If you have been thinking about starting an event planning business and you are not sure where to start, then look no further as today we will be talking you through starting your own event planning business and helping you reach the fun heights of being a great event planner.
Everyone starts somewhere, so knowing how to start an event planning business is not going to already be in your mind.
It takes time, dedication, and a solid business plan so you can make your event planning company the one that people come back to time and time again.
What Does an Event Planner do?
A little bit of background into the event planning business is always a plus. Hopefully, you know what event planners do and that is the reason why you chose to supply event planning services to people, but it doesn’t hurt to have a bit of a refresher.
Responsibilities of an Event Planner
An event planner will be responsible for everything that goes into making the event run smoothly and efficiently so all who are involved are happy with the process. This can include everything ranging from booking a place and decorating it, to hiring necessary staff like caterers and security personnel for the event. They will also need to handle smaller details like equipping the security team with Handheld radios for the security industry so that they can keep the communication between them flowing for better coordination and effective emergency response. The same goes for aspects like deciding on the items that will be there on the menu.
From the start to the finish, they will be dealing with different venues, hiring staff and vendors, as well as dealing with the budget, and keeping everything to the specified timelines.
They make sure that no matter what, the event in question goes off without a hitch so they can get hired again for the next event that rolls into town.
Types of Event Planning Businesses
The event planning industry is filled with different types of event planners. When you plan on starting your own event planning business, you need to think about what type of event planner you want to be and how you are going to put that into effect.
Here are some event planning businesses you can get yourself into –
- Party planning business
- Wedding planning business
- Trade shows
- Product launches
- Fundraisers
- Galas
- Baby showers
- Charity Shows
These are made up of social and corporate events. You can decide on which niche would suit you best and then build your business plan around it so you have a clearer picture of what to aim for even you get into the event planning business.
However, many event planners can switch between niches, especially if they overlap, so you don’t have to limit yourself to one area.
Advantages of Creating Your Own Business
If you want to have a successful event planning business and make it as a business owner so that people come back to you, you need to care about what you do.
If you are just in it for financial gain and don’t have passion behind it, then you are not going to do your best when you are creating these events.
Thinking of what the advantages are of starting an event planning business can help you see the benefits being an event planner brings and will help you hone your strategies so they stand out from the crowd and help you reach your target market.
- You are your own boss – You do not have to answer to a manager or CEO, everything goes through you. You run your own social media accounts, take charge of your business bank account, choose your business structure, and decide what marketing materials and marketing strategy you need. It all comes down to you.
- You get to travel – One of the fun things about being an event planner is that you can travel to so many different places and meet potential clients at different social events you have created. It’s a wonderful way to network and move from a local event-planning business to a wider one.
- You can create something unique – How good would it feel to put all your effort into something you care about to see people’s faces and get praised for your hard and dedicated work? It is worth it when you see how people react and what they say.
These are just some of the advantages that can happen when you start an event planning business and put effort into it. You can plan some amazing events with your time as an event planner.
How to Start an Event Planning Business For Your Niche
Now it is onto how you can start your event planning business that fits in with whatever niche you have decided upon.
Create a Sturdy Business Plan
Before you do anything you need to make sure that you have written up a business plan with what you need and what your projections are for the future.
If you know someone in the event planning industry then it may be wise to speak to them and pick their brains on how they structured their business plan. If this is not possible, you can go online and check out other similar plans that can help you outline what you need.
This business plan will help you with get investments and provide people with all the necessary information. You will also want to use this time to think of your business entity so you know what legal channels to go through.
Within your business plan, you can also create your business name and incorporate your market research in it to show prospective investors why you want to break into the side of event planning that you have chosen and what that will mean for your business.
Think About Your Marketing
First, decide what marketing approaches you would opt for, whether it is digital marketing like social media advertising, PPC (likely with the help of a PPC Management Consultant), or influencer marketing, or traditional marketing methods like flyers, pamphlets, or banners. Following this, you will need to set out a marketing budget — how much you will need to keep aside just in case. That said, we have enlisted a few effective methods of marketing for you to go through:
- A website and social media accounts
- Business cards
- Posters and flyers to hand out at events
- Decals for your car/van for when you go to events
- Digital marketing — think PPC, SEO, and SEM.
It is important to note that there are rigid rules dictating the exclusive use of either digital or traditional methods of marketing. You can use a combination of the two. Digital marketing offers a wider reach and precise targeting through online channels, allowing for cost-effective campaigns and detailed analytics to measure results. It provides flexibility for adjustments based on real-time data and interactive formats for increased engagement.
On the other hand, flyer or leaflet marketing offers a tangible and tactile experience that can resonate with certain audiences — door to door leaflet distribution is a very effective method for local or targeted campaigns. So, is flyer distribution! They can help firms create a personal connection with recipients.
That said, combining both strategies can provide a balanced marketing approach that leverages the strengths of each method and caters to a broader range of preferences and engagement preferences.
Do Your Market Research
You need to know the ins and outs of what your event planning business is and how that is going to get your foot in the door.
You need to look at who your competitors are, what they are doing in their business, and how you can add to that or improve it. Maybe you can find an opening for your niche that no one has tried before. Market research will help you see what is already out there and how you can expand on that.
Define Your Goals and What Your Business Will be Doing
If you want to stick to a certain design plan or business output, then that needs to be known to prospective clients so they know where you stand. You may have some restrictions at the start which could come in the form of travel or the size of what you are planning because of finances.
Make the Clients Aware
If this occurs, you need to let them know why and how you may be able to do what they want but on a smaller scale. Being a small business to start with can be hard and you will have to turn down some people because you simply are not able to do it.
It’s Okay to Take it Slowly
There is no shame in that and as you establish yourself you can build on what you already do and hopefully be asked to bigger events as you progress. But for now, if you have restrictions then you need to stick to them so you don’t go over budget or compromise on what you are doing. Communicate with your clients so you can have an open and honest dialogue with them.
Look into How You Are Going to Manage Your Personal and Business Finances
Starting a new business venture is exciting and fun to do, but it costs money. Not only do you need money to carry out daily operations and keep the business running, you also need to create a workplace where your employees can brainstorm and do all the work they need to complete. That would include renting out an office space, or buying one, and purchasing computers, chairs and boardroom tables in Sydney (or elsewhere), among other items that you would need to work with. All these purchases require a considerable amount of capital too. You need to make sure that whatever money you have towards it you stick to it. Dipping into your personal finances is not a good idea as that can drain essential resources that you need.
Speak to Investors
If you really are in a bind and would find an injection of money beneficial, that is what your business plan was for. You can research potential investors and see if they are able to provide you with the funds needed to keep going.
Stay Strong
It may be tempting to just borrow a bit here and there, but that is not going to help you out in the long run, and it shows you haven’t planned enough for what you need. Keep them separate and give yourself some peace of mind.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has helped you decide how you want to start your event planning business and what steps you will need to take to make it a success.
If you really want to do this then your determination will see you through, just make sure that you have everything you need so you can dot the I’s and cross the T’s.