Top 5 Event Management Mistakes People Make
Management of any kind is no easy task. It generally involves juggling a thousand things at once, constant questions thrown at you from every angle and early mornings waking up in a cold sweat, worrying about that email you may - or may not have - sent last week. Event Management is no different, with the exception of some additional stress-induced breakdowns thrown in for good measure. When your brain feels like an overworked Google Chrome browser with too many open tabs, mistakes are bound to pop up.
Here are our top 5 event management mistakes, and how to avoid them:
1). NO RUNSHEET
Organising an event without a detailed run sheet is like a starring in a movie without a script - it’s possible, but remember that improvisation rarely pays off (unless you’re Leo DiCaprio circa the ‘Titanic’ era – the man can do no wrong!). Write down every single detail in your run sheet and never let it leave your side, ensuring you have the answers to questions before they’re even asked.
2). NO PLAN B
Talent nowhere to be found? Torrential rain on your supposedly perfect summer day? Guest of honour stuck in traffic? Respect Murphy’s Law** and consider each and every possible problem that can turn up unannounced, and your solutions to each. Over-prepare always. Side note: always bring an aux cord and have a killer Spotify playlist in USB form, just in case.
**Murphy’s Law: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
3). CLASH OF THE TIMES
Despite there being 365 days in a year, you’d be surprised at how many events will clash with yours (we know, so rude). There’s nothing worse than putting time, effort and a huge budget into your event, only to realise once you’re receiving RSVPs that you’ve made it the same night as;
A). The derby
B). The ABBA reunion tour
C). The Bachelor grand final
D). All of the above
Triple check with Google and all ticketing websites like Eventbrite, Ticketek and Ticketmaster for events happening both in your area and nationwide.
4). STARRING IN A ONE-MAN SHOW
#TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork. Don’t be so proud that you won’t ask your colleagues/friends/muscly neighbours to help with your event. After all, you’ll want to have someone to pop a champers with once the party (and stress) is over! Doing everything yourself will exhaust you both mentally and physically, and may cause you to oversee important elements that were staring you right in the face – a definite sign of being too tired to function.
5). FORGETTING ABOUT THE GUEST EXPERIENCE
So you’ve planned an event - you’ve got entertainment, drinks and an enviable guest list. Now what? Contemplate the ways you can surprise your guests via an unexpected element - because no host wants to hear “should we go?” 45 minutes into their event. Whether it be a caricature artist, fortune teller or bubble-blowing competition - give your guests something to gush about all over their socials.
