My Favourites
As New Zealand is home to the magnificent Whittaker’s Chocolate, it should come as no surprise that Kiwis are a nation of sweet tooths. Reportedly, we eat 5kg of chocolate each, on average, every year. Then, of course, we also love our pastries, lollies and other sweet treats.
If you love baking, there’s never been a better time to turn your passion into profit. Whether you’re known for your sponge cakes, cinnamon rolls or good old chocolate chip cookies, your baking skills have the potential to be turned into a decent side hustle.
Increasingly, more people are seeking homemade, unprocessed food that is made with real ingredients. So, there’s a growing demand for baked goods made with care.
If you fancy yourself as the next Adriano Zumbo, Jessica Préalpato or Cédric Grolet, this post will highlight some simple and realistic ways you can monetise your baking skills.
Accepting Payments
Before exploring these different ways, it is important to think about how you’ll accept payments if people do want to purchase your creations. This is especially pertinent if you’re planning to sell at local markets or run a small home baking business, as you’ll need to have a reliable payment solution.
One good option is Smartpay, which offers portable EFTPOS systems that are perfect for pop-up stalls or delivery-based businesses. Through it, customers can pay quickly and securely. You will usually receive their payment on the same day it is made.
Monetising your baking skills
Regardless of how you accept payments, here are some of the best ways to use your baking skills to make sales.
1. Sell Homemade Baked Goods
The most obvious way to earn from baking is to sell homemade baked goods.
From cupcakes to artisan loaves, there’s a niche for every baker. So, it is a good idea to start small and then grow your product range organically.
Initially, offer your baked goods to friends, family or your local community for free. Consider it marketing, as you’ll want to make sure there is a demand for it.
You can also list products on local Facebook groups or use food-specific delivery platforms in your area. If you do this, make sure your packaging is appealing and that your prices are clear.
Also, ask family, friends and other contacts who have tried your baked goods to leave a positive review on your Facebook page.
2. Launch a Home Baking Business
If you’re serious about baking for income, then consider setting up a home baking business. To do this, you will need to follow local council regulations and ensure your kitchen meets hygiene standards. Also, don’t forget to check the cottage food laws New Zealand has in place to understand what’s allowed from a home kitchen.
It doesn’t matter how good your baked goods are if people don’t know about them. Therefore, take the time to create a simple website or start an Instagram page to show off your best creations. This can help you attract regular customers and even wholesale interest from cafes.
3. Take Custom Cake Orders
Do you have a knack for decorating? If so, taking custom cake orders is a fantastic way to stand out. From birthdays to weddings, people are always looking for beautiful, personalised cakes to celebrate special occasions.
The great thing about taking custom cake orders is that you can charge a premium for your work, especially if you offer something unique like gluten-free or vegan options.
It is advisable to take one order at a time and take pictures of it. You’ll want to build a small portfolio that new customers can peruse and you can show off on social media.
From there, you’ll be amazed at how many orders will come in once you get your name known.
4. Sell at Local Markets
Baking for local markets is a great way to connect with customers on a face-to-face level. When you are just starting out, it is a good idea to sell your wares at markets because they provide you with valuable exposure and immediate feedback.
Consider selling cookies, muffins, banana bread and slices as these are much sought-after items. Just make sure your stall looks inviting and that your creations stand out from others.
It is also worth including clear signage with ingredient information and your prices.
5. Teach Online Baking Classes
If you don’t want to sell directly to the public, but you are confident in your skills, why not share your knowledge by offering online baking classes?
You can run these live on Zoom and also record them and sell them on platforms like Udemy. If you do this, however, try focusing on beginner-friendly recipes or techniques that people often find tricky, such as macarons, baked Alaska, chocolate éclairs or Portuguese custard tarts.
What makes this such a potentially lucrative venture is that teaching is also a smart way to reach a global audience without needing to post or deliver anything.
6. Create a Baking Blog or YouTube Channel
Are you more interested in earning a passive income, as opposed to turning your baking skills into a bona fide business? Then consider launching a baking blog or YouTube channel.
On it, you can share recipes, video tutorials or baking tips, and over time, monetise your content through ads, affiliate links, or branded guest post partnerships.
In addition, plenty of bakers also make money by reviewing kitchen gear or linking to products they use. To make a success of this, though, you will need strong photography and a good storytelling ability to help you grow your audience faster.
Speak Your Mind