If you are a parent, working from home can be ideal. It allows you to make your own schedule and keep an eye on your little ones while you work.

Many entrepreneurs start out working at home as this allows them to cut down on expenses and leaves them with time to spend with their families.

If you are a parent who is thinking of launching a home-based startup, event planning can be ideal. You can do most of the work at home or on location, so an office is not necessary. Plus, but using software such as can be found at Agora.io, you can conduct all of your business meetings over live video chat.

However, you will need to make certain considerations to ensure your business will be a success. Here are some things you should think about.

Define the Type of Event Planning You Would Like to Do

There are many different types of event and parties including corporate events, social events and charity events. These can be further broken down into niches.

For instance, a corporate event can be a product or company launch, a conference or a holiday party. A social event can include a birthday, surprise party or anniversary…and the list goes on.

It is best to start of deciding which niche you would like to specialize in…and the more specific the better. Once you establish a name for yourself within that niche, you can consider branching out.

Get the Legalities Taken Care Of

You may not need a license for your business, but it is best to talk to a lawyer to make sure you are good to go. It’s also a good idea to talk to an attorney to determine how to handle your taxes.

Learn About the Industry

If you’re pursuing a career in the event planning industry, it’s likely you already have the gift of creativity as well as some experience under your belt. That being said, you probably still have a long road ahead of you. You can learn more about how to start a party rental business by conducting online research and talking to other business owners operating within the same industry. Starting an event planning business requires not just a keen eye for what’s in demand but also a solid understanding of the market, a well-thought-out business plan and a strategy to market your business effectively.

Research carefully to find out about the latest trends in event planning and marketing. Learn what technology is being used to make planning easier. Find out about the best venues, staff and musical entertainment to use for your events.

The more you know, the better prepared you will be when your business takes off.

Take a Look at the Competition

A good businessperson always has their eye on the competition.

Look at other event planners in your area to see what they are offering in terms of service and prices. Then do what you can to be competitive and bring something unique to the table.

Doing a SWOT analysis, determining Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats can also help you to get ahead.

Choose a Name

Once you have all this information in place, you will need to create a business plan. This starts by choosing a name.

The name you choose should be unique so that it helps your company stand out from its competitors, but it should also give people some idea of what you do. To make it memorable, keep it short and sweet.

Set up Your Home Office

Decide what you need to get your work done. A printer? Another computer? Additional devices? Or an AC unit to make your clients feel welcome? Right now you might not agree but might feel otherwise after a potential client gets uncomfortable in your home office. If your existing air conditioner is not working properly, consider replacing it by calling an HVAC professional like the ones at https://gohomeheating.com/boise/ac-replacement/. Make sure you have all other equipment and resources ready for opening day.

Define Your Services

Think of what your services include. Will you be providing invitations? Booking caterers? Videographers? Security? Venues? And what about decorations? Will those be provided?

Determine what services are included in your packages so you know exactly what to tell your customers when they start calling.

Additionally, once you have the list of services sorted, it is important to communicate the idea appropriately with your potential customers. This is crucial to avoid confusion and misinformation with clients. That said, as a measure, you can choose to hire a virtual administrative assistant from a reputable company. A professional VA can help you with everyday tasks such as answering and directing calls, responding to emails promptly, and handling other basic duties. By avoiding mistakes and maintaining professionalism, you may see positive results in your business.

Set Your Prices

Several things need to be considered when setting prices. These include the following:

• What does the competition charge?
• What are my expenses?
• What is my level or expertise?
• What’s included in my services?

Once you come up with answers to these questions, you should be prepared to come up with pricing that is reasonable.

Grow Your Business

Now that your business is ready to launch, you need to start advertising.

Advertising can take several forms. Digital media is a great outlet as it’s low cost and effective. Digital media can include any of the following platforms:

• Social media
• Web sites
• PPC advertising
• Paid advertising and banner ads
• Blogs
• Customer reviews and testimonials

And while digital marketing is definitely taking the spotlight that doesn’t mean there aren’t other types of advertising that can help you get ahead. These include the following:

• Billboards
• Flyers and brochures
• In person networking
• Newspaper and magazine ads

Using a combination of these mediums will help you get the word out and grow your business.

Event planning can be the ideal business for a parent who wants to start working from home. It’s fun, it’s flexible and it can easily be done from the comfort of a home office. Familiarize yourself with the industry so you can do all you can to be successful in your career.