💀👻🎃 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓸𝓻 𝓣𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽... 𝓗𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓲𝓼 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓰! 🎃👻💀

You might think that I am a little early with the Halloween vibes, but being prepared for the next big occasion or holiday is paramount to a business's success!

Many of the usual traditions of Halloween were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic! With restrictions being lifted in many countries, for some of us, it will be business as usual for lots of us. There is no better time to start marketing than now!

The one thing that we can all do, with or without restrictions is to promote different options for customers wishing to decorate their homes. 

Balloon Wreaths - great for both indoor and outdoor decor

A wreath always says "WELCOME" no matter the occasion. In modern times, Christmas and holiday wreaths represent the festivity of the holidays; a welcoming sign to adorn a doorway in the spirit of the season.

Here are a few examples of creative balloon wreaths.

Just Hangin' With the Gang!

A design that’s both cute and creepy!

Designer name: Eve Antonello, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

Boo-Y!

This Halloween wreath is versatile and adorable!

Designer name: Cam Woody, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

Baubles, Balloons and Spiders
Designer name: Sue Bowler, CBA, Balloon Art by Sue Bowler, 
Henley On Thames, Oxon, England

Fabulous Halloween Door Decor that are not wreaths

Of course, there are many other creative alternatives to decorating a door other than wreaths. These door sign displays are a spook-tacular spectacle!

A Little Bit of "Boo!"

Welcome your guests with this charmingly spooky door display.

Designer name: Cam Woody, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

Happy Halloweenie!

"Who let the dogs out?!"

Designer name: Eve Antonello, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

Go Big or Gourd Home

Smiling Jacks welcome your Halloween guests with this door display.

Let's Get noticed!

Here are some fun Halloween marketing ideas.

• Dress up your store. You don't have to sell costumes to deck out your store for Halloween. If you don't have a shop or store, your website and social media pages are your 'store window'
• Update your website to get in the spirit. Don't forget to "dress up" your social media presence, too!
• Halloween-ize your products and the text in your posts!
• Offer specials or deals - try offering early bird deals!

How about changing your Facebook banner? Changing your banner to reflect the next season or holiday is a great way to get noticed! Qualatex has some really fun banners, some like this one are animated, great for catching attention! Here is a direct link to the banners - https://pioneerballooncompany.widencollective.com/c/b6ulvwws

Social Media Ready-Prepared Posts! 

Finding inspiration to create fun and effective social media posts is sometimes challenging! If you are in need of a kick-start, Qualatex has some excellent pre-prepared posts that are ready to go, or you can edit them to add in your own message and company details. I recommend using CANVA to create your own edits; it's free and super easy to use! Click HERE to see all the available posts - free to use, just simply download!

As we know, all social media posts require a good hashtag or two to make them even more effective! 

TOP 10 HALLOWEEN HASHTAGS

Best halloween hashtags popular on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr:

#halloween - 63%

#spooky - 5%

#horror - 5%

#october - 4%

#art - 3%

#halloweencostume - 3%

#halloweenmakeup - 3%

#pumpkin - 3%

#spookyseason - 3%

#happyhalloween - 3%

So, this is just the start of the Halloween season, so we have weeks to prepare ourselves and make it our best Halloween yet! 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

It's Almost Halloween - Here are Some Last Minute, Fun Ideas that You Can Share With Your Customers

Promoting balloons and balloon decor may seem to be the obvious choice of content for your social media page. But when it comes to engaging with your followers, it is important to share a variety of different posts to keep your audience interested and entertained by the things that you are sharing with them.

With only a few days to Halloween, this would be the perfect time to post a daily Halloween idea/suggestion, or a fun Halloween related quote or jokes.

Here are some ideas plus a little text that you can use along with your posts! 

"Children love to cook! This is the perfect opportunity to create some fabulous Halloween cakes and cookies - cooking with kids can be fun and enjoyable for both the children and adults. Your children will get the joy of creating fun bakes and the pleasure of eating them too, all while you create lasting memories that your children may treasure forever."

"We know how much children love to play games, so why not organise some fun Halloween themed activities!"

"Get your children crafting and having fun - create crafting stations where they can let their imaginations run wild"

" Don't forget to decorate your homes, both inside and out and create lots of excitement for all the children (and adults) in your neighbourhood"

"Halloween is definitely not cancelled this year, but it 

will be a little bit different - let's make it memorable for all the right reasons!"

Wishing you all a safe & happy Halloween! 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

🎃 Will ℍ𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕟 be Cancelled in 2020?

 

There has been much talk in the press regarding whether or not Halloween or other favourite activities such as Trick or Treating and Halloween parties and events, will be cancelled. All this discussion is due to the current pandemic, and the fear of not being able to do this safely.

But just because we need to remain socially distanced this year doesn't mean Halloween is cancelled — it just means we need to consider creative and safe Halloween ideas.

As balloon professionals, I think we can definitely create some Halloween fun with exciting ballooning and gift ideas. 

So what can we offer? After a little research, I discovered a relatively new idea called Ghosting, or Boo-ing, and thought it could be an exciting new Halloween opportunity that we could promote and market to our customers. For those of you who are new to this tradition, I have added an explanation below.

18" Emoticon Ghost
#58153

Ghosting a.k.a Boo-ing? 

Ghosting is a popular Halloween tradition in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and several other countries.

Depending on your location, this relatively new custom may be called "Ghosting," or "Boo-ing", but the concept is the same. Ghosting is a fun way to spread the Halloween spirit amongst friends and neighbours - Covid safely! 

Ghosting can begin any time in October, but the first or second week of the month is usually the best, as it allows sufficient time for the entire neighborhood to be "ghosted". Typically, you will need to "ghost" two people or families. You can do this with the following items:

- Two Halloween goodie bags/boxes, or 18" Stuffing Balloons filled with treats!
- Two pictures of a ghost with a "We've been Boo-ed" sign.

- Two letters stating that "you've been ghosted (or booed)" with simple how-to instructions to carry on the tradition.

After you have assembled your treats, the 'We've Been Booed' notices and "You've Been Booed" letters, you should deliver them after dark to your target families by dropping one on each porch, ringing the doorbell, and run. Do not get caught as you want to remain anonymous. Also Children delivering the packages should always be accompanied by an adult.

Letter and Instructions

You can compose your own letter, along with quick instructions, or add an elaborate Halloween poem. Whatever you decide, try to make the instructions clear. Two more families will need to be ghosted (or booed) within two days in the same manner in which you've been ghosted.

Along with the "scare" kit, leave a ghost or "boo" that can be left on the door. This will "mark" the recipient, allowing others to know that they have already been hit. Below is an example you can use, with the poem and instructions combined:

Poem

"You've Been Ghosted!

Late last night, we left you a treat. The tradition is fun, one we hope you'll repeat.

Take the ghost and pin it on your door, to let others know, you need ghosted no more.

Now it's your duty to pass on the surprise, to two more families, we must advise.

Gather some treats and deliver them soon, within two nights, under the light of the moon.

Include a ghost with each package you give, along with this poem for the tradition to live."

Goodie Bags/Boxes or Balloons 

Offering ready-made, pre-bagged, Halloween Gift Bags or Boxes with an added balloon spider and balloons is the perfect 'Ghosting' or 'Booing' treat and will be an appealing alternative to your customers! As part of the package, supply the "You've been Booed" notice and poem to pass the fun on.

Hat Boxes or Gift bags can be filled with:

11" Spooky Design

• Qualatex Printed Halloween latex balloons that can be inflated by the family for home decoration
• Glow-sticks and Glow- necklaces
• Halloween Stickers
• Pumpkin Carving Kit
• Halloween Sweets - please read below if you are adding sweets or candy to your gift bags or balloons
• Qualatex Balloon Dog Skeleton balloon
• And many other Halloween merchandise items.

14" Air-Filled Balloon Dog Skeleton
#14978

Here is a very informative and helpful article from Sonia Payne of Balloon Biz Academy regarding selling sweets and treats, even if they are pre-bought and prepackaged - I have also attached a link for further reading.

If you are thinking of adding sweets to your balloon designs, you MUST READ THIS FIRST!

Regulations around the storage and handling of food items including sweets (candy) vary depending on where you are in the world, but most countries have stringent regulations to prevent outbreaks of food poisoning.

Here in the UK, the laws are VERY strict, even if you are using pre-bought and pre-packaged sweets. You are still required to register with your local authority, and there are rules you need to follow regarding labelling, packaging and storage of sweets.

Thinking of Adding Sweets, and Drinks To Your Balloon Designs – Make Sure You Read This First!

Another great idea for Halloween - Doorstep Decor

Doorstep decor is a great way to show neighbours and passerby that Halloween is still being celebrated this year! Similar to Yard or Garden Art, why not offer balloon designs for outside?

These Golden Skull Balloon Columns make the perfect Doorstep Decor 

Remember that balloons react to cold weather, even air-filled foil balloons will shrink a little in the cold, so make sure that you prepare the balloons in a cooler rather than warmer environment. And if it is windy, make sure that the decor is very well secured so that it cannot fall over or blow away.

How about making a "Fangfully Frightful!" Balloon Tree with hanging "Glitzy & Glam Bats"

Designed and made by Cam Woody, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

Don't forget to take advantage of these charming Happy Halloween Social Media Qualatex Lifestyle Images - available to download from Qualatex Marketing Materials  on the Qualatex website. These appealing lifestyle images are ideal for your marketing campaigns and great for Instagram and Facebook posts! 

This is the perfect time to get started with your Halloween promotions and marketing. Remember, if you are adding sweets and candies to your designs this year, ensure that you have followed all the regulations required to do this - check out Sonia's blog post link above.

This year Halloween might be more challenging than previous years, but it is our challenge as balloon professionals and small business owners to find a feasible solution and ensure that Halloween is definitely NOT cancelled! 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me on Instagram @suebowler

How to Create Spiral Balloon Columns - with Step-By-Step Instructional Video

Spiral Columns made with modelling balloons such as 260Q and 160Q have always been a favourite of mine. They are quick to make, always look elegant, and are a great way to decorate a pole when creating a design that uses a pole and base structure. As with all techniques, they need to be practiced to ensure that you get perfect results every time! 

Design 1. Single, one colour Spiral - This beautiful column made with all shades of green was designed and created by Eve Antonello, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA.

Shimmering Emerald Stars - Design by Eve Antonello.

Design 2. Single, double or multi-coloured spiral column. Still working with four balloons, using two or more colours brings a whole new look to this style of design! - These colourful 'Fashionable Fish' centrepiece was the crowning glory at this summer party, and brought an explosion of colour into a huge and very plain marquee tent.

Fabulous Fish Centrepieces by Sue Bowler, CBA.

3. Double Spiral Column using Eight Balloons. This design takes this technique to the next level, and is a fabulous example of Candy Strip style decor! By simply changing the colours, we can completely change the look and easily execute the effect that we want to create.

Christmas Candy Swirl Arch by
Sue Bowler, CBA.

4. Double Spiral Column with Precision Bubbles. How lovely does this effect look as a finishing touch on this baby design column! Because you're working with eight modelling balloons, and you are introducing Precision Bubbles, this technique is a little bit trickier than the others shown above, but definitely worth the extra effort! 

It's A  Girl - Baby & Moon Column by Sue Bowler, CBA.

To learn how to create this style of décor check out the video below! 

Here are some more inspiring design ideas using this technique! This video explains step-by-step how to create each of the styles of columns shown above.

Lion Tamer Pedestal

Place two of these Columns at the event entrance, or use them to draw attention to other focal areas at a circus-themed party.

Designer name: Sue Bowler, CBA, Balloon Art by Sue Bowler, Oxfordshire, UK

Got Treats?

So cute it’s scary!

Designer name: Sam Jossie, CBA, Pioneer® Balloon Company

It’s All So Magical!

The perfect decor accent for the princess on her special day!

Designer name: Eve Antonello, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

Come Close Valentine!

Designer name: Eve Antonello, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

If you have always wanted to know how to create this style of décor, or maybe have struggled to get the perfect, tight spirals, I hope that this post has helped!

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me on Instagram @suebowler

Countdown to Halloween - how to Kickstart your Ballooning Halloween Campaign!

Spooky Sweet!

Designer name: Cam Woody, CBA, 

Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

With Halloween fast approaching, it's time to start planning your sales and marketing strategy!

Halloween is one of the most exciting and fun days of the year filled with exciting costumes, candy, decorations, parties and trick-or-treating! It's is also one of the biggest sales events for the balloon and party industry and being ready and prepared is the key to success!

Have a Boo-tiful Day!

This design is the perfect mix of all things Halloween!

Designer name: Cam Woody, CBA.

For some consumers, Halloween shopping starts early, especially if they are planning a party or to spook up their homes, office or businesses. Halloween enthusiasts will want to make sure they get all their supplies early for fear of being too late, so marketing Halloween early is never a bad thing! If you don't believe me, check out your local supermarkets - I am sure that you will see Halloween candies and other products are already on sale.

For this reason, you too should decorate your store and social media profile with Halloween themes - a well-decorated store can be just enough of a nudge to encourage your customers to make a purchase! plus you can make cover and profile photo changes for all social media platforms you are active on. Have you ever tried www.Canva.com? Canva is a free, online design tool which includes a fabulous selection of design templates. You can create almost anything and it's really simple! Here's a Facebook cover that took me around 5 minutes to make using Canva - just remember to take them off when the season ends! 

If you would like to learn more about how to use Canva, check out my blog post which gives more details about the tool.

"Good Design Matters for your Business" - Zoe Adams-Jones Shows You How to Create Fabulous Social Media Posts Using CANVA.

Though making changes to your social media branding is incredibly important, the need to adjust your social media marketing strategy to include a themed campaign for Halloween should also be a priority - here are a few ideas!

https://www.fg-a.com/halloween.shtml

• Share mini-tutorials on how to make Halloween decorations - try to incorporate some of the items that you sell! 
• Get creative with "spellbinding" images. Visual content like images, GIFs and videos grab the attention of social media audiences. Special occasions like Halloween allow businesses to loosen up a little bit and have some fun!
• Take photos of your team in their Halloween costumes to add a personal touch.
• Download Halloween SVG cut files and create some unique and exciting balloon designs that you can add to Bubbles and other balloons - show off your fabulous new balloon slogans on social media!

• Have Fun with Hashtags - especially when it comes to Halloween marketing campaigns, never underestimate the power of hashtags - if you still unsure about hashtags check out this great article: Instagram Hashtags: The Ultimate Guide (2019 Update)
• Create theme product bundles - If you have a few different products that lend themselves to a particular Halloween theme, offer them together at a discounted rate. 

Wishing You a Wickedly Wonderful Halloween!

Here’s a Halloween design that’s both classic and contemporary!

You should always know what you want to sell. If you only sell balloons and balloon decor, know what designs you want to promote, this will help you with your stock control. Remember, people buy what they see! 

If you are in need of inspiration, don't forget to check out www.qualatex.com! Simply click on the Inspiration tab to open up a sensational range of Bouquet, Decor, Air-Filled Solutions and Marketing Materials.

Hopefully this blog post will kick start your Halloween campaign. I have a few fun ideas for designs that I will be working on soon, and I promise to share! 

Happy Ballooning!

Sue
www.suebowler.com
Follow me on Instagram #suebowler