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In my previous deep dive into the world of community event management, I shared the "behind the scenes" of the process of planning and executing successful meetups. Now, I're zooming in on the backbone of effective event planning: the skills and capabilities that I either had or developed and / or strengthened while running the Talent Crunch - Berlin.
If you are in this game, it may be of interest to run a short audit and see if you need to push more in some areas. Or maybe come back to me and let me know if I am missing something 🧡.
1. Strategic thinking
Research and analyse trends
Extract valuable insights from feedback
Set clear objectives
2. Project Management, you must manage multiple tasks simultaneously while adhering to timelines.
Task prioritisation
Time management
Budgeting and resource allocations.
Deadline adherence
Personal note 👀 - this is the one piece which got me the most “hate”, because for a project to run smoothly, you have dependencies. And there is a lot of chasing and a lot of pressure (if there are other people involved) for things to be clarified, so that the next action can be delivered, etc.
3. Communication and negotiation
Negotiate with vendors and sponsors
Clear, regular and concise communication
Back-and-forth coordination
Problem resolution, resilience
4. Marketing and content creation
Copywriting
Graphic design basics
Social media management
Email marketing
5. Event logistics and coordination
Vendor management
Venue setup and on-the-ground management
Tech savvy: if the event is virtual or hybrid, being comfortable with webinar tools, online event platforms, etc.
6. Problem-solving and adaptability
Quick decision-making
Crisis management.
Flexibility
7. Relationship building and networking
Cultivate relationships with sponsors and partners
Engage the community
8. Attention to detail
Ensuring accuracy
Meticulous follow-up
9. Leadership and team coordination
Leadership: you’ll need to provide clear guidance and delegate tasks effectively.
Volunteer coordination.
Stakeholder management: keeping everyone aligned with the vision and the event’s goals.
10. Emotional resilience and patience
The amount of energy required for event planning is often underestimated.
I am not saying that this list is exhaustive and / or bullet-proof. These are things which I realised once I took a look in the mirror and reviewed my own growth since leading this community.
My hope is that, by marrying this article with the 7 Steps breakdown, you will be able to use this as a comprehensive toolkit for creating vibrant, engaging, and successful community events.
Why 2 posts?
I've split this content into two posts to provide you with a comprehensive yet digestible guide to event planning and community management.
Don't forget to check out our free downloadable resource, "The Ultimate Community Event Planning Checklist".
Happy planning, and here's to your next successful event 🥂!
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