The Party Starts Online
Event Planning in the 21st Century
5 Steps to Planning a Great Party
Step 1: Secure trendy venue
Step 2: Hire up-and-coming DJ
Step 3: Buy themed party hats
Step 4: Bake delicious cake
Step 5: Create Facebook event
The Facebook Event has become a staple in the event-planning process. Once you hit that “Create Event” button, the party is on, and it’s up to you to ensure everything runs smoothly. Consider these tips the next time you find yourself in the ultimate position of authority: Party Host.
Event Name
You want to choose a catchy event title that will grab the attention of all invited. Using a word like “extravaganza” or “bonanza” is a sure-fire way to boost attendance for low-key events. If you’d like your guests to elevate their attire, add “gala.” Be careful when throwing a surprise party. Do not name the event “SURPRISE PARTY FOR CANDACE SHHHHH!!!!!” Go with something more incognito, such as the acronym “SPFCS” or “Study Session for Bio Test.” Candace will have no idea what hit her.
Location
Let your guests know where the party is. Is it a party in the USA? You might want to be a little more specific than that.
Date/Time
If you put an end time for your event, you are signaling to your guests that you would like them to leave at some point. Most people choose to leave the end time off, because that makes them seem like wild party animals who will party all night long if given the chance. While this is usually the right answer, always remember that you are the host and what you say goes. It’s your party, and you’ll set an end time if you want to.
Hosts
If you want someone to co-host an event with you, but you’re not quite sure how to broach the subject in person, you can just add them as a host on the Facebook event. Simple, easy, no face-to-face contact, and everyone’s happy, provided they are cool with the responsibilities attached to the title of Co-Host. Take caution when appointing a Co-Host. A power-hungry Co-Host can take control of the event when not properly supervised.
Description
This field is where you can say stuff like “No presents, just your presence!” or “In lieu of gifts, please bring a small donation for the local animal shelter.” This makes you appear selfless and everyone will most likely still bring you a present anyway, which is exactly what you were going for. Perhaps you would like your guests to contribute to the party in other ways as well, which you can indicate with an acronym like BYOSU (Bring Your Own Serving Utensils) or BYOMB (Bring Your Own Moon Bounce).
Privacy Settings
Make sure that your event is private if it is supposed to be private or public if it is supposed to be public. The worst possible scenario is Candace finding out about her surprise party because you were careless and made it a public event on Facebook. You can’t afford to make these kinds of mistakes in the digital age. People are watching. Candace is watching.
Guests
Invite everyone and their mother. Sending invites is free on Facebook, so you don’t have to worry about the cost of postage. Sometimes Facebook will give you a sassy message that says, “Please make sure you’re only inviting people you know and think would enjoy this event.” This is insulting, because Facebook is suggesting that your event might not be 100% enjoyable. Don’t let it get to you. If people are truly your friends, they will come to your event no matter the distance, and they will enjoy it.
Your guests will be given the option to respond by clicking various buttons that often lead to loose commitment and a propensity for flakiness. Don’t be offended if you get hit with a “maybe.” Just wait it out and then post something mildly aggressive along the lines of “Hey I’m just looking to get a head count for my event that’s in 10 minutes so if you haven’t RSVP’d yet it’d be cool if you would!!! Haha see you soon!” Reminding your “maybe” guests that the event is happening in 10 minutes is a subtle way of telling them they suck, but the inclusion of “haha” keeps the message light and carefree.
Facebook might give you the option to change the status for those pesky, unresponsive guests. If invited guests are not responding to your event, you can just respond for them. I’m not really sure why this is a thing, but it happened to me one time when I made an event so I know it’s possible. This feature gives you the authority to take an invited guest from just an interested wallflower to a firmly committed partygoer. Yes, they will get a notification that you did this, but they will most likely just think to themselves, “Well, I guess I have to go now” like any reasonable person would, and then they will come to your event and have a freaking great time.
