If you like making people happy, have good planning skills, know how to make an adequate event planning checklist, are creative, and do not back down in front of challenges, you probably already have what it takes to be an event planner. However, keep in mind that this is a dynamic field, with lots of competition, and quite a stressful schedule.
In addition, you must be a people person in order to create food connections with customers, attract new leads, and network with all sorts of businesses and individuals whose help you will need along the way.
If you know all these and still feel this is a career path to follow, here is how to kick-start your event planning business and set things up for success.
1. Do You Have a Business?
Whether you are a one-person establishment or you already have a team, the first step to becoming an event planner is to set up your business. This means registering the name and address of your company with commerce authorities in your area.
A Quick Tip: If you are just starting, you can use your home as the business headquarters. Nowadays, it is rather easy to run a business from your home office as long as you have a good internet connection. For more on this, check out these tips to help you start your event planning business.
2. Educate Yourself
Officially, you do not need a special diploma to become an event planner, but it does help to earn a bachelor’s degree. As a student, you have access to courses such as sales, human resource management, business administration, customer relationship management, accounting, and more.
If this is not an option for you, there are plenty of online and offline courses you can take on subjects you need. There are even certificate programs, taught by industry professionals where you can learn the specifics and challenges of event planning. Also, maybe, even do some networking.
3. Find Your Tools
Planning and finding new customers are time-consuming activities that can be automated due to today’s multitude of platforms, apps, and other software tools that are easily available. So do not waste your precious resources by doing things manually!
For instance, you can use specialized tools to create professional-looking banquet event order templates customized to your needs. You can create as many as you want without help from a designer, and it only takes a few minutes.
On a similar note, order management systems designed for the event planning industry can take over orders and invoices, while also helping you plan for delivery and venue arrangements. Many of the tasks that used to take time and lots of brain energy nowadays can be automated using the data collected from customers, online users, and past events.
4. Gain Experience & Build a Portfolio
In this industry, it will most likely be a bit more difficult to get your first clients if you do not have any experience. After all, no one wants to leave their event in the hands of a newbie.
Therefore, to get the business off the ground and to learn the ropes of the job, it helps to work as a trainee for another business for a while. In addition, internships are a great idea if you are fresh out of school. Lastly, do not forget about volunteering. It is always a great way to make new connections and learn.
As you gain experience and start getting customers, register the most positive experiences and add them to your portfolio. These can be photos, brochures, testimonials, press clippings, and so on.
In Summary
There is not just one way to become an event planner, but you cannot become a successful one without proper preparation and tools. Moreover, this is an industry where you rely a lot on other individuals and businesses, so it is crucial you know how to communicate and maintain connections with all sorts of people.
