From: "" <wynnlindybell@msn.com>
To: Partydesigns911@aol.com
Subject: Re: Marketing Advice
Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 23:14:29 -0700

Tracy,

Your new idea is a good one.  I would try to evaluate all the possibilities 
before moving ahead, though.  We have found that any type of advertising for 
balloons needs to be aimed at both a fairly narrow market segement and at a 
segment that will provide the most monetary return for money spent on the ad 
campaign.

On the surface, I would think that a maternity shop would not provide the 
market size and diversity that a bridal shop might, unless you are only 
looking for delivery business.

We had a working relationship with a bridal dress shop for about 2 years, 
once.  We displayed an Enchanted Bubble and two Fantasy Clouds, air filled, 
hanging from their ceiling.  This was a really big pain to install every 
week, as we had to string the tulle over the tops of dress racks working 
from a stepladder.  But the amount of business it brought us was 
phenominal...  The brides were able to see balloon decor very early in their 
quest for the perfect wedding (I guess the dress is one of the first 
purchases), which meant that we were able to have a greater number of 
weddings booked further in advance.

This arrangement worked very well, with neither of us paying any fees, 
commissions or any other gratuities for the advertising.  It ended during 
reconstruction of their area of the mall, and their new space had a very low 
ceiling and was not at all condusive to our decor.  They always lamented the 
fact that we weren't with them, after the changes.  We dropped about 15 
weddings a year after this happened.

So in this instance, the extra work and effort each Wednesday had a very 
good return for us.  We hated to lose that advertising venue.

I would also caution you to not abandon all your current efforts.  They may 
be working better than you are aware.  It has always amazed us how far down 
the line from an initial ad effort that new business keeps coming in.  Last 
January, we had a small ad in a small local wedding publication, and are 
still getting calls from that one ad/picture.

Sorry I carried on so long, but I think you really need to direct your 
"decor advertising" at the specific market that will fulfill your company's 
needs the best.

Good luck...

Wynn
Wynn and Lindy Bell, cba's
Final Touch Balloons & Event Decor
Portland OR  USA
503.469.8885
www.finaltouchballoons.com
"Save a tree...Buy a balloon"



----Original Message Follows----
To: balloondeco@balloonhq.com
Subject: Marketing Advicevice
Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 17:19:34 EDT

Hello,
Once again I am in need of assistance from you that are much more 
experienced
than myself. I am fairly new to the balloon business I started doing 
balloons
about ten months ago. I am still trying to get the word out about what I do
and I must admit the task is sometimes daunting. I am home based and I do
maintain a professional presence so that I will be taken seriously (As this
is not my hobby it is my profession). So I know that my professionalism is
not the issue.
I have read very good information on the balloon HQ guide as well as QBN
program about decorating in noncompeting businesses to gain exposure. I was
thinking about doing up some arrangements for local businesses such as
maternity shops, bridal shops, etc. I would like to know if others have 
tried
this avenue when they first started out and what were their experiences.
There is an exclusive maternity shop here that I was thinking about doing
some "New Arrival" bouquets for and leaving cards; However, I am not sure
about the logistics of something like this. Obviously, the arrangements 
would
have to be changed weekly wouldn't you have to display several designs each
week or can you get away with say one specific arrangement designs say for
the month. Of course you would have to replace with a new arrangement each
week but it would be of the same design. And then the following month change
to another designs. It seems this would be quite costly having to maintain,
but I looking for some suggestions as I am looking to change my current game
plan because I am not having much success. Any advice would be greatly
appreciated.

Respectfully,

Tracy


Treasured Events by T& D
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Fax (228) 818-4668
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