How to Start an Event Planning Business 1-2-3
Event planners are needed for all sorts of events. Events are a popular way to celebrate - but are also a
quickly-growing means of promoting products or raising funds. As you can see, there is a wide opportunity in
this exciting field.
You can start an event planning business focused on festivals, weddings, corporate retreats, company
meetings, sporting events, seminars, charity fundraisers, restaurant openings and more.
Being able to work well with people and present a professional image is essential in this field. You can
grow an event planning business exclusively (and affordably) on referrals, so you want to maintain a large
network of friends and business associates.
Learning from a professional in the field can be exceptionally helpful, since there are many "tricks of the
trade".
Starting an Event Planning Business Checklist:
- Get a business license. Requirements vary by city and state, so you want to check
with your local government office to find out which licenses and permits you need to
start your event planning business. If you plan to operate out of your home, see if there are zoning
restrictions in your neighborhood.
- Open a business bank account with your local bank. This will enable to keep personal and
business finances separate, allow you to write checks in the business name and professionalize your
image with customers. You want a bank that is FDIC is insured.
- Meet with an accountant to discuss your bookkeeping needs, organize your paperwork and maximize
business tax deductions. You can get referrals from other business owners you know
or sometimes your banker.
- File your fictitious business name with the county clerk, or if you want to form a corporation, find
out how to incorporate your business.
- Meet with an insurance agent to find out your business insurance options. The IIABA (Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America) can help you find an
agent in your local area. You can also get information and free business insurance quotes online.
- Set up your business phone system. A designated business line will help you establish a
professional business image, look "bigger" and attract more clients. You can even set up a toll-free
number for minimal cost or use VoIP internet phone service to lower your monthly bills. Some mobile
businesses exclusively use a cell phone.
- Order business cards. Business cards are often overlooked as an effective, low-cost marketing tool. See
how you can design and use your cards as "miniature walking advertisements" and get >> 250 Free Business Cards
-
Set up a website. This actually can be really easy, and you can save money by creating your own website with simple online design programs. Take advantage of
this low-cost marketing resource to display your services, rates, portfolio, customer testimonials,
etc. Much cheaper than printing hundreds of brochures, and it can be seen by more people and
display more information.
- Become a member of professional and local organizations such as the International Special Events Society or Meeting Professionals International where you can network with other event business
professionals, educate yourself and stay on top of current events and trends in the event planning
industry.
How to Become an Event Planner
Jan Riddell is a Professional Event Planner who has organized events for over 15 years. She has put
together an event planning business start-up guide with her knowledge, combined with tips and advice from other
successful event planners.
Not only does she cover how to plan a successful event, she goes into depth on the business side of event
planning, essential knowledge for event planners wanting to go into business for themselves.
See what you get >>
- How to gain great event planning experience and start an event business with little or no
money
- Information on permits, insurance, etc and how to get certified
- How to write a business proposal, select reputable vendors and price your event planning
services
- Step-by-step advice on planning a successful event and advertising tips
- Ways to find entertainers for your events, neatworking and how to get companies to sponsor your
events
- Sample contracts, invoices and more
- Get it Risk-Free >> Start an Event Planning
Business
Marketing Your Event Planning Business:
Use public relations to get free press for your event planning business:
- Write articles. You don't have to be a professional writer, but you can get free press and draw
in customers by sharing helpful or interesting information in your area of expertise. Articles can be
short, and you can submit them to multiple article directories online for free. See how to write articles to get customers.
- Use business cards. Often overlooked as a marketing tool, business cards can act as mini ads and
be very effective at getting free publicity. Besides including them in all your correspondence - share them
with other local business owners who offer similar products or services to yours - but don't directly
complete with you. "Teaming up" with other local businesses enables you to refer clients to each other
without having to pay for advertising. Get
250 free business cards.
- Use social media. Twitter and Facebook can get you a lot of free publicity when used correctly. The key is to
combine useful content for your readers in addition to promotional efforts.
- Start speaking. Many local organizations or community groups like to have speakers at their
meetings or events. This can be a great way to get free publicity for your business and at the same time
establish yourself as an expert in your field. Public Speaking Made Easy
- Write press releases. It's free to write a press release, and journalists are looking for
stories to report on everyday. Why pay for an ad in a magazine or newspaper when you can get a full-page
story written about your company for free? The more newsworthy your story, the more likely it is to be
published. Find out how to write a press
release.
Referral Marketing.
Referral marketing works especially well in service businesses like event planning, and it is one of the
best ways to gain new clients. It's also virtually a free way to advertise your business. However, asking
for a referral doesn't necessarily mean you'll get one.
Getting lots of referrals can be easy and take very little effort when you follow effective referral-getting
strategies that have been time-tested for years by expert marketers. David Frey is one of those experts, and he
has developed a system for getting those referrals that will help you eliminate your advertising budget.
You can see his free video about it here >> Instant Referral System.
Print Brochures
Showing Your Services and Expertise
Don't just tell people about your event planning business - show them! Pictures are worth a thousand words, and
brochures can present a professional company image - while selling your services to potential clients at the
same time.
You want to use quality materials and photos if you can, but company brochures don't have to be expensive.
You can use programs online to design your own brochures, and have them automatically
printed for you at a discounted price.
Grow Your Event Business Income
Using Proven Marketing Methods
If you are serious about getting lots of customers, and you don't want to pay thousands of dollars to an ad
agency, the Small Business Marketing Bible shows you how to attract a steady stream
of clients - on the cheap.
Get the 1-Day Marketing Plan outline and over 29 proven success systems
that you can use over and over to increase profits and grow your income, including:
- Foolproof salesletter template, proven ad writing checklist and how to create an irresistible
offer.
- How to turn incoming phone calls into clients and turn one-time buyers into lucrative lifetime
customers.
- How to use other people's customers to get new business.
- The secret to getting free referrals when you ask - 90% of the time.
- Maximum profit pricing strategy and how to double your sales with simple packaging
techniques.
- 4 techniques for doubing sales - with no additional customers.
- Get it Risk-Free >> Small Business Marketing Bible
See Also: Sales Letter Templates | Instant Marketing Toolbox | $25 Credit to Advertise on Yahoo
Event Planning Business Resources:
Event Planning Business Articles:
Hire Help the Easy Way:
Easily find a team of experts to help you build your business - virtually. Save money in overhead
costs, get work done more quickly and eliminate payroll hassles.
- Website Designers and Software Developers
- Marketers, Salespeople and Telemarketers
- Accounting and Bookkeeping Assistants
- People to handle Customer Service and Administrative Tasks
- oDesk makes outsourcing easy and affordable so you can grow your business faster.
- Get a Free Tour, Post a Job
Event Planners Associations
- Event Planners Association
The Event Planners Association is designed to assist members of the Event Planning, Catering, Inflatable,
Game Rental, and Entertainment communities operate and prosper in an efficient and cost-effective manner
through the services they provide.
- Professional Convention Management Association
PCMA's mission statement is to deliver superior and innovative education and promote the value of
professional convention management.
- Meeting Professionals International
Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the meeting and event industry's global community, helps its
members thrive by providing human connections to knowledge and ideas, relationships, and marketplaces.
2,000 Business Plans
