How to Start a Home Party Planning Business
If you're outgoing, organized and well-connected, an event-planning business may be the right one for you. You can start a party-planning business at home without a lot of overhead costs. It can take some time to get started, but as you plan more and more parties, you'll gain customers through word of mouth. Be sure to get things off to a solid start if you want to ensure success.
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Things You'll Need
- Theme book
- Business license or registration
- Insurance
- Datebook or datebook computer program
- Office space and office supplies
- Telephone (cell phone or land line)
Instructions
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Make connections with a number of party vendors. When you plan parties for others, you need to know whom to call for special services. Talk to caterers, musicians and DJs, photographers, videographers, entertainers and venue providers. You may also want to discuss mutual referrals--you'll refer party customers to their service, and they'll refer customers to your event-planning services.
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Design a theme book to show potential customers party ideas. Themes can encompass anything from a color to a specific historical period, such as a Victorian theme. A theme book should have pictures of what each type of party might look like as well as samples of invitations and linens. Of course, customers may want something unique, but a theme book will give them ideas. As you gain more customers, add their parties to your book.
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3
Create an organizational system with a computer program or a datebook. You may be working with several different customers at the same time, each having a number of different deadlines. Some prefer the traditional paper planner while others prefer a software program that can be used through a web-enabled cell phone. Think about which method will work best for you.
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Decide how you will charge for your services. You can charge on a per-event basis or a per-hour basis. Then decide on your rates. If you're charging on a per-hour basis, make sure to give customers an estimate of how long it will take you to do the work so that they are not surprised when they receive the bill.
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Get your legal matters in order. At the very least, you'll need to register your home-party planning business with the government. Check with local agencies to see if there are any additional regulations with regard to starting an event-planning business from home. You should also consider hiring a lawyer and talking to an insurance agent about covering your business.
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Advertise your party-planning services. Set up a website so that potential customers can find you online. Place ads in local newspapers and magazines. Ask local stores if you can place fliers in the store.
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Consider specializing in a certain type of event, such as weddings or children's birthday parties. If you are focused on a particular niche, potential customers may see you as the expert in that type of party.
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