Enough fooling around slinger. It’s time to step up your game.
Bob writes…
********************
Steve, I really love this site. You and your followers give me a lot of great information.
I made a career change into this business in January and the location I got requires me to work WAAAY more hours than I had really hoped to work. I stay here because it’s secure. I’m just not sure if I’m spending my time wisely by being here.
So here is a quick rundown of my spot. I am inside a small college, set up in the cafeteria. I average about $1200-$1400 in sales a week.
I haven’t done many other events since I am at the school all day long but once did an open house where I sold $450 worth of dogs in two hours and profited $300!
After doing that event it got me wondering if I was spending my time in a bad way when I could make money so quickly at different places.
Sorry for the long post but any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bob
*********************
Hey Bob,
When I read your email, I immediately saw a HUGE opportunity that you are completely overlooking!
Your instincts are right on. It sound like you could make a lot of money doing events, however your college location isn’t something I would give up. It’s got way more value than just the steady weekly income you are making with it (which isn’t bad at all – congrats on that).
Here’s the first thing that comes to my mind – your daily location may have a great customer demographic for getting what we call “gigs”.
A lot of people use their daily location as a way to connect with the community and make them aware that they also do gigs – catering, private parties, store openings, car shows, craft shows, etc.
You need to find out if your college customers are are the kind of people that will book you for off site gigs. The only way to know is to test it.
Make up a sign and some fliers that promote your catering and private party services and promote the crap out of it.
When you start to get a lot of private gigs from your college customers then it would make sense to hire one of those college kids. Have them work your permanent location while you follow up on the gig leads and work the private events.
The end result is a steady stream of lucrative private gigs in your pipeline. Based on the numbers you gave me that could triple your income.
We call that “leverage”. Leverage is what allows you to work way less and make way more.
It’s what smart business people do every day. Others just sell hot dogs.
– Steve
P.S. Do strategies like this excite you? Can you see how simply changing the way you think about your business can double it over night? You need to become a better business person as well as a better slinger. Here’s how…
There’s 80 pages of pure Hot Dog Business Management and Strategy Training inside my 250 page book “Carts of Cash”. Start reading on page 171.
how did u get the college gig?
He asked for it. It’s all about identifying the next step and pulling the trigger. Action takers win.
Wow thats great a college what state is the college in
Hey Carlo,
You should be able to find local colleges online. Just make an appointment to see the person in charge of food services. Go down and talk to them personally, that’s always best.
As far as trying out the hot dog biz, the no risk way is to build your own cart. It’s so easy with these videos and you can always sell it for more than it cost you build it should you ever decide to leave the business.
Email me if you have any more questions Carlo. I’d be happy to help you get started.
Steve &Bob,
This sounds like a great way to expand your business footprint. have you thought about getting a second cart? then you can work the college one, and send the other to events. Do you have any sons , daughters, or grandkids that can work the cart while your at the school or the event?
This would allow you to get both events, trust me when i say you will be kicking yourself for giving up a steady gig (the college) in those times when events are slow or low, or only have enough room for X amount of vendors. Or bad weather events, that really kill your sales. The college location could be a great gig, and guess what? your on a college, what better place to look for some potential employees? college kids will be looking for some work anywhere they can get it, and your in the position to help them as well!!
Indeed. Great comment Beau!
Nice gig Bob,
Stay with it and work the crap out of it and leverage leverage like Steve says 😉 just a thought college people are very trendy maybe there is something you could sell right along with it, keep an eye on the students 😉 it’s always about what they need!
Great idea Rick. Work the trends for added profit.
A $300 profit on $450 in sales shows a margin of 66% which is within a reasonable range. Using the 66% as a percentage of your weekly sales, you are looking at around $800 profit per week. Take Steve’s advice and don’t give up the college gig; build on it. A lot of us slingers out here would love to be in your position. Congratulations!
I’d kill for the steady 1500 a week. I’m trying to get up to 250-300 a week. I’ll say it again. They don’t eat that many hot dogs in Western Colorado. They want a steak and a baked potato or deer and elk meat every day. This is a fact. I need to move where some of you folks live. Wish I could be working on increasing a 1500 dollar a week income. Must be nice. I’m jealous. Where are you in New York. LOL
Any colleges near you Boo? Maybe serve an elk dog on a potato roll?
There’s always a way no matter where you live.
Steve,
There is Mesa State, I think they just changed the name. I’ve been looking up and down the streets at the college trying to figure out a spot to approach. There’s Doctor’s offices, Mormon Church, Real estate offices etc. The parking lots are small and crowded. There aren’t any more gas, gas stations here in Colorado. They have Pizza Hut, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Subways among other food offerings inside, so I don’t think they will let me set up on their lots.
I will keep thinking and trying to figure something out. It’s hard here with the Downtown Development Authority and the hoops are big and plentiful. It’s a good thing that I’m hard headed.
We really just started last September. We’re warming up finally. The winters here are usually good but this year was under 30 degrees all day from Dec 21 until a couple of weeks ago. We hadn’t hit 50 yet.
Like my Sister-in-law said over 25 years ago. “Keep on Keeping on.”
An elk dog on a potato roll !!
Har har har !! Aye matey !
Another idea with a sail !!
1St Mate Jim..
Hey Boo, You don’t have to go to NY just come on over to the east slope, these yuppies ain’t so particular you just have to throw in a tofu dog now and then..lol
Howlin Hank,
You know any of the folks working any of the “Home Depots?” A friend has “Home Depot” here on the Western Slope and has a couple on the Eastern Slope too. His name is Carlos. Of course he has folks running them for him.
College gigs are great I was lucky to get started at one part time 2 days a week. I start full time the 1st of April and am excited average daily is $250-$300 a day, it’s good to be back in school. I also was contacted by a local Harley Davidson dealership who are sponsering several speciaal events starting soon and wanted to know if I could sell hot dogs at their events. Things are working out as I hoped they would I have leads on other special events and am always marketing. I also agree to keep your steady college gig and work the special events, and get help as needed. Good luck and good sliging.
Way to go Jerry! A.B.M. (always be marketing).
Send me some pics!
Everyday I wake up, I try to be better than I was yesterday…….
joe
Good philosophy Joe.
1400.00 a week ….That’s GREAT!!!!!………Hire a trusted Senior Citizen,they have a great work ethic……IT helps them and most will be loyal until you are ready to Quit….Their generation was raised to work . Do parties and festivals and any other “gig”..BUT….DO NOT LET YOUR “STEADY” SUFFER. What a BLESSING!!!!!!! KEEP ON SLINGING!!!!
I agree on hiring seniors. It’s a win-win.
Hot Dog Mike “OVER HERE” !!!
Great idea Steve !!! The first day I opened my stand in Maine at the entrance to Acadia
National Park !!! The Trenton Dog Pound !! Not only did i bring in a 1000.00 cash at my
window a woman approached me an invited me to do a festiv al f or The F riends of Acadia! She wanted 500 dogs 500 waters bags of chips Italian ices !!! I gave her my price
an she wrote me a check and paid me in full !!’ I made just from the Festival 1800.00 $
Profit to hand them out in 3 hours !!! My first day including the festival i brought in 3500 dollars !! I had Fancy T-Shirts made up just for the fair !!! I made enough in 1 day to pay
my bills for the whole summer !! I quit my job !! Even got a local TV commercial !!!
Do both run the spot n do lots of parties !!! My first gig this spring with my E-Z Built cart is April 27th. at The Great Spring Festival in Wildwood NJ !!! At Fox Park at The Boardwalk and Convention center !! Live Bands Car Shows Contests and me and the Weenie Wagon !!! See you there !!!
Hot Dog Mike!!!
$1500 a week? I made a grand once. Wish I could do that every week! But not bad for an out of the way 4 way stop at a local beach surrounded by local history and great hiking, fishing, boating, etc.
Check it out at LakesideLunch.com
You are living the dream Robin!
Think about this; I was the consessions manager at the commmunity college I went to. I made a lot of money for thge associated students bookstore with one simple idea. I would move, and concessions, and the vending machines to where ever the students hung out. In the summer it was here, in the fall it was over there, etc. Can you move to where the sudents hang out seasonally, and for other things, etc. Take the mountain to Mohammid
Great tip Chappy!
Jumped through a lot of hoops to find out that in order to be on the ULL campus here, you have to be in bed with the “Food Service Corporation”. My 2 nights a week outside the bars patronized by college age kids nets me an average of $700. During Spring and Fall, I do a Friday lunch gig at a downtown park, fundraiser for the science museum, and split 50/50 with the museum. I don’t do it for the money, but they count on me, and it is great exposure. I net between $100 and $300 for that. And I only sell from 1130 – 1. The draw is free live music (and the food!!). The weather for Mardi Gras last week was not good, and we netted about $600 less than in previous years. For a 10 hour day/night, netted $1400…Last year, through good old word of mouth, landed 4 fun, lucrative weekend gigs in the Fall at craft fairs. These are annual events for which I have been invited back this year. I am subject to the weather, and in Dec and Jan, missed 4 Wednesday nights. No sense getting soaked, especially when the rain keeps the crowds away…I also sell pints of my award winning “Russell’s Cajun BBQ Sauce” from the cart, among other places. Check out the website!
You’re doing “grate” as usual Russ.
Sounds like its time for a second cart. Why don’t you set someone up to work at the campus while you work a second cart with other gigs? Imagine the $$$$.
I second that emotion.
I have 3 locations that I work, plus festivals and special events. What I have found is my normal business is from 10-2; this is when I have the best sales. We don’t have a lot of night life in our little town. I also have found and proven that 98% of my gigs or special events are from word of mouth. I do use of my signs, business cards, on TV and Radio (for free) and provide great service. Yes I do events for free, make donations to support the community. I have found that working on averages works better because you are going to have great days, good days and bad days. I would never burn my bridges with anyone, the school that you are working is or should be a great way to get additional business. Maybe you can work it out to work a few days a week or work different hours. Changing your schedule will still make you money and provide a service that the school needs. The only other thing that I have found that has helped is being so good looking. lol…..
DUGGS DOGGS
Good!! Good!!
If you could bottle those good looks you would be a rich man Michael.
Good!! Good!!
Steve, I am rich, I have my health, on my 3rd wife, 9 grandchildren, 2 great dogs, retired (with a retirement and medical benifits), currently employee of a worldwide company and owner/operator of DUGGS DOGGS with a 17% increase in sales from 2011 to 2012, plus i’m still a hottee.. What else could a man want.
DUGGS DOGGS
GOOD!! GOOD!!
I’m jealous. Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey there steve, im new to your site, and have to say your doin big things brother!! I have 2 carts and just starting my 1st food truck in Indianapolis In, i am doing it fulltime, have a well rounded buddy i can trust with my working, i do alot of local bars, walmarts, big lots parking lots..doing it fulltime..with indiana weather permitting..lol..Indianapolis is a great town for food venders and not really to the level of “Making money” where id like to be..any advice would be appreciated..Ps..i really enjoy hearing all your followers opinions and forums..really good insite and truely insperational
Thanks Mike!
My advice is always this: Don’t sell a hot dog, sell an experience. Sell, be, and do something that the customer can’t get anywhere else.
Send me some pics!