Whether its designing a wedding from the ground up, or organizing a large and intricate corporate conference, many people are finding their way into the multi-billion dollar world of event planning. Indeed, this is an industry that is growing rapidly, with international event-planner gatherings and trade-shows complete with bigwig names in the industry. It isn’t hard not to see the appeal of this profession, as bringing the vision of a memorable wedding or corporate party from concept to reality is a creative endeavor that, for many, is highly rewarding.
Of course, like any profession, it’s a long road from aspiring planner to master organizer. Success in this business will lead to monetary gain — as long as the event planner in question mixes a healthy amount of savvy with a good amount of old-fashioned professionalism.
Keeping that in mind, here are some professional tips to get a career in event planning started off on the right foot.
Price for the client, not for the event
According to Jill, owner of The Main Event planning company in Steamboat Springs, CO, proper pricing is crucial to a successful organization. For example, most event planners charge a percentage of the budget, but few if any clients actually prefer this method of pricing. To keep clients happy and increase business, the best thing to do is charge a flat fee. Of course, to make this pricing model beneficial to the planner as well as the client, the fee needs to be based on the strength of the local market.
One harsh reality is that those just starting out in the industry won’t have a lot of leeway when it comes to setting their prices. Those with only a year or two of experience simply can’t charge as much as someone with 10 years of experience. But over time, and as the planner’s client book grows, he or she can begin to charge a flat fee that is more representative of their years of expertise in the field.
Consider social media, but don’t rely solely on it
In fact, social media marketing may not be the best method for certain planners. Those who don’t like dealing with a lot of small talk in their business, for instance, probably won’t do to well with social media’s model of communication. Also, social media marketing isn’t fleeting; it takes a firm commitment on the part of the marketer in order to grow a business. This means updating posts day in and day out for the foreseeable future.
That said, social media is the wave of the future, and should at least represent a portion of a planner’s marketing scheme. Those who don’t thrive in a social media environment may want to delegate the responsibility of updating Facebook pages and tweeting about special offers to a trusted employee.
Embrace multitasking
While many event planners rely on event-management software and client databases for good reason, it is also crucial to keep calendars up to date and keep a notepad handy in which to jot down quick reminders and ideas. Staying organized and building a work plan from the get-go is also vital, as it is a million times more difficult to go back and remedy an oversight than it is to have never forgotten something in the first place.
These are just a few things to keep in mind when trying to build an event-planning business from the ground up. Above all, professional planners stress the importance of being a good communicator. Not only do clients respect a planner who can articulate exactly how he or she will deliver on their promises, but being clear and concise in everything from emails to casual conversations ensures nothing is left to chance.
Venuemob is an Australia-based website that connects owners of function venues with people who are seeking a place for their event. They provide an easy to use platform to look, compare and book function venues.
