Are you that person in your friend group when it’s time to organise a get together whether it be a dinner with friends, coordinate a family gathering or a big birthday bash or coordinate a family gathering? Maybe you’ve got a knack for nailing down the perfect venue, an eye for stunning decorations, or just love the overall thrill of watching an event come together seamlessly. If any of this sounds like you, then event planning might just be the side hustle that you never knew you truly needed.
So why event planning? Event planning is a whole lot more than just throwing a great party. It’s about creating experiences and memories for people. Whether it happens to be a small family gathering, a chic corporate event, or an extravagant wedding, being at the helm of an event that brings people joy is immensely rewarding. It’s important to remember that this is not an online side hustle, you will be doing a lot of in-person work. But that’s hardly a negative, many of you will see that as a huge plus.
Moreover, the overall demand for event planners is always robust. People are continually celebrating something whether that be birthday’s, gatherings, engagements – you name it! And let’s be completely honest, not everyone has the knack, patience, or time to organise a gathering that involves more than a few people. That’s where you will come in.
So How Do You Get Started?
Starting out in event planning doesn’t necessarily require a formal background. Many successful planners will begin with informal experiences like throwing parties for friends or organising office events, we have some top tips on how to get started up. While formal education isn’t a must, having some form of training can give you a leg up. Consider some online courses on platforms like Udemy or Coursera that focus on specific event planning, project management, or even floral design. Knowledge is power, and the more that you know, the more overall confidence you will feel.
Like starting up any business or most types of side hustles, one of the best tips that you can take is building up a portfolio. Make sure to start small, offer to perhaps organise events for family and friends. Document everything right from initial plans and budgets to the event setup all the way to the final execution. Use these as case studies. Photos and testimonials from these events. This will be crucial for building up your portfolio.
You need to learn to network like a pro. Event planning truly thrives on connections. Attend some industry meetups, join local business groups, or get involved in community events. The more people that you know, the more potential clients that you can reach. Plus, relationships with vendors like caterers, venue owners, and decorators will be more invaluable than you think. As well as being a networking pro, you need to consider how you’re going to form a strong online presence, in today’s digital age it’s a huge must. Work towards creating a professional looking website showcasing your portfolio, services and customer testimonials. Utilise social media to spread the word and engage with potential clients. Platforms like Instagram are the perfect tool for visual businesses like event planning.
Challenges To Expect
Of course, let’s not sugarcoat it, event planning is not all roses and sunshine. It comes with its challenges just like anything else in life. One of the issues you should be ready to face is demanding clients, some clients can be quite demanding or have expectations that aren’t easy to meet. Clear communication and contact agreements from the get-go which can save you a lot of headaches. Another issue that you might stumble upon is the issue of time management. Being able to balance a side hustle with a full time job or any other types of responsibilities requires impeccable time management. You might find yourself having to make little sacrifices, like giving up a few weekends or evenings. Of course, no event can go off without a hitch. A vendor might bail at the very last minute, or the weather might not cooperate. Being able to think on your feet and handle stress is crucial.
So What Are The Benefits?
Despite the challenges , the rewards of event planning are many. There’s the obvious financial benefit, but there’s also the emotional gratification. Watching people truly enjoy the fruit of your efforts is incredibly satisfying. Plus, every successful event is a potential lead to a new client. Word of mouth is powerful in this industry.
So, just how lucrative is event planning as a side hustle? It really depends on your location, the scale of the events, and your negotiation skills. Typically, event planners charge either a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of the total spent cost. As you gain more experience overtime and your network begins to flourish and grow, thats when you can start charging more.
Just one successful wedding can fetch a handsome amount, often more than what many people make in a month at a regular job. And as you streamline your process and build relationships with suppliers, your profit margins can improve significantly.
So, if you love organising, meeting new people, and are looking for a side hustle that can potentially turn into a full-time career, event planning could be perfect for you. It’s one of those rare gigs that doesn’t just pay the bills but also fills the soul. Sure, it might have its moments that test your patience and creativity, but that’s all part of the fun right?
Just remember that the best way to start is just to simply start, to just get up and do it! So, dive straight in, plan that first event (even if it’s just a small one) and build from there. The road from side hustle to being a full on career is not always a smooth and straightforward road, but with event planning, the journey is as festive as the destinations will be! Happy Planning!Â
