Some of you may wonder 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 party, business and event planning industry exceed $500 billion (Source: International Society for Special Events). Anyone entering this industry has a wide range of options available to them and a huge market to tap into.

Estimated start-up costs:
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 sort. If you intend to cater as one of your event planning jobs, then clearly you will 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 entrepreneurs 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 owners 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, management, 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 visual presentation. You will probably see good results by joining networking groups and your local chamber of commerce. Word of mouth will be essential in the early phases while working with the public, but you will need a completely 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 a cheap but 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 swipe of organization, but it doesn’t require a lot of start-up capital. This is very lucky 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 income potential of learning 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 your first three years. However, like any business, you will only succeed 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.