Some of you may be wondering why learning How to Become a Party and Event Planner would be of interest to anyone. But, if you have always dreamed of owning your own business and having the freedom that comes with it, then you will definitely be interested in the event planning industry. Worldwide, annual sales generated in the event, business and party planning industry exceed $500 billion (Source: International Special Events Society). Anyone entering this industry has a wide range of options available to them and a huge market to tap into.

Estimated start-up costs:
The start-up costs to become a party and event planner are relatively low, but will depend on the services you intend to offer. For most, essential equipment includes: cell phone, laptop, business cards, yellow pages ads, and a good organizer of some kind. If you intend to offer catering as one of your event planning jobs then you will clearly need a fully equipped kitchen, but it is possible to outsource this function if you are coordinating the entire event. Basic start-up costs, including a rough estimate for liability insurance, would be less than $2500 if you did your homework and found a few deals along the way.

Recommended experience, skills and training:
Although college degrees are available for an event planner, most employers within the industry do not have one. Most business owners started out in business meeting planning or catering and expanded into event planning. However, many homeowners have attended classes and become certified. In addition to education, learning to become a party and event planner includes experience in the following areas: marketing, accounting, administration, and sales.

Marketing tip:
To gain credibility as a competent event planner, it is imperative that you present a professional image at all times. All your invoices, emails, business cards and correspondence must bear your company logo and have continuity in the visual presentation. You will likely see good results by joining networking groups and your local chamber of commerce. Word of mouth will be critical in the early stages as you work with the public, but you’ll need a thoroughly professional image and marketing strategy to land corporate accounts.

Building a website and filling it with lots of useful content will earn you high search engine rankings and give you a powerful marketing tool to help promote your business. Be sure to include a link to this website in all your emails and correspondence as an inexpensive yet effective way to drive traffic to your site. Finally, use direct mail campaigns to local businesses that include some type of promotion or discount for using your services.

Funding sources:
Learning how to become a party and event planner takes years of experience and a bit of organizing, but it doesn’t require a lot of startup capital. This is very fortunate because most banks won’t lend you the money anyway if it’s a new business. But, if you already own a catering business and are simply looking to diversify your services, then your local bank is definitely an option. For everyone else, consider your friends and family if you don’t already own a computer or don’t have the cash.

Income Potential:
The earning potential of apprenticeship for an event planner is only limited by your ability to sell yourself and your services to clients. With over $500 billion dollars at stake, there’s no reason you can’t see six figures in the first three years. However, like any business, you will only be successful if you provide unparalleled service time and time again. But, if you love planning an event and seeing people happy, then becoming a party and event planner is for you and a path to financial independence.