Reasons Why Most Event Planners Prefer Freelance Lifestyle
Over time, it has become a workplace commonality to find employees with frustrations and feeling stagnated within the clutches of their full-time jobs. Most often, complains of having little time after work or limited freedom to lead their lives are common. If you are an event planner in this fold, you should consider switching to work as a freelance event organizer. With increasing technology, communication and flexible working is becoming easier. Freelancing is also becoming more popular and accessible. It offers several benefits and potentially limitless freedom for event planners. Below are the reasons why event planners prefer switching to the freelance lifestyle.
1. Flexibility
Perhaps the primary reason why most event managers go freelancing is due to its unmatched flexibility. Event management is largely project-based. Therefore, if you can provide excellent services to the client, you can work the number of hours and days you want. Simply put, you can plan your schedule to suit your commitments. This is overly beneficial for those who want to juggle between event planning as a career and taking care of their families.
From another dimension, different people get productive at different times. For instance, you could be most effective before noon while another person can work best in the evening. Freelancing will accommodate both of you. Unlike office work, freelancing doesn’t tie you down to office hours.
Whereas working during your productive hours and eliminating the normal 9-5 working hours may sound ideal, keep in mind that you should get clients and well-paying event work to make a good income. Also, you are not entitled to holiday and sick leaves. As a freelance event manager, you are fully responsible for what you make.
2. Freedom to Choose Clients
Working as a freelancer means that you can work with whom you want and focus on profitable clients. You can also narrow down your niche to boost your expertise. Money is the main determining factor when it comes to choosing who to work with and whether you should make allowances on whom to work with. It is prudent to be selective on whom to work with, as it will enable you to build a personal brand with utmost exclusivity. Choosing a specific niche might be a long-term strategy, but could be a recipe for returning and top-class clients. With sufficient expertise, you can charge more as well.
3. Diversity
In an office environment, once your talent is recognized, managers will exploit and utilize it to the latter. The downside is that you will end up running the same events from the same clients all through. This can be frustrating for event managers who need new challenges and variety. On the other hand, working as a freelance event manager enables you to work on a wide array of events, nurturing skills and improving service delivery. You don’t always have to choose what to specialize in. As a freelancer, you can escape the monotony of doing repetitive work by pitching or taking different contracts from multiple clients.
4. Higher Earnings
Freelance rates are often quite high as they compensate for the short-term and flexible nature of event projects. Besides, since you work as a freelancer, you can choose to invest more hours at work and take more projects. Some events may not be viable for large event companies but are worthwhile and profitable for you as an individual planner. That aside, you probably have fewer overhead costs compared to those incurred by large companies. All these cumulatively result in better earnings.
5. Enhances Creativity
Unlike normal 9-5 jobs, working as a freelance event planner provides much professional and creative freedom. You can bring in new ideas without bureaucratic restrictions of working with a larger company. This results in original and innovative event solutions. With creativity as well, you will probably get new partnerships including stakeholders, sponsors, and vendors who align with your new ideas.
6. No Commuting and Dress Code
Rushing to catch the early morning train or bus can be stressful. As a freelancer, you can work from home, which not only eliminates commuting time but also reduces travel expenses. Similarly, you might be feeling like being stuck in your casual wear all day as you work, rather than squeezing in a formal look with uncomfortable shoes when going to work.
Minimal or no commuting and lack of specific dress code is the luxury that freelance event managers enjoy. You will certainly require some professional dress code occasionally when meeting with clients or conducting face-to-face meetings. However, all other day-to-day work can be done in any outfit that will make you comfortable and productive.
7. Job Security
Initially, working for a company meant having job security and monthly payments whether you are at work or not. However, with today’s economy, everything is increasingly becoming uncertain. For freelancers, they can have control over their search for work, knowing that they need to pay bills, invest more and sustain their lives. Even then, having job security as a freelancer can be difficult. Fortunately, you will know what steps to take to secure more event planning contracts. This could include lowering prices initially to attract more clients, focusing more on the available opportunities from freelance sites, working long hours or diversifying.
The Bottom Line
Majority of the companies prefer hiring freelance event planners than having an employee on their payroll. This is because working with freelancers cuts on the cost of human resources and reduces paperwork among other benefits. However, the freelance lifestyle may not suit everyone, especially those who cannot work on their own and need to be monitored. Nonetheless, expect to enjoy the above-mentioned benefits as a freelance event manager. For increased access to job opportunities, consider signing up to Bawabba.
Related Posts:
How to Become a Freelance Event Manager
Planning an event is an incredibly lucrative career that provides much freedom, independence and flexibility. However, it does come with challenges as well. People regularly get married and throw retirement parties. Similarly, there are tons of companies launching new...
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