January is a time for self-reflection and reinvention, and the same philosophy applies to business. What did you do last year that can be improved this year? What new strategies can you implement? What are your new year resolutions for your career?
Let’s answer these questions!
Your New Year Resolutions
We’re looking at 5 resolutions that will help you takeoff into the new year on the right track:
Update your portfolio
You end every year with a list of events that you’ve planned and managed – what are you doing with this body of work?
If you don’t already have an online portfolio, it’s (past) time to create one. If you already have a website, be sure to sit down and update it with the previous year’s work. Include the brief, images from the event, and any analytics that prove the success of the event.
Your portfolio will help any prospective clients make their decision when they’re researching event professionals. If you’ve created a stellar portfolio, you should have the yeses streaming in!
Market yourself on social media
Well, now that you’ve updated your portfolio, you can get to work on using it to market yourself on social media.
If the idea of creating content for social media sounds daunting, don’t stress: you can reuse all the information and images you already compiled in your portfolio. Share these on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to let the world know you and your planning skills exist!
What’s more, you can direct your social media followers to your website and portfolio, increasing traffic and hopefully leads.
Get the right tools to succeed
Next, you should take a good look at the event tech you’re currently using. Is it time for an upgrade? Audit the apps and platforms you’re currently using, and ask yourself if there’s an easier, smarter, or more effective tool that you could be using instead.
If it takes you three different apps to manage your event, for example, it’s time to look for an all-in-one platform solution that allows you to create, manage, and streamline your events all from one device. Getting your digital arsenal organised will help you start your year off with success!
Attend events yourself
When was the last time you attended an event as a guest and not as an organiser? Going to a couple of different events yourself (and watching webinars) will help you get back into the mindset of an attendee, which will help you create more guest-centred events.
Aside from that, you’ll also hopefully get a burst of inspiration from seeing how other planners organise their events!
Learn to say no
This is a tough one. Event professionals are often accommodating by nature, but if the idea of working with certain clients makes you want to tear your hair out, it’s time to let them go. Here are some red flags to look out for:
- The deadline is ridiculously tight
- The client keeps asking you to lower your rates
- It’s not a good fit for your core skills
- You already have too much on your plate
Is the stress really worth it? Trust your gut and double-check your schedule to see if you really can make it work. If all signs point to no, then say no. You’re allowed to.
We hope you follow through with these resolutions! For more advice, tips, and trends, subscribe to our newsletter – we promise not to spam you.