We’ve noticed that more and more of our students are setting up their own Event Management business or plan to do so once they’ve completed the course. If you’re bright, driven and tenacious then setting up your own business is a fantastic option for those who don’t want a boring 9-5 job.
Of course, it is also a big challenge and one of the biggest challenges facing new business owners is getting word out to potential clients about your services. Read on for our five top tips for anyone starting their own Event Management business.
1) Service with a smile
Good customer service is essential when you run your own business. In the same way you wouldn’t work front of house at an event without a smile on your face, think about the impression clients or potential clients you meet get of your businesses when they meet or work with you. If you are friendly, helpful and able to offer good advice you’ll build trust and clients will want to work with you.
2) What is the one thing you do better than anyone else?
Of course you need a whole raft of skills to work in event management and any one of our graduates have all they need to succeed. Yet, to stand out from the competition, figure out where your real strengths lie and use them to market yourself. If you’re the creative genius who creates the quirkiest decor themes make this a selling point. If you are king or queen of networking and can always find sponsorship for charity or corporate events, this is the thing you should shout about.
3) Get out there and talk to people
We’re sure you’ve heard this already: networking is fantastically important for event professionals and doubly so if you are running your own events business. Talk to people about your business and what you love doing. You need to make contact with potential clients and suppliers you can work with like caterers and venue managers. The more people who are talking about you positively the better!
4) Market your business
You are an event professional so you already know the value of marketing. Don’t underestimate how important this is for your business and look for low cost ways to start off. You’ll need a website with clear branding and great photographs. Look at using social media, advertising in local newsletters and magazines and even local radio adverts. What about a launch party for your event management business so you can demonstrate your expertise?
5) Get involved in volunteering projects
The most valuable form of marketing is word of mouth. How can you get people talking about you while you are still looking for those first clients? Look for opportunities to volunteer your time on projects that inspire you. If you make a good impression (see our first tip) then the people you work with will recommend you. Be clear how much you can offer as a volunteer and if more is requested, then you can start a conversation about your fees.
If you want to have a chat about other ways to get your career in events management off to a flying start why not get in touch? Contact us on 207 183 5129 or email
[email protected].
