How To Plan An Event: Your 7-Step Guide

Life as an event planner is full of rewarding moments. There are few things that are more satisfying than seeing a successful and perfectly orchestrated event unfold before your eyes. But a stellar event will not unfold on its own. The process starts and ends with a talented event planner who knows how to build a masterful experience for attendees. The best planners in the industry seem to do this effortlessly.

The truth is that there are many moving parts in the event planning process. Even if you are fairly new to the industry, you have probably discovered this. The good news is that you can join the ranks of the world's most skilled event planners by following some simple steps. Below is your 7-step guide to planning a stellar event.

Step 1: Determine the purpose of your event

In simple terms, event planning requires you to answer a series of "who, what, when, where, and why" questions. And this process begins by asking yourself why you are hosting the event. Knowing what you hope to achieve through your event will help you set objectives and maintain your focus.

Here are some of the most common reasons to have an event:

Step 2: Define Your Target Audience

The next phase of the planning process is to figure out who you want to attend your event. This "ideal guest list" is known as your target audience. Knowing who you would like to be present at your event allows you to customize your marketing strategy to cater to their needs and desires.

Sometimes defining your target audience can be harder than it sounds, especially if you are new to the event planning industry. For example, consider the general question: "Who do you want to attend your event?"

Let's take a look at some responses you could expect from new versus experienced event planners:

It can definitely be tempting to cast a large net to try to fill as many seats as possible. But the problem with this strategy is that you could end up wasting your time and money, even if your seats are full. If your goal is to sell a construction planning software and none of your attendees work in construction, all of your planning efforts will be in vain. A full house is worthless if no one from your target audience is present.

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Step 3: Set Your Budget

Now that you have set your goals and know your target audience, it is time to establish your budget. Your budget will determine what you can afford to do to make your event a success. In particular, it will help you choose your vendors and location. It will also help you determine your ticket price if you plan to charge admission. While there are many smaller expenses to consider, here are the top five costs to consider:

Now that you know the cost of holding your event, you need to set your ticket price. Overcharging or undercharging for an event could cause you to leave money on the table. Even worse, you could end up in the hole financially. Either way, a mistake with budgeting or ticket pricing could damage your reputation as an event planner.

Here are 3 tips to help you price your tickets correctly:

A final factor to consider when setting your budget and ticket price is discounted pricing. Many event planners offer discounts to people who purchase tickets in bulk. Another technique is to offer special early bird pricing to people who buy tickets well in advance. 

Step 4: Secure a Venue

Your choice of location could make or break your event. Choosing where you will hold your event without considering the needs of your target audience is a recipe for failure.

Generally speaking, there are four qualities that your event location should have:

As you compare options and negotiate with location managers, be sure to request a quote in writing. The quote you receive should clearly payment terms and all amenities included with your reservation. It should also include any extra charges that may apply if you fail to vacate the location according to the terms of your agreement. 

When you have narrowed your options to your top three or four choices, carve out some time in your schedule to visit each venue. Try to approach each site as if you are a member of your target audience.

Here are some questions to ask yourself as you visit each location:

Step 5: Develop a strategic marketing campaign

Now that you have determined who, what, when, where, and why your event will unfold, it is time to determine how you will promote it. Next to the location you choose, the marketing strategy you adopt will have the greatest impact on your turnout. 

Ideally, you will have plenty of time to develop and launch a superb marketing campaign. But even if you are tasked with putting together an event in a few weeks, you can still build a great campaign! Whether you plan to do the marketing on your own or outsource this task to an industry professional, there are some measures that will help you maximize results and fill seats fast.

Here are some tips to help you build an effective marketing campaign:

Step 6: Select your key vendors

The vendors you choose can help attendees remember your event as fantastic or a flop. From the caterer you choose to the printing company that finishes your attendee materials, vendors are critical to your attendees' overall experience at your event. While the vendors you need will depend on the type of event you host, there are some vendors who play a key role in nearly every type of event:

As in the case of venue evaluation, be sure to request a written quote from each vendor you consider. Failure to provide a written quote could be a red flag that the vendor is lacking in professionalism or follow through. 

Step 7: Begin building anticipation

Now that the lion's share of the planning process is well underway, it is time to generate enthusiasm about your event! Many people find this step to be the most rewarding part of the event planning process. You finally have the key pieces in place and can begin to share the exciting details about everything that is in store for prospective employees.

Here are a few tips to help you build anticipation in style:

When learning how to plan an event, what is the single best step you can take to plan a stellar event?

Learning from an industry expert is the single best way to master the art of event planning. Put yourself on the fast track to becoming a stellar event planner by attending this free event. We look forward to helping you realize your dreams of becoming a top event planner!