Finding the right career path to go down can be difficult. You know you want to do something that interests you and can help you make a decent living, but you don't know where to start.
If you need help choosing the right career path, consider an event planner career.
Do you not think you have what it takes to pursue a career in event planning? After you read this post, you'll see if being an event planner is the right thing for you to do.
10 Reasons to Pursue an Event Planner Career
Event planning can be a rewarding and enjoyable career. At times it can be very glamorous, but there will be other times where it's challenging and getting the job done can be difficult.
It's up to you to determine the best career path for your skills and tastes. But if you find that you fit the characteristics on this list, professional event planning could be a great career for you to pursue.
1. You're a People Person
This should go without saying, but it takes a real people person to be able to be a successful event planner. If you love spending time with your friends and meeting new people, you could be right for a career in event planning.
Your work may revolve around planning an event, but in order to do that, you're going to have to be able to talk to people.
Coordinating and planning an event is truly a team effort between you, your clients, and any vendor you may have to work with. Everyone and everything needs to come together smoothly so you can throw a fantastic event.
2. You Have Excellent Communication Skills
Can you relay details very easily between different kinds of people? Are you able to read between the lines and help people get their point across if they're too shy or unwilling to make a fuss?
Communication is very important when you're event planning. You're going to need to communicate your client's needs to vendors and be able to tell your clients if vendors are having any issues fulfilling their needs.
It's important to remember that a big part of having excellent communication skills is being able to actively listen.
If you have a client that repeatedly claims that they desperately want a certain kind of centerpiece but don't know if they can afford it, know that they would appreciate it if you could find a cost-effective alternative.
3. You Aren't Afraid to Have Tough Conversations
Your client wants to throw an extravagant ball for 300 people at a popular venue, but the budget they outlined can only comfortably handle 150 people at best.
You've reached out to the caterer for your event several times to make changes to the menu, but when you bring your client in for a tasting you see the same items you told them to remove on the table.
Don't be afraid to tell clients if they're going over budget or if they're going to have to adjust their expectations for what they want to pay. Be ready to tell certain vendors that they're making mistakes and that they need to fix things fast.
When you're in the event planning world, you're going to need to be able to have difficult conversations with people. The success of your event and the happiness of your clients will depend on you being able to be stern when it's appropriate.
4. You're Very Organized
If you love a good spreadsheet and naturally color code your day planner, you could have a very successful career in event planning. Naturally having organization skills can be a huge plus for anyone pursuing this career path.
An event planner is going to be in charge of various aspects of the events they plan. Deadlines, business contacts, business contracts, guest lists, menus, and entertainment are all going to need to be handled by you and your team.
Coordinating so many details flawlessly and on time is going to require an extreme level of organization.
If you're the kind of person that already keeps track of deadlines, loves to make lists, and likes to keep things neat and orderly, you could easily handle planning events.
5. You're Quick on Your Feet
You may be one of the most organized and careful event planners out there, but there are still some things that are going to be out of your control.
A heavy rainstorm or extreme heat could make your perfect outdoor venue into a disaster. Your client may need to suddenly cut their budget in half because of money troubles. A trusted vendor could go out of business or be booked up.
This is why it's important for event planners to be able to think on their feet. You never know what could go wrong, and you need to be ready to handle changes that come your way with calm and grace.
Being able to easily make changes and think about what’s to step in when needed can be very helpful. Remember, the last thing your client wants to see is you panicking because things aren't following your carefully laid out plan.
6. You Always Notice the Small Details
If you're someone that always notices the fold of the napkins at a fancy dinner or the type of flowers at your table, you could be a natural when it comes to planning events.
Sometimes the smallest details can make the biggest impact when you're in the event planning business.
Your clients are going to appreciate your keen eye for detail. There are some things they may overlook in the planning process that you know can make their event truly memorable.
Don't be afraid to check each table to make sure that the bow on every floral arrangement is tied in the right style.
Suggest a certain napkin ring color because you know it'll compliment the flowers on the table. Let your clients know that you know of a great cover band that does a great version of "their" song.
7. You're a Natural Creative
The best events will always have something creative and unique about them.
Maybe instead of going for a traditional band, the main entertainment is a master of quizzo. You know how to find interesting keynote speakers that can put a new spin on a familiar topic. The unique DIY decor could have personal touches from the host.
Your clients are going to have some ideas around what they want for their event, but the event planner should be ready and willing to jump in with plenty of creative ideas.
You could be the kind of person that has tons of Pinterest boards filled with fun DIY crafts. Or perhaps you already have a passion for following influencers on Instagram and other platforms.
Either way, if you're already a creative and crafty person, your unique sense of style and eye for beauty could be what makes you a success in the event planning world.
8. Problem Solving Comes Naturally to You
Planning events tend to be half actual planning and execution, and half dealing with problems as they pop up.
Florists aren't going to have the particular flower your client wants for a centerpiece because it's out of season. The band your client had their heart set on is going to be booked up for the next 6 months.
This ties into needing to be able to think quick on your feet. Problems and changes are going to pop up at the strangest and least convenient times. That's why it's important for you to be able to solve problems with ease.
If you tend to panic when things go wrong or off schedule, event planning may not be the best career path for you. Plans can change on a whim, and you're going to need to deal with them as they come.
This is why some of the best event planners always have a backup plan or two in case things go wrong.
The florist may not have the flowers your client wants, but you have a handy list of similar-looking flowers that can work just as well. The band they want is booked, but you've read reviews about a similar band that people love just as much.
9. You're Patient and Calm
Event planning can be very rewarding, but at times it's going to be challenging.
You may have clients that aren't able to articulate what they truly want for their event. You may have to work with a vendor you don't particularly like because your client has their heart set on them.
Things will change, setbacks will happen, and you're going to have to stay calm throughout all of it. Having a clear head and calm heart can get you everywhere in the event planning industry.
10. You Can Prioritize Tasks
You may know how to make detailed to-do lists and can have an excellent eye for flair. But the true mark of being an excellent organizer is knowing how to prioritize tasks.
There are going to be times where you'll have to know when certain tasks will have to take priority over others. A big part of knowing when to do this is to know what matters the most to your clients.
Talk to your clients and have them tell you what aspects of the event matter the most to them. Some may be willing to sacrifice decor for good food and an open bar.
Know when certain tasks can wait, and when others are going to need to be fast-tracked.
3 Tips to Get Started in Event Planning
If you think you'd be a good fit for an event planning career, you may be thinking about ways to get started in the industry.
A lot of professional event planners have a bachelor’s degree in event planning.
College can be a great way to learn the ins and outs of event planning if you're serious about your career. However, if you're still on the fence about whether to make a career change, there are other ways you can get started in the industry.
If you're interested in jump-starting your career, make sure you follow these tips.
1. Consider Niches
The event planning profession is full of nuances and niches. Some people only plan certain kinds of events and finding your event niche can be helpful if you want to pursue event planning full time.
When you see yourself as an event planner, think about the kinds of events you're interested in planning.
Some people can see themselves as someone that specializes in planning large corporate events and fundraisers. Others may be more interested in planning weddings and personal parties.
2. Volunteer
Is there a cause or organization that you're interested in? Help out a cause that's meaningful to you and get event planning experience by volunteering for them.
A lot of charities and organizations rely on fundraisers and events to raise money. Taking time to volunteer can get you important event planning experience, and it can help a cause you hold dear to your heart.
If you don't have any causes in mind, consider practicing your event planning skills with friends and family.
Let people know that you're interested in event planning and let them know that you'd like to help them plan the next party or event they're posting.
3. Learn from the Masters
If you want to learn more about what it's like to be a professional event planner, take some time to learn from people in the industry.
Look for professional Meetup groups that meet up in your town or city. You'll be able to expand your local network and learn a bit about the event planning scene in your immediate area.
You may also want to consider going to larger professional conferences. Those conferences typically have helpful talks and seminars that can help you build important skills.
Start Your Career Today
An event planner career can be the job change you've been waiting for. We covered a lot in this post, but there are still plenty of other aspects of event planning we haven't touched on.
If you want to learn what it's like to really be an event planner in today's world, it's time to talk to the experts. Be sure to contact us today so we can help connect you with the right people in the industry.
