Planning Your Own Event? 5 Mistakes to Avoid (and What to Do Instead)
If you’re planning your own business event, you’re probably spinning a lot of plates. Booking a venue, inviting guests, sorting the catering—it all adds up. And while organising it yourself might seem like a great way to save money, it often brings more stress and last minute drama than expected.
At StarOps, we have supported CEOs and small teams through all sorts of events, from launches to conferences to client meet-ups. And we’ve noticed the same issues tend to crop up when business owners try to do everything on their own.
Here are five common mistakes to watch out for and what you can do instead to keep things on track.
1. No Clear Goal or Purpose
It’s easy to dive into planning mode without asking, “Why are we doing this?”
Every successful event starts with a clear goal. Do you want to connect with clients, grow your brand or generate new leads? Without this focus, decisions around venue, speakers, format and even the invite list become much harder.
What helps? Setting SMART goals from the start. For example: “Connect with 15 potential partners at our networking breakfast in May.” That kind of clarity keeps everything moving in the right direction.
2. Underestimating the Budget
It’s not just the obvious stuff like food and furniture. It’s the extras such as signage, name badges, tech support and last minute changes that can catch you out.
When you haven’t planned for everything, you end up either overspending or cutting back on the things that matter most.
Start with a clear, itemised budget and build in a buffer. That way, you stay in control and avoid those last minute surprises.
3. Not Leaving Any Breathing Room
Things go wrong. Deliveries are late, speakers run over, and the printer jams at the worst possible time.
If you’ve packed your schedule too tightly, one small issue can throw the whole thing off.
Try building in buffer time throughout your day. Even 15 to 30 minutes here and there can help you stay calm and keep things moving.
4. Doing Everything Yourself
When it’s your business, it can feel like no one else will care as much as you do. But that doesn’t mean you have to do it all on your own.
Trying to manage every detail while also representing your brand on the day is a recipe for exhaustion and missed opportunities.
Bringing in some extra help, even just for the logistics, gives you the headspace to focus on the bigger picture.
5. No Post-Event Follow Up
Once the event’s over, it’s tempting to move on to the next thing. But you’ll miss out on valuable connections and insights if you don’t follow up.
A quick thank you, a photo shared or a feedback form can go a long way. And it helps you improve the next one too.
Planning something right now?
At StarOps, we help small businesses and leadership teams plan smarter, more purposeful events without the stress. Whether you need full support or just someone to handle the details, we’re here to help you deliver something people remember for all the right reasons.
Let’s chat and see how we can help.