Event planners, by definition, are scrappy. You know how to find seats for guests who didn’t RSVP. You can make the wedding delay seem planned when, in fact, the bride is hyperventilating in the dressing room. You even know how to cut off the drunk groomsman’s speech before it goes too far. Despite your ingenuity, you’re still at the mercy of the feast or famine nature of event planning. Go from famine to feast with these ideas for building multiple revenue streams for event planners.
Create DIY Party Packages
Many people are DIY-ish with an emphasis on the “ish.” They may not spring for a full-on event planner. But they would pay for a DIY package that simplifies their event planning process.
For example, children’s themed party DIY packages would include checklists and instructions. You could also include Amazon links to the party decor and supplies. Of course, these would be affiliate links that serve as an additional revenue stream.
You could even include a list of NYC entertainers for children’s parties. Partner with these entertainers to offer your DIY clients a special discount for their services.
Best of all, DIY planning packages are a passive revenue stream that, once created, don’t require additional work from you.
Educational Resources for Budding Event Planners
Do you have some noteworthy success under your belt? Turn your experience into revenue and give newbie event planners a helping hand with educational materials or coaching.
The beauty of earning money with educational materials is that you get to choose your format and the amount of time you invest. You can write special reports and how tos, which you can sell from your website.
Or with a little more effort, you can earn more with live webinars. Then, you can sell access to the recorded versions. You can even offer coaching services individually or in a group setting.
Affiliate Marketing for Event Products and Services
Did you know that 80% of businesses have an affiliate program? Look into the brands and products you use most as an event planner. Chances are that many of them will offer you a small commission for sales that come their way through your website.
To make money with affiliate marketing, you need a solid online audience. Your audience doesn’t need to be super large. But they do need to be enthusiastic about the products you recommend.
To increase your affiliate marketing revenue, focus on earning your followers’ trust and creating engaging content. And remember to always be transparent about your affiliate relationships.
Corporate Event Consultant
Corporate event planning teams sometimes get stumped. You can come to the rescue as a Corporate Event Consultant. Corporations with an in-house corporate event planning team may need specialized and limited help.
The in-house team is likely well-versed in the core duties you usually offer. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need your expertise.
Corporate event consultants can guide the in-house team in its strategic planning and overall vision. You can help create a planned event that stays on budget while delivering results. Most importantly, you can lend your creative vision to help the team think out of the corporate box.
Offer Hands-Off Event Planning Services
The costs associated with events are rising. And if you’re an event planner specializing in weddings and other personal events, you may want to offer tiered services to remain affordable for some of your clientele.
While the luxury space is booming, clients farther down on the income totem pole are cutting expenses. And that means brides, especially, are more likely to forego a full-service event planner.
A tiered service plan will fit into their budgets, and you can still offer services at a price that reflects your value. Rather than putting in the hours of full-scale planning at a reduced price, you can maintain your hourly rate with pared-down offerings.
The following services provide value to couples who are willing to do some of the legwork themselves:
- Day-of coordination services that take the stress off the couple and their families.
- Partial Planning that helps couples finalize vendor contracts and create a planning timeline.
- Hourly Consultation to guide couples and answer questions as they arise.
- Custom Packages let the wedding couple choose the services they need the most.
Host Event Planning Workshops
Many would-be party and event hosts don’t know where to start. They go on the hunt for YouTube videos and online tutorials. But you can offer one or two-day workshops that will save them days of online research and, ultimately, money from costly mistakes.
Your workshops will teach “civilians” how to host their own events. Each workshop can follow a themed event, from dinner parties to children’s birthday parties. You can offer wedding workshops that teach couples how to plan everything from the engagement party to the wedding weekend.
Your unique expertise with an in-person workshop will offer value they can’t find from a Google search. And if your workshop attendees need extra planning help, they’ll know exactly who to call.
Host Your Own Ticketed Events
Who says you have to wait around for a new client? Host your own recurring ticketed events that bring in revenue while showing off your chops to potential clients.
The sky is the limit when it comes to hosting your own events.
- Monthly networking events
- Charitable events
- Golf scrambles
- Skill-building events, such as cooking or paint-and-sip classes
- Concerts with local acts
Grow Your Business at The Event Planner Expo
Diversifying your revenue streams is a great idea for any entrepreneur. Hustling for new clients is an even better idea for growing your event planning income in 2026. The Event Planner Expo 2026 is where corporate leaders converge to find event professionals with whom to work. Stay tuned for announcements on getting an exhibitor booth at the 2026 expo.
