Newly Revised Edition with Bonus: Fun and Frugal Party Plans
EVENT AND PARTY PLANNING CAREERS:
The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
to Success©
By Phyllis Cambria
Planner Book Bonuses 1-34 Forms, Information and Business Tools Fun and Frugal Party Plans
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
DEDICATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i
TABLE OF CONTENTS ii-vii
INTRODUCTION 1
· Doing basic research for your business or career
· What you need to learn
· Preliminary experience opportunities
· Early documentation to build your resume
CHAPTER 2 18-26
· How to select your niche specialty and why it's important
· What wide varieties of niches there are
· When to expand your niche
CHAPTER 3 27-34
· Basic funding
· The facts about business loans
· Naming your business and developing its style
· Creating a business plan and why it's essential to your success
CHAPTER 4 35-48
· What equipment you'll need to get started
· What basic services you'll want to have in place
· Insurance coverage
· Where to get access to merchant accounts
· Protecting your computer and website
CHAPTER 5 49-56
· How to set up pricing
· What pricing systems are best and why
· Other costs to consider in proposals
CHAPTER 6 57-65
· Contract essentials
· Your contract vs. your vendor's contract
· Proposals that become part of the contract
CHAPTER 7 66-72
· Locating the right types of suppliers and vendors
· What to look for when choosing a supplier or vendor
· Negotiating and contract with vendors
CHAPTER 8 73-92
· General marketing guidelines
· Basic printed marketing materials
· Advertising and promotion
· Creating your portfolio
CHAPTER 9 93-112
· Public Relations and Advertising Alternatives
· How to Get Free Publicity in print, radio and TV
· How to use this free PR to your advantage
CHAPTER 10 112-126
· Finding clients
· What approaches work best and why
· More low-cost marketing methods
CHAPTER 11 127-135
· Initial contact with potential clients
· Telephone meetings
· In-person meetings
CHAPTER 12 136-153
· How to do a general site inspection
· How to do a site inspection for a specific event
· Meeting with venue staff
· Arranging for guest lodging
CHAPTER 13 154-168
· Developing a pre-event timeline
· Creating planning and filing systems
· Event insurance
· Staff attire
· Transportation and shipping fees
CHAPTER 14 169-186
· Developing an event timeline
· Loading-in and setting up
· Working safely
· Break-down and post-event clean-up
CHAPTER 15 187-194
· Post-event duties
· Dealing with rentals and extra stock
· Paying bills
· Client and vendor follow-ups
FORMS, INFORMATION AND BUSINESS TOOLS
BONUS SECTION 1 195-197
· Evaluating Your "A" Team
BONUS SECTION 2 198-199
· Fun While Learning with Realty TV
BONUS SECTION 3 200-201
· Thank You Is More Than Two Little Words
BONUS SECTION 4 202-204
· Other Planners Might be the Key to Your Success
BONUS SECTION 5 205-206
· Stay In Touch
BONUS SECTION 6 207-209
· Last-Minute Planning Dilemmas
BONUS SECTION 7 210-217
· Trade Show Marketing
BONUS SECTION 8 218-219
· Looking for a Planner's Job? Avoid These Mistakes
BONUS SECTION 9 220-222
· "It's in the Bag" - Emergency Gear for Every Planner
BONUS SECTION 10 223-227
· What Do You Do When the Lights Go Out?
BONUS SECTION 11 228-232
· Sample proposal
BONUS SECTION 12 233
· Sample floor plan
BONUS SECTION 13 234-236
· Typical and Non-Typical U.S. Holidays and Observances
BONUS SECTION 14 237-238
· Industry publications
BONUS SECTION 15 239-256
· Client Proposal Questionnaire/Vendor Interview Form
BONUS SECTION 16 257-261
· Sample timeline
BONUS SECTION 17 262-264
· 21 Steps for Putting on a Mini Expo
BONUS SECTION 18 265-272
· Setting Up a Party Planning Referral Service and Resource Consultations: The "Warm Calls" That Will Introduce You to Vendors and Potential Clients
BONUS SECTION 19 273-274
· Promoting Your Business With a Directory
· Sample contract
BONUS SECTION 21 279-280
· Sample generic press release
BONUS SECTION 22 281-283
· A Short Memory Course: How to Remember Names
BONUS SECTION 23 284-285
· A Short Course on Public Speaking
BONUS SECTION 24 286-291
· Sample Planning Timeline
BONUS SECTION 25 292-300
· Cocktails for You
BONUS SECTION 26 301
· Sample Invoice
BONUS SECTION 27 302
· Sample Auction/Raffle Donation Form
BONUS SECTION 28 303-311
· How Much Is Enough? Party Food and Drink Quantities
BONUS SECTION 29 312-315
· Executive Etiquette – Tips for Entertaining for Business
BONUS SECTION 30 316-318
· Resources
BONUS SECTION 31 319-321
· Sample Independent Contract
BONUS SECTION 32 322-325
· So Cool Event Décor Solutions
BONUS SECTION 33 326-338
· Sample Editor and Publication-Specific Press Releases for:
· General information
· Children
· Food and drink
· Lifestyle/Hobbies/Crafts
· Business
BONUS SECTION 34 339-340
· Insurance Resources
· Fun and Frugal Party Plans Introduction 341
· “The ‘50s Were Nifty” 342-351
· “Fun, Fun, Fun Beach Party” 352-360
· “Luck be a Lady Tonight” (Casino theme) 361-367
· “Dancing Through the Decades” 368-373
· “We’re Gonna Make You a Star!” (Hollywood theme) 374-380
· “Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!” (race car theme) 381-389
· “South Seas Serenade” (tropical/luau theme) 390-396
· “Westward Ho” (western theme) 397-410