Event planning involves different types of skills that event planners need to master in order to be successful in the industry. The work isn’t easy. Every step of the way needs to be treaded carefully or else, all efforts put into the planning will go to waste. Nevertheless, there are still those who consider entering the business.
Choosing to be an event planner
There are many reasons why people want to be an event planner. For one, there are those who think that this is a glamorous job. They think that event planning would give them a bigger connection and influence in any industry.
There are also people who simply have a passion for event planning and they want to make a career out of it. Of course, let’s also not forget those who simply want to try it out for the experience. No matter the reason, one thing is for sure – any person who wants to enter the event planning business would want to stay on top of their game. They don’t want to fail and they want to be recognised above all. But in an industry that is very competitive, how do you usually stand out? How could you make yourself popular and how could you be a leader? Here are some ways that’ll truly make an impact.
- Be unique
Sounds easy, right? But really, very far from it. In a world where people might’ve seen it all already, creating an event that is the first of its kind is a tough job. This is where the creativity of an event planner should come in. An event planner should be to create something new that’d be a breath of fresh air to both attendees and exhibitors alike. It can be in the form of venue design, program arrangement, or even the breathers incorporated in the event that you’re going to organise. But whatever that is, it should make an impact and it should retain subliminally in the minds of the event participants. Together with this, you should be able to leave your signature behind. With one glance, this will remind people who attend your events over time that this is your work and will allow easier name-recall whenever necessary.
- Know how to adapt in the face of change
Nothing is permanent in this world except change. Cliché may it be, but this has never been more true in event planning. As an event planner, you should be able to stay on top of the latest trends, be able to embrace it and make it yours. It goes without saying that event planning is very dynamic and we don’t only mean the actual process of coordination. Different styles get old easily as new technologies are being discovered to make everything easier, smoother, and faster. If you’re not open-minded enough to improve your planning style with these changes, you’ll get left behind. This is why it’s important to stay updated. Research a lot and attend seminars about your craft whenever possible. Learn from colleagues and always go out of your comfort zone.
- Continuously improve with your clients
The only way you’ll learn and improve is by knowing where you’ve gone wrong. Who better to tell you that than your customers who’ve experienced firsthand what you have to offer. It can hurt sometimes, yes. But being able to accept constructive criticism and doing something about it is the best way to climb to the top. This can also give you an idea of what doesn’t work so you can continue to improve your succeeding events. Do this by getting customer feedback on every event, exhibition, and even conference that you organise.
- Make your clients your priority every single time
What’s wrong with many event planners nowadays, especially those with years in the industry, is that they think that they already know it all. They assume that they know best so they don’t really listen to what the customers want. Always keep in mind that the steady influx of customers is what will allow you to expand in the business so it’s important to prioritise their ideas and make it happen. Even if you think what they want is weird, you should be able to adopt it and make it work. This will make your client feel important and want to come back again. Also, in every event that you do, you should be able to anticipate your clients’ needs. This is one way to show them that you care and to build credibility that you know what you’re doing in this business.
In a business where competition is high, an event planning leader should always be on top of things and should be able to stand out. Always be updated and never be afraid to try new things. Otherwise, you’ll be left behind. Make sure to also partner with O2OEvents for a more efficient event planning service.
