There are several types of clients event planners work with. Below are only a few that seem to pop up more than often.

The Referral

Some referrals may have never worked on an event before, so take the time to walk them through the process. These types of clients may have worked previously with other event planners, so they may only like or know one way of planning techniques. As the event planner, it’s your job to step up and explain to these clients your process – walk them through your routine and see if they have any questions. It’s a lot easier to let them know upfront what you will be doing, rather than seeing half way through they are confused or not enjoying the process.

The Overachiever

Event planners are already super happy, (sometimes OCD), exuberant people. Working with a client who is also type A can sometimes put a damper on the relationship you form with them. Two people (event planner and client) with over the top personalities may be a recipe for disaster, unless you remember as the planner to stay professional, and always meet the client halfway. Listen to what they have to say, what their ideas are, and always provide quality service, even if the client thinks they know better than you do.

The Ideal Client

Ideal clients are usually easy to transition into loyal clients who come back to you time and time again. Create a long-lasting relationship with them that is open, trustworthy and caring. If you do your job well as the event planner, you should be able to secure a lifelong business client and possibly a great friendship as well!

The Promise Breaker

Clients love to promise they will show up on time, bring checks to meetings, help look for items needed at an event, etc. Event planners all know the importance of making every client sign an agreement that binds them to get items done in a timely manner, provide payment on time, and be respectful to the event planner’s time. Even with a signed contract, a lot of clients fail to adhere to the papers they put their signatures on. These types of clients can manipulate event planners, and sometimes hold things over their head for no reason.

The Clueless One

Although some clients may be super on it like the ideal client, you may find yourself meeting a couple of aloof clients. These types of clients can seem confused, closed-minded and indecisive, which is never a good quality to have working on an event. For example, they may agree with your ideas and plans, but halfway through the project want to take a new direction. Or, worse case they forget the plans that were agreed upon and you have to scramble to get the job done.

The Picky One

You can’t plan an event without having worked with a super picky client. This type of client can be picky and a mix of one of the above types. They love to nit pick every single detail, which doesn’t seem like a bad idea, but can end up being a time sucker when events need to stay on track to meet deadlines.

The Grumpy One

Finally, somewhere in the mix of event planner’s clients is always a grump. These are the clients you dread working with – they always have something to complain about, whether it’s the colors of table cloths, or food being served or even the online registration processes. They can never see the good in anything being planned.

Happy planning!