Becoming an Event Planner
Event planning is a fun, fast-faced field. You play a big part in the creation of special events such as weddings, religious celebrations and more. There are many avenues one can take to start an event planning career. With more preparation comes a greater chance of success.
Schooling
There are various places one can gain education in event planning. Different college degrees lend themselves to such a field. You can look at the available programs in the hospitality field. Call colleges to learn about applicable programs that can be of use.
You will also find various programs that are specifically made to teach people about wedding planning. You want to make sure that you find one that is reputable and not just going to take your money. Find the exact classes that you can get and what certifications might be available.
Learn about local vendors
No matter how much you learned in school, you will still need to spend a lot of time learning about all of the local vendors. Call or visit the different vendors that one might use for an event. These will include reception halls, formal wear providers, limousine rental services, florists, caterers, bakeries, party supply rental locations and more.
Explore all of the local vendors because each client will be looking for something a little different. Have a meeting with each where you discuss general availability, pricing and details. Compare and contrast so that you will get an idea of the types of recommendations you will make. Organize this information into professional portfolios that you can show to your clients.
Get an internship/job in the field
Before you start out for yourself, you might want to try to find an internship or a job as an assistant event planner. The first thing many potential clients will ask is what type of experience you have. It can be difficult to get those first few jobs.
You can also get experience by volunteering for various organizations. There are many groups that hold events and look for people to volunteer to put them together. This can be great for a resume. You can ask friends and relatives if you can help. You can also charge very discounted rates at the beginning.
Put together your business
Your business will evolve as you gain experience. Make a pricing model. You may charge per event or hourly. Most event planners offer different packages for people with different needs. This will also be based on the local area.
You also need to come up with a strategy for marketing your planning business. No matter how good you are, you will not be successful if no one knows about you. Put ads in local magazines like wedding magazines.
Event planning is a great field. You help people’s dreams come true. Plan carefully to give your business the best chance of success.
