Hi everybody.  I would love some advice, if any of you are willing to help out.  I have recently become pretty busy in the area where I work(Southern Illinois/United States.)  I am getting bigger and bigger events.  Though I have tried to tone down the complexity of the models I use I just cannot keep myself out of balloon machine mode.  Though I am looking at several possibilities for the restaurants and parties I work I am particularly looking to improve my entertaining levels at large events.

I wonder this, do most of you just accept that not everyone can have a balloon when the lines reach a certain point?  I have been toying with the idea of myself and my partner making mostly one balloon swords, animals, and a couple multiple balloon flowers for the majority of the crowds(like those wishing to move onto another activity.)  For those willing to stick around I would make some of my neater stuff...but they would have to participate in some activities(answering questions, singing songs, etc.)  I have a feeling this would work, but it is so nerve wrecking to try something new when you have already established yourself in another way!  I'm afraid I might just be trying to reinvent the wheel.  Should I just keep ballooning like I am, or slow myself down.  I would say I currently balloon for about 20(or a few more)kids per hour.  I feel like I am just blasting out balloon after balloon, with very little interaction(I have gotten a bit better at entertaining, but I am a bit of a perfectionist too.

Any advice?  How long do you all take per kid, or how many per hour?  Anything you'd be willing to share would be great.  Thank you....

Well I have always considered it more about how long you can hold out with the simple stuff. When I get to a party I know exactly what to do. If it is a girls party I make a flower and if it is a boys I put together one of my crossbows. Both have high impact, wide appeal, and are very quick to make. To be blunt most kids these days are not very creative. They want what the last kid had because they know that one was cool so why take a chance?
As time goes by higher end stuff tends to creep in as it gets requested. Then the next people want one as well. It normally keeps ratcheting upwards because you never want to go down a notch for anyone.

All this works the same for line work but the diffrence is that you need to be what the audience wants. You can be the most entertaining balloon guy in the world but if there is other stuff to do then they will quickly grow tired and want you to just hurry up and cut the jokes.

The number of people an hour depends on where I work. Public line work for tips is something I don't see any problem compromising quality for. Crank them out if you want. I personally don't make anything with only 1 balloon but if thats what needs to be done go for it. Without the guarantee of payment I consider tip work to be more of advertisement where it would be more important to shake as many hands as possible. Cast a bigger net so to speak. I normally handle about 30 kids an hour this way.
Private parties are completely diffrent. Unless I have 50 kids and 2 hours in front of me I will make the anything they want no matter how long (some restrictions may apply). No cutting corners. This is the time to impress. Be fun and elaborate! If you are a stick in the mud while charging by the hour then they can get you as a stick in the mud for free at the farmers market  or whatever. Private party is 10 to 15 kids an hour.


Dylan

Thank you for the advice.  It seems very sound, and is quick to the format I follow.  I've seen mention of busking type shows that involve guessing what I am making to win what it is.  I think if I mainly did lots of smaller stuff to give away (flower and bows, swords and such)it could be some fun and work out.  That way I am still getting out a lot of impressive stuff, but increasing the number of total balloons I put out there.  I, too, squirm at the thought of a one balloon animal sometimes.  However, you do get parents who want exactly that so I can move on.  I have always thought that strange: I would say where I am I have maybe one kid in 100 that doesn't want to wait for some elaborate cool sculpture.  This despite the fact that we have been up against(and I'm sure you've encountered this)petting zoos, carnival rides, cotton candy, bouncy houses, games with prizes and more.  So, if I am a parent and my kid is entertained and I am not spending 500 dollars on the next attraction and they are smiling and having fun...I am happy too!

And, of course, I'd never be a stick in the mud at a party:)  

Thanks again for the input.  Also, your videos on youtube are great.  Have a great Play day!

Prof
   Where in So Ill are you from, I'm originally from up towards Bloomington Normal?
I have found myself in that same situation as you are in now.  Moving from being a factory to more of an artist is a transition that takes time.  Don Caldwell, in an early BHQ column, talks about paying your dues and doing the grunt work, we all start there.  SignedDiamond is absolutely right, make birthday parties your time to shine and show off and use the larger events as a way to generate revenue but also get your name out there.  
    If you start working a restaurant and want to avoid being a balloon factory, make sure you are allowed to table hop and develop a reliable system for moving from one table to another.  I use numbered cones, they come in sit down and grab a cone if they want me to come over.  It works really well and parents respect it.  It does mean that you may not be able to get to everyone sometimes, clear that with the management first and then have either a small token (bouncy ball or something cheap) to give them or a voucher for the enxt time they come for priority balloon service and tell them that you are there every week.
  Busking: I started doing the You Guess It, You Get It.  I am not paid to be at this kind of event and have a hat out for tips.  I have done it several times now and the hardest part is getting started.  Kids are programmed to form a line when they see balloons and you have to gently remind them that is not why you are there.  Once you get rolling and have a small crowd, it goes well.  Be prepared for a rude parent that just wants a dog for their kid, handle it however you want, just be consistent.  I give them the line that I am here to practice larger sculpture and if they want a balloon for their child, they either have to guess it, hire me for a party, or visit me at a restaurant. When I do this, I do bring a lot of balloons pre inflated that I plan on using for specific designs or sections of a piece (David Grist bi-plane, had all the parts then put it together)
Best of luck!

CJ, I am from the area around Carbondale/Marion.  Quite a bit south of Bloomington still, but I am familiar with the area.  

Yes, for busking I am going to go with the Guess It idea.  For parties, I do like to show off.

For restaurants, I wonder, how do you let people know about the cones?  Do they put them on the front counter?  Do you have a sign, or ask the staff to let people know.  I know that at one of my restaurants most of the staff, especially the front counter staff, do not speak English-not sure if I could have them tell people about getting a number/cone.  At my other restaurants, however, I think this will work perfectly.  I am going to start looking for something that I can use, that will be noticeable and relatively cheap!  Thanks again!

Prof
   I got my cones from oriental trading co and used sticker numbers from office depot.  I put them up front with a sign and as long as you consistently use the cones, people will eventually get the hang of it.  When I started, people would ask me to come over and I would bring them a cone.  I worked from a menu and did special requests time permitting and would hand out menus to five tables at a time, to save that wasted time of kids looking.  PM your email address and I'll send you a copy of my menu and cone sign.