The application of project management can be described as event management. The work of an event manager is to organize different types of events like ceremonies, concerts, corporate events and so on.
Successful Event Management has three subdivisions.
- Planning
- Arranging
- Executing
Planning
This is the backbone of the entire event and helps you move forward with a timeline and goals to achieve. So what does the planning process comprise of?
- Setting the objectives and goals
- Initiate a budget
- Get a team
- Select the venue and time
- Brand your event
- Plan the event
- Get sponsors and technical goods
- Keeping alternatives ready
If you have these covered in your planning session then you are ready to go.
Arranging
Now the next step is arranging for all the things that you planned.
- Food department
- Technical department
- Sending invites
- Decoration team
- Transportation
- Refreshments and entertainment
- Funding committee
Execution
The last and final step towards your goal. This phase is very important and affects your overall event. This stage also determines your capability of producing successful events and fetches your future customers too.
What are the skills that you need to be an event manager?
- Organization skills – Event management means looking at every aspect of an event. This includes the decorations, food, budget, venue and timing among others. So many components need to be dealt with simultaneously and has to be delivered before deadline.
- Communication – Communication is very important to know what your client wants. You should be also able to communicate your views and ideas clearly so that it results in a successful event.
- Problem-solving – It goes without saying that any kind of problem can occur out of nowhere and also sometimes last minute. One should have the correct mindset to immediately come up with an alternative or already have your alternatives ready. If you panic, its going to get difficult.
- Negotiation and budgeting – Strategizing and communicating is very important for negotiating and you should have strong skills in that department. Budgeting is vital as it helps you move forward with the rest of the event. There is only a finite amount of money that can be spent and you goal is to always stick to the budget and try to deliver a successful event within the pre-planned budget.
- An understanding of events and how they work – If you have no idea about how an event work, what should be your targets, how you should proceed , all those savvy skills with be a waste.
How to organize an impressive event?
1. Concrete Planning Session
Start your planning session as soon as possible. The faster you plan and make a schedule and list down your goals the faster you beat the timeline to organize a flawless event.
2. Flexibility
Your client can have a change of mind now and then so you need to be well-prepared to deliver to their needs. Being good at any one type of event management will restrain you, so you need to equip yourself to be able to meet all demands.
3. Customer Service
Your client should be your priority. Appealing to the client is very critical. Making clients happy and satisfied is a herculean task and sometimes the task might seem impossible, in that case having a polite and kind response is what you should always go for. You can also try to provide an alternative to meet halfway.
4. Networking
Having a distinct network of people is just a cherry on top. Clients get attracted to the different departments you choose for your event managing too. Remember quality is very important and that is what they are looking for. You need to have an extensive network of vendors, photographers, lighting, music, décor and so on. This makes your events worthy.
5. Think Out of the Box
You have more responsibilities than just having a schedule, hiring a team and budgeting. Keep space for innovation, do things differently. Hire a stand-up comedian to an event or add a fun game, it all depends on how far you can stretch your mind. The more unique your event is the more people have a wonderful experience and that gives you future customers.
6. Have a Backup Plan
You never know when things take a wrong turn. There are risks that you need to consider every time. No event to date has been pulled off without at least one issue in it. Cut off the issues that might occur if you do not have an alternative for them. The most important aspects of your event should always have a backup ready.
7. Create a Social Media Presence
This tip is for you to grow your business. Use hashtags and post about your event on different social media platforms. Tweet about it and also encourage the guests to do the same.
