You’re bored with your 9 – 5 and desperately wish you could hand in your resignation to start your own business. What’s stopping you? Money? Fear of the unknown? Fear of failure? If your job isn’t fulfilling you, it’s time to assess your options. An industry that is much overlooked when it comes to people branching out on their own is event planning. If you’re one of those people who loves a good wedding or can plan a legendary party, and you have a head for budgets and project management, then this could be the career for you.
Event planners take many forms. They could be small outfits who specialize in one particular area, such as children’s events: birthday parties, christenings and bar mitzvahs. Others are a jack of all trades applying their industry knowledge and organizational skills to all manner of events from corporate functions to lavish weddings. Take a look at these tips to ensure you can make your mark in event management.
The Set Up
Setting up any business seems like a mammoth task when you are at the very beginning of the process. However, some of the basics are simple non-negotiables. You need a solid business plan, a financial forecast for at least you first twelve months as an event planner, and you need to ensure that you can fund the initial start up. This could be from your own savings, a business angel or family and friends. With these bases covered, you can launch your new business venture.
Event Planning Specifics
You need to be a planner and an organizer. If you are one of those people that have lists of lists and can put on an amazing party on a shoestring budget, then event planning will become like second nature to you. The most important aspect of planning any event is your little black book of contacts. You need your pick of venues, music options, and caterers. Never forget that you are providing a service to the exacting requirements of your clients for a specific budget. If you are planning their perfect small and intimate beach wedding, don’t organize a lavish and extravagant marquee wedding at a five-star hotel just because you think it would suit them better. You must stick to the task at hand and to a budget, never deviating unless you have permission from your client.
Be Different
As a new face on the event planning scene, it is your job to ensure that you offer something a little bit different from the competition. If you are organizing a wedding reception, you could do your research to find quality projector hire. Make a montage of your clients old polaroids, selfies, and photos and get them transferred onto slides to show their family and friends. There is no doubt that the guests will leave the celebration remembering the wedding that you planned for a long time to come. If you find yourself setting up a charity dinner, make links with businesses in the local community and organize a charity auction. By going the extra mile, you are setting yourself apart from the competition.
Event planning is varied, exciting and creative. If you take the plunge and launch your own event planning business, you will get the chance to make a name for yourself in an industry that is crying out for exceptional minds just like yours.
