Showing posts with label Valentines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Valentines. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Get Ready for the Big 14 Day Countdown to Valentine's Day!


There is no long lead up to Valentine's Day sales, most people buy last minute, usually less than a week before the 14th! So what can you do leading up to Valentine's' Day to promote sales?

1. When posting on Social Media, think about the headings you use. Try something a little catchy like: 
  • Need some help this Valentine’s? 5 perfect gift ideas for her/him
  • ❤️ 5 perfect Valentine’s gift ideas for her/him (all under £30) ❤️ - the heart emoji will attract more attention!
  • “Valentine’s Day treats for you and yours."
  • "Bring a little Smiley Love this Valentine's Day."
or how about using a Valentine's quote
  • “Where there is love, there is life.” – Mahatma Ghandi, Civil Rights Lead
  • "They invented hugs to let people know you love them without saying anything." - Bil Keane
Next, make sure the content of your post is appealing enough to drive customers to your store, web-shop, or to start a conversion.
2. Run a Valentine's Day poll or ask a question. This will get your customers interacting on your Facebook or Instagram pages. You can run a different poll every day leading up to the 14th! Interaction is really important to grow your following and it's not a one-way street. Make sure to respond to any comments. Remember, every comment you get means someone took the time to stop, look at your post and share their thoughts. After all that, why wouldn’t you respond?
How do you celebrate Valentine's Day?
What would be your perfect Valentine's Day gift?
Which balloon reflects your Valentine's personality?

This is an idea that you could use to post on one of your social media channels - you are
welcome to use this example, just right click to save the image. Make sure that you either start a poll, or simply ask a question - "Which balloon reflects your Valentine's personality?" or whatever comment you think will get your followers talking.



3. Add romantic flair to your social media covers and profile images. Help your online audience get into the spirit of Valentine’s Day by updating your social media covers and profile images with a bit of romantic flair. Ideally the flair should still be visible when your profile image is resized, but be careful not to obscure your original branding too much – you still want your audience to be able to recognise it. Did you know that you can download some great Valentine's images from the Qualatex website! Click HERE for a direct link to the Organic Heart Decor article.




4. Hashtag it! Using seasonal hashtags and keywords is a simple way to expand your reach.

#bemine, #bemine2019 #bemyvalentine, #candyhearts, #galentinesday, #hugsandkisses, #secretadmirer, #SinglesDay, #sweetheart, #thatslove, #valentine, #valentines, #valentinesday2019, #whoneedsavalentine, #willyoubemyvalentine

5. Run a Valentine's competition - ask people to post their funniest Valentine's Day stories. Once again this will create interaction on your social media channels and create something fun for your followers to read and engage in - maybe get your followers to choose their favourite stories by counting the number of likes?

6. Offer a special promotion for early orders - you could offer a free gift-wrapped heart with every order made.





Here are just a few last minute ideas that should help with your Valentine's sales! 

Good luck!


Happy Valentine's Ballooning!

Sue
Follow me @suebowler








Friday, January 26, 2018

Valentine's "Love You" Guy - Step-by-Step - by Sue Bowler, CBA

Sue Bowler CBA - Valentines "Little Guy" design
"Love You" Guy by Sue Bowler CBA





Here is a quick and easy design that would be perfect for Valentine's deliveries. Don’t delay, and make some of these truly cute guys today! Simply change the colours so that it’s perfect for any occasion. I have matched my “little Guy" design to complement the fabulous 22" “Love You Confetti Hearts" Bubble Balloon®.











Material List 

 5" Onyx Black - 9
 6" Wild Berry Quick Link - 1
 5" Wild Berry - 2
 5" Masculine Face - 1
 160Q Blush - 2
 160Q Wild Berry - 2
 160Q Onyx Black - 1
 160Q scraps

Hand Pump

Ribbon 




Method




Make a 4-balloon cluster base that is weighted - I like to double stuff each of the 5" Onyx Black balloons and make each balloon a water-weight. Tie together to form a 4-balloon cluster.









Inflate the 6" Wild Berry Quick Link - 5 pumps using a Qualatex® Green Pump. Secure this to the base cluster.











Add a “raisin twist” into the top of the Masculine Face balloon and add a scrap of 160Q to create a fixing point. Inflate the head to the desired size, making sure that it is in proportion to the body.











Connect the head to the body.











Using the 5" Wild Berry, create two “split bubbles” and twist these together to form a cluster. 














Add this cluster in between the body and the head.















Using a 5" Onyx Black, make an “apple twist” and secure with a 160Q scrap. 









You can now connect this to the head. Make sure that you tie the ends tightly together and remove any excess balloon.









Partially inflate the 160Q Onyx Black. Make two small “pinch twists.” Now wrap the 160Q around the base of the hat to form the brim. Twist the 160Q at the point where it fits neatly around the hat and remove the excess 160Q, making sure that it’s connected securely into the double “pinch twist.”







To make the hands, inflate the tip of a 160Q Blush balloon, then secure a partially-inflated 160Q Wild Berry.  



Make two small pinch twists to hide the mechanics. Repeat to make the second arm.


Adjust the arms to the desired length, and tie both arms together leaving a little stretch between the two. 








Slide into position so that they sit neatly either side of the collar.









Add ribbon or a bow to add detail and a helium-filled balloon or a balloon bouquet to complete the design.


Valentine's Guy by Sue Bowler

Don't delay, and make up some of these truly cute guys today! Show them off in your store and if you are an online retailer, post a cool photo of them on your social media channels!

Trade Tip
If you want the 160Qs to last longer, use a tiny amount of HI-FLOAT inside the balloons - it really works! 

Happy Ballooning!

Sue
www.suebowler.com