A party coordinator is a person that oversees and plans all aspects of a party or celebration. While this job may sound like fun, it is also a weighty responsibility. Party coordinators must perfectly execute their client's desires, attend to every detail, and ensure the event runs as seamlessly as possible on the big day. If you enjoy organizing parties, have a talent for coordination, and know work with all kinds of people and personalities, party planning may be the career for you. Here's get started.
Instructions
1. Decide what kind of party coordinator you want to be. There is a broad range of social events that may require the services of a party coordinator: weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, bar mitzvahs, graduations, and so on. Think about the kinds of events your interest and talent would make you most suited to plan. Consider whether you would rather generalize (coordinate parties of various natures) or specialize (focus on one type of event).
2. Consider getting a degree/certificate in event management. Planning social events for other people is not like planning personal parties. Taking the time to become educated about the business of party planning can help you avoid a myriad of novice mistakes and give your credentials a boost. Many local colleges offer courses in event planning, and there are even online courses available (see Resources below).
3. Develop a business plan. Unless you intend to work for an already-established party coordinator, you should write out a plan for your business. In creating this plan, you should determine your start-up costs, how you will finance your business, and perform a break-even analysis (approximately by when you should make a profit). It should also include a name for your business, a venue and a description of how it will be structured and managed.
4. Scout for Work. If you wish to work for another party coordinator before striking out on your own, try to find an internship to build experience. You can find established party coordinators on the Internet, in local telephone books or at your local chamber of commerce. Call the coordinators in which you have an interest and ask if they are interested taking you on as a free intern for a period of months (be sure that your resume is fully up-to-date as potential employers will want to see it). On the other hand, if you would like to start your own party planning business right away, ask family, friends and even acquaintances if they would be interested in your services as a party planner. You may even take on your first few jobs for minimal pay or for free in exchange for a reference.
5. Build a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of photographs, brochures and letters of reference that document your experience as a party planner. Create a portfolio to show clients samples of parties that you have organized, and the degree of customer satisfaction. If you have no experience other than your own parties that you planned (such as your wedding), build your initial portfolio with pictures of those events.
6. Network. Purchase business cards, develop a website and start marketing yourself as a party planner. Talk about your business and experience with friends and acquaintances, and hand out your business cards (keep some with you at all times). Learn optimize your website for search-engines so that it will get a high number of hits. Join organizations such as the International Special Events Society.
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