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BIHA Spotlight on an Inflatable Hire Company
From Mark Jerram:
BRITISH INFLATABLE HIRERS ALLIANCE www.biha.org.uk
BIHA Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/biha4u
Forum: www.BouncyCastleOwner.com
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24 Dec 2015
Hi to all BIHA Members,
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2016.
The latest "BIHA Spotlight on an Inflatable Hire Company" features Steve from Aladdin's Cave Entertainments in Liverpool.
I hope that you enjoy reading his answers and benefit from some tips he mentions.
Just before you read Steve's answers - please could you join the BIHA Facebook Group (if you haven't done so already).
www.facebook.com/groups/biha4u Thanks!! (You can read some recent posts on this FB Group below)
If your BIHA membership has lapsed - please renew it by clicking here....
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SPOTLIGHT ON AN INFLATABLE HIRE COMPANY.
YOUR NAME?
Steven Roberts
NAME OF YOUR INFLATABLE HIRE COMPANY?
Aladdin's Cave Entertainments
www.aladdinscaveentertainments.co.uk
YOUR LOCATION?
Orrell Park, Liverpool
WHAT IS YOUR AGE?
32
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU STARTED HIRING OUT INFLATABLES?
Security Consultant
WHAT MADE YOU START AN INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
I have wanted to have my own business for 3 or 4 years and hiring out inflatables etc. seemed to be the obvious choice.
I also wanted a business where I could make a really positive impression on the youth - and contribute to making their day better!
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
Fitness, fishing, hiking around the Lake District,
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?
The Green Mile (1999)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL?
Steak and chips
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE UK HOLIDAY DESTINATION?
Sandbanks in Poole, Dorset.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION ABROAD?
Seychelles
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TV PROGRAMME?
Game of Thrones
YOUR FAVOURITE SONG?
You say nothing at all - Ronan Keating
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xrxrEEGVdM
WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT THE INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
Seeing the excitement on the customer's faces when I turn up for a booking.
Also, I like leaving a lasting impression, and I get a huge feeling of satisfaction after a party has gone well, and knowing that I provided the most important items for that party!
IF YOU COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE INDUSTRY?
I would like local competitors throughout the UK to work closer together and share work more.
Many don't seem to realise that when they communicate with each other they will get more bookings - because there is more than enough work to be shared amongst everyone.
So, when a booking comes in and it's for a piece of hire equipment that you don't have, instead of saying, Sorry, we don't have that item, say: "XYZ hire company has it on hire and if you contact them they might be able to help".
This creates goodwill all round, and often the favour is returned!!
HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HIRING FROM HELL? (Horror story or an unusual or memorable booking?)
To date, I have been very fortunate, although there have been a couple of customers who booked equipment with me, but then decided to cancel at the last minute but were too embarrassed to tell me. This meant a wasted journey for me, although any deposit went towards the wasted hire.
On one occasion, I took an order, not for an inflatable, but for Sweet-Cones (and it was a big order as well). However, when I turned up at the customer's house they had changed their mind, and were too embarrassed to open the door to me. Eventually, I got them on the phone, and they had decided to cancel the order right at the last minute - which left me out of pocket. Lessons to be learnt there I think.
On a more positive note, I provided a mascot for a recent school Christmas Fayre. While doing the job, leaflets were handed out to everyone. As a result, a lot of extra business came directly from this booking.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS TIME?
Hopefully expanding to a really big company that is remembered in the industry.
DO YOU HAVE ANY USEFUL TIPS OR IDEAS THAT YOU COULD SHARE WITH THE OTHER BIHA MEMBERS?
Yes, if you fail in this business, NEVER, EVER GIVE UP.
As a small business, you will hit brick walls to begin with.
Learn from these failures, and use the vast industry knowledge that already exists within the BIHA and the Facebook Groups.
LEARN from other people's mistakes, rather than trying to go it alone....
The BIHA is an amazing tool to help you succeed - use it.
Promote your hire business everywhere - leaflets, word of mouth, Facebook, website, BIHA, etc.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TYPE OF INFLATABLE?
Has to be character ones and mascots, something a bit different.
HOW HAS THE BIHA HELPED YOU IN YOUR INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
We started up in the middle of the 2015 season so it's all the little stuff you find by asking other BIHA members who have more experience and there are loads out there - you just have to find the right place to hang out and BIHA is the right place to be!
I have learnt from the mistakes of other hire companies and am making sure I avoid the same ones!
Also, a few weeks ago, I asked the BIHA to build me a website and get it ranking at the top of Google. It's not quite at the top yet - but it's getting there. See: www.bouncycastlehirekirkby.co.uk
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Thank you Steve for spending some time answering these questions.
- it's greatly appreciated. Some interesting info you have shared there. I especially liked your advice about never giving up, even when the going gets tough.
In a previous BIHA Spotlight you would of read about Isaac Fuente's excellent tip about the importance of never assuming that a customer from a rough neighbourhood will trash your castle.
In a similar message - please watch this video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx1W8xYmLfM It's only 5 minutes and contains a powerful message that partly captures the essence of what Isaac was explaining to me a few weeks ago.
If anyone else would like to be featured in a spotlight on an inflatable hire company - please email me at: mark.jerram@ntlworld.com
Thanks.
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To read loads more "Spotlights on Inflatable Hire companies" – please click on:
www.biha.org.uk/spotlight-on-a-hire-company
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DON'T FORGET TO JOIN THE BIHA FACEBOOK GROUP.
Click on: www.facebook.com/groups/biha4u
Here's a taster of what else has been shared on the BIHA Facebook Group in the last few days.....
1) Does anyone pay Facebook for adverting their inflatable hire business?
2) Large inflatable slide for sale - Only £550 (or may swap)
3) INPAS charity prize draw.
4) Inflatable hire business for sale.
5) Dash and Grab game for sale (made by Airquee)
6) Fairground Safety and Health Awareness day (14-1-15)
7) Promote your business with a video - Prices start at just £9.99
8) Commercial grade bouncy castle hire business for sale.
9) Brand new Disco Dome for sale.
10) Can replacement test certificates be issued?
11) Best company to insure a Rodeo Bull ?
12)What's the best way to roll up a front exit combo unit ?
13) FOR SALE: 15ft x 12ft party bouncy castle in good condition.
14) Being at the top of Google is not the only way to get bookings!
15) Can anyone recommend somewhere for slush machine repairs in the Herts area?
16) Massive thank you to Mark Jerram for helping me out yesterday.
17) Which part of the UK is everyone from?
18) Wedding and event planner.
19) Where can I purchase ballpond balls from?
20) Didicar Christmas Promotion.
BIHA VAN STICKERS STILL AVAILABLE.
Just to let you all know that I still have some BIHA Van Stickers available (left over from the Leisure Supplies Show) before the next batch is ordered.
They are A4 sized and are on a transparent background.
They are just £3 each and £1 for postage and packing.
With all orders, I am also enclosing my latest mini-report - “Trust Badges to help you get more bookings for your inflatable hire business”.
Everyone knows that displaying “Trust Badges” such as the BIHA logo, TIPE logo, Facebook logo, Visa and Mastercard logos, PIPA logos etc. etc. can help you win more business – but you may not be aware that there are lots of other “Trust Badges” that will impress the heck out of your customers and potential customers (including lucrative corporate customers) and help you get more bookings!
A few years ago, I wrote a report about “Trust Factors” to help you get more bookings.
See:
http://www.bouncycastleowner.com/public/department151.cfm
This latest mini-report written in November 2015 (“Trust Badges to help you get more bookings for your inflatable hire business”) is the companion report that focuses more on “Trust Badges” as opposed to “Trust Factors”, although there is some overlap in places.
If you are interested in ordering some BIHA Van Stickers and getting this free mini-report – please email me at: mark.jerram@ntlworld.com
If you bought some BIHA Van Stickers at the Leisure Supplies Show in Coventry last month and many of you did – please email me at: mark.jerram@ntlworld.com and then I will email this mini-report to you.
It pretty much goes without saying that you need to be a current BIHA member (in good standing) to get these van stickers and free “Trust Badges” mini-report.
Best regards
Mark
Mark Jerram
Founder of the British Inflatable Hirers Alliance (BIHA)
www.biha.org.uk BIHA Website
www.facebook.com/groups/biha4u Private Facebook Group
www.BouncyCastleOwner.com Discussion Forum and "how to" site.
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Can't log in to: www.biha.org.uk ? Need your username and password?
Reply to this email and then we will rush you your username and password to log in.
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***URGENT--URGENT--URGENT--URGENT--URGENT--URGENT***
Is your hire business listed on the BIHA Members Map - powered by Google ?
See: http://bit.ly/1uDQ0Ku If not, please text 07880 – 540201 or reply to this email.
By being listed on this map - it gives Google an extra reason to rank you higher to make it easier for your prospective customers to find you!
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Join the conversations on our FACEBOOK GROUP and see what other bouncy castle hire companies are saying and doing to improve and grow their businesses.
www.facebook.com/groups/biha4u
and also on the forum at:
See you on the inside.
Best regards
Mark and the rest of the BIHA Team.
BIHA Founder - Mark Jerram
TEL: 07880 - 540201 (Please text if possible)
www.facebook.com/groups/biha4u BIHA Facebook Group
www.BouncyCastleOwner.com (Sister site and online PRIVATE interactive discussion forums)
http://bit.ly/1uDQ0Ku BIHA Members Map - powered by Google.
Not listed? please text 07880 – 540201 or reply to this
email.
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www.BouncyCastleHireUK.com (Alternative Online directory for
inflatable hire companies) - Don't forget to add your listing! - There's no charge)
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Interested in an online booking system for your hire business?
Check out:
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Don't forget to claim your discount on PL Insurance of up to 30% by quoting your BIHA membership number.
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As a reminder, here is the link for the complete list of 6,000+ topics (threads) and over 41,000 posts on the discussion forum....
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to www.BouncyCastleOwner.com please follow these instructions....
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