Starting off..ooo scary.

Started by Stevie_Babe, June 04, 2008, 02:28:32 PM

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Stevie_Babe

Hi guys,

I have been doing kids party magic & some balloon moddeling. Simple stuff. Then I got Bad to the balloon DVD's...wow. I sourt of enjoy doing balloon models more than the kids magic. So, now I'm going to start approaching the commercial sector - restaurants shopping malls etc - I recently bit the bullet & approached an owner of a restaurant/cafe type place. He is interested..wow. I suggested I go in & do a 1hr freebie, then we number crunch. :D

Then last night I got chatting to someone that I hadn't met before, works for a car dealership. I told him what I do, suggested he have me to bring famillies in, they've been thinking about that.

Problem is, I'm not sure about pricing. Can anyone give me some guidance on this ppplease :?:

I would like to get into decorating as well. Whats the best avenue for that, I meen where do I go :?:

Anyone?

Steve

Smiggle

#1
Actual prices are difficult to discuss - you'll get whatever they are prepared to pay but once you decide on a charging regime stick to it - don't haggle. Some bookers will always tel you they can 'get the same' for a lower price - fine - let them

I charge a simple hourly rate which drops a little if the gig is over 4 hours, I do have a day rate but because I'm fairly new to the twisting business I haven't had to quote that yet. I have a minimum charge of two hours, for my disco the rate stays the same up to midnight then the hourly charge becomes a charge per half hour
C\'mon Let\'s twist again...

Stevie_Babe

#2
Thanks for that Smiggle. I must confess that sometimes I do almost haggle as I don't like to see the business go. With my magic show When I first started it went up & down as & when I heard the going rate. Then you just gotta go with what you feel comfortable with.

I came across some balloon buskers in my home town last week. Doing Swords & flowers charging £1.00 per model. I think thats why I asked, I don't want to overprice. I mainly do hats now. Got board of doing dogs, swords etc :roll:

Thanks again for that Smiggle

Steve

koolkatkiwi

#3
So, Stevie, what would be the going rate in your area for swords and flowers when busking? I'm not sure if you meant one pound (can't find the pound sign) is too much, or too little. Also, of course, a flower is much more complex than a sword, and usually at least two balloons.

Cheers,
Kath 8-)
************************************************
Bill & Kath Worsfold - Kiwi Entertainers!
http://www.billkath.co.nz
************************************************

Stevie_Babe

#4
Hi Koolatkiwi,

well what I was getting at was I hadn't done that much busking etc, so I didn't know pricing. I've now settled in on pricing now. It seems to work.

mandy

#5
if youre charging per model then i would check out the venue you are at first. If its a local school fete you cant charge as much as if it were a festival where people pay top whack for even a cup of tea.
I relate to £ as cshells, you may have seen this elsewhere.
So at a local school fete you cant charge more than 1cshell for a sword and 1 1/2 a c shell for a flower on a stem, but i have sold many for 3cshells if you use 4 x 260s and make a giant version.
At a posher do i would ask for 1cshell for a sword and 2cshells for the flower on a stem but 3 cshells for the giant flower. Is that any clearer? Im not much cop at explaining this.

grOmmet

#6
Interesting conversation BUT I am EXTREMELY concerned about the usage of the word "busking" in conjunction with the word "pricing".

Do NOT confuse illegal street vending or permitted balloon selling ( ie., within an event or on private property) with REAL public / street busking.
Let me explain......

A busker does not / CAN not have "prices".
Busking is freely GIVEN entertainment (usually music, singing, or circus spectacle) where contributions of money are, by definition, VOLUNTARILY offered by the public.

In the case of people doing a juggling / escapology, etc., "show", then they may "bottle" , or collect at the end. This may be after a brief bottling speech explaining that nobody is paying them to be there so contributions and appreciations would be well received, IF folk wish to do so.

Many musicians have a hat or instrument case down for folk to place their appreciations into. Their performance is usually continuous and attracts folk as they pass by.

TRUE balloon busking is a kind of hybrid between these two. I have been out balloon busking for over 15years now. It is how my business was founded.
 
As regards busking, have you seen //http://balloonchat.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=118&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=0?
I posted a few of my own thoughts on the subject: //http://balloonchat.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=118&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=10

My own experiences of "selling" balloon creations at events have not always been particularly lucrative from a money-making point of view, so beware the "I'll get rich quickly because I can make a few balloon animals" approach!!

At most fetes, fayres, village events, carnivals, etc., there are other attractions and often commercial competition from vendors of hotdogs, candy floss, rides and so on...
Families are apt to come out with a certain amount of money to spend.. and no more..

HOWEVER>>> If you view such events as enabling you to cover basic costs (I have successfully got "retainer" fees before now, before a balloon even gets "sold").. whilst PROMOTING your skills.. ie., "Today I am supporting this event. Tomorrow you can BOOK me... Here is my card / flier.." This can generate fresh business.. and DOES!!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.... DO NOT GO OUT ON THE STREET AND SWELL THE RANKS OF THOSE WHO TWIDDLE POORLY CONSTRUCTED "THINGS" AND ASK FOR MONEY FROM THE PUBLIC!!!
SOME OF US HAVE SPENT YEARS TRYING TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF WHAT TRULY PROFESSIONAL BALLOON ARTISTS CAN PRODUCE.. AND WIDENING THE GAP BETWEEN OURSELVES AND THEM...

Many towns and cities have Licensing Officers who are on the prowl for illegal vendors.
The minute you ASK for a set amount, that's what you become... and you are also quite likely to be tested by a "mystery shopper" too!!
In my opinion, this approach to street work really does make our profession look shoddy and desperate and simply reinforces some people's view of it being a begging endeavour of little worth or Honour!!

People are MUCH more likely to come over to you if you are relaxed and having a good time, rather than vexing over how much money you have made.....
I've found that if I am asked "How much are the balloons?" then an answer like "Well that depends on what you think a smile is worth....." ~or~ " there's nobody paying me to be here today, so take what you like and leave what you can"... then you'll often get MORE than you might have ASKED for!!!!

I hope there's some food for thought there!!

Respect, Best Wishes, frogs and Fishes...
grOmmet the Balloon Wyzzyrd.     g]http://www.balloonwiz.co.uk[/url]

Stevie_Babe

#7
Good point Grommet, it wasn't busking I was doing...haven't tried that yet :shock:  not sure I would enjoy it as we have an un-savery element in a town near me.

What I have been doing recently, was school fetes, people seem to turn up ready to spend money, some you win, some you most defenately loose  :cry:

Steve