Home Based Business Event Planner

The title "Event Planner" covers a range of home based business niches. You can specialize in

• Business events, such as conferences, meetings, seminars, fundraisers, and so on.
• Personal or social events, such as parties, weddings, reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, and so on.
• Or, you can run a full-service business.

Events require planning and can be time-consuming. Individuals and businesses hire event planning companies to relieve the pressure of coordinating all the activities to make an event successful. You can develop a successful home based business as an event planner.

The industry is growing. There may be several businesses in your area performing this service but you can build a referral network that will provide you with contacts to make this a profitable home based business.

What does it take for this business?

This home based business requires excellent organization and communication skills. You must be detail-oriented and have strong project management skills. You also need a network of reliable vendors.

What does it take to operate this business?

You should set up a separate space for your home based business office.

The start-up cost for this business ranges from $500 to $1500; more if you need a delivery van.

Basic equipment and supplies include:

• Computer
• Printer
• Fax
• Cellular phone/pager
• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
• Business phone line
• Contact Management or Database software
• Word processing software
• Spreadsheet software
• Business stationery, cards
• Brochures

Review the resources for this home based business here.

What services do I provide?

Some of the services include:

• Design a them for the event
• Find a site for the event
• Arrange for food
• Plan and arrange decorations
• Plan and arrange entertainment
• Provide transportation to and from event
• Plan guest list
• Select invitations
• Send invitations
• Coordinate responses
• Arrange accommodations, if needed
• Coordinate all activities
• Provide on-site supervision of event
• Conduct evaluations of event

What are my potential earnings?

$45,000 to $100,000 +

How much do I charge for my services?

Hourly rates range from $25 to $50 for small events; 15 to 20 percent of total event cost for large events.

How do I bill for my services?

You present your client with an itemized bill for services rendered. You may want to contract for services and collect a deposit. Vendor bills should be promptly presented to the client for payment.

How do I market my business?

Offline

• Purchase ads in local and community newpapers.
• List your home based business services in the Yellow Pages.
• Present seminars to business and professional organizations and to groups at churches and community centers.
• Purchase ads in business publications.
• Write articles on event planning for local and community newspapers.
• Create brochures and place in related businesses, such as bakeries, florists, party stores, hotels, and so on.
• Network with professional and business organizations in your community.
• Encourage friends, family, and previous clients for referrals.
• Create a portfolio of events you have planned.
• Issue a press release.
• Contact businesses in your area.
• List your Web site in print businesses, professional, and trade journals.

Online

• Create an informative Web site listing your home based business services and include tips for parties, meetings, and so on.
• Display pictures of events you have planned.
• List your Web site in online directories.
• Issue an online press release.
• Link your Web site to related businesses.
• Link your Web site to local sites in your community.
• Publish client testimonials on your Web site.
• Participate in newsgroups and discussion forums related to your target market.
• Contribute articles to e-zines and online publications.

If you are well organized and can get long with people, you can be successful as a home based event planner. You can review resources for this home based business here.