Event organising might be exciting for first-time planners, but it can also be an incredibly frustrating and stressful experience. Ask even the most seasoned professionals, and they’ll tell you the same thing: there never seems to be enough time to get things done and, it’s not uncommon for things to go wrong when planning an event. So in an effort to maximise productivity and minimise stress, here are some tips that you should keep in mind.
- Start with a plan
They say that if you don’t plan, then you’re planning for failure. And this statement is true, especially when it comes to organising an event. After all, not only will you be able to systematise the workflow and the structure of your team’s workdays in an efficient manner. But you’ll also give yourself opportunities to find any potential problem areas and address or prepare for them accordingly before you begin.
- Always deal with contracts
There’s a good reason why you should always deal with contracts. For starters, it will help you avoid any last-minute changes that can potentially derail the event, like vendors pulling out. More importantly, you’ll avoid any manipulations and misunderstandings that could arise from verbal agreements alone. So never make any commitments unless there’s a contract in place. It can save you from a lot of headaches.
- Keep your options open
Apart from time, money is another commodity that most planners have very little to work with when it comes to planning an event. As such, it pays to consider all of your options before making any commitments. After all, you’re far less likely to find a favourable deal if you don’t actively look for it. From large houses to rent for your venue to the necessary vendors, the time that you invest in exploring all available avenues will help you stay well within your budget.
- Start early
The most difficult part of planning an event is meeting tight deadlines. And to avoid the stress and pressure from time constraints, it’s good standard practice to start early. Make sure that you have a few weeks to work with for smaller affairs and a couple of months for larger events. In this way, you’ll avoid any time crunches that can potentially affect the quality of the event.
- Take a break when possible
There’s no denying the event planning requires a lot of work. However, burning yourself out won’t help you succeed. In fact, you’re far more likely to make mistakes by doing so. So make sure to take a break whenever possible. Not only will you alleviate some of the stress of the experience, but you’ll avoid committing errors and mishaps due to fatigue and exhaustion.
Contrary to popular belief, organising an event doesn’t always have to be an exercise in frustration and stress. And by following all of the tips that are listed above, you’ll be able to have a relatively stress-free event planning experience.
