When it comes to designing or buying something suitable for men, I personally find that it takes a little more thought!
Father's Day falls on different dates around the world, however, many of us celebrate it on Sunday the 19th of June, so with that in mind, now is a great time to start our marketing and preparing design ideas to promote and sell.
Personalised Balloons are always a huge hit with anyone that receives them. Qualatex® Deco Bubble Balloons™️ are the perfect balloons to create magical and memorable personalised balloons. They are extremely versatile, giving you the ability to add beautiful coloured 5" balloons inside... along with many other things too! Personalised balloons are especially meaningful to the recipient.
If you are worried about using helium due to the rising costs, a great air-filled alternative would be to use a 30" Premium Balloon Accessories Deco Stick with the Maxi Cup ll. I use two Maxi Cups in this case. I glue one to a base that has a little weight, using a small wall tile works well for this, just ensure that you use some sort of protection on the base of the tile as tiles can be rough/sharp and may scratch a surface when placed on it!
Inflate the Bubble with air and personalise the balloon as usual. Add the Bubble to the second Maxi Cup and secure to the Deco Stick. Add a small cluster of balloons under the Bubble to hide the cup or maybe add a bow or some tassels. You can also add a cluster of balloons at the base once again to hide the cup. When gluing the Maxi Cup to the tile, make sure that you use an adhesive that is strong enough to hold the cup securely. I have used Gorilla Glue in the past and that dries rock solid, but it does take 24 hours to dry!
For the younger generation, giving a fun design like this to their Dad would be perfect!
This is such a fabulous design that can be used to make many different balloon characters; it's ideal for birthdays and other celebrations. Simply select the animal head balloon that you want to make and use coordinating latex to create the body of the design.
Here are step-by-step instructions:
Here is a Monkey design using the same technique that I made for a birthday. The only difference is that I used a Deco Bubble for the body rather than a QuickLink balloon.
Monkey Bubble Design by Sue Bowler, CBA
Here are some more great design ideas that are perfect for Father's Day!
Always On Point!
A whimsical design to show dad how awesome he is!
Designer name: Eve Antonello, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA
One Ale of a Good Dad
Cheers to dad on his special day!
Designer name: Eve Antonello, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA
Let's talk a little about marketing...
It is important to get ready for Father's Day ahead of time, and any marketing that you do beforehand serves as a reminder for consumers that Father's Day is coming soon!
One of the easiest things that you can do is to prepare a cover for your business Facebook Page! This is a great way to kick start your marketing!
Maybe try running a Father's Day social media contest!
The great thing about running a contest is that you create natural customer engagement!
For example you could compel your followers to share their “favourite dad moment”, “dad image”, or even “dad joke” in a social media contest. Remember to think of a clever #hashtag and associate it with the campaign and get them to use it in their posts (e.g. #mydadiscoolerthanyourdad). Also, encourage them to share the post with their own followers.
Inspire your customers with a gift selection guide!
As I mentioned earlier, buying for a man is definitely harder than buying for a woman! Showing a great selection of balloon designs is vital for a successful campaign. Remember, people not only buy for their dad's, they buy for granddad's, step-dad's first time dad's too! This is where personalised balloons are a winner! It is important to show all the different options that you can offer for personalisation.
One of the best way to get your message in front of a more relevant audience is through Facebook Ads. If you choose to boost a post instead, your targeting options are limited. But by utilising Facebook Ads, you have more advanced customisation solutions such as ad placements, ad objectives, opportunity to add a "call to action" button, and so much more. If you have never used Facebook Ads I can honestly testify that they work and they really don't cost a great deal... you only pay what you want to pay!
I hope that you have a happy and successful Father's Day! Make sure to try out something new in terms of marketing, and make sure that you measure the results!
Are you ready to step it up a notch and learn a few more tips and tricks that help make great posts for Instagram and Facebook!
By now, you might realise (if you have watched How to Create Inspiring Instagram and Facebook Posts for the Non-Designer - Part 1) that I am a little bit of a Canva enthusiast, and enjoy spending time experimenting with the fantastic features that Canva offers. So far, in my video demonstrations, I have only demonstrated the use of the free version of Canva. In this tutorial, I will show how to create designs using features from both the free and from Canva Pro which is a paid for subscription.
It is defiantly worth trying Canva Pro - they even offer a free 28 day trial of the pro version. You will need to use a credit card to set up your account, but you can easily cancel the subscription if you decide that Canva Pro is not for you! Just make sure that you make a note to do this before the subscription kicks in.
Let's look at a few more great features on the free version before we head off to Canva Pro.
Check out the video below to see how to add a background and text to an image and also how to add a little animation too!
This is the adorable 'Shine Bright' image by Cam Woody, which I downloaded from the Qualatex - Inspiration - Balloon Decor section. Please note that only QBN members and CBA's have the ability to download high-resolution copies of these images. If you are not a QBN member or CBA, remember that Qualatex has some amazing and FREE marketing materials available to everyone, and all are welcome to use these resources for social media posts. Even better, you can use Canva to add your own text and create your own unique posts!
With a little (free) Canva magic, I added a background and a little seasonal text - view the video to see how!
Canva also has the ability to 'animate' your post (also a free function) although there are some professional options too which you can use when you upgrade to the pro version. Posting little videos on Instagram is a great way to attract new followers! Statistically, videos are viewed even more than photographs!
Here is another free marketing image from the Qualatex Lifestyle Photo section that I downloaded, then added my own slogan to!
How to smarten up your own photos
Check out the video to see how to remove the background from one of your photos and replace it with a new background!
I know that many of you are very keen to know how you can turn some of your own ballooning photographs into more appealing Instagram posts. Getting the perfect photo is almost impossible without being in a professional studio. Let me show you a few tricks that will hopefully change all that!
I will start with one of my more recent images of a Number Five frame that I made. Before taking the frame outside, which was where it was intended to go, I took a photograph with the frame on a table. The lighting was appalling, and the setting not much better!
Using one of the Canva Pro features, I was able to remove the background and replace it with something that helped my design to stand out better!
Here are a few more before and after shots!
Before
After a little Canva Pro Makeover
Keep in mind, not all photos edit successfully using the Canva Pro Background Remover Tool, and the results can be disappointing. Something to keep in mind in this case is you don't always need to show the whole image; sometimes just showing a small section of a photo can be just as appealing!
I hope that you have enjoyed this tutorial and that it has been helpful! Hopefully this quick tutorial will get you started, and maybe like me, you will even get a little bit addicted and start producing some truly beneficial posts!
Choosing a business name - not as easy as you think!
Legal requirements and other items that you need to know and do.
How much you should charge - the hardest question of them all!
In this second part we will look at;
Tools of the Trade
Helium
Marketing
Training
Balloons and the Environment
Tools of the Trade
Every industry, especially the balloon industry, has their Tools of the Trade. Deciding on what equipment your trade will need can be a bit of a minefield - should you spend a few pounds on a hand pump versus spending hundreds of pounds on an automatic air inflator!
I suppose you should consider if a tailor for example could work without a sewing machine or a builder without all their power tools?
When you choose to create your air-filled decor with a hand pump, it will certainly require many hours of work, versus the time requirements of a good electric inflator, with which you can create something very beautiful in a fraction of the time - remember "time is money".
There are many 'Tools of the Trade', and to help you through some of them, I will reference a number of blog posts that I have written that will help you in your decisions.
There are many different adhesives that work with balloons. Each glue or tape types works differently and are good for different purposes. This post will guide you through the most regularly used glues and tapes used by balloon professionals.
It's essential to your balloon business to have some kind of air-inflators - the question is, which one? The answer is both! Owning a hand-pump should be a given for your balloon business, as it is an essential tool in any balloon artists toolbox. However, having an electric balloon inflator in addition to a hand-pump will enable a significant increase in the amount of decor work that you can do.
So why should you go one-step further and invest in a top of the range digital balloon inflator? Check out this post to see what is available and why they are so necessary!
If you attend a training course or balloon event make sure you get the opportunity to try out as much of the equipment as you can so that you get a good idea of what you like, and don't hesitate to ask others what their favourite equipment is and why!
Helium
Helium is an inert gas. Meaning it will not react with any other elements; therefore it is impossible to cause a fire or to burn. It is also colourless, odourless and tasteless.
Balloon Gas
Balloon gas is often use in the balloon industry. It is a mix of helium and air. The mix is approximately 98% helium and 2% air, and is a recycled product that can no longer be used for medical and other professional uses.
There are a number of different helium (balloon gas) suppliers in the UK and many others worldwide.
BOC/Linde
Air Products
If you are planning to use helium, you should establish who your helium supplier is before you invest in any helium inflation equipment, as each cylinder type has different fittings. As with all gases, the cylinder that the helium is contained in is under very high pressure, so it is imperative that the correct balloon filling equipment is used for the type of cylinders that you are using, and it should never be altered or tampered with.
In the UK setting up a helium account with a balloon wholesaler can often be less expensive than hiring directly from the actual helium companies, as the wholesaler can benefit from discounts that are generally pass onto their customers.
Helium Safety
Always use a trolley when moving or transporting balloon gas cylinders. A trolley will also act as a support stand when inflating during on-site decorating jobs.
Always secure cylinders. In case you cannot secure them upright, simply use them lying down on the ground and prevent them from rolling.
When transporting or moving cylinders, always make sure that you remove the balloon filling kit, and that the cylinder is well secured so that it cannot move at all.
Helium is a non-flammable gas. If the tank is punctured or knocked over, the gas can escape with such force that the tank can be propelled at a very high speed.
Although balloon gas is not poisonous, it I can cause you to asphyxiate. if it's inhaled too deeply, it can be fatal. A similar thing can happen if a cylinder is fully opened in a non-ventilated room.
Marketing
Marketing takes on many guises in business. Having a good website and having at least one business social media channel is vital for any business.
I have written many posts on social media and the different platforms that businesses use. You don't need to be an expert, but it certainly helps to do some research to ensure that you get the best that you can from each of these platforms! Here are links to two of my posts that you might find useful.
There are many more helpful posts on the blog, use the search option on the blog page to find more!
If you are looking for social media marketing materials, www.Qualatex.com has so many fabulous free posts and images available!
How about ready made posts; these are great when used as part of a social media schedule. Having a variety of post types is very important to keep followers interested and engaged, as well as attracting new followers too!
To see the full range of free marketing resources available from Qualatex click HERE
Training
Learning your trade is so very important. I view many 'ballooning' Facebook Groups and see many "how to" and "how much" questions that are posted daily. While there is nothing wrong with asking a few questions, it is sometimes better and more rewarding to work it out for yourself. Learning through trial and error is the best form of training!
Face to Face Training - if you get the opportunity to attend a hands-on beginner's course with a reputable instructor, you will learn more in one day than you could on YouTube in a month! A good beginner's course is designed to teach you everything that you need to know to get you started. Courses like these cover so much more than how to inflate balloons; a typical beginners course will include the demonstration of a range of different techniques, formulas for creating balloon Arches and Garlands, how to form perfect balloon bouquets using the Staggered and Layered techniques, pricing, equipment... and much more! Qualatex has a fabulous beginner's course known as Qualatex Fundamentals - The benchmark Course for the Balloon Professional. To find out where this course is offered, check out the Qualatex Balloon Education Calendar.
There is a Balloon Basics section on the Qualatex website that will give you tips on how to create Basic Balloon Decor, as well as Basic Balloon Tying and gives you Inflation Tips.
Qualatex also has an Events and Training Calendar on the website. Type in your region and it will give you an up-to-date overview of classes, courses, and events in that region. Just FYI, face-to-face training sessions are currently very limited due to Covid-19 and government restrictions.
The Q Corner Balloon Convention - this is an incredibly valuable free resource. At the beginning of the pandemic lockdown, Qualatex with the help of the 'Boys from Q Corner' Keith Stirman and Dominic Cassidy, produced an online balloon convention unlike any other. It consisted of over 120 hours of non-stop balloon classes from some of the top instructors in the industry, as well as many new instructors who are rarely seen outside of their country, who I must add, all generously gave their time and creative talents.
To see who the convention instructors are, the classes that they teach and to access all the classes click HERE. The convention was recorded in sessions, each which contained a number of different classes.
I strongly recommend that you download the Class Matrix with class descriptions, instructors, languages and direct links to each class - this is available on the link above.
To give you a little taster, I am including one of the convention session here:
Many industry instructors also have training videos that they have produced and are available to purchase as DVD's or as on-demand video downloads, which are available to view from your laptop, TV or phone at anytime!
I have a few training videos that I have produced in conjunction with Balloon School Pro on Vimeo. Balloon School Pro makes high quality training video's specifically for the balloon industry, with professional instructors that give you as much knowledge and detail as you can get without actually being in the training room with them! This includes overhead cameras, close ups of techniques and supporting information either on screen or by email when you purchase the program.
There are certainly many opportunities to learn from YouTube, but be very careful! Many of the tutorials are from people who, though their intention are good, are not always teaching the best skills and techniques - be careful not to pick up bad habits!
Try to learn from the best, and do your research and see whose 'ballooning' style and techniques you like. Follow them on social media - start with the instructors from the Q Corner Convention!
Balloons and the Environment
This is a very important topic that anyone embarking on a career in balloons should have a good understanding of.
Balloon Releases
Any balloon that is released into the atmosphere will almost certainly create unnecessary litter. To help to protect our environment, NEVER release helium-filled balloons as a balloon professional or as a consumer, and always dispose of balloons, accessories and any packing responsibly.
Safe Balloon Practices
There are a number of organisations that work very hard to protect the balloon industry, as well as offer useful advice to both the balloon professionals and the consumers.
The Balloons and the Environment guides and social media posts are all available to download, click HERE for a direct link.
I hope that for those of you who have recently started or considered starting a balloon business that you have found the Starting a Balloon Business Part 1 and Part 2 helpful and informative! Starting any business can be challenging, but I hope that I have managed to answer some of the many questions that you have and helped you to understand our industry a little bit better!
Since the Q Corner Convention, a number of the featured instructors have very kindly shared additional information to further supplement their classes, including photographs, class notes and materials lists. To make it easier for everyone to find for future reference, I have documented these, along with their class video, in a series of blog posts that I will publish over the next few weeks.
Joette Giardina, CBA, Balloon Coach, from Lakeland, Florida, USA.
Class Title: Marketing with Balloons
"I was delighted when Susan Dhillon reached out to me and asked me to be a part of the QCorner online convention. It was so rewarding to see the comments come in from around the world of everyone watching the training. The topic of Marketing with balloons is more powerful than ever. I find many times as balloon businesses, we get focused on creating something new and over the top, comparing ourselves to other balloon artists from around the world, and we forget about the power of classic decor and how we can market daily with our balloons.I appreciate all the wonderful messages I got after my class and wanted to share a few extra tips to help you market in the "new normal". These are things that I have done in the weeks since Q-corner convention, during stay at home orders. Your Partner in Success." Joette Giardina, CBA Mentor. Motivator. Speaker. Grow your Thriving Balloon Business
Here are the course notes that coincide with Joette's class, or for a downloadable PDF click HERE
If you missed Joette's class, just click on the video below! This video starts from the beginning of her class.
Here are some additional notes that Joette has prepared, that focus on Marketing with Balloons during Social Distancing!
Thank you Joette for sharing your knowledge and all the additional resources! I hope that everyone is enjoying all the opportunities to learn from so many industry experts!
I am hoping that many of you saw a post from Susan Dhillon, Marketing Communications Director of Pioneer Balloon Company on the Qualatex Facebook Group a few weeks ago? Susan shared some great news about an exciting, FREE, video resource - this might be on a time limit to help businesses during the Covid-19 crisis, but as of right now, it is definitely still available!
The website will open in a new window, so you can start working straight away!
I have made a short, screen shot video to take you through the process, but I strongly recommend that you take a few minutes to play with it and see the amazing videos you can make!
"One minute of video is worth 1.8 million words."
-Dr. James McQuivey of Forrester Research
Before you start:
Decide in advance what you want your video to be about.
Create a folder of photographs that you want to include in the video. Don't forget that there are some great free resources on the Qualatex website, such as Balloon Bouquets, Balloon Decor, life-style photographs, and other great marketing materials.
Prepare headlines, captions, and other copy entering on what you want to communicate in your advert. Research poems, slogans, and other marketing resources that relate to your video's topic.
Don't forget the code that you need at the check-out - Reach
I hope that you enjoy using this software as much as I have. I believe that this will be a great resource for our businesses.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
