Launching a new business in the party industry can be quite daunting – so I thought I would share a few helpful tips for anyone starting out in this industry particularly in relation to social media.
Now I’m no expert however I do connect with a lot of small business owners within the party industry online (especially with my vendors from the children’s party directory) and it is from conversations with them that I am offering a few tips which may help you out as you start up. This is by no means an exhaustive list of tips – you can find much more online with general business tips, marketing tips, social media tips etc
However here is my 2 cents worth and I hope it helps as you launch out into this exciting industry! If you’re interested in finding out more about joining up to the Directory here at Life’s Little Celebration’s then send me an e-mail at lifeslittlec@gmail.com and tell me more about your business x
1) Connect!
It’s important to connect with other’s in the same industry as you. Both online (and if opportunity presents itself – in person as well). Facebook and Instagram are huge in this industry – like/follow others in the same industry as you. They may not be the same type of business – for example if you’re an event stylist then don’t just link up with other event stylists. Connect with other businesses who may be cake makers, graphic designers, event photographers, party bloggers etc.
Step back and observe the social media etiquette that is taking place on these Facebook pages and Instagram accounts between other businesses.
Don’t just “like” – genuinely comment on images posted by your peers in the industry and interact with questions they may post. This helps to build connection and relationship with others in the industry and get your business name known as well.
Quote from the Content Warfare book
2) Choose Collaboration
You will soon notice that there are some in this industry who aim to be quite competitive and others who are very supportive and collaborative. I have observed in the private facebook group I’ve set up for vendors on the Life’s Little Celebration’s directory how supportive everyone is of each other – everyone collaborates, answers questions, gives advice and praises each other’s work! That is how it should be!
So choose to be collaborative more than competitive. Praise other’s in your industry, support them, share their work (with correct crediting!) – you will soon find that other’s will do the same for you and you will make great connections which is essential in this industry!
Quote by Erica Cook of Moth Design
3) Credit!
It is wonderful on social media to share the work/products of other’s who inspire you ! You will often find me sharing my Directory vendors work/products on facebook and instagram. However it is so important to correctly CREDIT images when shared.
Crediting and tagging the business also lets that business know that you are sharing and promoting their work – which they will also appreciate. Not crediting images can give the wrong idea to others viewing your page (making them assume it is your own work/products) and will provide you a bad reputation with others in the party industry. NOT the best way to start out with your business.
Some tips with crediting –
If you share an image on Facebook or Instagram from another business – tag that business in your comments.
IE: Love this inspiring blog post by @lifeslittlecelebrations on party supplies for a mermaid theme!
Your followers will also love you tagging the original source as they can then go to view more pics/images from that original page!
Hashtags are NOT credits. For example:
“Love this inspiring blog post on party supplies for a mermaid theme”! #mermaidparty #partysupplies #lifeslittlecelebrations
This is not the right way to credit because the original business needs to be tagged and mentioned in the main comment. People cannot click onto a hashtag to be taken to that business page compared to when you tag the business.
Stating your source as “pinterest” is also not correct crediting. Most images on pinterest can be traced back to a source. Make the effort and put in the time to find the source for an image you wish to share.
I cannot tell you enough how strongly other’s in the party industry feel about correct and incorrect tagging and sharing of their work! So do it right and it will give you a much more positive reputation amongst your peers.
4) Confidence
As nervous as you may be starting your new business it is important to also have confidence in yourself. Set your own standards high as far as professionalism and customer service is concerned – and don’t lower your own standards just to get a booking! It can be tempting to offer the lowest prices when starting off – but it’s important to price your work/products to what they are worth. In time the right customers will find out and will pay the money if it is worth it!
Image by: Marie O’Neill Design and Illustration
5) Get professional
Now I know when you are starting out you have to be careful with money – however with the budget you do have – it’s important to get yourself a professional look. This is a very visual industry and presenting yourself professionally visually in your marketing is important.
This includes getting your logo designed – your logo will be seen on your Facebook page, Instagram account, business cards etc – so it is important!
I would also suggest strongly to have some images taken professionally (unless you are skilled yourself in photography/editing etc) of your products or your work. You could book a photographer and set up a little shoot with numerous of your products, dessert tables etc all setup so various pics can be taken all in the one photo session.
These professional photos can then be used in your Facebook cover image and any other marketing you need to create (magazine adverts, fliers etc). I know a photographer can be expensive but the one photography session can provide you with images to be used in so many ways.
6) Don’t compare
Quote from Bo-ho weddings
My last tip is to run your own race. In this industry – you will be bombarded DAILY with amazing and beautiful images on facebook and instagram of cakes, dessert tables, decorations, parties etc – all of which could make you feel overwhelmed when you are just starting out
You need to stay focused on YOUR business! Let everything you see inspire you – but don’t ever feel you need to copy another business in order to succeed.
What work’s for one business may not work for you. What DOES work and what makes a business unique is YOU. Your customer service, your passion, your talents. Every time your industry peers bring in a new range of products – don’t feel you have to bring the same items in your store. Every time your industry peers design printables in a particular theme – don’t feel you have to introduce that same theme into your own range! Don’t let your business decisions be based on what other’s are doing – I’ve seen it too often in this industry and it will not help you. Lead – do not follow!
From ‘We Heart It’
I hope these tips help you in some way if you’re starting out in this party industry. Feel free to e-mail me at lifeslittlec@gmail.com if you need any other assistance!
Print from The House of Belonging
Yes it definitely is the most wonderful time of the year!
I’m 9 months pregnant (due mid January!) with baby number 3 and looking forward to meeting the next addition to our family.
I just wanted to take a little time out to wish all of my blog readers, FB followers and of course my lovely amazing vendors on the Directory a beautiful, joyful and relaxing Christmas!
Pencils from Upon a time Designs
Christmas can become such a blur in the midst of preparation, christmas shopping, cooking and visiting – but I hope the real meaning and gift of Christmas – joy, peace and love remain with you and your family throughout 2015 no matter what comes your way!
Card from Blossom Tree designs
As for me – I will still be around pre and post baby!
I will be having some time off to enjoy my new bub but I have organised some wonderful guest blog posts to share party items for various kids party themes in early 2015! I’ve also set up some scheduled FB posts sharing some fantastic items as well – so hey I could be in labour but FB will be posting away on my behalf and sharing some wonderful party items from vendors on the Life’s Little Celebration’s directory.
Please remember just on the right hand side of the my blog there is a drop down menu so you can look up any of my previous blog post PARTY THEMES if you’re need of some ideas and of course the vendors on the Directory can also be looked up at any time!
I’m so excited by the amazing vendors who are on board the Life’s Little Celebrations Directory in 2015 – I truly believe it contains such a fabulous range of sources of gorgeous party printables, cake and dessert suppliers, stylish partyware and handmade decor and more! I know you will enjoy using these vendors for your parties next year.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the inspiration and help from the blog and Directory this year and I look forward to providing more in 2015 as a mumma of 3!
Merry Christmas! xx
It’s just a week away until my daughter’s 4th birthday party
I cannot BELIEVE I am planning her 4th birthday…it is crazy how time flies! I started this blog when she was only 6 months old and planning her 1st birthday…and now here we are!
We decided on a Princess theme as she is a real girly girl and loves all things Princess at the moment.
I’ve decided to share a snapshot of some of the items I’ve included when party planning for this party.
I’ve found party planning easier as time has gone on since I’ve accumulated already a range of items that I don’t need to purchase each time I have a party (eg: cake stand, hanging decorations etc).
As always I support the vendors on the Life’s Little Celebration’s Directory so all the below items are sourced from them. Of course a few items are missing and once everything is captured on the day by Nikki Fitt photography I’ll be sharing the photos
Sources: Invitation: Jo Studio Gold foil plates and favour bags: Illume Design Mini ghost chair hire: Mini Party People Gold sequin tablecloth: Any Occasion Events Pink tutu: Sweet Pirouette Crown party hats, crown toppers, balloon tassel, pink and gold cupcake vases: Ruby Rabbit Partyware Glitter cake pop sticks: Glistening Occasions Glitter spoons: Butterfly Kisses Celebrations Carriage soap favours: Soap buddies
I am not an event stylist but I always enjoy putting together something creative for my children’s parties and I love actually using the products which I so often see and promote online! I’m one of those weird people who get excited about partyware!
Being 7.5 months pregnant at the moment means I also will try and keep the styling side of things a little easy on myself and I’ve also booked Cinderella from Fairy Fun to help entertain the kids on the day
Rebekah is so excited and that is the best part of it all!
There are quite a few mum’s in business who follow this blog and facebook page so every now and then when something inspires me relating to balancing motherhood/work I love to share it although what I am sharing today relates to anyone…mother or not, in business or not and would even to relate when you’re in the throws of party planning, especially if you’re this type of person:
Today during a rare child-free few hours I forced myself to take some time out to relax, pray and read!
Something I read struck right to my heart in the area of rushing around busily trying to get all my business work done. Since my kids are still little and home with me all week, the times when they sleep or nap I go full steam ahead working on e-mails, blog entries, articles etc.
I am really working on how to get the balance a bit better to ensure I don’t work all the time and burn out which is common in small businesses and probably more common in mum’s running businesses.
These words rung so true to me…I hope they inspire some others as well….
It starts off talking about the work under our care:
“If possible do not be worried, that is – do not exert yourself over them with uneasiness, anxiety and forwardness. Don’t be worried about them, for worry disturbs reason and good judgement and prevents us from doing well the very things we are worried about.
Rivers that flow gently through the plains carry along large boats and rich merchandise. Rains that fall gently on open fields make them fruitful in grass and grain.
Torrents and rivers that spread over the land in great floods ruin the bordering country and are useless for commerce, just as in like manner, heavy tempestuous rain ruins the fields and meadows.
A job done too eagerly and hurriedly is never well done.
We perfect actions quickly enough when we do them well.
Drones make more noise and work more eagerly than bees, but they make only wax and honey. So also men who hurry about with tormenting anxiety and eager solicitude never accomplish much nor do they do it well.
Undertake all your affairs with a calm mind and try to despatch them in order one after the other.
If you make an effort to do them all at once or without order, your spirits will be so overcharged and depressed that they will likely sink under the burden without effecting anything”
Did these words ring true for you?
I hope it inspires you today as it did for me!
We had a wonderful day celebrating Naomi’s 1st birthday and it was exciting to see it shared on Kara’s Party Ideas!
In this post I will share more pictures and details to explain where I found various products as that is the focus of my blog/business – helping you source items for your children’s parties! I used some truly wonderful vendors when planning this party all of which I can recommend.
We did not have this party at home – and I only had 2 hours to set up at the venue. So learning from my previous parties I decided as far as decorating to mainly focus on the Dessert table and the Favour table. Besides this I had some helium balloons placed on the food and drinks tables for quick and easy decorating but didn’t have a kids table or too many other props/sections to decorate.
The theme for Naomi’s 1st birthday was a Carousel theme with colours of mint green and purple with gold.
It did take me some time to find a carousel look that I LOVED as far as printables – I found it finally at Fairydust Stylish Stationery and Toni was great to work with in designing the backdrop and other items. As the venue had brick walls I decided to go with a printed backdrop as it was the easiest way to cover up the brick.
Here is the dessert table I setup and the backdrop which I absolutely loved which was designed by Fairydust Stylish Stationery and great quality printing by Little Dance Invitations
The ruffled tablecloth was hired from Tiny Tots Toy Hire in Sydney, along with a few other items – great service as always!
Sweet items:
Since the backdrop was quite detailed I opted for a simpler cake design to compliment the backdrop.
Cakes by Sharon did a beautiful job creating something that worked in with the backdrop and other decorations such as the pinwheel items.
The jade milk glass cake stand is hired from Sweet Celebrations in Sydney and the wooden riser is from Saffy & May
Minnie from Minnie’s Sweet Creations created the perfect chocolate coated oreos – some with pinwheel design, as well as the mini carousel horse cookies with gold touched heels.
Macarons with some gold sprinkling were from Her Macarons and so many guests commented that these were the most delicious macarons they have ever tasted!
They were placed atop cake stands from Leo & Bella
I also had some fruit cups on the table as well as 3 acrylic candy jars from Just Party Supplies (so kid friendly!) filled with choc beans, persian fairy floss and meringues.
I bought some melamine white platters from Occasion by Design – again another kid safe option!
I used gold straws to look like carousel poles in the fruit cups. The candy scoops and gold straws were from Little Dance Invitations.
The gold glitter tablerunner you see in the photos – I purchased from Hunt and Style who have quite a gorgeous selection of table runners! I also purchased gold glitter ribbon from them which I used throughout the party.
Decorations
I love pinwheels and they fit in with a carousel and carnival theme. Samantha from Dunne with style created paper rosettes with pinwheel centres which I used as part of the backdrop. She also created pinwheels and gold glitter glass bottles on the table. The pinwheels were gorgeous in colours of green and purple!
Party Favours
Here is a photo of the party favour table. The carousel horse garland created by Hanging Pretty was one of my favourite items – the detailing was gorgeous on the horses!
The green wooden cake stand I had purchased for a previous party from from Leo & Bella and the wooden name was from Little Sweet Styling
Most of the children coming were around 1-4 years of age so I decided to go with ribbon wands for party favours as the entertainers I was having were incorporating ribbon wands into their show as well. I wasn’t sure how they would go down with the little boys but I have to say the boys were having more fun with them than the girls! The ribbon wands were made by Dunne with Style in colours to match the theme. They were setup in lilac acrylic vases from Simply Sweet Soirees
For the older children I ordered some chalk favours from Chalk Chook! These included stars as well as other shapes (animals, cars etc). I packaged them in the most adorable Carousel Horse favour boxes from Bespoke Party Products.
I also had some chocolate bars packaged with wrappers from Bespoke Party Products for the adults who were coming without kids as I like to send them home with something.
Another lovely item made for me by Dunne with style were these purple and green lola fabric poms! They sat inside a ferris wheel cupcake holder which belongs to my sister in law. I also attached another spare carousel horse from Hanging Pretty to the cupcake holder:. You can see a better photo of the ribbon wands and chalk favours here:
One of my favourite items was this personalised canvas. It was designed by Sweet Bee Creates on ETSY and printed at Harvey Norman. I love personalised items and enjoyed thinking of all the bits and pieces to incorporate into this canvas. Here are a few shots of the birthday girl as well:
Here is our little Naomi playing around with a tulle pom from Pom Pom Princess (which was from a previous party)
A few other bits and pieces from the party
Purple and gold garland from Penny Lane Studio – this ended up being hung behind the high chair and gift table.Love the way each piece swung in different directions.
You can also see the gorgeous white high chair hired from Sweet Celebrations (this photo doesn’t do it justice as I ran out of time to decorate it as I had planned !) which was so sweet and a lovely place for Naomi to sit at the start of the party when guests were arriving.
Also a lovely Carousel I bought for Naomi which I found in the party colours as well which I placed at the party near the party favours.
The actual party went well – Naomi was a bit sick on the day and so was very clingy and not quite in a party mood. Goes to show it doesn’t matter how much you plan, some things you cannot control – I just tried to go with the flow and carry her during the party as much as I could when she wasn’t with a relative.
However her sister and the other kids enjoyed the day and that was (and always is) my favourite part of the party – watching the kids have fun as they were entertained by 2 entertainers (A tin soldier and a ballerina) with songs, games, face painting and balloon animals.
Of course there were things which went wrong & things which didn’t go to plan – always the way at kids parties!
However at the end of the day – the birthday girl enjoyed her cake and received lots of love, wishes and cuddles from our wonderful friends and family – and that is what we will always remember.
Thanks for reading and sharing in some of Naomi’s 1st birthday celebrations!
