THREE POINTS ON PRICING

It is once again time to celebrate the things we are thankful for during the 2011 Holiday Season. It's November and I have been working like a mad man, trying to bring advanced balloon-artistry to all the people who have requested entertainment services in the Tampa Bay Area. Normally this time of year I am very busy and this year is no exception. It's always nice to be invited to do a party, but it's particularly nice to be invited into somebody's home. I want to take a minute to comment on the phenomenon that is In-Home Balloon-Artistry Parties. When a client contacts me about doing an event in their home, I am always careful to ask three things. First, I have to know what their budget is. If they are way off in their assumptions of what I will do a party for, then I try to educate them on the reasons for my pricing. I also have to know what else they are expecting other than advanced balloon-artistry. If a client has unrealistic expectations of how much entertainment they can afford, it is my responsibility to educate them on what things cost. If they still don't get it, then I have to pass and move on. Not every party is my party and sometimes there is a better artist out there who is a better fit for the event at hand. I learned this after working in the industry for several years. Sometimes, it's just not right for me to accept an event. Understanding this, allows me to protect my time and only take the events that are right for me. In the beginning we think we need to say "yes" to every event that comes along. We don't. and we are better off in the long run, pacing ourselves so that we don't burn-out along the way. The holidays are particularly suspect in this regard because of the volume of calls we receive asking us to do parties for a hundred dollars. The average price Creative Inflation charges for appearing at an event is somewhere around $300.00, depending on how many kids are there and how far we have to travel. I do not charge by the hour, instead, opting to charge by the event. It's more work this way, and I work longer hours, but the customers are equally more satisfied and we end up with more repeat business this way. It's one thing if it's a charitable organization and you can fit it in your schedule, but it's another thing entirely if you are working for a private party that simply doesn't understand what your services cost. Be fair and educate your clients. It took you years, if not DECADES to master your art-form. Clients are paying you for the mastery of your skills, not for the balloons. As an artist, there is a standard which requires you be the master of your art-form. That's why we can command such high prices. When you are the best, you should be paid like you are the best. That's how the business works, and that's how I have come to understand it. Finally I always ask what theme the party should have. Then, I look at what they say and I create characters that fit the theme of that particular party. Do yourself a favor and learn the entire series of characters in each television show. That way you can do themed parties and people will expect to pay more. Why? because again, this is a business and when you are the only one in the area that can do this type of work, you are instantly elevated to expert level and experts get paid higher fees.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Creative Inflation, FLORIDA! We hope to see you at one of our events very soon!

=RICK=

Let's Review, What We Do

OK kids. It's come to my attention that its necessary to review what we do. Lately I've gotten some inquiries about why Creative Inflation has a blog in the first place and what I intended by creating in. First, let me comment that my blog is a bit of a work in progress. Sure, it's been up for years, but what great work is not a work in progress? It needs some things and I am well aware that much is to be done before this becomes the work that I envisioned. Next, if you are an artist and someone features your work, be proud. Somebody noticed and liked it enough to show someone else. It doesn't mean that you or your work has been compromised. In fact it should serve as a reminder that your are pretty good at what you do and should probably keep doing it. The Creative Inflation Blog is a non-profit blog about the joys and wonders of a fairly recent art-form known as balloon-artistry. I personally, have been involved with the industry since 1997. I can make just about anything, but I am also a photographer by trade. My work with balloons is primarily a hobby and I love the art-form so much that I created a blog about it. Now, being a blogger is an art-form unto itself, so I will apologize if anyone is featured here and feels they are not properly referenced. I'm learning and I sincerely hope that anyone who I deem creative enough to be here on my little space, will simply let me know how they would like to be referenced and I will redirect any traffic to their respective websites. Some artists are clearly featured, some I haven't had enough information to fully feature them yet and others for one reason or another remain a mystery to me. Still I like their art-work and I believe it needs to be seen. The Creative Commons License allows me to feature the pictures of balloon-artistry I enjoy and my intent was only to showcase the work. I have never been asked to make some of the things I have pictures of that are on my website and I think anyone who has watched me work realizes that I have a unique style that is all my own. I appreciate all inquiries and if you would like to be featured here on the Creative Inflation Blog, then write up a bio and send me some pictures and let's create some content that can get you some buzz! Traffic is always a good thing and lately I've been getting a fair share of my own. Keep the inquiries coming and I will talk again real soon.

=RICK=

CREATIVE INFLATION: Weekend 09/16

CREATIVE INFLATION: Weekend 09/16: As promised I am attempting to stay consistent with my posts on the Creative Inflation Blog. Once or twice a week I want to keep you guys up...

Weekend 09/16

As promised I am attempting to stay consistent with my posts on the Creative Inflation Blog. Once or twice a week I want to keep you guys updated on issues that pertain to my brand of "Bending" which is the word I have decided to use to describe the advanced balloon artistry I am known for. We Benders are an interesting bunch. Some of us end up in the balloon industry by accident. Some of us end up here by choice. One thing is for sure though, nobody stays in the balloon industry unless they have a reason. It's hard to learn how to make
"cartoon-balloons" (another description created expressly for describing the work I do at Creative Inflation) and unless someone is avid hobbyist who simply likes practicing their art-form and really appreciates being praised by family and friends, the truth is there has to be some type of financial reward for perfecting your skills as a balloon-artist and as an entertainer. It's not an easy way to make a living, and like any industry, there are slow times and financial struggles and periods of boredom and then finally that trade-show comes around and drops $2500.00 dollars in your lap for a days worth of work, and then you remember why you got into this weird career in the first place as you happily deposit what would be a month's salary for some people into your bank account. Of course big events like this also bring private party requests, usually for children's birthday parties, and those kinds of events can bring anywhere from $200.00-$500.00 dollars depending on how many kids are at the party, so as you have probably figured out, getting your name out there and actually being aware of what trade-shows, festivals and special events are going on around town is really the most important part of your business plan, right after becoming the world's best balloon-artist your neighborhood has ever known! The reality is, where yes, we are artists, entertainers and business owners, the most important part of our work day is searching for and planning out our schedule of events. You have to be diligent about finding new business each week. You have to do your research and find out what is going on in your community. What local organization is sponsoring what event? Who is putting together the local Fall festivals? What are the schools doing in honor of which holidays? How about churches and mosques? Some of the best events I have ever done, have been at an Islamic Mosque, who hired me twice to come out and entertain at their children's functions. I found every event I have ever worked by doing research on-line, making phone calls to groups I hoped would be interested and by answering inquiries from different types of people who had seen me or one of my benders, entertaining with advanced balloon artistry at some party or special event. The lesson here is that word of mouth advertising works, but that it's only part of a complex formula I use to constantly fill the sales funnel each week with new events to work all month long. There is a lot of planning that goes into running any type of business. I'd like to help shed some light on that planning process and help those of you who are interested in perhaps making money with your own balloon-company. This ain't rocket-science as they say! However, like anything worth doing, there are some
tips & tricks you might want to know about that have helped me become more successful along the way. I hope some of the things I plan to share in my next few posts will help you too. Stay tuned, because there's more to come!

Benders unite...    

=RICK=

CREATIVE INFLATION: The weekend of September 11, is always a date that...

CREATIVE INFLATION: The weekend of September 11, is always a date that...: The weekend of September 11, is always a date that comes and goes quietly, but will forever be recognized as one of the most tragic days in ...

The weekend of September 11, is always a date that comes and goes quietly, but will forever be recognized as one of the most tragic days in American History. In honor of the lives that were lost a decade ago, when 
New York's Twin Towers were destroyed by the now deceased leader of Al-Qaeda Osama Bin Laden, a memorial called, "Reflecting Absence" has been created to honor the men and women who died in that horrible event on 09/11/2001. http://gizmodo.com/5838844/how-reflecting-absence-became-americas-most-expensive-public-memorial I mention this here, because the Creative Inflation Blogspot is all about art, and how it exists all around us in the world. If you haven't seen the "Reflecting Absence" Memorial yet, take a look at the link I included with this post. It's impressive, and even it though it serves as a reminder of something terrible, it clearly illustrates once again, that art is life, and even in the arms of tragedy we can still cherish all that is beautiful. Art has great purpose in this life, and every opportunity to recognize the powerful impact art has on our lives should be recognized and respected. May the families and the victims of 9/11 find peace in the memorial that was created in their honor. May we never forget. 


I also want to mention this week that Creative Inflation was lucky enough to be part of the must see event, the annual, "I Like It Hot Festival" in Largo at Minnreg Hall Convention Center  


This was a spicy-food-fanatic's paradise on Saturday and Sunday last weekend, where everyone could sample some of Florida's best hot sauce, homemade salsas, and other spicy wares, complimented by live music, beer and of course the advanced balloon artistry of Creative Inflation! Good times were had by all, and we are really happy that we got to be part of such a cool event this year.

CREATIVE INFLATION: Wow! It's been a minute since I created a new post...

CREATIVE INFLATION: Wow! It's been a minute since I created a new post...: Wow! It's been a minute since I created a new post for the Creative Inflation Blog! What can I say, life get's busy and I get more calls fro...

Wow! It's been a minute since I created a new post for the Creative Inflation Blog! What can I say, life get's busy and I get more calls from even more clients that want to add balloon-artistry to their next special event. Lately I've gotten calls from organizations like churches and mosques and businesses and people looking to entertain their guests at the up and coming birthday party for one of their three youngest kids! Heck! I've even been taking calls from the Girl Scouts who are excited about having me bring out our brand of advanced balloon-artistry to help them celebrate some particular miles stone in Girl Scout history that has a significant meaning and makes a  definite impact on the lives of all those girls and all their parents who work hard to maintain the positive force that keeps the Girl Scouts in motion all of the time. I am proud to be considered when large groups began planning events and looking for entertainment. It's an honor to be the go to guy for advanced balloon artistry and quality entertainment. Sure, there's other companies out there that will take what you pay them and try to raise the price as high as possible, while providing as little work as they can so as not to ever have to appear to be working very hard, but that's just not my style. Creative Inflation offers advanced balloon-artistry  that makes special events, fairs and festivals, as well as private parties and retail sales events MORE than memorable. We want the guests to be happy. We want the clients to be happy. Most of all, we want people to smile when they think of Creative Inflation. It's my belief that a fair price, brilliant work and a commitment to hard work and overall excellence is exactly the formula we should be using to become the best balloon-artistry and entertainment company we can be. Thanks to all those who have chosen to work with us this year. Please check back often, as I am about to launch a completely new program, designed to teach everyone who's interested how they can learn to do advance balloon-artistry too. I look forward to hearing comments on the things I am getting ready to teach. Who knows, some of you may even decide you would like to work with me. The more the merrier I always say! There is plenty of room here in the balloon industry. I will tell you more very soon.  =RICK=

CREATIVE INFLATION: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND STUFF

CREATIVE INFLATION:  OLD NAVY WESTSHORE "THANKS" : "It was a year and a half of great times with Old Navy in Westshore Mall. I feel like it was just yesterday that I first asked for permission..."

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND STUFF

It was a year and a half of great times with Old Navy at Westshore Mall. I feel like it was just yesterday that I first asked for permission to work inside the Old Navy Store at the Westshore Mall. I was shocked and surprised when the powers that be granted me access to a small 3 x 5 space where I could set my inflation-station up and twist balloons for tips. In the beginning I wasn't sure if people were even going to like what I was able to do. Predictably, people in the mall loved my balloon-artistry and I have nothing but good things to say about the people that allowed me to work in front of the Old Navy store for so long. As it is with all good things though, my time at Old Navy has come to an end. The store recently went through a massive remodel because it is one of the busiest stores in the USA. The entrance to the store has been changed and made smaller. There is no longer enough room for Creative Inflation to entertain the many customers that are curious and come in the store. Also, Old Navy often interacts with the local community and allows other organizations to come in and talk to their customers about their cause. It seems only fair now that Creative Inflation has become so popular that we move on, and allow other groups to come in and have the same opportunities that we had in the Old Navy store. I will forever be thankful that Old Navy worked with my company for so long. It was a great place to launch my business and I have grown very much as an artist in the time I spent there. Now I will move on to another store and continue my journey as the balloon-artist that helps retail stores get more traffic in their stores. Balloon-artistry get's people's attention, and I would like to think that in the time I was in Old Navy, that I brought great value to the store. Thank-you Old Navy for believing in me and what I do. I will always remember that it was you that gave me my start and helped me develop into the artist I have become today. I will be announcing my new locations in the up-coming weeks. I am still working at various retail stores in West Shore Mall. Just look for the balloon-characters that the kids are carrying around the mall on Saturday and Sunday each week. If you see kids with balloon-art, then I am probably somewhere in the mall. I look forward to seeing all of you very soon, and I will let you know about where Creative Inflation is going to be.

=RICK= 

THE UNPOPPABLES! AIR-ARTISTRY IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE POPULAR!

I suppose it's official, once a subject is chosen for the basis of a reality television show, chances are there is about to be an explosion. I was flipping through the stations, doing a little remote-controlled channel surfing when I discovered there is a new show about large-scale balloon-art creations! WWW.NEWBALLOONART.COM
is the website that will reveal that the new show I am talking about is THE UNPOPPABLES on TLC Network. Many of you will remember that I featured Addi Somehk a while back when I told you about his
BALLOON HAT documentary about traveling around the world as a balloon artist with his friend and photographer Charlie Eckert. Addi is the leader of NEW BALLOON ART and works side by side with fellow artists, Brian and Katie doing brilliant balloon-art installations for customers in Los Angeles California. I am again ultra-impressed with Addi's work and I highly suggest you guys check out his show!
=RICK=