Successful event planners require a special set of skills; they need to possess strong communication, organization and creative skills and be able to keep their cool under pressure. Like with any field, becoming one of the greatest event planners doesn't happen overnight. But, you can improve your skills and event planning success by recognizing and reversing bad habits that could be holding you back.
Bad Habit #1: Not Being a Good Listener
To be a successful event planner, you need to have a good ear. No matter how busy you are and how much you have on your mind, you need to take the time to listen to your team, event attendees and vendors. Otherwise, you could miss out on important details and requirements that play a crucial role in the outcome of your event. Make sure you have a clear headspace when listening to others, so the information you receive is clearly heard and understood.
Bad Habit #2: Making Impulsive Decisions
There are so many critical decisions event planners have to make that influence the event's overall success— from event locations and themes, to guest speakers and agenda. When you're super busy, it can be easy to make quick decisions to speed things along. Don't sell yourself short by making impulsive decisions. Stay organized and think things through to avoid making a mistake that could impact the budget, experience or safety of the event.
Bad Habit #3: Letting Stress Get the Best of You
Event planners often have a million thoughts running through their head. While event planning can be hectic and stressful at times, you can’t let the pressure get the best of you. If you're visibility stressed, that same attitude will become apparent among your staff and even trickle down to your event attendees, shifting the feel of the event. Keep your cool and composure, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Bad Habit #4: Failing to Measure Results
Measuring the success of an event is one of the most important tasks for meeting planners. It’s not enough to say "Everyone had a good time." You need to give your client tangible results, including an adequate ROI, in order to secure the contract for future events. Utilize analytics and surveys to determine important metrics like revenue earned, attendee satisfaction, registration numbers, press and social media mentions, and new opportunities created.
Everyone develops bad habits, especially when they're pressed for time. But, understanding these bad habits and working toward overcoming them will help you become a better meeting planner and deliver more value to your clients.
