As a corporate event planner, as in almost all professions, you will spend most of your time communicating in some manner with employees, vendors, coworkers, venue managers, superiors, and clients. So, it may seem obvious how important it is to communicate effectively and clearly with those around you. However, poor communication (or no communication at all) can ruin events, ruin relationships, and ruin careers. Be the leader in your industry by following these 3 key communication skills.
1) Communicate a clear understanding of the event. When you meet with a new client, don’t leave the meeting without clearly establishing the event’s purpose, estimated size, and budget.
2) Ask questions and then restate your understanding of the answers back to your client to eliminate all doubt. Why be this thorough? That’s simple—if something could be misconstrued or misunderstood, then chances are it will be. One of the most sinking feelings in the world is working for weeks or even months on an event only to find that your ideas are not in line with the client’s goals. Even worse is to find this out during the event.
3) Clearly express yourself in writing. Since event planners often communicate with clients and vendors through email, you must also be able to clearly express yourself in writing. Of course, an understanding of contractual language may also prove useful since planners frequently use contracts to protect both themselves and their clients. I strongly advise using a lawyer to help you draft the standard contracts you will use with your clients. Proofreading is an important part of ensuring you are communicating effectively. Whether you are drafting a newsletter, email, policy, or procedure, proper proofreading can help make certain that you are properly portraying what you want to say. Even the simplest typo can give your client the impression that you lack attention to detail or are not serious about what you are saying.
“When in doubt, get it in writing! Memories fail, but signed documents rarely do.” Tweet This Quote
To gain more tips on being a great communicator in the event planning industry, download your free digital copy of “Going Live – Insider Secrets to Corporate Event Production” and stand out from your competitors!