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If you have a passion for logistics and organization, and the ability to network and promote yourself effectively, you may have a future in the event planning industry.
You don’t need any special training or education. Although if you have a degree in hospitality, event planning or tourism, it can add weight to your credentials. You can also get certified as a special events or meeting planner, as well as read books to get a handle on event planning basics.
It will help if you enjoy thinking creatively to create a desired ambiance or impression, liaise and negotiate with suppliers, solve problems and work with a budget. If you have the time management, marketing, and organizational skills for event planning, you can start up the business with relatively little capital and equipment.
Entrepreneur reports that people around the globe spend $500 billion every year on special events.
There are no shortage of birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, weddings, graduations, parades, fairs, conferences, meetings, product launches, political rallies, fashion shows, memorials and civic events in need of a savvy planner to oversee the logistics, organization and myriad details that go into making an event run smoothly. More and more businesses are hiring outside services to plan their events. The profit margins for event planners have risen from 15 to around 40 percent in the last few years.
Here are some facts and figures about the event planning business you should consider:
Rent: $0 – $2,300
Equipment: $5,000 – $17,000
Inventory: $0 – $500
Licenses and Taxes: $250 – $350
Communications: $100 – $250
Payroll: $0 – $4,000
Advertising & Promotion: $500 – $2,000
Legal Fees & Accounting: $650 – $1,500
1st Quarter Insurance: $800 – $1,500
Miscellaneous: $750 – $1,500
An event planning service can gross between $85,000 to $250,000 per year depending on the structure of the business.
The size and complexity of events vary widely, so generally event planners calculate the cost of all the materials and services for any given event and then tack on a 10 to 20 percent markup as a service fee.
Social media and networking in the community, yellow pages, and a professional business web page. Your target markets include hotels, resorts, non-profits, conventions, country clubs, theme parks as well as brides, Fortune 500 companies, universities, and colleges.
Creativity, communication, organizational and time management skills, passion for budgeting, planning and negotiating, ability to network and coordinate with suppliers and service providers for an event, a cool head under pressure, and ability to think and solve problems on the go.
Computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, business license, a basic stock of common party supplies, a truck or a van, social media accounts for the business, a professional website and a portfolio of your work.
Effective promotion is the key to your success and social media is gold when it comes to promoting your event planning business and landing event contracts. Use it for more than promotion, though. If you leverage your social media presence as a way to make connections and build a solid following, people are more likely to think of you and give you a call when they have an event to plan.
When you first start out in event planning, specialize on one type of event and master it. Charity balls, proms, and corporate galas are the spectacular end of the spectrum while meetings and conventions fall on the comparatively simple and straightforward end of the spectrum. Don’t try to do it all at once. On the other hand, seasoned event planner Liz King says diversification of services is important to the success of a small company. Add services one at a time as you gain experience.
Struggling with what to name your event planning business? Here are a few ideas:
| Perfection Catering | Elegant Occasions |
| As You Wish Events | Fabulous Fiestas |
| Idyllic Wedding Planners | Your Day Your Way |
| Happily Ever After Productions | Style and Class Events |
| Once in a Lifetime Events | Abracadabra |
| StarStruck Productions | An Event to Remember |
| Shooting Star Catering | Enchanted Events |
| Dreams Come True Events | Sparkle and Magic |
Related Content
Top Magazines and Publications for Event Planners
Top 15 Event Planning Blogs, Are You Following Them?
References
Entrepreneur: How to Start an Event Planning Service
Event Manager Blog: How to Start an Event Planning Business from Home
The Work at Home Woman: Event Planning
Small Biz Trends: How to Start an Event Planning Business
Small Biz Trends: 42 Tips For Producing A Memorable Small Business Event
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