Remember that your balls will have more effect on an object the further you aim them from a hinge or contact point with another object. This also means, if you want to have a smaller effect, aim nearer the hinge.
Camera position
Always make sure you have your camera in the correct position and zoom in if you need to as Save Toshi is a precise game.
Objects
Pay attention to small details such as the size of different objects. This can have a massive effect in terms of the order with which you need to fire balls.