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You've bought an ice cream truck or cart, freezers, and other equipment for your business. You've found a "honey hole" where you sell your products; however, you haven't seen your profits increase over time. If this sounds like you, maybe this is the signal for you to expand your business. There's more to selling ice cream than pushing your cart to a crowded park or driving up and down every street in your neighborhood waiting for customers to come to you. Keep in mind, you are competing against other vendors in your area as well as with ice cream parlors, convenience stores, and fast food restaurants. With so many competitors in the marketplace, you must capitalize on any and every opportunity to maximum profits. To increase your profits, you can:
Find a Better Location If your current location is not working for you, move to another location. Don't stay in a particular area because you've always been there. If you are not making any money, why are you wasting your time? Time is money!Get a Website and Get Listed In the age of technology, every business should have a web presence. You can develop a website that conveys the necessary information about your business such as who you are, what you offer, and essential contact information. At the very least, you should get listed in a web directory so your customers can find you.
Market to Local Businesses, Residents, and Churches Contact local businesses to obtain permission to sell on their property. Contact churches, run ads in local newspapers, post flyers, hand out business cards, and send post cards to targeted residents in your area. Make them aware of the fact that you are available for parties, weddings, family reunions, picnics, and church functions. Which would you prefer, waiting for customers to find you or showing up to a location where customers are already waiting for you?
Participate in Local Events and Fairs Contact your local city office to find out what events are coming to your area and determine how you can participate.
Offer Other Items for Your Customers Sell other items such as novelty candy and toys, chips, pickles, shaved ice, and other items from your truck or cart but make sure you do not violate any local city ordinances.
Get a Better Supplier Find the supplier who can give you the best price possible for the items you sell.
Partner with Another Business Find other businesses in your area such as caterers and partner with them to offer your truck or cart for any scheduled events they may have. Customers from outside of your service area may contact you via your website. You can monetize this opportunity by setting up a paid referral system with ice cream vendors in other areas.
Add more Trucks or Carts Hire a family member or friend to run an additional ice cream cart or truck in another area.
Become a Supplier Sell ice cream to other vendors and convenience stores. Novelty ice cream is hard to find in local supermarkets. Offer a way for customers to purchase these items from you.
Sell Advertisement Space You can sell advertisement space on your ice cream truck or cart.
It is important that you continuously evaluate your business and find ways to make improvements. There are many resources online where you can find suppliers and other ice cream related business resources.