give them a sense of the quality of your food and service. With any luck, your work for them will give them something to talk about and they won't think twice about referring others to your business for their catering needs. Small jobs like this can lead to big jobs and, hopefully, long-running relationships with businesses who will use your services for events wherever they go in the area.
