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Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
I don't do (except the one for the birthday child, which is a special one that nobody else gets) the ballooning at the party, but pre-make them at home. I give them to the mom (or dad, or whoever's in charge) to pass out AS THE KIDS LEAVE. Not before, since some of them WILL pop theirs during the party. Usually the "going home stuff" (like goody bags with my coloring sheets inside) is given out as the parent arrives, so they get to see your work, and not a crying child since they don't have a balloon. Saves a lot of time, and the party-goers also get to see some good balloon twisting as I'm making the birthday child a balloon.
Steve Thomas |
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Whiterabbit Loyal user Kevin Mc Lean 278 Posts |
I pitch balloons on weekends in shopping centres and do parties occasionally. While I can do a lot of balloon models, offering choice slows down business.
When I do parties it's on a pirate theme usually. The balloons are preblown. At the end, I make them all members of the crew and give them out. The way to still offer choice is (in my opinion) to say "line up everyone who wants a (name of balloon)". The kids that just want that line up (and that will be most of them), the requests wait until the end and you go from there. I then get out of 'Dodge' as quick as I can... I did three hours of balloons for the break up of a children's club the other day and I started with one type (preblown), then when they were sick of that I made others, then after that others and gradually revealed a repetoire. In the last half hour, yes I was doing requests and some really funky balloons and I left a quarter an hour late - but that was managable. Bottom line - you really have to pre blow the balloons and in a nice way limit choices for a party. My shopping centre approach is different, but there's still limitation of choice. I advertise five types of balloons, blow heaps, weight them and put them in a basket and in quiet times I'm quite happy to make the customers whatever they want. I know it's a "MacDonalds" type approach, but it is very practical and I make a working wage in a small town this way. I also rotate balloons in my list every month and specialise in large balloons, that are quick to twist and can be seen all over the shopping centre. On the subject of pricing, my balloons cost a bit over the cost of a can of coca-cola (as a measure of price that I guess that can be used world wide)depending on complexity. This price would be doubled in a large city - but they won't pay that in the sticks. Oh I forgot to mention, the price for parties is an hourly rate based on numbers compared to what I charge individually for balloons in shopping centres. Anyway, just my two cents. I know it may sound harsh, but I think that you really have to manage giveaways and pitching or total chaos can result.
May your fingers never lose their deftness,
May your tongue always lead them down the garden path... Regards, Whiterabbit |
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Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
For selling balloons at a festival at our booth...we always use a menu board. My first menu had about 50 balloon designs, and I quickly learned to cut that down. For kids between 4-6, they'll take forever to choose, and grandma isn't much good at all, since they little hooligan WILL get whatever they want! Our current boards (my wife has one and I have one that's a little more elaborate) are pretty simple, with around 10 very different designs on each. Prices vary from $1 to $4, and I think there's even a $5 balloon design on my board. Keep prices even (no half or quarter prices) so making change is a lot simpler. Designs with pictures (illustrations) sell a lot better than just a word description. At most festivals we attend there's never less than about 30 people in line waiting to get lil' junior a balloon design. I won't even get into how to STOP the line for a break or to stop for the day...that just takes about 10 years experience so everybody's happy.
Steve Thomas |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Steve,
Great stuff and information. I also have found that at festivals, you need to keep the lines moving. Keep it simple on yourself and the creatiosns you do. The more options the more time it takes for the kid to make up his or her mind. pictures of what you can make are a huge help so that people can be thinking about it in line ahead of time. You might also think about making a flyer that has your designs on it. This serves 2 purposes. 1) you hand it out to people in line so they can look and decide BEFORE they get to you. This speeds up the process and 2) place your contact information on it and people can take it home with them as a free marketing piece of flyer for you. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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Whiterabbit Loyal user Kevin Mc Lean 278 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-01-31 20:16, Stevethomas wrote: Great idea Steve, I must update my balloon board. With the line ups I usually ask people to get exact money out if possible as it speeds things up (like you I don't deal in change for prices). Does anyone have any 'lines' (forgive the pun) for large lines?
May your fingers never lose their deftness,
May your tongue always lead them down the garden path... Regards, Whiterabbit |
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magic_guy New user Bangor, Michigan 13 Posts |
In my area, everyone seems to like the balloons. Just have two prices for your show, one WITH balloons & one without. Also, it helps to keep your pricing simple. Make it easy on the person booking you, don't confuse them with TOO many options. Also, if you're staying longer than an hour at a birthday party, are you a a glutton for punishment, or what? Do the 30 minutes, add your balloons & be off to your next show. Don't be that chinese magician "On Too Long." Just a thot......
"Where'd all these kids from from?!"
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Tom Stevens Veteran user Australia 361 Posts |
Balloons seem to continue to be in demand at parties.
I've only had one person book my show without the balloons. |
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Doc Pepper New user Black Hills of South Dakota 82 Posts |
I started out with balloons and magic as two different things... Now they work hand and hand. I do a lot of balloons shows at grand openings, banks, wal-mart and even at the local video store. I get lots of `magic' birthday shows booked in this fashion. I make a balloon animal and give a card to Mom. I guess it's call `paying the dues'. I used to do a lot of hospitals (thus the name Doc Pepper) but I find more and more of them will NOT ALLOW balloons in the area (allergies).
When I book a magic show there is a little piece in ther for balloons... but the price is higher if the parents want the balloons to play a larger role... Just my 2 cents..
The Doctor will see you now! ;-)
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DemuMagic New user Canada 18 Posts |
Hey guys, I was just wondering exactly how to make a balloon sword. I have heard they are very easy but every time a kid asks me to make one I kinda just do a loop and put it around their hand. Would anyone be able to post a set of instructions on how to make them ? thanks
We bring peoples wildest dreams to life
live magic |
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Two versions
1) Make an apple twist and then, 10cm up the balloon put in three small loop twists. 2) Make a small loop in the end. Make a string of five 2cm bubbles. Thread the end of the balloon through the loop to make a pirate sword. |
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bsears Inner circle Cincinnati, Ohio 1040 Posts |
Much of the enjoyment of balloon sculpture comes from watching it being done and the bits of business that go with it.I would never bring them to a show in a bag. To me that's tacky. I know opinions vary, and no offense to anyone, that's just my take. Why leave the audience out of the most amazing part?
I offer a delux show where I stay after the magic performance and make the balloons for each kid. Not only do I make it in front of them, with a handpainted floor pump, but I allow them to decide from a pretty sizable list what they would like. I even let them pick the colors from a nice looking tophat. Yes, I know its a lot of work, but its what I would want if it were my birthday. Made to order - right before their eyes! I think I'll start adding this to my "delux show" pitch to increase percieved value. Thanks. |
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triadsong Regular user Long Island, NY 170 Posts |
Balloons are NOT my forte. I started doing them as a favor to the Party store that books me out after their balloon guy backed out of a party. I did a crash course and enjoy making the sculptures but I don't enjoy sculpting at the end of a show. I'm much happier to concentrate on magic. Perhaps pre-made is the way to go if Ballons are a must.
Anyway, quick question, how do you normally transport your pre-mades? Peace, Vinny |
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Popo Loyal user Valparaiso, IN 219 Posts |
I enjoy ballooning as much as magic. I too offer balloons, which I make after the show. I have gotten to the point where 30 kids asking for different things can be done in a half hour. Most of the time it is swords and poodles. I always begin by saying to them that I can make anything with a balloon but it will look like a sword or a poodle so ask for whatever you want. Once the boys hear the word sword they are done. The girls like poodles. If there are more kids I limit the choices. I too busk balloons at shopping centers and recreation centers. The other thing we have begun to offer, rather than ballooning per se, is a balloon decoration for the party. If the party theme is safari then we can make a large (4 foot by 4 foot) ballon jungle scene complete with monkeys and lions. This sets the mood, gets oohs and aahs and we do not have to do balloons for each child. Just another way to market the ballooning I guess.
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Tom Stevens Veteran user Australia 361 Posts |
Making a balloon Sword:
Inflate the balloon leaving about 2 1/2 inches uninflated. Make a one inch bubble. Make a loop with about five inches of balloon. Make 4 one-inch bubbles. Push the end of the balloon through the loop and pull it through. Now you're a buccaneer! don't lose your buccin' head. |
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Brad Lancaster Regular user 184 Posts |
Balloons are an important part of my birthday party show. Watching the kids run around in their balloon hats really makes it a festive affair.
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