From Zero to Fully Booked: How NZ Event Planning & Decor Specialists Get Their First 10 Clients
Starting out in event planning and decor in New Zealand means building trust and showcasing your talent. The first 10 clients are crucial-they set the foundation for your reputation and word-of-mouth. This guide reveals 10 practical strategies to help you attract and secure those initial bookings, so you can grow confidently in the Kiwi events scene.
Here are some tips that you might find interesting:
1. Leverage Personal and Community Contacts
Your nearby community and personal network are the easiest to tap into when starting out. Let friends, family, and neighbours know you’re offering event planning or decor services.
A Hobart-based decorator once decorated a local garden party for free, earning glowing reviews and subsequent gigs through her small network.
Weirdly enough, those small beginning gigs often snowball into larger, more lucrative events.
2. Join Local Event Groups and Online Communities
Facebook groups such as “Auckland Events & Weddings” or “Christchurch Party Planners” are goldmines for connections.
Share helpful tips on theme ideas, setup tips, or décor trends to showcase your expertise without a sales pitch.
Neighbourly is also a trusted platform where community groups discuss upcoming events and recommend local organisers.
3. Create a Catchy, Mobile-Optimised Website
Your website is your online showroom. Showcase your best work with high-quality photos, list your services, and include client testimonials.
Using tools like Wix or Google Sites makes it easy and affordable to create a professional, mobile-friendly site.
Highlight local venues you’ve worked with or themes you excel at to boost trust with Kiwi clients.
4. Register on Yada and Other NZ Platforms
Yada is a popular platform where event specialists can connect directly with clients - and it’s free, with no lead or success fees.
Its ratings system helps trustworthy professionals stand out and get matched to local gigs.
Also list your services on TradeMe, Localist, and NZ’s event-specific directories to widen your reach.
5. Give Introductory Discounts or Offer Package Deals
Entice your first clients with special rates-like discounts for small events or bundled packages including planning and décor.
A wedding decorator in Wellington launched her business by offering discounted setup packages for her first few clients.
Think of it as a welcoming gesture that helps build your portfolio and reputation.
6. Network with Venues and Local Suppliers
Connect with event venues, caterers, and local suppliers who can refer clients your way.
Leave flyers, offer to collaborate on promotional events, or sponsor community gatherings.
In Queenstown, a decorator hit it off with a popular venue, resulting in ongoing bookings for weddings and parties.
7. Collect and Showcase Client Testimonials
Ask happy clients or venue managers for reviews you can display online and in your portfolio.
Testimonials and photos of your decorated venues-or behind-the-scenes setup shots-build trust and credibility.
A Dunedin event planner credits glowing reviews for winning larger corporate clients later on.
8. Share Your Work Regularly on Social Media
Post beautiful photos of your decorated venues, setup tips, or theme ideas on Instagram and Facebook.
Casual, genuine content draws followers and potential clients-think of it as showing your creative process.
A Christchurch decorator’s behind-the-scenes stories attracted inquiries from several new clients.
9. Advertise in Local Community Spaces and Print Media
Flyers or posters on community noticeboards, libraries, and cafes reach locals who may not be online often.
Branded vehicles or banners at events act as mobile advertisements.
In smaller towns like Timaru, traditional advertising can be surprisingly effective alongside digital efforts.
10. Stay Organised and Maintain a Professional Approach
Use scheduling and invoicing tools like Xero or local apps to manage bookings efficiently.
Clear communication and punctuality turn first-time clients into repeat customers.
In Christchurch, a decorator emphasizes that professional service helped her grow from a handful of clients to regular bookings.