How to Start a Home-Based Event Planning Business

by Jill S. Moran

Overview

Event planning continues to be a thriving business area for the motivated entrepreneur. Jill S. Moran is a certified special events professional with twenty-five years of experience in the field and the owner of an award-winning event-planning company. This fourth edition of her popular book includes updated ideas about creating business plans, balancing home and work, building a client base, and a more in-depth discussion on the role of social media in your event planning business.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493011704
Publisher:	Taylor Trade Publishing
Publication date:	07/02/2015
Series:	Home-Based Business Series
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Jill S. Moran, CSEP, is owner and president of jsmoran special events, an award-winning event planning and management company, and executive director of the Special Events Institute, an online educational program for event professionals. She has coordinated events throughout America and internationally for both corporate and social clients. The author of the top-selling How to Start a Home-Based Wedding Planning Business, she was nominated in 2006 and 2007 as Best Wedding Planner by CBS4 A-List. She lives in Medfield, Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1	So You Want to Get Serious about Planning Special Events?	1
	Self-Assessment	1
	The Ingredients of a Successful Event Planner	2
	More Self-Assessment: What Do You Have? What Do You Need?	3
	Laying the Foundation: Skills	5
	Finding Your Niche: Types of Event Planning Services	9
	The Pitfalls of Event Planning	14
	The Challenges of Event Planning	18
Chapter 2	The Home Office	21
	A Space of Your Own	21
	Equipment and Technology	22
	Office Supplies	23
	Event Supplies	24
Chapter 3	Developing Your Business	27
	Your Business Structure	27
	Business Planning 101: Market Research	30
	Business Planning 102: Selecting a Business Identity	33
	The Business Plan	34
	Setting Goals	40
Chapter 4	Dollars and Sense	43
	Tracking Your Business	43
	Show Me the Money: Pricing Your Services	47
	Budgeting	51
Chapter 5	Marketing Your Services	57
	Specialist or Generalist? Defining Your Position	57
	Developing Your Marketing Materials	58
	Developing a Marketing Plan	61
Chapter 6	Developing a Team	69
	Support, Part I: Vendors	69
	Support, Part II: Staffing	71
	Working with Your Support Staff	76
Chapter 7	Legal and Ethical Issues	81
	Liability	81
	Contracts	83
	Permits and Licenses	90
	Insurance	91
	Improving Your Risk Exposure	92
	Event Ethics	94
Chapter 8	Planning Basics: The Event Process from Proposal to Follow-Up	97
	The Proposal	98
	The Production Schedule	107
	The Critical Elements of Every Event	110
Chapter 9	Social Celebrations: Weddings and More	115
	The Joys of Planning Social Events	115
	Social Planning Pitfalls	117
	Tapping into the Social Planning Market	118
	Social Planning Basics	120
	Social Venues	121
	Decor Basics	124
Chapter 10	Corporate Events	127
	The Various Corporate Events	127
	Familiarize Yourself with Your Clients	128
	Events at Trade Shows	131
	Current Trends in Corporate Events	133
Chapter 11	Nonprofit and Fund-Raising Events	137
	Getting Your Foot in the Door	137
	Nonprofit Event Basics	140
	Celebrity Appearances	142
Chapter 12	Balancing Your Life	147
	Home-Office Guidelines for You, Your Family, and Your Friends	148
	Caring for Your Children While You Work	151
	Priorities	153
	More about Priorities	157
	Support	159
Chapter 13	Being the Best: Education and Training	161
	Formal Education	161
	Professional Designations	162
	More Ways to Refine Your Trade	164
	Above and Beyond	167
	What Else Is Out There?	169
Appendix A	School and Degree Programs	170
	United States--Four-Year Programs	170
	New England Schools for Higher Education in the Meeting, Event, and Hospitality Industry	173
	United States--Two-Year Programs	178
	Australia	179
	Canada	179
	Great Britain	179
	Korea	179
Appendix B	Earning Your Professional Certification	180
	Association Designations	180
	Exposition Designations	181
	Speaker Designation	182
	Event Management Designations	183
	Destination Management Designations	185
	Catering Designations	186
	Consultant Designations	187
	Travel Designations	188
	Hospitality Designations	190
Appendix C	Recommended Reading	193
	Index	195
	About the Author	198