How to Start a Home-Based Event Planning Business

by Jill Moran

• ISBN13: 9780762724864
• ISBN10: 0762724862
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2004-04-01
• Publisher: Globe Pequot

Summary

Are you the person who always organizes the family reunions, the friends' birthday parties, and the school fund-raisers? Have you thought about becoming an event planner but hesitated about putting your plans into action? This comprehensive guide contains all the necessary tools and strategies you will need to launch and grow a successful business.Author Jill S. Moran, a Certified Special Events Professional, shares her experiences and advice on every aspect of setting up and running a thriving home-based event planning business. From finding customers to staying in touch with the latest trends and techniques, her step-by-step methods are practical and easy to understand. She even includes "war stories" from other event planners so that you can avoid their mistakes! Make a career out of planning: Weddings - Birthday parties - Trade show events - Corporate outings - Award dinners - Fairs and festivals - Fund-raising events, and more Learn all about: Getting Clients and ReferralsOrganizing,Your BusinessMarketing Your TalentsSetting Your Rates and ServicesHiring Help and Getting PaidMaintaining a Steady Stream of WorkEducation and Training Use these special features and workbook pages: Ten Suggestions for SuccessSample Cash Flow ProjectionsSample Business PlanSample Event Budgets Sample Event Production SchedulesContract Essentials and Event EthicsThe Event Tool Kit

Author Biography

Jill Moran has been the owner of an event-planning business for more than thirteen years and has coordinated events throughout the United States and internationally for both corporate and social clients. She.is one of only 150 people worldwide who have earned the Certified Special Event Professional designation, and she is president of the New England branch of the International Special Event Society. She lives in Medfield, Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 So You Want to Get Serious about Planning Special Events?	1	(20)
Self-Assessment	1	(1)
The Ingredients of a Successful Event Planner	2	(1)
More Self-Assessment: What Do You Have? What Do You Need?	3	(2)
Laying the Foundation: Skills	5	(4)
Finding Your Niche: Types of Event Planning Services	9	(5)
The Pitfalls of Event Planning	14	(4)
The Challenges of Event Planning	18	(3)
Chapter 2 The Home Office	21	(6)
A Space of Your Own	21	(1)
Equipment and Technology	22	(1)
Office Supplies	23	(1)
Event Supplies	24	(3)
Chapter 3 Developing Your Business	27	(16)
Your Business Structure	27	(3)
Business Planning 101: Market Research	30	(3)
Business Planning 102: Selecting a Business Identity	33	(1)
The Business Plan	34	(6)
Setting Goals	40	(3)
Chapter 4 Dollars and Sense	43	(14)
Tracking Your Business	43	(4)
Show Me the Money: Pricing Your Services	47	(4)
Budgeting	51	(6)
Chapter 5 Marketing Your Services	57	(12)
Specialist or Generalist? Defining Your Position	57	(1)
Developing Your Marketing Materials	58	(3)
Developing a Marketing Plan	61	(8)
Chapter 6 Developing a Team	69	(12)
Support, Part I: Vendors	69	(2)
Support, Part II: Staffing	71	(5)
Working with Your Support Staff	76	(5)
Chapter 7 Legal and Ethical Issues	81	(16)
Liability	81	(2)
Contracts	83	(7)
Permits and Licenses	90	(1)
Insurance	91	(1)
Improving Your Risk Exposure	92	(2)
Event Ethics	94	(3)
Chapter 8 Planning Basics:
The Event Process from Proposal to Follow-Up	97	(1)
The Proposal	98	(9)
The Production Schedule	107	(3)
The Critical Elements of Every Event	110	(5)
Chapter 9 Social Celebrations: Weddings and More	115	(12)
The Joys of Planning Social Events	115	(2)
Social Planning Pitfalls	117	(1)
Tapping into the Social Planning Market	118	(2)
Social Planning Basics	120	(1)
Social Venues	121	(3)
Decor Basics	124	(3)
Chapter 10 Corporate Events	127	(10)
The Various Corporate Events	127	(1)
Familiarize Yourself with Your Clients	128	(3)
Events at Trade Shows	131	(2)
Current Trends in Corporate Events	133	(4)
Chapter 11 Nonprofit and Fund-Raising Events	137	(10)
Getting Your Foot in the Door	137	(3)
Nonprofit Event Basics	140	(2)
Celebrity Appearances	142	(5)
Chapter 12 Balancing Your Life	147	(14)
Home-Office Guidelines for You, Your Family, and Your Friends	148	(3)
Caring for Your Children While You Work	151	(2)
Priorities	153	(4)
More about Priorities	157	(2)
Support	159	(2)
Chapter 13 Being the Best: Education and Training	161	(9)
Formal Education	161	(1)
Professional Designations	162	(2)
More Ways to Refine Your Trade	164	(3)
Above and Beyond	167	(2)
What Else Is Out There?	169	(1)
Appendix A: School and Degree Programs	170	(10)
United States-Four-Year Programs	170	(3)
New England Schools (or Higher Education in the Meeting, Event, and Hospitality Industry	173	(5)
United States-Two-Year Programs	178	(1)
Australia	179	(1)
Canada	179	(1)
Great Britain	179	(1)
Korea	179	(1)
Appendix B: Earning Your Professional Certification	180	(13)
Association Designations	180	(1)
Exposition Designations	181	(1)
Speaker Designation	182	(1)
Event Management Designations	183	(2)
Destination Management Designations	185	(1)
Catering Designations	186	(1)
Consultant Designations	187	(1)
Travel Designations	188	(2)
Hospitality Designations	190	(3)
Appendix C: Recommended Reading	193	(2)
Index	195	(3)
About the Author	198