ALT-1 Becoming an Event Planner
Event planning can be a very rewarding field. You create beautiful events such as weddings showers, graduation parties, retirement parties, Bar Mitzvah’s and more. You can also work for a business and help create business receptions and events as well as conferences, promotional events like product launches and fashion shows and commemorations like civic events, according toEntrepreneur. By taking the right steps to get started, you will give yourself the best chance of success in this field.
Some people choose to get formal education in the field, although not everyone chooses this path. There are various event planning courses and certifications. Make sure to learn all you can about potential programs because you do not want to get taken in by a scam. You can also look for a related major in an accredited college. You can try to become certified as a Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) or Certified Meeting Planner (CMP).
Do your research into all of the local vendors someone might be interested in when choosing an event planner. Clients will expect you to know about all of their different choices and be able to help them make the right one. Research any and all vendors you can think of such as reception halls, wedding locations like parks, florists, caterers, bands, dj’s, religious institutions, party supply locations and more.
Do not just look at the vendors, but go in and talk to the managers. Introduce yourself. You want to become familiar with people because vendors may be willing to give your clients a better deal if they think that you will bring them a lot of business. Get literature such as menus and pricing packages form the different places so that you will have something to show people. Organize all of this information into hard or computer-based portfolios so you will be able to show things to potential clients.
Think about how you want your business to run. How much time do you want to dedicate to it? Will you be doing it part time or full time? Are you going to do it out of your home or get an office? Think about all of these details.
Try to get experience because that is what potential clients will be looking for. You can try to get a job working as an assistant for an experienced event planner. This will give you experience and help you learn about the business as well as the local vendors. You can also work as a volunteer organizing events. Some new event planners offer reduced rates when they are starting out.
Think about how you want your pricing to work. Do you want to make packages or work on an hourly or daily basis?
Once you are ready to get started you need to get word out about your business. Social media can be a great way to get the word out without spending a lot of money. Tell everyone you know about it. You can also run ads.
Get started on your event planning business. Once you get those first few clients, things will get easier and easier. Learn as you go, and soon you will be on your way to an event planning profession.
