Your Guide To Starting An Events Business (And Why Now Is A Great Time) 

Your Guide To Starting An Events Business (And Why Now Is A Great Time) | It’s safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot about the event planning industry. Suddenly, events had to be moved online or cut down dramatically in size. And as more people got used to a virtual option, many were left wondering if events would ever regain the size and flair that they had before social distancing. 

As in-person events start to return, the questions of many event planners are being answered, and worries are being eased. People are showing excitement and anticipation to get back to attending events — from large-scale ones like music festivals and concerts to smaller ones like art workshops and markets.

The enthusiasm for events makes it a great time for aspiring event planners to enter the market with fresh, creative ideas that follow social distancing guidelines and ease people’s sanitation concerns while still being fun and inviting. It’s a great time for event planners to find something that works and dive in. 

Let’s discuss how to start an event planning business.

Step 1: Develop an Idea

It’s a great time for event planners to get creative. And that means you can develop something that is interesting and out of the box. Sure, event planning is a popular and lucrative choice, but there are many other options as well. For example, you could create an outdoor excursion coordination business, a touchless photobooth or custom-made sanitizing stations. Pick something that excites you, and that will excite your potential customers as well. 

Step 2: Develop a Plan

Once you’ve got your seed of an idea, a business plan will help it bloom. Writing a business plan means doing market research to analyze your potential market and competitors, projecting startup costs and projected income, writing your mission statement and figuring out the logistics. This is a crucial step to complete early on, as it will help guide all of your subsequent choices as you work to actually develop your business. We’ve developed an event planning startup checklist that can help you keep track of those early to-dos. 

Step 3: Create Your Branding  

Branding will be how potential customers recognize (and remember!) your business. So you don’t want to cut corners. Pick a name that is memorable and catchy, and that accurately portrays what you provide. Then, pick a logo and color scheme that is pleasing and inviting. Customers will be more drawn to something that is beautiful and well thought out. 

Step 4: Protect Yourself

For business owners, an enterprise is almost like a child. You want to make sure that something you’re putting so much work, effort and love into will be protected and ready to thrive. Therefore, you need to check with state and federal agencies to make sure you get the correct registration. Then, protect yourself by investing in business insurance and other safeguards in the event that an accident occurs. 

Step 5: Start Networking

With all the logistics out of the way, you can start to network and market your business. Attending trade shows, getting on social media and contributing to blogs or other event publications can help potential customers see your offerings. Try to connect with as many people as possible in the early days, and showcase why your business is the best choice for their event. 

Step 6: Host an Event 

Finally, the fun part! With all the logistics squared away, it’s time to throw your first event. To get ready for the big day, we’ve included an event checklist that can help you coordinate planning and day-of logistics. Though your first event may be scary, remember that you’ve worked hard to get to that point and that you’re prepared to take the plunge. So have fun with it!

Now is a great time to experiment with events. Developing something fun, interesting and unique can help you get your foot in the door and create something that people will be interested in for years to come.