Set a Minimum That Books Your Best Balloon Clients
The inquiry comes in: birthday party, Saturday delivery, budget $100 or less. You know how this goes... a custom quote, a few rounds of emails and a polite "we found someone cheaper." This is why you should have a minimum for your balloon business.
Early on you'll take anything. That's normal - you should! But once your calendar fills up, every small job costs you a slot you could have filled with a bigger one. A clear minimum does the sorting for you before you spend a single minute on a quote.
Trim the Little Pumpkins (Carefully)
In The Pumpkin Plan, Mike Michalowicz explains how farmers growing prize-winning pumpkins trim away the little ones so the big ones get all the nutrients. In business terms, you cut your low-end clients and cater to your top 10%.
My take is yes and no. Balloons aren't like coaching or law; small jobs sometimes turn into big ones. So don't cut small clients completely. Change how you serve them.
Pick a Number and Offer Pickup Below It
Kelsey of That Balloon Girl has this down. She states her installation minimum, and if a client wants to spend less, or wants a garland smaller than 15 feet, she still makes it... but they come pick it up.
Let Distance Raise Your Price
Here in Wisconsin we're not quite as bougie, so my minimum is different from hers. And outside my county is a different minimum, too.
Why? Milwaukee is 45 to 50 minutes away and parking is wild. In the time it takes me to drive there and do an install, I could do two smaller ones in my own town, which is exactly where I want the most visibility.
Ask yourself:
- How long does the drive actually take, round trip?
- Is this a client I'd travel for, or just a job?
Put the Filter Where Clients See It
A minimum only works if people see it early. A few ways to do that:
- Ask for budget on your inquiry form. Kelsey does, and when someone writes in a number less than her minimum, she calls to confirm and shares what she can offer at that price.
- Post prices with your work. Kelsey lists the garland size and cost in her Instagram captions. A $750 garland, with delivery and install extra, tells people right away whether she's in their range.
- Be upfront with price shoppers. Kelsey even tells them she'll be the highest quote they get; she starts at about $5 more per foot than other local companies. Which means there's no invoice drafted for someone who's just comparing.
It isn't snobby; clients decide for themselves. And clients who happily spend your minimum refer friends who will, too.
Key Takeaways
- Keep small jobs, but move them to pickup
- Set a minimum and raise it for distance
- Show your prices and ask for budget early
- Let price shoppers go without guilt
Kelsey and I cover this and much more in the full conversation. Listen here.
