Small Parties Can Mean Big Business

Is your idea of being a Party Goddess planning big-budget blow out events, platinum weddings, huge corporate parties, or celebrity soirees? Do you think bigger is better – bigger budget, bigger guest list, bigger payoff?

Well, think again. While the thrill of pulling off large-scale events is exhilarating and sometimes quite lucrative, that’s only part of the story. Yes, big parties potentially have a big payoff, but automatically shrugging off smaller opportunities is a big mistake.

Here are 5 ways small parties can mean big business for you:

Gain Experience

If you’re just getting started or trying to expand your service offerings, it’s a good idea to get a few smaller events under your belt before moving into the big leagues. Smaller events have fewer moving parts and there are fewer people involved, which allows you to laser focus your attention as you hone your skills. When you’re able to execute a smaller event with precision and grace, growth will come naturally.

Land Bigger Clients

Unless you’ve already proven yourself, a big client is going to be gun shy when it comes to pulling the trigger on hiring you for big events. But if you make a positive impression on the right person, you just might have a shot at proving yourself by getting hired to do a smaller-scale event. This year it’s a department picnic, and next year it’s the company’s holiday party.

Smaller Isn’t Always Smaller

Even though an event is smaller in scale, the budget may be comparable to a larger event. Perhaps the intimate dinner party you’re hired to plan for a wealthy client prices out equally to the wedding you planned for your cousin last month. Now you’ve dipped into a new pool and if you do an impressive job, you’ll begin to make a name for yourself among big spenders.

Quick Turnaround

Big events tend to have long lead times, whereas smaller events may be just around the corner. This means the ball gets rolling faster – less red tape, quicker decisions, and quicker execution. In the time it would’ve taken you to plan one huge event, you could roll through 7 smaller ones. This can be good for cash flow and building your portfolio.

Staying Small May Not Be So Bad

You may decide that you prefer small events to larger ones. Sometimes when we get into the mix of something, our perspective changes, and we realize bigger isn’t always better. Many successful event planners design a business specifically around planning smaller events. You may decide to stay small to minimize risk, have a more flexible lifestyle, or to create a highly targeted niche. A savvy business model will allow you to design a small event business that is lucrative.

Think strategically and always strive for opportunities that move you closer to your goals. Whether you use small parties as a stepping stone, a way to get your foot in the door, a tactic to increase your cash flow, or as a business model, small events can mean big business for you.

‍