Baklava Blitz

Many years ago, I was bestowed the Food Ninja title by my mentor coach because I stealthily would leave treats by her back door. When I found this Minion Food Ninja figure, I decided to make him my mascot for my baklava.

It worked right into my marketing plan to bomb the city with baklava to gain more exposure, buzz, a following, and new possible wholesale distribution sites. I had some left over baklava from an order and put it to use. Packing up bundles of 6 pieces of various flavors, the Food Ninja and I set out one morning to create a Baklava Blitz and post our progress on Social Media.

It has been said that there needs to be 4-6 taps with a potential client for them to commit to you or your product. I decided to test it out. First, I searched on Facebook for “coffee” or “cafe”, wrote down 13 locations, and sent them a brief and to though Facebook messenger:

Good Morning!
My name is Elif and I bake highly addictive baklava (www.BohemianBaklava.com). I would love the opportunity to bring some by for you to try and see if maybe it would be a good fit for your cafe.
Take care and thanks for your time!
Elif Ekin

Tap #1-Check!

I waited 2 days and then set out on my deliveries, posting and tagging all the way.

Tap #2-Check!

Two more days go by, and I decide to check in on when they would like to order some baklava (notice I said “when”, not “if” they wanted some)

Tap #3-Check!

I got some great feedback and created a fun buzz around the city because no one knew where I would end up next. The cafes are now aware of who I am and my product. I have actually been in contact 2-3 owners about the possibility of baklava going in their shop. Some, wrote and said it was a really great product, but can only have desserts made from the restaurant they share a space with.

All in all, I think it was a success for what I had set out to do.

Recently, I have revisited a cafe on my own to meet a friend for coffee, saw the owner and chatted about my baklava. She asked for my card and said she would consider it now that she had met me in person.

Tap #4-Check!

It is all about a plan, consistency in message and product, and follow through. Are you willing to think outside the box and do things you haven’t done before to propel your business forward?

Keeps your eyes open because you never know where the Food Ninja will end up next!