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I want to be an event planner

So, we are trying to be very thrifty with our cash not so we can save up to buy a home as soon as possible. I have experience in the trade/event industry and am thinking of trying out freelance event planning (baby/bridal showers and possibly weddings) so we can have that extra income and i could have a fall back job if i end up out of work with babies! 

 

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get this started? I am thinking that i should start offering free services to build up my portfolio, but where can i find the brides/moms to be in order to tell them about my services?

 

Re: I want to be an event planner

  • You might try a church bulletin --- they usually sell ad space on the back. Or perhaps you can post it on a bulletin board.

    You could also put a flier on your car. I know a guy who does magician work -- mostly kids' birthday parties --- and that is how he gets the main amount of his clients.

    Give your cell phone only if you choose to stick a flier on your car.
  • Thanks! I really appreciate your help. I live in NJ and work in NYC so i think that flyers could be a great idea! I will most likely stick with an email address though because who knows who can grab a flyer and get my number! Once i find out it is a serious inquiry then i could give out the number.

     

    The church bulletin is a greta idea too! I am also trying to find some sort of blogs or websites where i can meet other girls getting married and talk to them about my services. 

  • This sounds like a really fun potential job! Let me tell you, there are times I wished I had a wedding planner for all those tiny details! I hope you are a detail-oriented person! And fun too. You have to have lots of fun! Good luck and keep us posted!
    Anniversary
  • Do you have any idea on what you have to do financially to set up a business?

     You can't just earn money from home and take that to the bank. To be an actual business operating for profit you have to register your business and pay taxes. If you're serious about working for yourself, I highly recommend checking out some books on how to start your own business - the financial advice alone is necessary for truly understanding the full scope. I also recommend writing up a business plan so that you have a solid idea of how much work will go into it and what your goals are.

    Speaking from experience, I hated freelancing. I'm a graphic designer and worked from home for a year and a half. The paperwork was a big hassle and there were occasions clients didn't pay me (really heartbreaking that I took them to court, won the case and STILL didn't get paid). There are ups to it of course, but just be aware there are also downs. 

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  • I'd recommend starting a blog with event planning tips and also posts about events you've planned with PLENTY of pictures for folks to pin on Pinterest! Name the blog what you eventually want to name your company. Broadcast it on Facebook and create a Facebook page to compliment your blog. In the beginning you could do events pro bono so you could build up a portfolio and have events to write about on your blog. Good luck!  
  • All above suggestions are very good that you can actually implement but I would say first go and try to attend as much as function you can; try to talk with the people there about your business give them some free service as you are in your initial stage; maintain contact with them and so you will automatically get your clients on the basis of word of mouth publicity.
  • I did start my own wedding planning company as a side job, feel free to send me a personal message with your email and I'll get in touch!

    I would suggest not doing anything for free, but to get a sense for pricing in your area and offer a low rate.  Decide if you'd do an hourly rate or a flat fee.  

    Talk to other event professionals in your area and see what they did in the beginning to get their name out there.  Look into free networking events in your area. 

    Best of luck! 

  • I would see if there are any networking groups in your area you could join. There are a lot of groups in my area, they meet for breakfast once a week, mingle, and they go around the room and give a 2 or 3 minute talk on their business. The goal is to teach other people how to promote your business. 
    Please pass the ice cream.
  • All the advice that's been given seems really great. I was going to add that maybe once you do get a little experience that maybe you could add your information of your business to The Knot? Not exactly sure how you go about adding a vendor and stuff on there, but I'm sure that would really help out, especially if your prices are still sorta cheaper than most planners. A lot of brides on there are looking for really cheap ways to save, so maybe you'd stand out on there. :) Good luck!
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