How to Become an Event Planner: A Side Hustle for Party Lovers

An event planner is someone who organizes different types of events. These may include weddings, meetings, corporate parties, conferences, trade shows, fundraisers, concerts, or other social gatherings and special occasions.

Businesses and individuals alike may hire event planners to handle the fine details to ensure an event goes smoothly without interruptions, scheduling issues, or discomfort for participants.

Job responsibilities

As an event planner, you may have any of the following responsibilities:

• Meeting clients to discuss their needs
• Brainstorming ideas for concepts and themes
• Developing a timeline or schedule for events
• Choosing a venue and planning logistics like transportation, accommodation, and meals
• Securing necessary permits and licenses
• Handling budgets and payments
• Preparing equipment or technology (especially for online events)
• Promoting events
• Managing event registration and ticketing
• Monitoring events to check that the client and guests are happy

You don’t need any formal qualifications to make money planning events, but you do need the right skill set.

Required skills

As an event planner, you need to be:

• Organized and capable of multitasking
• Able to collaborate well with others
• A good communicator
• Sociable with good interpersonal skills
• Good at networking
• Able to meet deadlines and stick to a schedule
• Able to withstand pressure and meet challenging (and sometimes changing) demands
• Imaginative and creative, with unique ideas
• Good at budgeting and negotiating
• Attentive to detail

If you don’t already have these soft skills, work on developing them as quickly as possible.

Do you need a college degree to be an event planner?

You don’t need a degree to be an event planner if you’re working on a freelance basis. However, many employers require at least a bachelor’s degree. You might have trouble securing traditional employment as an event planner (either full-time or part-time) without it.

College degrees that work well with event planning

There are many degrees that can be useful for event planners, the most obvious one being a bachelor’s in event management. Other helpful degrees include:

• Hospitality management: This is useful for event planners because it covers areas like customer service and venue management, as well as event design, coordination, budgeting, marketing, and strategic planning.
• Marketing: This is particularly relevant for events that require promotion, such as concerts, charity fundraisers, and expos.
• PR and communications: This covers not only marketing but also communication, relationship building, image management, crisis management (i.e., dealing with problems like last-minute changes and logistical issues), and generating publicity and coverage for events.
• Business management: When you pursue this degree, you’ll learn useful skills like strategic planning, project management, team leadership, and financial management.
• Accounting: Budgeting and financial management are usually important parts of an event planner’s job. An accounting degree will teach you about topics like financial analysis, cost control, and budget management.
• Design: Studying this subject can teach you the creative and visual skills needed to plan unique and visually compelling events.

If you’re just pursuing event planning as a side hustle, going back to school to get one of those degrees probably isn’t worth it, but if you happen to already have one, it will be a significant asset.

If you like the sound of making money by planning parties and events, you have a few paths to choose from.

1. Become a freelance event planner

This is how many people get their start in the world of event planning. When you’re working on a freelance basis, it’s easier to get work without any formal qualifications.

You can find freelance event planning gigs on the following websites:

• Event planning freelance platforms: Create a profile on EventWork.com to join the site’s list of freelance event planners.
• General freelancing platforms: Upwork, PeoplePerHour, Freelancer, Guru, and Fiverr all allow you to advertise your freelance event planning services and search for gigs.
• Traditional job boards: People sometimes post freelance job openings on sites like Craigslist or Indeed. It’s always worth checking what jobs are on offer in your area.

2. Get hired for event planning contracts or projects

Companies, organizations, and even government agencies sometimes look for organized event coordinators who can step in to handle major seasonal events.

These are usually organizations that don’t require full-time, year-round event planning services, but instead need someone to work on a temporary basis to plan a particular event.

These contract-based or project-based jobs are often easier to get than permanent event planning jobs. They also offer a stable and reliable income, even if just for a short time period. This is a good way to test out event planning as a side hustle and see if it’s something you’d like to pursue more fully.

Becca Schmitt, a professional who runs her own event planning company, Shoestring Flings, told us that the first contracts she landed were weddings that she found through referrals (from planners she was assisting) and through bridal expos. “They were tremendously helpful in getting my name out there, as well as gaining content to share in my portfolio,” she said.

3. Start your own event planning business

Creating your own event planning business is arguably the best way to make money as an event planner, but it’s also the toughest of the three options we’ve listed to get off the ground. You’ll need to invest a lot of time and effort before your business really kicks off.

You’ll have the best chance of success if you already have event planning experience you can showcase to potential clients. Many people pursue this after spending a few years as an independent freelancer.

You’ll also need to read up on the practicalities of starting your own small business, including registering it and creating a website. Schmitt told us that she found the information she needed to do this online, which included blog posts about how to start a business in her state. She also got advice from an event planner she interned with, so it’s good if you can network with other event planners who might be able to advise you.

Ultimately, it takes time, persistence, and dedication to build up a long enough list of clients to reach a point where you can get steady business. Once you do, though, you’ll be able to get a lot more money and may even be able to convert your event planning side hustle into a full-time career.

Starting from scratch can be tough with any side hustle, and event planning can be particularly competitive.

We asked Shari Zatman—an event planner with over two decades of professional experience—about how competitive the field is. She told us, “There is a low barrier of entry for event planners, which can make for a saturated field. Anyone can call themselves an event planner.”

As such, you’ll have to work a bit harder to make yourself stand out from the crowd if you don’t have experience, qualifications, or a degree. However, we’ve come up with a few tips to help you get your start.

Get hands-on experience (even if it’s unpaid)

If you don’t have much (or any) event planning experience, you’ll probably need to acquire some before clients will be interested in hiring you.

Zatman told us that early on, she worked “in-house within companies and organizations in various event planning roles” to develop her skills. Once she felt ready, she struck out on her own and started her own business.

If event planning is just a side hustle for you (at least for now), landing a job in the industry might not be a practical option, but you can still get experience by offering to plan events for free.

Schmitt agreed that this is a good way to get experience under your belt. “I would get started by interning and assisting with as many different planners as you can, for all different types of events,” she said.

Try the following avenues for event planning opportunities:

• Friends and family: Ask if they need help planning social events or if they know anyone else who does.
• Your colleagues or company: If your primary job involves working alongside other people, volunteer to plan events for them.
• Local groups and organizations: Volunteer to plan something like a charity or church event in your local community.

These types of pro bono work are a great way to grow your network and build your portfolio. After the events, you should also ask your clients to leave you an online review on a site like Yelp or Google, which will help you to gain more credibility and improve your reputation.

Establish your professional toolbox

It’s hard to plan a successful event with a pen and notepad. These days, there’s a lot of software that can make your job a lot easier.

When you’re throwing your first couple of events, take the chance to familiarize yourself with:

• Project management software: As the name suggests, this helps with organizing projects (e.g., allocating funds for a budget, creating schedules and tracking time, etc). Many people start by working with Microsoft Project.
• Marketing automation software: This takes care of marketing processes, such as emailing leads, posting on social media, and finding new potential customers, all of which are necessary when you’re trying to get a new side hustle going. Look into Marketo Engage.
• CRM systems: These help businesses keep track of their interactions with customers by providing a special database that stores information about each customer (e.g., contact details and purchase history). An example would be Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT, which helps charities and nonprofits raise money and keep track of people who donate.
• Registration and ticketing platforms: These manage attendee registration and ticket sales processes. Active Network is one popular example.
• Event management software: Software that’s specifically designed for event planners often features many of the functions from the other platforms we’ve mentioned, plus a few extra bells and whistles. Cvent, for example, allows you to choose event venues, create event schedules, manage attendee lists, and more.

We asked Schmitt about her own favorite tools for event planning. She said, “I love using HoneyBook for tracking project pipelines, generating invoices/contracts, scheduling meetings, and sending automated emails. Other than that, I use AllSeated to map out floor plans and Google Calendar to timeblock.”

As a new event planner, you’ll need to take some time and experiment to figure out which tools you want to use and get comfortable with them. Doing so will let you plan events more efficiently and make it more likely that they’ll go well, which will help you establish your reputation and transition from pro bono work to paying clients.

Create an event planning portfolio

Once you’ve gained some experience in event planning (even if it was unpaid), you can put together a portfolio to show potential clients. It should highlight your skills and experience by showcasing the successful events you’ve organized.

Here are some of the components you can include in your portfolio:

• Professional photographs and videos of your events
• Your personal biography and photo
• Any relevant certifications you hold
• Client testimonials
• Any relevant press or media mentions
• Social media links, if you have them (and these days, you should)
• Sample timelines and inspiration boards

We asked Schmitt what she thought makes a good event planning portfolio, and she recommended including a solid range of events in your niche, ranging in size and budget.

“If you focus on budget weddings, you should have content from backyard events, barn weddings, and DIY projects. If you focus on charity events, you should have different types, like concerts and dinners in different settings,” she said.

Promote yourself

In addition to sharing your portfolio, you can use other strategies to market yourself if you’re seeking short-term or one-off event planning gigs. For example, you can set up a blog or YouTube channel to showcase your expertise and promote your services. Your content can cover anything from your thoughts on the industry to behind-the-scenes gossip.

Even well-established event planners continue to promote themselves. Zatman told us, “I do television appearances, public speaking, and publish articles in addition to planning events for clients.”

Although you probably won’t get many invitations to appear on television when you’re just starting out, you can look for publications that might let you contribute articles on event planning. You may also be able to find public speaking opportunities.

You could also foster online discussions with other planners about topics like your favorite local venues or your favorite event planning software. Anything you do to increase your online presence will help.

Finally, consider offering discounted rates or introductory packages until you’ve gained more experience and built up a decent client base.

Find networking opportunities

Schmitt recommended signing up for trade shows or vendor fairs as an event planner to network. In particular, wedding planners can take the opportunity to directly market themselves to couples.

You can search for trade shows on the International Trade Administration website, or you can do a general search online for other relevant events. Schmitt also recommended getting involved with your local chamber of commerce, professional networks, and other relevant groups.

Event planning associations

Event planning associations provide opportunities to network, attend educational workshops and seminars, enroll in certification programs, and connect with a supportive community of professionals.

Look into the following groups:

• Event Planners Association
• PCMA
• Meeting Professionals International (MPI)
• National Association for Catering and Events (NACE)
• American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACWP)
• Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA)

Schmitt has found event planning organizations extremely useful. “I’ve been in several local and regional wedding industry organizations,” she told us. “These are hugely worthwhile to make connections and get your name out there. Most of my business has come from referrals.”

Consider getting a certification

It’s worth noting that you don’t need to be certified to become an event planner—Schmitt, for example, didn’t have any formal event planning qualifications when she got started, and you can certainly succeed in this line of work without any qualifications whatsoever.

With that said, if you want to get serious about your career in event planning, a formal certification might encourage your first few clients to look past your lack of experience.

Here are some of the certifications you should consider:

• Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
• Certified Wedding Planner (CWP)
• Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM)
• Certified Quality Event Planner (CQEP)

Schmitt is considering becoming a certified meeting planner because she’s seen many job listings from companies that prefer or require this certification. Her view is that these types of business-oriented certifications can pay off more so than social-oriented ones like wedding planner certifications.

When it comes to choosing certifications, joining a professional association can really help. When you do so, you’ll make connections with more established event planners, and you can ask them which certifications they recommend for the type of event planning you’re most interested in.

Choose a specialization

Although it’s possible to be a generalist, many event planners prefer to specialize. Schmitt originally specialized in weddings and small nonprofit events but is now switching to corporate events.

She told us that finding a niche can be helpful. “I think you’re much more likely to get referrals and fast track your career when you choose a niche,” she said. However, on the flipside, she said that it can be a little difficult when the type of event you specialize in has a lull in demand.

If you want to specialize, we’ve already mentioned a few different types of events that you can focus on (e.g., weddings, birthdays, business meetings, or fundraisers). There are also other possibilities you can consider. For example, some planners specialize in events like destination weddings, corporate conferences, music festivals, nonprofit galas, or trade shows.

This is a decision best reserved for after you have a few events under your belt and you understand the unique challenges of different types of events. Like Schmitt, you may even decide that you want to change direction later in your career.

You don’t need to rush—just keep the question of specializations in the back of your mind as you’re getting your side hustle off the ground.

Event planning can be an excellent side hustle, but there are pros and cons to consider.

Advantages of an event planning side hustle

Event planning work offers a wide array of benefits:

• Convenient working hours: Many events take place during the evenings or on weekends, which makes event planning easier to fit around your other commitments if your primary job involves working normal office hours.
• Flexibility: As a freelance, temporary, or self-employed event planner, you can pick and choose clients according to your availability and preferences.
• Minimal startup costs: You don’t need much to set up an event planning side hustle—just a car, a computer, and a phone. You may also want to invest in certain software, but otherwise, you’ll just need basic office supplies.
• No specific qualifications required: As mentioned, you don’t need a degree or any other specific qualifications to become an event planner. As long as you have the requisite skills, you’re good to go.
• Transferable skills: Event planning lets you develop various skills (e.g., organization, time management, and communication) that are likely to be valuable in your primary job and also in other areas of life.
• Scalability: As you gain experience and establish a solid reputation, you can gradually take on larger events, attract higher-paying clients, and even consider turning event planning into a full-time career (if that’s something you’re interested in). If you want to do this, you’ll ultimately need to hire a team, as larger events will be too much work for one person.
• Diverse opportunities: Event planners are needed in many different industries within both the private and public sectors—in the tourism, entertainment, and education industries, for example.
• Strong growth potential: According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected growth rate for event planning from 2021 to 2031 is 18%. 1 This is much higher than the general average growth rate for all occupations (just 5%).

Disadvantages of an event planning side hustle

Like any side hustle, event planning has downsides. In particular, it can be high-pressure and demanding. Zatman compared it to being a director for a live stage production. “There are many moving parts to an event,” she said. “You get one chance to get it right.”

Despite this, she has no regrets about choosing event planning as her career. “I love creating live events and celebrations. There is nothing like working on the details for months or even years and seeing it all come to life.”

Schmitt, meanwhile, highlighted some of the scheduling difficulties that might hinder event planners who have another job during normal office hours. “It is much trickier to maneuver if you want to work with corporate or business clients,” she said, noting that corporate events tend to happen on weekdays, with meetings and consultations during regular office hours.

She also pointed out that it might be harder to attend networking events if you’re only free evenings and weekends. “Most networking events take place midday, geared toward self-employed individuals,” she explained.

Does event planning pay well?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average rate for meeting, convention, and event planners is $28.24 per hour. 2 However, this figure applies to traditional employees rather than self-employed or freelance event planners.

Schmitt agrees that this is a realistic rate. “In my area, event planners charge between $60 and $100 per hour to clients, which usually works out to around $25 to $30 after all expenses and taxes,” she said.

However, as a freelance event planner, you’re likely to be paid on a per-event basis rather than being by the hour.

Factors that will affect your earnings

How much you will get paid for planning events depends on the following factors:

• Your reputation, experience level, and expertise
• The client’s budget
• The scale of the event (e.g., how long it lasts and how many people are attending)
• The complexity of the event (e.g., technical requirements and how many suppliers and performers are involved)
• The location of the event and travel requirements

To give you a couple of examples, Thumbtack puts the average cost for party planning services somewhere between $500 and $750. Meanwhile, Brides.com found that the average budget for a wedding planner is $2,000.

According to Schmitt, event planners can earn good money, but it’s very dependent on the sector you choose. “Working with corporations will usually yield a higher profit over social events,” she said.

Event work is also very seasonal, so your earnings will vary according to the time of year. Perhaps unsurprisingly, people plan fewer events in the winter than in summer—especially in places with cold climates. This means you’ll likely find fewer event planning opportunities during the winter months.

Setting your rates for event planning services

Schmitt admitted that she was not strategic enough about setting prices when she started out as an event planner. She said that she chose these “blindly based on what sounded good” but quickly realized this wasn’t sustainable.

“I charged around $745 at first, which after calculating all my expenses and time, ended up being around $6 an hour,” she said, calling this a “rookie mistake.”

For new event planners trying to work out their rates, her advice was to start low but not too low. She cautioned against undercutting others in the field for several reasons (e.g., you’re setting a false industry standard to clients, and you’re broadcasting your lack of experience to other vendors, meaning that they’re less likely to trust and recommend you when they know you’re just starting out).

“Figure out how much you want to make per hour, how long you expect projects to take, add in all your expected expenses and a portion for taxes, and come up with a starting price from there,” she advised.

She also recommended raising your prices by a small amount after every event you work. In her case, she has increased her earnings a lot since she started out. “My rates have tripled since I first launched my business,” she said.