Five Mistakes Made by Aspiring Event Planners

In order to succeed in event planning, one must not skip a beat when gaining presence in the industry. Below are five common mistakes made by event planners that can cause major setbacks in the business. Check them out!

1. Failure to Establish/Maintain a Strong Web Presence

Any media-related career requires that you have a strong grasp on social media. In today's world, everything is digital and accessible at our fingertips. In order for a business to stay up-to-date with these changing times, you must keep up with these changing times. Maintaining several professional profiles on sites such as Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin and Pinterest will only benefit your company. Create content, maybe even make a blog, and be original!

2. Trying to Obtain Certification

Certification is not a way to bypass event education. Certification is proof that you have a plethora of knowledge to share with your clients, and is not a shortcut to starting in the business. Online classes don't qualify as becoming a certified event planner, and they hold the same weight as a college course. Don't try and cheat the system, you will not benefit from it.

3. Refuting Self-Education

Make it a point to research things you would like to know more about. This could be anything from managing a team to table settings and lighting. Do not rely solely on what you learn from a job or your professor. Immerse yourself in all aspects of the business, and you'll stand out from the others.

4. A Generic Resume and Cover Letter

Individuality is key when it comes to seeking a job in the event planning industry. Employers want people not only with experience and expertise, but people who are unique and bring something to the table that is special. Do a little research to find out what your job is looking for, who they want on their team, and try to filter yourself to match their criteria. Get involved in every opportunity that is presented, and make your real-world experience spark their interest in you.

5. False Advertising Yourself

Yes, selling yourself is key in this industry, as I explained in number four, but you do not want to become someone you are not. Even if you don't get caught, your resume is supposed to be an accurate representation of your experience and skills. Don't fluff up your resume with lies to make yourself more appealing to employers–it just makes you look worse. Also, tailor your resume to include only actual, real-world experience. Employers won't find the Ninja Turtle themed birthday party you threw for your nephew too impressive.