Hey Slingers,
I have some questions for those of you who are up and running. The answers will benefit all of us, including those who have yet to get started.
How are you promoting yourself? What are you doing to make sure that the people in your community know you exist? How do you make folks aware that the dogs from your hot dog cart are waaaaay better than those nasty gas station roller dogs?
What say you?
-Steve
P.S. The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.
I be wondering if the Red Arrow was scuttled in the big wash matey !!!
Glad to hear ye still be floatin !!
1St Mate Jim.
Nay mate. Jist bin busy buildin a new vessel…
Aaargh!!!
I agree with 1st Mate Jim. I always look forward to your posts! But to answer your question more directly. We started out kicking many bushes and had considerable activity in the months in the late spring and early-mid summer months. Our build is a touch different and our market reach is to focus on events, etc. Plus, it’s a project with my two teenage sons. We have all learned a lot regarding promoting the business and it comes down to, in my mind anyway, consistency. If you’re gong to be at a certain place on “X” day then be there to help promote what you’re doing. The caveat to that is you have to be profitable or it’s costly exposure. My boys were saying, “Dad, why aren’t we going to “X” this week?”….. Our reality is, because this is part time, we have to go to populous events as we are not a staple stop in town like other eating places. Hence, the concentration on festivals and events. However, events can be a tricky gig too. I have found that many event organizers are more interested in the vendor registration fees, and have no regard for duplication of vendors nor the amount of vendors. I know of an event that lasts for 4 hours and would be great to go to however to pay $1,000 registration fee is insane. I know of another event that is 2 days but will cost upwards of $2,500 just to get in the gate. In early spring there was another event that cost $5,000 to be a vendor at. All are in our market area. That’s a lot of dogs, no matter who you are. Ok so enough rambling. We have taken off the hotter months of the summer (this year anyway) and believe we will actually do better with what we do with hot dogs, sausages, etc. in the cooler months. If there is a nugget here for someone perhaps it is this. Keep trying different locations, social media, etc., until you strike something profitable where you cost of exposure is not prohibitive to profitability. That is the common ground we continue to search with our part time approach to this. When and if the focus becomes a full time operation, our approach will be different. Good to hear from you Steve!
Agreed. Even though this is the “funnest” business in the world, we do it to make a profit. And you are right about the cool months coming up being a hot sales period for food vendors. Thanks for your well though out response Charlie!
I focus on my single location here at the beach in my home town. Right now, I’m the ONLY vendor on town and in this town, it’s the best location, if not the only one. To promote it, I have a very attractive website that actually focuses very briefly on the business, and greatly promotes attractions in the area. This has worked out very well. If they find the site first they come to me for food. If they find me first, they have a history lesson and I direct them to the site for info on tourism in the area. My brother also set me up on yelp.com and finally, as every town has it’s own website, my town added me to theirs as one of the local eateries.
I like the fact that you promote your town and the tourist attractions on your website. That makes you more “findable” online. Good stuff Robin!
Ps, welcome back, Steve. We missed you.
location location location, I have a good spot it is main st/ rt 11. There are many fast Food spot’s and a high way ( Rt 81 ) so the traffic is heavy. I work my stand from 10 am to 3 Pm. That does not included the am set up or the Pm clean up. a good 8 hr day. But it is working great $300 is a avg day for my and I am out Mon thur Friday
Thanks
Awesome Joe! I’m glad you pointed out that you are near other fast food joints. Slingers – don’t be afraid of the competition. Be where folks go to eat!
Hope all is well…Hot in N.C……Tra’e is coming along…He may be a dog slinger soon….
We are Preparing for all our annual Fall festivals….I am going to expand and fire up my
dog cart soon…..Mr. Donny. God Bless…
Nice! Glad to hear Tra’e is getting better.
welcome back Steve I thought you hit the lottery there for a minute. we do Facebook, the local newspaper . we also do a couple summer concerts and they use our logo on the programsthat they published in the paper so that’s free advertising. we also give t shirts and hats away that’s the beat part of advertising the walking billboards.
Ha. I wish 😉 thanks for commenting!
My longevity in the outside vendor business has been due to providing good service at a reasonable price with positive word of mouth from past clients. My work strategies are to get involved with Events,festivals,weddings and group gatherings. I contract out ahead of time and so I already know what my costs are and the rest is profit. Also contact as many event coordinators as possible and let them know what you can do for them! They need you because…I all but stopped hanging out in a spot as it’s more lucrative for me to contract out. While hot dogs are not what I peddle,but coffee drinks…it’s all the same.
Great angle Roger. Knowing what you will make before you leave the house is an attractive business model.
Hi! I am actually just starting out. I will be completing all the necessary licensing processes this week. I have however been doing my home work. I have a fan page started on facebook as well as some neighborhood canvassing. I have visited my old employees that work in our courthouse located downtown just to get the word out of my up and coming “lunch cart”. I also plan to meet with the local non violence, boys club and homeless shelter to discuss a proceed of my earnings over the first three months being donated in exchange for some local radio station advertisement. My products are good quality I am also offering gluten free options. I am excited and can’t wait to get the dogs rollin!! Thanks for all the information provided by your free lessons they are a life saver!
Good luck with your new Hot Dig Biz! Sell ’em all!
I usually walk around to the city, county, and assorted offices that are around me and hand them a menu flier that states, the days, and times where I am set up. I do that about once a quarter. Some times the different employees take their breaks and go for walks, I also have some menu fliers to hand them. I also will selectively extend a little credit when someone was in a rush and failed to bring their lunch to work when it is close to pay day; that consideration garners thankful loyalty. I have always believed that it is, “20% BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE ~ 80% PEOPLE KNOWLEDGE !”
You must have visible signage. I also have 5×7 menu cards made up and pass them out to the hotels and business’s around me and also I’m very close to an outlet mall so I take them to all the stores and ask if they can be put in there break room. I haven’t had any shirts made up yet that would be something to look into. I would like ear other ideas from all you slingers that been doing this. I’m still kind of a new this will be my second year and still getting that same thing. “I always see you here. but I’ve never stopped till now” and the best is that they always come back!! Thank you all for any info and thanks Steve you have a great info here..
Robin u have a great gig. And I saw your website and got some ideas from u. I’m also in a tourist area at the entrance going into the FL Key’s and I have Print advertisements from fishing charters and snorkeling companies it’s nice to help other business’s too.
were can i buy sabrets dogs an onions
Call Sabretts corporate and ask for the sales department. They will tell you where to get it.