Time and again I am asked, “what are the steps to becoming an event planner and how do I get started in the event industry?”
It’s a question so many women ask themselves but often struggle with because they don’t believe they have the right experience to get started.
Many years, when I started, I questioned myself because I loved planning parties and events for friends and family, but I wasn’t sure how to begin my event planning career or where to start looking to get the experience I wanted.
Today I share the 10 steps to getting started because I want you to live your dream, and if becoming an event planner is what you want to do, then you should have a rewarding and meaningful career in the event industry, and I hope these steps help you figure out how to use your skills and experience to get started and get paid.
You don’t need a background in event planning to become an expert. If you have a knack for organizing and planning, you have the basic skills required to plan your own events.
A common mistake is to be all things to all people. Focus on your strengths and an area you’re most passionate about.
Steps To Becoming An Event Planner
Step 1 – Get experience and volunteer your time in a variety of event services.
There are so many aspects of events including, working for a caterer, a florist, volunteering for nonprofits, and working for an established event planner. Your long-term success in event planning will be based on the experience that you bring to your clients.
That means, if you’re thinking about starting an event planning business, you should have a strong grasp as to what an event planner is, and make sure you have some solid skills in:
That means, if you’re thinking about starting an event planning business, you should have a strong grasp as to what an event planner is, and make sure you have some solid skills in:
Verbal and written communications
Organization and time management
Negotiation and budget management
Creativity, marketing, public relations and more.
Organization and time management
Negotiation and budget management
Creativity, marketing, public relations and more.
Step 2 – Move into a position with some responsibility.
Instead of just volunteering, become the coordinator of your church anniversary, your family get together, become a catering manager, or take on a lead role at an event planning outfit.
Determine your preferred event planning market and focus on getting experience in those areas.
Instead of just volunteering, become the coordinator of your church anniversary, your family get together, become a catering manager, or take on a lead role at an event planning outfit.
Determine your preferred event planning market and focus on getting experience in those areas.
You can offer a wider range of services later; once you’re established, but determining your market will help you focus on the right type of vendors to work with, clients to establish relationships with, and events to plan.
Stay focused on:
What’s your product or service?
Who is your target market?
Will you offer full service planning and execution?
Will you specialize in one particular aspect of the planning?
Who is your target market?
Will you offer full service planning and execution?
Will you specialize in one particular aspect of the planning?
Step 3 – Are you familiar with the saying, “it’s not what you know, but who you know”?
In event planning, networking is key!
Wherever you go, collect contact information for the people you meet. I always followed up a meeting or introduction with a “nice to meet you” email and below my signature was an elevator pitch on what event planning services we provided.
For me, this was subtle and allowed me to build stronger relationships rather than just solicit people for business.
In event planning, networking is key!
Wherever you go, collect contact information for the people you meet. I always followed up a meeting or introduction with a “nice to meet you” email and below my signature was an elevator pitch on what event planning services we provided.
For me, this was subtle and allowed me to build stronger relationships rather than just solicit people for business.
Step 4 – Create an event portfolio.
Showcase your work with photos, brochures, and invitations of the events you’ve worked on. Organize each piece in a book to easily present your experience and event stories. Most people are visual so paint the picture for them!
Showcase your work with photos, brochures, and invitations of the events you’ve worked on. Organize each piece in a book to easily present your experience and event stories. Most people are visual so paint the picture for them!
Step 5 – While you’re gaining valuable event planning experience, you can also become a certified event planner. Get your Certified Wedding & Event Planners (CWEP) credentials or The Nigeria Event Advocate and Networking Society offers a Certified Events Planner Advocacy (CEPA) program, which can help you learn a few tricks and establish your credibility with clients.
It’s also helpful to get involved with Meeting International and Nigeria Event Planner (MINEP) to keep up with industry trends and establish international contacts within the industry.
It’s also helpful to get involved with Meeting International and Nigeria Event Planner (MINEP) to keep up with industry trends and establish international contacts within the industry.
Step 6 – Form your business entity.
Where you live will depend on what you need to register for in order to create your legal business. Do some local online research to find out if you need to create corporate company or corporate business partnership and where and how to register your business name. If you are opening an office, get a business license from government company registration authority and at your Local Govt office. And don’t forget to obtain business insurance to protect your business interests.
Several forms of insurance exist, so it’s best to speak with an insurance agent to learn more.
Where you live will depend on what you need to register for in order to create your legal business. Do some local online research to find out if you need to create corporate company or corporate business partnership and where and how to register your business name. If you are opening an office, get a business license from government company registration authority and at your Local Govt office. And don’t forget to obtain business insurance to protect your business interests.
Several forms of insurance exist, so it’s best to speak with an insurance agent to learn more.
Step 7 – Before you tell everyone you know that you’re now in business, develop a Business Plan.
Just because you’ve decided on your market, doesn’t mean you’re ready to share the news about what you offer. Google ‘event planning business plan’ and find a template that works for you.
Two key pieces of your plan is to establish your event planning business name and fee structure. As an independent or small event planning firm be aware of the various ways to cover your expenses and make a profit. This will keep you in business for years to come. But, before you decide which fee structure is best for you, determine your event planning operating expenses, salaries and your profit.
Different fee structures to consider
Different fee structures to consider
Flat Fee – Most clients prefer to know how much a project will cost, inclusive of all fees. The event planner must determine a flat fee and determine what services will be covered for that amount. This is good for packaged events.
Percentage of Expenses – Qualified event planners should feel comfortable with charging between 15-20% of the total cost of an event. Depending on the complexity of the program and amount of time it takes to plan and execute an event, sometimes this is enough to cover a planner’s entire cost and source of profit.
Hourly Rate – Similar to the flat fee rate, establishing an hourly rate allows for more flexibility for both parties to adjust to changes that along the way. The average tends to be determined/hr. (This concept of charging is still under going talk among event professionals in Nigeria).
Percentage of Budget PLUS Expenses – this is my preferred way to charge for event planning services. Charge 15-25% of the overall event budget as a service fee plus all expenses. This way you’re charging for your time and your client pays all expenses associated with the event. A detailed event budget needs to be presented to your client for every event so they know how much the event will cost them.
Commission able Rate – Another way that event planners may collect fees for services is by securing event space through venues that offer commissions. Many travel agents take advantage of this for booking tickets, hotel rooms and possibly transportation. Beware of this option because your client may question your sense of loyalty.
Percentage of Expenses – Qualified event planners should feel comfortable with charging between 15-20% of the total cost of an event. Depending on the complexity of the program and amount of time it takes to plan and execute an event, sometimes this is enough to cover a planner’s entire cost and source of profit.
Hourly Rate – Similar to the flat fee rate, establishing an hourly rate allows for more flexibility for both parties to adjust to changes that along the way. The average tends to be determined/hr. (This concept of charging is still under going talk among event professionals in Nigeria).
Percentage of Budget PLUS Expenses – this is my preferred way to charge for event planning services. Charge 15-25% of the overall event budget as a service fee plus all expenses. This way you’re charging for your time and your client pays all expenses associated with the event. A detailed event budget needs to be presented to your client for every event so they know how much the event will cost them.
Commission able Rate – Another way that event planners may collect fees for services is by securing event space through venues that offer commissions. Many travel agents take advantage of this for booking tickets, hotel rooms and possibly transportation. Beware of this option because your client may question your sense of loyalty.
Step 8 – Secure Funding For Your Event Planning Business.
Businesses require an operating budget, and it will be important to have access to cash while getting established. It’s possible to establish your business on limited funds, but it’s important to have enough money to start your business and cover any living expenses as you build a profitable business
Businesses require an operating budget, and it will be important to have access to cash while getting established. It’s possible to establish your business on limited funds, but it’s important to have enough money to start your business and cover any living expenses as you build a profitable business
.
Step 9 – Then, create a website, a Facebook fan page, Pinterest page, LinkedIn profile, and twitter account to help keep your services top of mind.
Let your former clients and contacts know you’re now an independent event planner and use those contacts you’ve been saving to solicit business and referrals. You will also need to create business cards, company stationery, sales collateral, client terms & agreements, and more.
Step 10 – Develop your network of suppliers and staff resources and network with vendors you’ve met or worked with at events.
Often caterers, photographers, or florists will recommend an event planner to their client, as long as they know and trust you. Clients with major events prefer to use planners and vendors who work well together.
Join The Nigeria Event Advocate and Networking Society to network with industry professionals.
I’d love to hear from you, whatsapp or sms: 08030725241.
Email : planet2party@yahoo.com.
Fill out our short survey and let me know your most burning questions about becoming an event planner. Then watch our blog because we’ll be featuring your questions in upcoming posts!
Have an eventful week,
P.S. If this post helped you, share it with someone who could use help getting started.
Are you ready to start your event planning career?
Call: 08030725241 or 08029738290
Email : planet2party@yahoo.com
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Call: 08030725241 or 08029738290
Email : planet2party@yahoo.com
facebook.com/partyplanetng
twitter.com/partyplanetng
Instagram. Pinterest. Linkedin
