How To Start An Event Planning Business With No Money

How To Start An Event Planning Business With No Money

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Event planning is a business that does not require a large initial investment, but that doesn’t mean you will be able to get away without any money at all. An event planning business usually costs between $15,000 – $25,000. Event planners can start with very little cash and build up from there as they develop their businesses. Even if you have no money when you launch your event planning business, it’s possible to find ways to grow your revenue quickly enough to have enough resources to keep going.

To start an event planning business with no money, first research your target market, start volunteering for public event planning, and begin networking with locals and partnering with companies in the process; then, create your portfolio so you can start marketing your work.

Research Your Target Market

How To Start An Event Planning Business With No Money

Once you know what type of event planning business you want to start, it’s time to research your target market.

Although this may seem like an obvious first step, many people skip this step because they don’t realize just how important it is. If you don’t know who your potential customers are and what they want, how can you create a product or service that will help them? That’s why it’s so important that you do as much research as possible before starting a business in any industry.

What to include in your research:

  • Demographics: Who is my ideal clientele? Your ideal client can include age range, gender, and race/ethnicity. Anything that helps determine who will be attending events related to my chosen niche (for example: if I’m planning baby showers for expectant mothers at hospitals). It would help if you also considered factors such as income level.
  • Engage with your audience: Once you’ve determined your ideal audience, it’s time to start engaging with them! You can join online communities related to your niche and post relevant updates on their interests. This will help build trust with potential clients as they understand you and what you’re all about.
  • Determine the best methods to meet their needs: Once you’ve identified the needs of your audience, you’ll need to determine the best way to meet those needs. For example, if an individual is interested in having a birthday party but doesn’t like any of your themes, offer them a custom theme created by you. Once you both feel comfortable with what you’re offering them, they’ll be more likely to make a purchase.
  • Trends: Trends are important in staying on top of your game. Whether it’s new technology or a new way to communicate with clients, trends can help your business stay relevant and competitive in the marketplace. Keep an eye on what’s happening around you, and make sure that you take advantage of any opportunities that may arise from these changes.
  • Research your primary competitors: This may seem overkill if you’re new to the business. But it’s good to know what your competitors are doing if you want to be successful and stay ahead of the curve. You can use social media tools like Facebook or Twitter to find out what kind of content they share with their followers and if you can do something similar.

Volunteer for Public Event Planning

Volunteering for public event planning is one of the easiest ways to get started as an event planner. There are many different types of events that a non-profit organization may need help with, including:

  • Fun run 5K events
  • Health fairs and wellness fairs
  • Concerts and festivals

Some of these events may be part of a larger community festival or celebration. In that case, there will be additional opportunities for you to volunteer. If not, volunteering with one organization will probably lead to others who need your services!

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Network

When you’re starting a new business, it can be tough to get your name out there. The best way to start is by building relationships with people who already know you—and believe in what you’re doing.

If your friends and family don’t seem interested in helping with your plan (you should probably ask them anyway), reach out to people at work or in the community who might be open to talking with an aspiring entrepreneur. They may not be interested in hiring you as a planner, but they’ll probably be happy to share their contacts with you.

Ask for referrals from clients who’ve hired event planners before; chances are they know someone else who could also use professional planning services. You can also attend networking events like a chamber of commerce mixers and trade association meetings. Business owners gather specifically to make new contacts and build relationships with other industry members (this is where I met most of my first few clients).

Use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, as well as blogging about your business so that prospective customers can learn more about your services.

Create a Portfolio

Creating a portfolio of past events is important because it gives you credibility and shows prospective clients that you’ve worked with other companies, know what you’re doing, and can deliver on your promises.

How can you create a portfolio?

  • Create a website: The first thing you’ll want to do is create a website for your business. You can use WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace or create one from scratch using HTML and CSS. These websites have easy-to-use templates. Make sure that the site has your contact information and work samples, so people can see what kind of events you’ve planned in the past and get an idea of how much skill you have.
  • Create a blog on your site: Start by posting some stories about past events that went well, so potential clients know what planning style works best for them before booking with someone new who could be too similar or too different from themselves, personally speaking.
  • Simplicity: Keep your website easy to navigate and simple. If you have a lot of content, make sure it’s organized in a way that makes sense for your potential clients. Include information about pricing, availability, and how to contact you.

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Partner With Other Businesses

How To Start An Event Planning Business With No Money

The easiest way to get your name out there is by partnering with other businesses in the area. This can be as simple as offering them a discount for using your services and helping them promote their events, or it can be as involved as providing an all-inclusive package. Partnering with other businesses allows you to offer more than just event planning—you’ll also be able to provide catering and decorations, helping your clients save money on those aspects of their event.

You may be able to barter for services with some companies or offer them a discount on your services in exchange. This will allow both businesses to benefit from the partnership, giving you more exposure and allowing you to open new revenue streams.

Marketing

It would help if you also thought about marketing. You can’t just sit on your butt and wait for people to come knocking. Get a great website, create a social media presence, find mentors, and use your network.

Using a Facebook or Pinterest business page can boost your business’s popularity. When people can connect with you online, connecting with you in person will be easier, especially if you bring their vision to life.

Online ads are another way to market your business. If you have a website, then you can use Google AdWords and Facebook ads to attract people who are interested in what you offer. This can be a great way to reach customers who live far away or aren’t part of your immediate network.

Marketing your event planning business is key to success. The more you can do to promote yourself and your services, the better off you’ll be. If you have little or no money, there are still plenty of ways to market yourself without spending a lot. Start by reaching out to other businesses in your area or those who might be interested in partnering with another company for an event planning project together. 

Another option is volunteering at public events such as marathons, parades, etc., which will allow potential clients to see how much work goes into producing these events and help build up some credibility by proving that their services were needed!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I become an event planner?

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To become an event planner, you will typically need a bachelor’s degree in business, communications, or similar. Entry-level positions often require individuals to have a degree, but those without one may be able to qualify if they demonstrate experience in the field.

What is the best niche in event planning?

The best niches in event planning include corporate and seminar planning, charity and non-profit planning, conference planning, wedding planning, festival planning, and birthdays. Those with higher salaries and expectations usually pay for the events.

Is event planning profitable?

Event planning can be profitable depending on your location. You can make up to $60k annually in event planning. Of course, depending on the number of clients you want to serve, you can make more as you grow.

To learn more on how to plan your own event planning business click here!

Please note that the contents of this blog are for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Any action taken based on the information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk. Additionally, all images used in this blog are generated under the CC0 license of Creative Commons, which means they are free to use for any purpose without attribution.