If you are trying to figure out how to find customers for your baking business, a local referral system is a great place to start.

A referral system, or a funnel, is a beneficial connection system that allows customers to easily find what they are looking for, and be forwarded to their ideal baker.

You may regularly find funnels in the automated online space, but in the real world, the human funnel is what really helps bakers find more customers for their baking business.

The human funnel is a free, feel good, supportive referral system that takes into account how a local baking business operates, and uses that to everyone’s advantage.

By using intentional, curated connections with other bakers in your community, you can skyrocket customer satisfaction and be able to selectively choose which orders best suit your unique businesses.

It does take intention to enter into or start a human funnel in your community, if one doesn’t already exist. But I guarantee, your effort and positivity will not go unnoticed or unappreciated by everyone around you.

Below, I will describe how you can go about the process of setting up a local referral system for bakers, and link a video for you to overview how the funnel works!

“By simply connecting with and supporting other bakers, everyone’s needs are better met and your community and business will thrive. “

(12 minute video)

—> Basics of the Human Funnel for Baking Business

Essentially, the human funnel is built by you and other bakers around you. You have to do the work to introduce yourselves and build a referral relationship, by collecting information so you know how to funnel customers around.

The bakers in the funnel agree to send customers to each other, when they can’t or don’t want to fill certain orders. This could be a paid service or a cost free agreement.

The entire purpose of a funnel is to not only get you the orders you want, but also deliver top notch customer service to clients in your area. You will be creating a network that will uplift all businesses and clients involved.

Here is the top information you will need to share with other local bakers, to get the funnel working properly:

1. What are the top products you all offer, and what types of orders do you all like to take?

2. Can you purchase or share samples of each other’s products, to taste the vibe and quality?

3. How much advance notice does everyone need to take orders?

4. Does anyone offer any speciality baked products, like sugar free, keto, gluten free, nut free, etc?

5. Can everyone exchange contact info, like phone numbers, business cards, brochures, Facebook pages or websites that can be shared with referral customers?

—> Ok, now that you know what to ask other bakers about and what to share, how should you go about striking up a conversation?

It’s not always easy to be the first person to make contact with someone who you may consider a competitor in your area.

Below is a simple script you can use to get started!

Simple Script to Use in Person or Through Messaging

“ Hello (name of other baker), my name is (your name), and I run a bakery business here in (location). I was wondering if I could learn more about your business, so that I can refer customers to you when I can’t take their orders. I would love to help support another local baker.”

—> (other baker usually responds with - Sure! you can refer me!”

“Great! Please tell me more about your business! (Use the questions above as guidance.) And may I please purchase a few small items to taste your products?”

—> After you hear all about the other person and their business, ask for good contact info to pass on. Then end with…

“It’s been great talking with you, here is my contact information and some info about me, in case you would also like to refer anyone to me in the future. Please contact me at any time!”

And that’s it!

Now you can begin to refer out orders to the bakers you trust in the area, and build up the strength of your local baking business funnel.

You will start to see more orders coming your way, as the funnel takes shape and you stay connecting with these bakers.

“As the funnel works, you will start to see an increase in customer satisfaction, more desirable orders, and overall goodwill in your baking community. “

If you love the vibe of this article, and the idea of a positive, friendly baking business, you are a perfect fit for our signature mentorship program.

Inside the Elite program, we help you get the rest of your business set up for success, so you can take full advantage of your community visibility created by the baking business funnel.

Building better baking business, one step at a time.

Melissa’s Favorite Things