Many shops and stores sell balloons, but to be the best you need to create something that sets you apart from everyone else!
In this blog today, I want to share with you some tips, hints and suggestions on how to make your work more exciting with an emphasis on presentation, making your work stand out... this I believe is the key to leaving a lasting impression which is vital for client recommendations and repeat business.
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| Bug in a Bag... with 'Wiggly Eyes' , feathers for hair and a pom pom nose in a bright fun gift bag! |
To make this more fun, I have created Sue's A-Z of Tips, Hints & Idea's ... with the hope that you will help me over the coming weeks to add to these... just email me sue@suebowler.com and i'll add any pictures or suggestions that you may have that you use to add value to your every day designs!
A is for 'added value'; we can add just a few extra items or production steps to make something really special.
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| 3 simple steps can turn a single balloon into an amazing balloon delivery arrangement! |
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| Balloon in a beautifully decorated box! |
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| Geo Blossom - Funny Face presented in a mug and gift wrapped in cellophane and with a bow! |
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| Qualatex coordinates make the very best bouquets, from latex to Microfoils! |
D is for Dress it up, go beyond basics. It is easy to sell basic designs, but so does everyone else. Make your work better than everyone else's. Geo Donuts... when was the last time you used a 'Donut' in one of your designs?
E is for Extra Effort; will pay dividends time and time again. Wiggly Eyes, are great for little character designs, neat and easy to apply!
F is for Fantasy Flowers, Feathers and other 'Fancy' add-on's.
G is for Glue Dots, neat and easy to use, Glitter add's an extra sparkle to our work! Gift-Wrapped designs can look so much better than an unwrapped design. Gift Bags can be perfect for arrangements and balloon bouquets!
H is for Hi-Float, making our designs last so much longer, an essential tool for any professional balloon artist. Hearts are a great addition to bouquets and for accent detail... look at the Bottle Buddies below, I added a 4" Microfoil Heart on each occasion, and a great selling point is that these balloons last forever!
I is for imaginative and irresistible designs, An of course Iridescent... shimmery glitter and fabrics that truly add that finishing touch to an elegant design or decor!
J is for Jumbo, try to think bigger! If you make a design using 260Q try using 350Q or even 646Q... and see how it looks... bigger has greater perceived value! If you usually work with 11" balloons, try 16" or even 24"!
K is for K.I.S.S or Keep it Simple Stupid. Keeping a design simple and reproducible will ensure repeat sales, which is something you will need to make a design profitable. Keeping a design simple does not mean that you cannot add value to it!
L is for Love and attention; put effort and care in to all your work, it will show! Make your designs longer lasting by using Hi-Float and Balloon Shine.
M is for Mickey & Minnie Mouse Double Bubbles! These balloons are perfect for Adding Value to!
N is for Neat work and New ideas; keep your customer excited with the many new ideas you keep reeling out... they will be back for more!
O is for Originality; when you have learnt new skills and ideas, make the design your own by changing it a little or by adding your own finishing touches!
P is for being a Perfectionist! If you are not happy with what you have made, why should your customer? And of course Polka Dots, one of the 'hottest' trends around!
Q is for QUALATEX. Using the best products can only lead to high quality work and fantastic end results!
R is for Reward, we should all reward ourselves from time to time and don't forget to reward staff to for extra effort and a job well done!
S is for Secrets, keep ideas and techniques secret from your competition. You invest time and money to learn new skills, do not be tempted to share it too quickly. This knowledge will keep you ahead for your competition. If you attend a seminar... don't post the 'how to make it' on Facebook, this will devalue the class you have just invested in! Smile... when we greet our customers and when we talk on the telephone, a smiley face is one that is always remembered!
T is for Test it out! Always test out new designs... will they float long enough or look good in different conditions? Do not be tempted to hope and pray that they will be OK on the day! This usually ends up in a very bad nights sleep and even worse a bad reputation if it goes wrong!
U is for Up-selling! Understanding your customers needs and requirements. Your customer may come in for a single balloon, but what they are actually looking for is a fun surprise for someone that they love. If you spend just a few minutes finding out who it for, what the occasion is, you will find it so much easier to sell up a whole bouquet and maybe even a small gift to compliment the design!
V is for great Value, Variety and making a design Visually exciting! Value your customers too, without them, we would not have a successful business!
W is for Whimsical! I love cute little balloon characters! Wow factor too... 'how did they do that' or 'I have never seen such beautiful balloons! World Balloon Convention, learn from some of the best in the industry, start saving now for WBC 2014!
X is for Xtra special! I cannot express enough how important it is for our work to stand out in a crowd, make your customers aware that you are the best person for the job, and that no other balloon company can do what you do with balloons!
Y is for 'You're the Best', take all the knowledge that you learn from balloon courses, seminars and conventions, and see how your profits grow as well as your confidence!
Z is for Zappy! Lively and energetic... just like everyone in our amazing industry!
I hope that you have enjoyed reading my A-Z of tips, hints and idea's, maybe you can take a few of these ideas at a time and add them into your business and see if they make a difference and let me know if they do!
Happy Ballooning!
Sue
www.suebowler.com
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| Organza ribbon, silk flowers and custom coloured balloons! |
F is for Fantasy Flowers, Feathers and other 'Fancy' add-on's.
G is for Glue Dots, neat and easy to use, Glitter add's an extra sparkle to our work! Gift-Wrapped designs can look so much better than an unwrapped design. Gift Bags can be perfect for arrangements and balloon bouquets!
H is for Hi-Float, making our designs last so much longer, an essential tool for any professional balloon artist. Hearts are a great addition to bouquets and for accent detail... look at the Bottle Buddies below, I added a 4" Microfoil Heart on each occasion, and a great selling point is that these balloons last forever!
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| These Bottle Buddies makes truly great gifts! |
I is for imaginative and irresistible designs, An of course Iridescent... shimmery glitter and fabrics that truly add that finishing touch to an elegant design or decor!
J is for Jumbo, try to think bigger! If you make a design using 260Q try using 350Q or even 646Q... and see how it looks... bigger has greater perceived value! If you usually work with 11" balloons, try 16" or even 24"!
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| This is the same design but using 350Q for the small version and 646Q for the large version. |
K is for K.I.S.S or Keep it Simple Stupid. Keeping a design simple and reproducible will ensure repeat sales, which is something you will need to make a design profitable. Keeping a design simple does not mean that you cannot add value to it!
L is for Love and attention; put effort and care in to all your work, it will show! Make your designs longer lasting by using Hi-Float and Balloon Shine.
M is for Mickey & Minnie Mouse Double Bubbles! These balloons are perfect for Adding Value to!
 |
| Just by simply adding a few clusters of balloons you can transform the Mickey & Minnie Double Bubbles into a great and long lasting gift! |
N is for Neat work and New ideas; keep your customer excited with the many new ideas you keep reeling out... they will be back for more!
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| A column... with a few original touches! |
O is for Originality; when you have learnt new skills and ideas, make the design your own by changing it a little or by adding your own finishing touches!
P is for being a Perfectionist! If you are not happy with what you have made, why should your customer? And of course Polka Dots, one of the 'hottest' trends around!
 |
| Mini Mouse Double Bubble works perfectly with 5" Polka Dots! |
Q is for QUALATEX. Using the best products can only lead to high quality work and fantastic end results!
R is for Reward, we should all reward ourselves from time to time and don't forget to reward staff to for extra effort and a job well done!
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| Treat your staff to an Ice Cream after a busy day or after a big job... sometimes it's the small gestures that really count! |
T is for Test it out! Always test out new designs... will they float long enough or look good in different conditions? Do not be tempted to hope and pray that they will be OK on the day! This usually ends up in a very bad nights sleep and even worse a bad reputation if it goes wrong!
U is for Up-selling! Understanding your customers needs and requirements. Your customer may come in for a single balloon, but what they are actually looking for is a fun surprise for someone that they love. If you spend just a few minutes finding out who it for, what the occasion is, you will find it so much easier to sell up a whole bouquet and maybe even a small gift to compliment the design!
V is for great Value, Variety and making a design Visually exciting! Value your customers too, without them, we would not have a successful business!
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| Balloon Baby Column |
W is for Whimsical! I love cute little balloon characters! Wow factor too... 'how did they do that' or 'I have never seen such beautiful balloons! World Balloon Convention, learn from some of the best in the industry, start saving now for WBC 2014!
 |
| 'Neon Noodle Balloon' for Wow factor! |
X is for Xtra special! I cannot express enough how important it is for our work to stand out in a crowd, make your customers aware that you are the best person for the job, and that no other balloon company can do what you do with balloons!
Y is for 'You're the Best', take all the knowledge that you learn from balloon courses, seminars and conventions, and see how your profits grow as well as your confidence!
Z is for Zappy! Lively and energetic... just like everyone in our amazing industry!
I hope that you have enjoyed reading my A-Z of tips, hints and idea's, maybe you can take a few of these ideas at a time and add them into your business and see if they make a difference and let me know if they do!
Happy Ballooning!
Sue
www.suebowler.com
