Do you enjoy party planning for children’s birthday parties, family gatherings, or corporate events? Do you often receive compliments or event planning requests from others? If so, perhaps you should consider turning your passion into a business. While coming up with themes, finding venues, selecting menus, arranging entertainment, and accommodating guests bring you joy, many people find the responsibility overwhelming. Ultimately, they’ll be more than happy to pay you to take the load off their shoulders.
Start An Event Planning Business
Moms are event planners at heart. They’ve planned everything from weddings and birthday parties to holiday dinners and PTO fundraisers. Every year, your creativity, organization, and attention to detail evolve, enabling you to put together successful events. Why not turn your hobby into a business? If becoming an event planner sounds like an ideal opportunity, these tips can help you get started.
Select A Specialization
While there is no shortage of events you can plan, having a niche or specialization is beneficial. It helps you stand out from the crowd, makes it easier to define your target audience, and prioritizes your focus to reduce burnout. Therefore, you should start by deciding what type of events you wish to plan.
How do you define your niche or specialization? Start by thinking about which types of events you’re most passionate about. What do you plan most frequently? Do you prefer working with parents, engaged couples, or business owners? Lastly, conduct market research to assess the level of need for your specialization. How many event planners are in your area? What types of services do they offer? More importantly, how can you make your event planning business differ to meet the needs of your community?
Handle The Legalities
Once you decide on a niche, you’re ready to legalize your event planning business. Come up with a company name, choose your legal entity, register your business, get an employer tax identification number (if necessary), and secure the appropriate licenses and insurance.
Create An Online Presence
Now that you’re legit, it’s time to develop an online presence. Find an affordable web hosting platform and design a user-friendly website. Next, create a social media profile on your target audience’s most commonly used platforms. For example, if you specialize in planning corporate events, you should have an account on Linkedin. However, a profile on Instagram is ideal if you prefer kid’s parties or weddings.
Build Your Network
Event planners can’t pull off successful experiences without the support of a strong network of professionals. You need people you can rely on to help you get high-quality products and services at an affordable price. Instead of waiting until you land your first gig, start cultivating a network for your business. While your needs will vary, here is a list of people you’ll want to know:
- Rental Companies – When a customer or venue doesn’t have everything you need to pull off an event, you’ll need the assistance of rental companies. For instance, if you’re planning an outdoor corporate event, you may need to order a porta potty. Weddings often require tents, tables, and chairs. However, renting bouncy castles and video game consoles may be necessary for children’s parties. Start looking for rental companies that can get you what you need on time without going over budget.
- Florists – Flowers and plants are common decor items for gatherings and events. That’s why it’s good to know one or two florists with the inventory and creativity to help bring your vision to life.
- Caterers, Bartenders, And Wait Staff – What is a decent party without great food, drinks, and service? You’ll need to outsource these services to qualified chefs, bartenders, and wait staff. You can visit local bars and restaurants or search for freelancers and small businesses through social media and online communities.
- Entertainment – Last, every event planner should have a list of entertainers. Local bands, singers, poets, clowns, magicians, comedians, MCs, djs, and motivational speakers are just a few entertainers you should have in your rolodex.
Time To Launch
Once you’ve completed the above steps, you’re ready to launch your event planning business. Begin a marketing campaign to build brand awareness and generate an authentic following that leads to getting booked for gigs. As you acquire new clients, remember to put your best foot forward, as your success and reputation will ultimately help you build a lasting event planning business.
