After a long school day, most BCA students crave something sweet to recharge their energy for their after-school activities. It’s a familiar sight to see bake sales hosted by various clubs with students managing the sales. However, despite the high demand for sweet treats among students, the organizers have noticed the general lack of interest in their goods. To find out why, the Academy Chronicle asked the student body what would encourage them to purchase food from after-school bake sales. Their information allowed insight into the thoughts of the consumers themselves. Here are some actionable steps that organizers can take to host a successful bake sale.
1. Home-baked goods
Try bringing more home-baked goods over snacks that could be bought from a store. The whole appeal of bake sales is that students can get pastries and baked treats. Items like chips and sodas can be found in the school cafeteria and often discourage students from buying them. “I think most of the time when I purchase from a bake sale, it’s because there were baked goods that were brought from home,” said Hawon Song, a freshman at BCA. “I also noticed that the bake sales now don’t have as many baked goods. That’s probably why I feel discouraged from buying.” So, encourage club members to prepare something in advance that adds more of a personal touch to the bake sale stand.
2. Better visual decorations
Elevate the bake sale stand with more eye-catching decorations. Instead of simply displaying the items on sale, make the area feel more creative and unique to the club hosting it. “I would love to see some signs representing what the club is about, so I know what I’m supporting,” said Kathryn Choi, a freshman at BCA. “It would also bring in more people who may have been passing by to check it out.” Creating authentic posters or signs highlighting the club is a great way to raise interest for treats for sale and about the club itself. Other ways to decorate could include using tablecloths, laying out a display using trays or platters, and distributing decorative plates. These small details could set apart the success of a bake sale and make it feel more thoughtful to the students.
3. Promotions
Spread the word about the bake sale more effectively by sending out the email blasts to the students sooner. Normally, the emails regarding bake sale promotion will be sent 1-2 days before the event. However, students mentioned how late notifications caused them to forget their money, even when they wanted to purchase something to eat. Also, social media promotion is a great way to spread the word about bake sale events. Creating an online platform for a club helps BCA students stay informed on what’s happening outside of their school activities. It’s a convenient way to communicate with all of the students in a way that ensures that they see it.
