How do I start up with event planning if I have no "experience"?!
Question: I am about to graduate with a degree in Marketing. I have realized in the past year that I really like to PLAN when I have events. I love to entertain people and make sure that they have a wonderful experience at any event I have to do with. I have only planned a few personal events like a going away cookouts, birthday cookouts, and family dinners but they were very detailed with decorations and such. I did all the cooking & I am also a certified bartender so I do all the drinks as well. I'm getting ready to plan a baby shower for January. What can I do to try and become an event planner that people actually come to? I thought about putting "bartending service" cards in ABC stores and including something about party planning.
Answers: I am about to graduate with a degree in Marketing. I have realized in the past year that I really like to PLAN when I have events. I love to entertain people and make sure that they have a wonderful experience at any event I have to do with. I have only planned a few personal events like a going away cookouts, birthday cookouts, and family dinners but they were very detailed with decorations and such. I did all the cooking & I am also a certified bartender so I do all the drinks as well. I'm getting ready to plan a baby shower for January. What can I do to try and become an event planner that people actually come to? I thought about putting "bartending service" cards in ABC stores and including something about party planning.
If you were to offer to plan a couple of parties for friends, you can then give their names as referees for when you advertise your services - no-one would know they are your friends, you get the extra experience and they get a party organised for free (apart from the direct costs).
Another idea - get in touch with companies that hire out bars to event organisers, and ask them about doing some bartending work for them. This would again give you great experience that you can use in your marketing, and it would put you straight in touch with established party planners, whose brains you can then pick.
or you could dive straight in and advertise yourself, listing all the things you can offer, giving family members as referees.
good luck!
I think your idea about the cards is a good one -- that bartending certification is a valuable asset. Continue as you've been doing by planning things for your family and friends, but start documenting what you do. Create a portfolio with photos of past events you've done, especially those little details in the decorating and the food/drinks. Try to avoid pictures of people, unless you get a couple nice portrait shots of very pleased-looking "customers". That way, when people call regarding your card, you can sit down with them and show them some things you've already done, let them get a taste of your style and versatility, etc. It doesn't matter that you weren't charged for these events -- what matters is that you show your talent and passion for event-planning.
Good luck!
That sort of thing requires some type of proven track record that people will remember and talk about which is the best form of marketing.
Visualize elaborate events and backtrack each separate element with back up plans within each element in case of last minute changes and be sure to either film or at least take plenty of pictures for future references.
A degree alone will not convince anyone that you are adept at
doing that sort of thing and few people will entrust their special occasions to someone with little or no actual experience.
Knot.com It is for weddings but you will get great ideas for any kind of event!! I learned a lot there when planning my daughter;s wedding. They have so many ideas for all kinds of party themes and table decorations baby showers and a lot more! I would also google event planner and also look for books on that at Barnes and Noble! Best Wishes!