What Does it Take to Be a Great Event Planner
Being paid to organise parties and events might seem like a dream job, and in many ways it is. It’s a fast-paced industry where you get to meet lots of interesting people and no two days are the same. But not everybody is cut out to be a good event planner and some of the traits needed to be one can’t be bought. In this article, we’re going to give you some of the traits and qualities needed to be a great event planner.
Interpersonal skills
If you’re not a people person and have more of a reserved attitude, then this might not be the job for you. You’ll have to work with people from all walks of life, organise team members, and know how to listen and cater to your clients’ needs. You also need a positive disposition, know how to get people on board, and defuse conflicts between members of your team when needed.
Organisational skills
As an event planner, you must learn how to multi-task. You’ll have to keep track of multiple vendors and deadlines, making adjustments to your to-do lists, all while keeping your client happy. You may also need to organise multiple events at once.
Energetic
Event planners must motivate their team and maintain a high level of energy to perform their tasks. Organising events can be very challenging mentally and physically, so if you aren’t an energetic person, you may have trouble being an efficient event planner.
Great attention to detail
If you want events to run smoothly, then attention to detail is important. Many people may have a tendency to focus on the big picture and might delegate more tedious tasks to other people. But one small mistake could completely ruin an event. If you aren’t attentive to details and don’t know how to oversee tasks without micromanaging, then you won’t make it as an event planner.
Networking Ability
Making it in the event planning business requires much more than personal skills. You have to know how to build a network as well. In this industry, you must build relationships with all types of professionals and industry experts. The events industry is one of the most collaborative and social around. If you don’t know how to network, you must learn how to integrate this skill before you think about becoming an event planner.
You must be resourceful and build a solid list of providers in your industry. If you organise summer parties, for instance, be familiar with the top venues in your areas. This way, you’ll always have the perfect venue in mind for any type of event, whether someone is looking for a location for a dinner party, dance event, or a venue that allows live performances.
Flexible
I’m pretty sure you’re already familiar with the phrase “if it can go wrong, it will”. And there’s nowhere where this is truer than in the events industry. If you crumble under pressure and don’t have a contingency plan for any issue, you’ll have a hard time in this business. You need to not only plan for every possible issue but also be able to make adjustments on the fly when needed.
Tech savvy
There was a time when tech solutions were only used as support tools in the events industry. Now technology plays a central role in every aspect of our lives, and event planning is no different. These days, event planners must juggle a variety of event management software solutions.
Creativity
There are times when event planning is very straightforward. The client might have a clear idea of what they want and how they want it executing. In other cases, your input could actually make the event stand out. For example, if you are planning a charity event, you might be able to suggest that your client takes a look at a site like SleekWristbands.com to get some custom wristbands to give attendees to remember the charity by, which they might not have even considered doing. Being creative will set your events apart and build your reputation as an event planner.
Leadership
Being a good leader is essential if you want to make it as an event planner. Don’t mistake leadership with being bossy. Good leaders lead by experience. They can identify the strengths and weaknesses of their team members, and delegate small tasks to junior members of the team. They also know how to praise their team members when they do something well and deal with those who are not carrying their part of the load.
Conclusion
Becoming an event planner is about more than being a social butterfly. If you think you have what it takes, make sure that you gain the proper experience and get a few events under your belt before striking out on your own. Work with an experienced event planner and learn the skills you need from them. Remember that it takes time to build a list of valuable contacts.
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