I’m not sure if I want to tell you this but… let’s say there was a time I tried to organize a birthday party for one of my friends and… ended up with a bunch of food, too much booze and an empty living room.
Food and beer wasn’t that much of a problem for me but you’re right if you’re thinking that this was a serious failure. So, you might want to take my advice with a grain of salt when it comes to being an event organizer, but hey, a lot of time has passed since and I’ve learned a thing or two about organizing events.
Multitasking to the max!
First things first, you need to have some serious organizational skills.
You can’t just go into this blind, hoping for the best.
You need to make a plan, a list, and maybe even a schedule. You have to know what you want to accomplish and when you want to accomplish it. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a professional list-maker to succeed.
Just grab a piece of paper and a pen, and write down everything that needs to be done. You can even doodle some funny pictures to keep things interesting. You need to be a master of multitasking. If you can’t juggle a million things at once, then this job is not for you. You need to be able to handle everything from booking the venue, hiring vendors, creating a guest list, sending out invitations, and dealing with any last-minute disasters that may arise (and trust me, they always do).
Sounds stressful? It is!
You have to be able to handle stress like a champ. There will be moments when everything seems to be going wrong, and you’ll feel like pulling your hair out. But don’t panic, take a deep breath and remember why you’re doing this.
Whether it’s a wedding, a birthday party, or a corporate event, your goal is to make people happy. The operating word here being HAPPY. So, if things go wrong, you will need to fix them with a smile on your face. So, you will have to have a plan B for literally everything, at any point. And that will consume you more than you think. But if nothing works, grab a slice of pizza and take a break, regroup, and attach the problem from a different angle.
Talking about plan B…
It is essential to be able to think on your feet. Things might not go as planned, but that’s how this works. You have to be able to come up with a solution quickly and efficiently. For example, if the DJ cancels last minute, you have to be able to find a replacement or come up with some other alternative. It might not be easy, but you can do it. Remember, you’re the event organizer, and you’re in charge.
Delegate!
Doing everything alone will make you go loco in no time. So, don’t be a typical control freak as not only this will annoy everyone around you but will also make it unbearable for you.
You need to be a team player. Your job will require working closely with vendors, suppliers, clients, artists… So, find people you trust and can rely onto and delegate all the heavy lifting that doesn’t require your direct attention. And don’t be too hard on people you’re working with as you will quickly figure out that this results in people calling you names behind your back or simply don’t want to work with you.
Also, you can make your life quite a bit easier by selecting just the right tools for the job. For example, you can use Slack for communication between you and your staff, you can use Asana or Trello to always stay in the loop and who’s doing what in your team. Last but certainly not least, you can rely on Tickera for all the heavy lifting when it comes to ticket selling and ticket check-in.
The devil is in the detail
It should go without saying but the essential skill you need to have is attention to detail. When it comes to events, even the smallest details can make a big difference. You need to be able to spot a typo on an invitation, notice a flower arrangement that’s slightly off-center, or pick up on any other tiny imperfection that could ruin the overall experience for your guests. So, if you’re the type of person who can’t stand crooked picture frames or wrinkled bed sheets, then you might have what it takes to be an event organizer.
Smile… always!
Lastly, you need to have a good sense of humor. Let’s face it, things will go wrong. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun while you’re fixing them. Laugh at yourself when you make a mistake, and don’t take things too seriously. From dealing with diva clients to managing unpredictable weather, things will not always go according to plan. But if you can laugh off the stress and stay positive, you’ll be able to handle anything that comes your way. Plus, a good sense of humor can make even the most boring event more fun.
Is it really all that stressful and hard?
No, not the whole time. There are quite a few really nice perks about this job. For starters, you get to attend some of the coolest parties and events in town. From weddings to corporate events, you’ll get to experience all kinds of events and meet interesting people along the way. And because you’re the boss, there will always be some free food and drinks ;)
But the best part? The best part is that feeling of satisfaction you get when everything comes together. There’s nothing quite like seeing the smiles on your guests’ faces and knowing that you played a part in creating a memorable experience for them. It’s a feeling that never gets old.
So, do you have what it takes to be an event organizer?
If you’re a multitasking, detail-oriented, people person with a sense of humor, then you just might. But remember, it’s not all glitz and glamour. Behind every successful event is a team of hardworking event organizers who put in countless hours to make it happen. So, if you’re up for the challenge, grab your clipboard and get ready to start planning some unforgettable events.
