Before we dive into today’s video on how to start an event planning career with no experience, I want to share a story with you. This took place when I was just getting started in event planning…
Way back in 2004, I was attending an event and met a woman who was tapped into the PR scene in the city where we both lived.
She had amazing connections and seemed to know everyone in town.
When she found out I was a “meeting planner” she mentioned that she’d been asked to promote an event and was curious about my services.
She invited me to have a drink with her to discuss the details and see if I’d be a good match for her clients.
Getting The Referral
After all, she wasn’t going to refer me if she wasn’t comfortable with me.
But, I didn’t have a business set up to promote (I was in the process but it wasn’t legit yet)
I said yes anyway. 😉
I was so nervous to meet her that I paced around my house for an hour and practiced saying (in$ert my fee here) into the mirror.
It seemed so ridiculous at the time.
But then I put mind over matter and focused on what I knew a lot about.
I showcased the events I’d worked on for other companies, for friends and family and at the end of our meeting I got up and left without knowing if I was going to get hired or even referred.
Then I decided to send a follow up email to thank her for meeting with me and to ask if she had any questions.
I didn’t hear back for 2 (very long!) days.
On the 3rd day I decided to follow up with her to see if she’d made a decision…
I GOT THE EVENT!!
That was the most excited I’ve ever felt.
I was doing my happy dance around the house (think Elaine from Seinfeld ;-)) and screaming with joy.
Seriously 🙂
But what really got me excited was the fact that I was persistent without being too sales-y and coming across as desperate.
Nobody likes sales-y
Or desperate.
How To Start an Event Planning Career
To this day, I always say, ‘Persistence Pays’.
This was what I needed all along.
Start Your Event Planning Career
How did I go from a newbie with no business knowledge to start an event planning career?
In today’s video on EventPlanning BlueprintTV, I share 3 strategies that you can use right now to start an event planning career with no experience.
From that day forward, I focused all my energy on meeting clients and following up with them to get the event planning job.
I built a recognized event planning business in my city and was known by my niche market because of the relationships I built.
This is how I sold all of my services via putting myself in the right place at the right time and doing whatever it took to meet the people I wanted to work with.
This is the key to how I’ve built my business.
Now that I’ve shared these 3 strategies with you (plus two bonus tips about following up and being persistent), I’d love to hear from you.
We’d love to hear from you
What are you doing to start an event planning career? Leave a comment below and let us know!
Thanks so much for reading, watching and joining me each week. If you like this post, please share it. 
To your success,
Hi!
Loved your video! I have been trying for about a year now to get volunteer experience in companies around my local city – as I am still at university I don’t have the time or facilities to travel around too much. However, I have been stumped with my lack of responses. Out of the hundred (yes, hundreds) of emails I have sent, offering my skills, time and fervour to volunteer within both big and small firms, I have received a mere handful of responses, all of which were rejections.
Fortunately I am tenacious and willing to keep applying as this would be my dream job – but would you have any advice on how to ‘convince’ an employer or firm to want your help? As I am offering my time free I’m baffled !
Thanks so much
Harriet Bridgeman
Hi Harriet,
It doesn’t surprise us that you had a lot of rejection letters or no response at all because, unless you have a relationship with the people you’re emailing, most/many will see your email as spammy. Think about how many emails people receive and how many people want something from the people they’re sending those emails to. Focus on building relationships with a handful of the people on your list so they get to know you and know what you’re capable of.
Good luck!
Hello, and good morning. My name is Courtney and I live in Chicago, Illinois. I have no experiences in event planning, but I’ve always done fancy parties and invited friends, family and coworkers. I have all these ideas and the more I create the more I put into it. Right now I’m planning a small event for my best friend’s 30th birthday party. The theme is Rose Gold and I made beautiful invitations, found a wonderful venue, and I even made a menu with a desert table. The more I plan this event the bigger it’s getting. I don’t know where this came from but I now have people coming to me and asking me to plan their children’s parties. That’s my first step, that’s my beginning. The more I do this the more passion I have for it. I won’t to let this go to waste andI want to make this into something and not just a hobby.
Sounds like so much fun, Courtney. It’s great that you’re finding your groove and what you’re passionate about. We’re happy to help you turn your hobby into more, so feel free to check out our online event planning courses at: http://eventplanningblueprint.com/courses/
Hi my name is Alicia and I want to be an event coordinator/planner. I’m so excited to furthering my career and make people’s dream party or event come true!
Hi Melanie
I’m looking to start a new career in the event planning industry. I do not have any previous experience but I feel I am creative. I do not know where to even begin to start but I wondered if you could give me some guidance of how I can achieve this? Starting at the bottom is fine with me if it means building up knowledge, I’m just not sure on how I go about all of this.
Would really appreciate your help.
Kind regards,
Alysha
Hey Alysha, it’s very exciting that you want to get started as an event planner. I’d recommend following the 3 tips in the video: 1) volunteer, 2) use your existing network, and 3) be willing to start at the bottom.
You’ll find we don’t complicate anything and if you use the tips we provide, you’ll see progress. It’s all about taking action!
Also, check out our online event course at: http://eventplanningblueprint.com/howtobeaneventplanner
Hello Melanie, I wish to begin a new career in event planning but I don’t have any experience. Please help me realise my dream. Beginning from the start is fine. I’d be truly grateful.
Hi Yvonne, thanks for reaching out. We have many blog posts dedicated to helping you get started and you can start with this one: http://eventplanningblueprint.com/your-10-steps-to-becoming-an-event-planner/
We also have an online course showing you how to become an event planner. You can learn more here: http://eventplanningblueprint.com/howtobeaneventplanner