You’re an event planner first. There’s no questioning that. But it doesn’t mean you can’t be diversifying your event planning talents in new ways to create innovative revenue streams for your business. In fact, there are more opportunities than you know to grow in events-adjacent directions. And since you only have enough hours in the day to plan a certain number of events, passive and active income streams can dramatically help boost your earnings. We’ll share some of the popular ways other event professionals are exploring to keep their cash flowing – so you can too.
1. Offer Consulting Services
Offer consulting packages where you help brands and non-niche event clients with event strategies, budget planning, or vendor selection recommendations. This way, you’re getting paid for your expertise, but in more of a consultation way. You can structure your services in a few different ways:
- One-on-one consulting via Zoom or in-person meetings
- Hourly or package rates
- Retainer-based, with ongoing support to corporate clients
- Offer a free discovery call to get to know potential clients and showcase your services.
2. Create and Sell Event Planning Templates
You’ve undoubtedly created some awesome spreadsheets and checklists over the years – why not sell them? People (including up-and-coming event planners) are willing to pay for tools that make their planning process more manageable. Consider offering:
- Budget trackers
- Timeline templates
- Checklists and guides
- Venue/vendor contract templates
You can sell on platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or your own website. Be sure to make your templates customizable so customers can edit them to their liking. (Formats like Google Sheets, Excel, or PDFs with fillable fields work.) Pro tip: Bundle templates for more value. This makes it easy to turn your resources into passive income! And remember, there’s value beyond the price tag. Make them free but as gated content in exchange for an email address you can add to your email marketing campaigns.
3. Host Workshops and Webinars
You know the event planning industry inside and out – and what better way to share that knowledge than by hosting live or recorded workshops and webinars? Consider session topics like planning a budget wedding or social media marketing for events. Charge for access and offer exclusive Q&A sessions or industry content. Host live sessions on Zoom or Google Meet, or upload recorded sessions onto sites like Techable and Thinkific.
4. Leverage Affiliate Marketing
Imagine a way to get paid for the referrals you’re already making. Here’s how it works: You partner with vendors or brands you trust and share a special link that promotes their products or services with your event-planning audience on your blog, website, or social media channels. Every time someone clicks on the link and makes a purchase, viola – you earn a commission (kind of like a referral bonus!) Affiliate marketing is a great way to make passive income without creating your own products.
5. Monetize Your Events Blog or YouTube Channel
Building an audience online with a blog or YouTube channel can be a great way to open up other revenue streams. (Think ad income, sponsored posts, or brand partnerships.) The key to success here is patience and consistency – success won’t happen overnight. It could take months or even years before you see meaningful traffic or income. But if you’re willing to invest time, embrace uncertainty, and play the long game, blogging can become a rewarding side hustle and a solid source of passive income. And chances are, you’re already creating content for these platforms. Just change it up and look to monetize!
6. Sell Event Decor
If you’ve been buying event décor, consider renting it out to other event professionals or DIYers. It’s an easy way to make your investments work for you long after the event is over. Start by cataloging your inventory and noting their condition. Then, set your rental prices and advertise your offerings on Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, or your own website. Be sure to protect your products with a rental agreement that outlines the terms on deposits, damages, and returns.
7. Offer Day-of Coordination Services
Offering coordination services on the day of an event is a great way to increase bookings without the time commitment of full-scale planning. But you’ll need to make your services stand out to be successful. Tips to get started:
- Offer flexible packages, like half-day, full-day, or weekend options.
- Give clients a detailed timeline of the big day to show them how the event will run smoothly.
- Market to small businesses or DIY planners. Many can handle most of the planning but need someone to bring it all together on the big day.
If you want to be hands-on without the hassle of pre-event planning, then this service might be right for you.
Don’t Just Dream About a Thriving Event Business—Make it Happen at The Expo!
Diversifying your revenue is a great way to add financial security to your business. Diversifying helps keep the cash flowing – even in an economic downtown or slow season. To discover even more ways to diversify your revenue, get your tickets to The Event Planner Expo 2025 this October. It’s where the best of the best event planning professionals, vendors, and marketers come together to share insights and industry trends – so it’s right where you belong.
