Are you looking to become a successful event planner? With the right strategies and tactics, you can make your mark in the event planning industry. People are always looking for unique experiences and stories to share with their friends and family, especially through social media. As an event planner, you can offer experiences that will make your events stand out from the rest.
Consider combining your events with classes, painting nights, demonstrations, special food or cocktail tastings, or fitness activities. Take a look at popular trends such as beer yoga, cooking classes and escape rooms, and find out what best fits your ideal customers. Monday Night Brewing is a great example of how to mix workouts and cocktails. Their Facebook calendar includes beer yoga, 5K and 10K races, and more.
One of the quickest ways to book customers without a wallet is to offer your service for free. You can do this in several ways, such as volunteering in an organization to plan an event or offering your service to individual customers free of charge. You can also raise awareness about your offer by posting to free Facebook groups for brides and newly engaged couples, posting an ad in a directory like Craigslist or on a forum like Wedding Wire.
This is a great option for working with clients, even if it is not paid, so you can gain experience and get content to add to your portfolio. If you're serious about pursuing this as a legitimate career, you're probably looking into how to grow as an event planner. Organize your events as if you were working for a client and document the process and time it takes to complete the event.
There are all kinds of wonderful, non-profit charities that represent a good cause but don't necessarily have the funds to hire a professional planner for their next event. Clients are often persuaded when they can view a portfolio of your previous work, to evaluate your talent and experience as an event planner. Local markets have less competition than if you try to compete with other event organizers on a global scale.
Most corporate event planners don't think about doing it, so you're already one step ahead of your competition. You can also use these events strategically to create templates for your business such as an event planning schedule, budget, and contract.
A common concern for budding event planning professionals is how to get their first big event planning client when you have little or no experience to rely on. In short, your brand will be the unique digital footprint of your business; the personality and identity that only YOU have as an event organizer.
To become successful in the event planning industry, research the market and create a goal for yourself. Implement your plan by offering free services or volunteering in organizations. Post ads in free Facebook groups or directories like Craigslist or Wedding Wire. Document the process of organizing events as if you were working for a client and create templates for budgeting and contracts.
Finally, create a portfolio of your previous work so clients can evaluate your talent and experience as an event planner. With these strategies in mind, you'll be well on your way to becoming a successful event planner!
