How to become a Party Planner
The life of a party planner or an event planner is not as glamorous as it might at first appear. Party planners typically do not flit from one end of the room to the next in neatly coordinated outfits like Jennifer Lopez in The Wedding Planner. They are much more likely to be quietly observing the flow of the event like a fly on the wall and trying to spot a tragedy before it occurs.
To be a great party planner you need to be organized as well as creative. These two attributes are not always found side by side, but if you can come up with genius ways to make an event unique and enjoyable while also juggling everything that goes into making the actual day a success you may be one of the few people who possess both. The following is a brief look at what it takes to become a party planner.
Decide if You Want to Specialize
The first thing you need to do is decide if you would like to specialize. Some party planners only organize birthdays, some specialize in corporate events while others prefer to deal with weddings. It is possible to take on all different types of events but you may find that you prefer one type of event over another.
Develop a Business Plan
It is important to develop a business plan. One of the main characteristics of a great party planner is the ability to organize and a well-organized event flows from a well-organized business plan. It pays to think ahead about where you will find potential clients, how you will market to them, what your rates will be and what type of service you will provide.
Start to Compile Your Contacts
Every event planner has a long list of contacts that feed into the business. Party planners need to hire sub-contractors to take care of the food and drinks, to hire artistes to perform or possibly find someone to handle the décor. You may decide to take on any one of these services yourself but remember that your primary role is to make sure the party comes together and one aspect should not absorb all your energy.
Network, Network, Network
Finally, when you have everything in place and it is time to get your first client, you will need to start networking. Party planners also gets a fairly high percentage of business from referrals and repeat business, so remember to ask for recommendations and to always leave a great impression.
