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Oh man.... you have no idea how often this question has been asked in the forums section!!!
So I thought I would discuss it just a little and also give everyone just a few little helps that I learned over the last 3 1/2 years and 150 cakes. As many of you know there is a method to the madness. An algorithm that Michal and Martin adapted for the site. I don't know it ...but I do know they changed it up about a 1 1/2 years ago and it has really made it much better for those without a huge following to now also get seen.
It took me for ever to finally hit top 3, more than 2 years in fact and only got editors choice 11 months ago so believe me I know the frustrations that you all go thru when you put up a nice cake but still don't make it. But then you have one cake...yep, that one that grabs everyone's attention and then the ball starts finally rolling. People start following you and of course the more cakes we make the better and better our work gets so that helps also. But being active on here I believe is key, I cannot emphasize that enough which is why you here me say it so much. Don't expect everyone to follow you if you are not willing to follow others, and comments...oh my Lord don't even get me started. I see people post some amazing work on here but they never comment or favorite other peoples work and I believe this is why some of those cakes don't get seen as much. Why should others go out of their way to comment on your work if you are not prepared to do the same??? Is that a little unfair if you are posting great cakes... well maybe, but it is no different to any other social media site. You don't just get on facebook and all of a sudden have 10K follow you, no it takes time and work and cakesdecor is really no different.
No one is asking or expecting you to sit on cakesdecor everyday and post to every cake, heck no ... but leave a comment here or there. Pick a few cakes from others that you like when you are posting your cakes and leave a few comments for those other decorators. I remember when I was not getting seen, if it was even just one comment on my cake it just made me so excited that someone at least had liked it.
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Pictures!!!! They are so very important....the clearer we can see your cake the better. This does not mean a professional photographer, there are many help videos on this matter so take a few minutes and watch one. My backdrops are just wrapping paper stuck to my wall with tape, you don't have to be fancy. I also have photoshop, but pic monkey and a few other sites can help do the same thing like to add watermarks and just correct coloring if need be. First impressions are the same for cakes. When people have 16 pictures to choose from on a page you want your cake to stand out so make it a good one, it really does help. Also remember watermarking is not just so people can't steal you pictures it is also advertising. I don't know how many times a client has sent me a picture of a cake but it has no watermark so I have no idea who to contact to ask for permission to re-create or to give design credits to. Watermarking allows for people to see you are the designer of that cake.... that is super important people, that is exposure... at least in my opinion!
So here are a few tips I use that hopefully will help you all if you are having trouble getting seen here on Cakes décor. I don't know if these next steps help honestly, but I use them religiously so maybe it does, heck worth a shot I say, lol!!!
Tags....I don't post any cake without using at least 10 tags, get creative they all help. If it is a pink ruffled cake then say pink cake, girl cake, girlie cake, ruffle cake, pretty in pink cake, pink ruffle cake....every tag is a good tag and help you to come up in google searches as well, oh and make sure one of the tags is your name or business name. Post to cakesdecor first then share that picture using the share button to your facebook pages. That way it will be the first time people see your cake and they are more likely to click on it. Use the "Tweet" and "pin it" buttons, even if it is only for your cakes. If you don't have Twitter or Pintrest create one just so as you can share your cakes.
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What I do know is the more views, comments and faves you have all work in some way together to get you into the top 15. But when it all comes down to it at the end of the day, it is a great cake that truly gets there so lets not forget that. And I can tell you that honestly the top 3 has never once bought me more business. It is all just for fun ... and it took me quite some time to get that but now I really find cakesdecor a place where I just love to share my work with friends and others who have that same passion. So I hope this helps just a little, but mostly I hope you just keep enjoying caking, everything else past that is just a bonus!!!
Big Hugs, Shags xoxoxo
We would love to hear from you in the comments section below and please make sure if there is a topic you would like to hear or talk about let us know also.
Sharon: Profile on CakesDecor | Curiaussiety Cakes Facebook Page
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Tutorial Pick for the Month: Ever wondered how they make some of those gorgeous floral arrangement toppers? Well thanks to Katarzynka, she shows us how she created her stunning piece step by step.
Everyone is always looking to learn, so if you have a special technique or a cute little figurine you would like all of us to see, then why don't you submit it to CakesDecor.com and your creation may be featured in the next Gazette.
Kitchen Talk: Hiring out cake stands and knives! With more and more weddings choosing outdoor venues or having them in a friends gorgeous backyard this question I feel is getting asked more and more often. Here are what the members of cakes décor have to say to help. Thank you Ellie's elegant cakery for asking this question and helping others at the same time.
Suggestion Box: New ideas and suggestions are always welcome so please make sure you go to The Gazette Blog post and leave your comments there.
Have fun coming up with new ideas :)
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So close now folks ... who is going to win??? Make sure you have your chance to win!
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Bulgaria sure is lucky to have MLADMAN, and so are we. He has been a member of CakesDecor now for right at a year and just keeps on giving us more and more amazing pieces. This last christening cake he did I just fell in love with, but he has so many more wonderful pieces that I hope if you have not seen his work yet you will go check him out!
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My Editors Choice for May is... Elli Warren with her Bamboo and flower cake
This cake just had to be Editors choice this month there was no doubt! An amazing piece of artistry that just soothes and comforts the soul into a tranquil bliss just by looking at it. The bamboo is so realistic with exquisite tropical flowers in such gorgeous vibrant colors.... just makes me want to book a flight to a remote tropical hideaway!
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Cake Decorator of the Week
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I seemed to have over looked 2 collaborations last month so very sorry to all of those who participated, you have my sincerest apologies to both Anzac day collaborations. Remember if you are in a collab it is very helpful if you have the word "collaboration" in your title because if you do not it is possible I will miss your piece all together!
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A collaboration of cake decorators from New Zealand and Australia showcasing their art honouring our Anzacs, this collaboration is different to others in that we all have a personal connection in some way to the wars thru family who we lost or that served!
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We are a Group of like minded Artists who have come together to Honour those men and women who fought in WW1 by way of a collaboration of Cake and Art.
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A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away (called Facebook), thirty cake allies collaborated with the idea of becoming one with the force.
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A group of over 50 sugar artists were invited to create edible art using myths and fantasies as inspiration. It is just absolutely amazing the works that have come out of this collaboration and definitely worth a look on Facebook!
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A collection of sugar works from various artists around the world to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
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A cake collaboration by 13 cake artists celebrating the 75th anniversary of the release of the Pinocchio film in the UK
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Garden’s of the World is an international cake collaboration featuring 26 outstanding artists celebrating the beauty of French, Italian, English, Spanish and Japanese Gardens
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Upcoming Cake Decorating Competitions
North Florida Cake Show and Competition Jacksonville Florida..... June 26-28, 2015
Cake Camp, Las Vegas, Nevada .... August 13-16, 2015
The America'sCake and Sugarcraft Fair, Orlando, Florida...September 18-20, 2015
Oklahoma State sugar art show...October 3rd-4th, 2015
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This months interview is with one of the nicest men on the planet, Gilles LeBlanc! Although Gilles has not been a caker all his life you can see in all his sugar works he is a man who worked with his hands and was always creative. So I wanted to interview him so as we could find out just a few more insights into him and what makes him tick.
I can honestly say he is so kind and humble and I can see why so many in the industry just adore him. He is a very sort after collaboration member as he always thrives on new ideas and is never afraid to push himself to the next level. He was in the Willy Wonka, "Rev Heads" Ford Mustang, Vesak,"be my Valentine" and the memorial day collaborations that have all helped Gilles finally be seen. I find his work so fun and artistic and cannot wait to see more and more cakes come from this wonderfully talented man.
So I hope you will all like getting to know Gilles better with my short little interview and will pop on over to Facebook and show him some love there as well.
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Katarzynka
I am putting this on my bucket list of things to make!
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With more and more couples choosing outdoor venues such as the beach, botanical gardens or just a friends gorgeous backyard for their weddings setting... this question I feel is getting asked more and more often. For me I even use "stress free supports" on all wedding cakes or large tiered cakes, so I have had to make those clients pay a refundable fee to make sure those are also returned. My fees cover what it would be to replace those items, but for hired items like cake stands or knives I have a set price. Here are what the members of cakes décor have to say to help. Thank you Ellie's elegant cakery for asking this question and helping others at the same time.
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CakesDecor News, Stats & Links
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June 3rd 2015
We are 27,747 cake decorators making 1,180,070 comments on 197 029 cakes, 2,284 blogs,1,294 tutorials and 2,339 forum topics.
Editor's Choice Albums: Facebook , Pinterest , Google +
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Cakes Decor Pros is the world's first and largest visual, location based directory of cake decor professionals. Enter your city and country into the box below and start exploring the finest cake decorators near you. They are eager to hear from you, ready to bake and decorate
If you are not listed yet.... get subscribed NOW and get visible :)
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