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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
Anyone here going to either or both?
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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Rob the Balloon Guy New user West Hartford, CT 96 Posts |
I'll be at Twist & Shout. I heard some magic dude named Jeff is also supposed to be there...
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toomuchmagic Special user 534 Posts |
How do you afford these things. I don't make bad money, but I cant justify th 1000+ dollars it will cost to go and stay for 4 days. I am in CT so I don't even have to pay for travel to twist and shout!
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Smarty Pants World Loyal user 231 Posts |
I'll be at Twist and Shout. To address TooMuchMagic's concerns, yes, it is accurate that it will cost me about $1,000 to attend. That is a lot of money.
On the other hand, I think about the amount of money I can earn using the knowledge I'm learning at these conventions. The things I learn at T&S (and not just balloons, but business tips, creative inspiration, and motivation & cooperation iwth my peers) set me apart from the rest of the twisters in my area, and allow me to charge a premium price for my services. Without conventions, I may not be able to do so. I see it as an investment in my future as an entertainer. Here's an idea. Add $10 to the cost of every gig you do. Just bump up your rates, $10. Perhaps you do 100 gigs in a year. Sock away that $10 in a "convention account". After a year, 100 gigs x $10 = $1,000. |
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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
And that is why he is called "Smarty Pants" ....
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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toomuchmagic Special user 534 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-12-17 23:34, Bad to the Balloon wrote: Touche. But who said I can save my money? In no way do I deny the value of such an event. That is why I want to go so bad. I will make an effort to get my *** there....but if I can't afford the McBride class at the end of the day, I will be let down the whole time anyways. What an opportunity...and so close to home. |
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Pokie-Poke Special user Bensalem, PA 883 Posts |
I am planing on going to twist and shout, the trip will be shorter than last time. (Philly to Nashville)
for that one I was very woried as I had stopped practicing and was a bit board with balloons, long drive, cost, time off of the day job for both me and my partner. It was worth it, and so I intend to go agen this year. Jeff McBride being there will be a plus. otherwise go any way.
www.pokie-poke.com
The Adventure cont... |
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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
You could use S.Stringham's "I just need 5 minutes of your time..."
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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Buster Balloon Regular user 168 Posts |
When I went to my first convention (which was Twist & Shout), I was barely surviving. I had just quite my job waiting tables, and with no credit cards and no savings I barely had enough money to make it there and back. I was skipping meals to be able to afford classes. And I entered every competition, because if I was going to go broke being there, I wanted to experiences everything.
That year, my income doubled. I wasn't rich, but I was not living on top raman and potatoes anymore either. Because I had 2 sucessful videos out, I was invited to teach the next year. Even though I was an instructor, I still went to every other class and soaked up all that I could. That year, my income doubled again. Last year, even though I took the year off from teaching, I still attended Twist & Shout, Diamond Jam, and Summer Balloon Camp, as well as going to Master Class with Jeff McBride. At this point I attend all the events that I can because I cannot afford to NOT go. To anyone who thinks they can't afford a convention this year, start saving for next year. Twist & Shout really is the Mother of all Balloon Conventions, and I happen to know that despite the fact that Jeff McBride will be there this year, there are equally big doings being planned for 09'. If you are truly serious about balloons, or anything else, you need to invest in yourself if you want to be successful. I have gone from $14,000 my first year as a full time performer, to making... Well let's just say it's whole a lot more than $14,000. So this year I will be at Twist & Shout (still my all time favorite!), Diamond Jam in Arizona, Performers University in Vegas, Millennium Jam in Belgium, F-1 in Singapore, The Special Event Show in Atlanta, and of course Jeff McBride's Master Class for Balloon Workers. It should be a very good year.
Buster Balloon
Creative Genius, Balloon Twisting Savant, & Pre-Sweetened Breakfast Cereal Connoisseur http://BusterBalloon.com |
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rogueclown Veteran user Hollywood 320 Posts |
I will be going to both. I can't wait until I get to see old friends again. (Mark, Smarty, Rob, Buster....Who else is on the Café that is a balloon Artist?)
RC |
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Smarty Pants World Loyal user 231 Posts |
I'll be at Twist and Shout this year. Unfortunately I'd like to go to Diamond Jam too but already had bookings for those dates. I'm sorry I'm going to miss the Balloon Distractions class that's been so controversial lately...
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
I went to Twist and Shout last year and had a wonderful time. I'm still considering going this year.
Smarty Pants, what is so controversial about the Balloon Distractions class? Guess I'm out of the loop on this one. |
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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-12-26 09:48, derrick wrote: Go to BalloonHQ.com and read the twister forum.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
Now I understand to controversy with Balloon Distractions. So this guy wants to go across the country and set rates. I don't think these guys are trying to do me any favors.
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Buster Balloon Regular user 168 Posts |
So Diamond Jam has Michael Port, author of "Book Yourself Solid" lecturing...
And Twist & Shout has Jeff McBride teaching a regular class as well as offering mini-Master Classes. And I am really glad that I am going to both.
Buster Balloon
Creative Genius, Balloon Twisting Savant, & Pre-Sweetened Breakfast Cereal Connoisseur http://BusterBalloon.com |
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mota Inner circle 1658 Posts |
I've read the Balloon Distractions thread and been thinking...hopefully this is on-topic as lectures on marketing are important at these conventions.
As I understand it Balloon Distractions model is to book the restaurant at $50 for a couple hours (I think) and then put in twisters who work for tips. The company keeps the $50 and they claim the twisters average $15/hour in tips. Right or wrong there is no stopping this. People shop price much more than any other factor, with few exceptions. Stage hypnotism used to pay well but with the internet good training can be found, sometimes very inexpensively. Though at the very top the rates remain high the average rate for hypnotism shows has dived as price cutters entered the market. Some hypnotists have found niche markets but overall things have changed permanently. About a month back I played a large flea market that I usually play with my Higley zbit. I had some very nice chain/bracelet combo's in heavy gold and silver plate...$10 a set, way below wholesale. I just wanted to dump them. Next to me was a booth selling very cheap, plastic kids jewelry for a buck. They had a cardboard sign hand-lettered that said $1. Kids and adults couldn't get past the $1 price and bought real junk and I sold three sets all day. I did see a twister at this flea working for tips...he learned a lot that day about flea market crowds and tipping. I don't think he will be back. Many years ago Amy Carter (daughter of ex-president Jimmy Carter) and the late Abbie Hoffman went to the New York Stock exchange where multi-zillionaires work. They bought the place to a chaotic halt by throwing one dollar bills down from the gallery! No matter how rich those people were, the snowfall of one dollar bills caused them to start grabbing like a game show contestant. The glass separating the gallery from the trading floor isn't because of terrorists, it is because of one dollar bills! Don Driver in his excellent "Building a Tip" video has a part where he sets money down on the ground...the sight of money on the ground causes people to stop in a dead run and turn around. Price is a major factor and you can build quality all you want but it has to be quite a bit before it overcomes the "it's cheaper" brain circuit. This is also true in balloons. The internet has bought some incredible twister talent to the reach of everyone. The result of this will be some very talented twisters who use price as a marketing tool. Twisters are not immune to this either...a glance through twisting boards indicates an equal obsession with the best value for money. Like the old-timer said, "I've never been paid to much but I have been charged to much all the time". So, what to do? Learn what you can about niche marketing and try to make it so people want you, not just a balloon twister...if you can't do that then it is about price. I can't imagine anyone coming into Mark's place (Bad to the Balloon) and getting his gig by price cutting...they want him. Some places will only be about price, that is just how it is. Also there will be other lectures apparently on booking at these conventions. The Balloon Distractions business model isn't the only one and doesn't mean the world is coming to an end. The business model for marketing balloons will always change...I suggest to not get hung up on it and learn and adapt. That's just the way the world works. Reports back from these conventions would be welcome. |
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
Sounds like if you are working for the Balloon Distractions bunch you don't, or soon won't have the money to go to either convention.
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toomuchmagic Special user 534 Posts |
Ok...I am in.
Counted out my pennies, booked a couple of big shows, and found a roomie. So I will be in attendance at Twist and Shout this year. Who else will be attending the Jeff McBride class? I am a little confused as to the pay as you go procedure though. How many different classes are there....what makes one better than another and how would you know unless you go anyways? How many are there throughout the day? Do you have to miss some to go to others? Wouldn't all inclusive make somewhat more sense? If you don't attend a certain course its on you... I dunno. What is the general fee for if it does not include classes....or does it? Any Help...? Looking forward to meeting all of you. |
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
I'm still debating but I'm leaning toward going. I'm going to check on flights this week and see about budgeting for it.
I attended for the first time last year was a little confused by the pay as you go thing too. It's a little different than other conferences in that you usually have 2 classes going on in concurrently throughout the day. Usually the class is repeated. The fee is $5 bucks at the beginning of each class. You may have to choose between making hats or a class making popular cartoon characters. Seemed a little strange but just plan on spending an extra 30 or 40 a day, unless you decide to hang out in the Jam Room. The Jam room is fun because Qualatex and or Betalatex stock all of their balloons so you can test and try them out. Some amazing art is created here. It is great place to just hang out and twist till your arms fall off. One of the things I'm trying to decide on is if I will try to carry any balloons with me or just buy everything when I get there. I was able to drive last year so it wasn't an issue. What are others thoughts on this? |
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Smarty Pants World Loyal user 231 Posts |
Hello everyone,
I've been to Twist and Shout five years running, so hopefully I can lend some veteran advice here. Twist and Shout is simply the best balloon convention there is, period. There are other quality conventions, but Twist & Shout (in my opinion) is the best of the best. The level of teaching at this convention is very high. Every class is a guaranteed winner. It had always been that in addition to the flat rate, a $5 fee would be payable to the instructor for the classes you choose. Everyone pays the same (low) flat rate up front, then pays for the classes they want. To me, that is perfectly fair. Yes, there will be two classes you'll want to attend, both happening at the same time. You'll have to choose, and try to beg the class notes off a friend who went to the other class. The fact that there's multiple quality classes going on at all times at T&S is just further proof of how valuable the gathering is. If you're interested in balloons at any level, Twist and Shout will be a lot of fun for you personally, and very valuable to you as a performer. I would recommend anyone to attend. And if that wasn't enough encouragement, you also get a sit-down rubber chicken dinner. |
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