Event Planner

Whether large or small, corporate or intimate, religious or ceremonial, any event requires a lot of planning as well as the ability to execute that plan like clockwork. As an event planner, you will map out themes, strategies, resources, and supplies for events as diverse as bar mitzvahs, birthday parties, retirement parties, weddings, fundraisers, and corporate sales meetings. You will develop a timeline for all of the components of your plan, and will network with key suppliers to ensure that you are getting the best deals on the most innovative elements and points of interest involved in your event. You can probably order a lot online, but you might also look at opening a vendor’s account with a local craft supply shop. If you are not 100 percent sure you can make it on your own at first, you might consider doing an online search for a “party business in a box,” which has everything you’ll need to launch your business successfully, including tips from many others who have launched similar businesses before you. You may also offer to work with another event planner fi rst, serving as a backup and then branching off with the pro’s over?ow work. That would help you understand all the details involved in operating an event planning business. There’s a whole lot of pressure to get everything right, but there’s also a whole lot of reward for those who can stand the heat while running the kitchen.


You will most definitely need a computer with Internet service and a good event planning software program. Together these will cost around $1,000 to $1,500, but the software program will be well worth the investment, as it will keep you organized and take some of the think-work out of the entire process of event planning.


Networking with those at churches, rental halls, and party centers will help you to spread the word about your business. You will sometimes need to do events for less money than you might like, but when you do, try to make sure the events become photo opportunities for your local newspaper. Keep a clipping book and scan your own event photos into an online gallery on your Web site. People will enjoy seeing samples of your work, as well as reading testimonials from your happy clients. Do surveys at the end of each event to capture their thoughts, and gain permission to post their comments on your site and in your marketing materials.


Approx. cost of start-up: $500 to $1,500 ($5,000 to $15,000 more if you need a delivery van)


Approx. potential earnings: $45,000 to $150,000+


Typical fees: $25 to $50 per hour (depending on market and your reputation) for small events; 10–15 percent of total event cost for large events


Where to promote: Community and business publications, Web site, eye-catching marketing collateral, referrals


Qualifications: Extremely attentive to details, strong project management skills


Things needed: Computer with good event planning software program, cell phone with hands-free accessories (if mandated by your state), e-mail access, a PDA, a good delivery van would be helpful


Required staff: May need to hire assistants to help occasionally


Hidden costs: Staffing costs might take a bite out of your profits when you’ve just begun, since you’ll likely need some help from time to time