Protect your Event Planning Business with Pricing Policies!!

[@BashBesties]

I started my course yall!! Join PARTY BIZ ACADEMY today, before promo pricing ends 💕misseventplanner.mykajabi.com/party-biz-academy-101-pre-sell-landing-page If you want 20% off your 1st year at Honeybook, use my referral code: share.honeybook.com/taylor3678542 They're also doing a promotion right now for $1/Month for 6 Months. Use promo code: ONLY1 🙂

[@taylorbrione]

For weddings I do 30 days in advance and my cancellation policy is only in case of death, then I'll give back up to what I hadn't worked.

[@JC-qm7mr]

Oh I forgot to mention I’m a guy and it’s always weird when I’m ready to watch your newest video post and the first thing I hear is hey Mrs! 😂

[@morgannwilliams967]

Lol. Yeah I have done plenty of "guy things" and my name always had companies calling me "Mr." on phone calls and mailers. 😂😂😂 I don't even try to say one or the other since artists are both.

[@mieshalee7040]

😂I was thinking how weird that would be for a man as well lol

[@blqwarrior1]

I was hoping I wasn't the only one.

[@adrielallen4685]

What do you do about decor items that get broken or "goes missing" during an event? Do you account for this in your price for the event initially? Have some sort of damage deposit? I would love to hear your opinion on this in a video.

[@yourstruly4961]

Create a deposit price that is refunded once all items are verified that there is no damage or lost. Refunded after 24-72 hours

[@JC-qm7mr]

Great video! I have an event rental business, and somehow came up on your channel. Decided to watch a video and instantly you had a subscriber. You’re in similar industry as me and I find your content helpful. Keep up the good work!👍🏼

[@Beatus_events]

Awesome video I am watching from Nigeria

[@BashBesties]

Thank you! Love to hear where people are viewing from, Hello from Los Angeles!! 👋🏽👋🏽💖

[@saschaboujettotv]

Great video! Excellent presentation 👏 and great Energy! I love your professionalism and your ability to speak eloquently in breaking down your business ideals and being so transparent. I have bought your guides and they have helped immensely with starting my branded business! Thank you! Keep it coming ❤

[@BashBesties]

Thank you Sascha, I appreciate you!! 🥰

[@tracylynnjackson]

😊l

[@JustineJordanCreative]

Hey love!! What great insight you shared! I have 2 questions: do you have a contract you have your clients sign and how much of a deodorant you put down??? You already know that I love all of your videos ❤️

[@BashBesties]

Hey dear! Thank you girl! 💕...Yes I do, I have a client agreement they sign. I also require 50% down, in the beginning I charged a smaller deposit because I thought people wouldn’t pay that much...but they will! 😉🙌🏼

[@monawilliams286]

Thank you Taylor, your advice and examples are always so relevant, sensible and spot on. We appreciate you!

[@BashBesties]

Thank you so much for Mona, hope you’re doing well! 💕

[@unseenbeautydiyqueen4296]

Very informative! Thank You!!❤

[@gibsonfamily1535]

Omg your awesome , thanks again for another great informative and helpful video !!!! This helped me tweak and brainstorm more on my party & event polices! Please make more of these videos!!!!! Woot woot!

[@YOURETHINKINGIT]

I love watching you casuse you keep it 100! NO LIES i love it

[@BashBesties]

Thanks girl, I try to be as transparent as possible so no one jumps into this career and get surprised. I appreciate you being here! 🙏🏽💕

[@YOURETHINKINGIT]

@@BashBesties we appreciate you greatly! I'm organizing my VERY FIRST event - a relaunch party for a small business owner. I'm so excited and I'm working on the payment plans now! I love you cause you really show us how to not make the same mistakes! Keep it up you got a subscriber girl!

[@deidraotey24]

Great video as always! Thank you for sharing

[@BashBesties]

I appreciate that, thank you for watching! 💕

[@morgannwilliams967]

Yup! Unavoidable problem that a client and EX friend got SO mad at me about, cussing me out and all, as though I could help it was the day of me booking to do the creative live photo booth as I'm also a photographer, but I woke up morning of with my back completely tightened up and in pain, couldn't hardly move. I apologized multiple times and she just said I was making excuses. Just sad.

[@sunshinetreatswtx]

Yes girl! Luckily I have all these in my contract already. LOVED this video! Thanks!!

[@BashBesties]

Love to hear, my boss babe got her contracts on lock 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@silverlining2794]

Thank you for all you do. ❤

[@delindasmith5993]

Enjoyed how helpful these videos are.

[@BashBesties]

Thank you DeLinda, glad you enjoyed! 💕

[@honeybwigs]

Thank you this was helpful

[@BashBesties]

Thank you for watching! 💕

[@vfrancisdesigns]

Love your videos. You aways share great contents.

[@StillVoice_]

Hi,i am trying to be a party planner but i would like to know if i am suppose to get a license or pay the city to be a party planner? I want to be legal in everything i do but idk how or what those steps are.

[@BashBesties]

Hello, there’s no license you need to obtain to be a party planner. For city fees and such you want to contact your local city hall to get accurate information as it may vary from state to state and city to city! 💕

[@StillVoice_]

@@BashBesties Thank you.💖

[@StillVoice_]

@@BashBesties I spoke to my tax consultant yesterday and i need a business license in PA for a small business,thanks again..your videos will help me a lot in this new journey.😊💕

[@BashBesties]

Hello, that’s awesome you’re seeking out help of a specialist! Yes, a business license is standard for small businesses across the board no matter what industry, but to clarify there is no specific “event planning” license required. After about 7 years full time in the industry you can apply and test to be “certified” if you choose. However, there is no specific official nationwide license, like there is for let’s say a hairdresser that must obtain a cosmetology license prior to doing hair or working in a salon.

[@ashleyrmeans]

I’m having an issue with a client. They’ve had my agreement and invoice for 3 weeks and have not paid yet. They keep telling me they will, but still haven’t. At this point I don’t even want the event because they are so unresponsive. What’s the best way to get out of this?!

[@morgannwilliams967]

I would upfront and professionally let them know that if payment is not sent by such and such time, the date will no longer be available. People tend to think they're the only client so I always tell clients I stack orders or bookings as I do multiple things, so you can simply remind that date is available or of interest to someone else as it's not paid for so give a deadline.

[@Msam109]

Hi. Thanks for the video. What are the payment options you offer to your clients

[@BashBesties]

Of course, right now I offer PayPal and Venmo, absolutely no checks.💕

[@eliteeventmgt]

I had a client cancel her wedding a week prior and asked for the deposit back! We definitely must emphasize non-refundable deposits.

[@BashBesties]

Isn’t that crazy?! I mean I know things may come up or you might decide to cancel, but a week before and then to ask for the deposit back just blows my mind...like you said we must emphasize non-refundable, as well as in the beginning now I always include a statement about what the Party Deposit actually is. (Used to reserve your date so others cannot book, allows me to begin services, and used to make purchases specifically for your event...something to that extent) and I make them check that they understand it.

[@lizloran2112]

i have a question regarding payments.. if I book the florist and caterer, do i add that into the pricing quote for the client and i write the checks? or does the client write the checks to the specific service i have hired? that is one of a couple questions i have creating my pricing policies and budget questions! any insight or advice from anyone would be much appreciated!

[@princejahleel]

Great content.

[@ashokkumarbehera3495]

Well said

[@BashBesties]

Thanks! 😊

[@Minnazs]

Personally I don’t ask them to pay BEFORE the event but I certainly don’t leave until I’ve been paid. After the services are done, then I give them their total again and they pay. I’ve never had a problem with that thank god!

[@BashBesties]

That’s awesome you have a timely clientele! Asking to pay at the end of the party is a common practice depending on your services. I honestly do believe most people will pay their balance at the end of the party when it’s due. However in my early experience, the few that kept me waiting were enough for me to instill a policy about paying prior to events. It’s just something I don’t like to do leave up to chance anymore. I’ve had people keep us waiting while they finished their celebration and when our portion of the party is done we should be able to leave, paid in full, not at the end of the clients party when it’s all over. Sometimes you can’t stay at the event or your services are for a certain amount of time. Also, I find clients tend to be more lax on timelines and deadlines once the party is already over. They don’t give the same responsive energy that they do before the party. This is just my thoughts on it from my early experiences, but not all people experience it. You have to do what works best for your business!! 😊💕

[@Minnazs]

@@BashBesties yeah that totally makes sense! I’m also not assss established as you are so that’s why it kind of makes me uncomfortable. Maybe I will do that practice in the future but right now I take the deposit and after I finish decorating the day of I don’t leave the premises until I’m paid lol! I’ll stick around as their guests are arriving I don’t care but I’m getting paid before I leave!

[@BashBesties]

😆 Good for you girl!..Get your money. Sticking around until they pay at the beginning of the party is the way to go. I totally understand where you’re coming from too. When you’re the decorator I know people don’t want to pay the balance until you arrive and actually do the decorations. My original packages I always require payment prior to party, but I’m starting to get into rentals now, and my husband and I are contemplating is it best to make them pay in full upfront or deposit and the rest on delivery, or if we should just allow them to pay and pickup. So, we’re still figuring out what rental policies will work for our community and my business. I always felt uncomfortable since the beginning asking for money for deposits or asking for large sums down, then I realized that’s just how it goes. If they’ve ever booked a decorator or any event company before they got to pay and they have to pay when they agreed to do so, bottom line. If you want to change down the line to pay prior, I would recommend starting to rack up those reviews and testimonials and have your contract together. Do you have a Yelp page? That’s where people find a lot of credibility in businesses especially when they require upfront payment. People just want that security you’re going to come through 💕

[@lyssaomari3392]

Hello. How do you collect your deposits?? In person , website, cash app ?

[@BashBesties]

Hello , I’ve always sent out invoices through PayPal. The past couple years I started with Venmo as well so the clients can avoid a fee if they wish. PayPal is nice because it’s a trusted payment gateway and you can keep your invoices organized, schedule them, etc but someone has got to pay the convenience fee to PayPal and on large sums that fee can get pretty high. I don’t pay that fee, so I give clients the option to pay via Venmo to avoid it now. Some still just pay it through PayPal though. 💕

[@lyssaomari3392]

@@BashBesties oh okay😊 thank you so much for answering !

[@candiedbylyss]

Hello, I'm starting a dessert table/backdrop business. My specialty will be kids birthday parties, baby showers, and such. Small events. My question is if I'm charging on a flat rate basis. I want to offer treats, candy buffets, balloon garlands, customized backdrops. I don't want to overcharge ,but I don't want to undercharge for providing my services. What would you recommend?

[@BashBesties]

Awesome, congratulations! Definitely start by researching the event stylists and balloon designers in your area. Check on Google and Yelp to find who’s reputable in your area and also on places like OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace to see what the low end rate is for similar services. Start somewhere around the rates you find. You can charge a little bit lower than the going rate if you think it will drive you some first time clients but don’t undercut the market substantially. 💕

[@billyjeanharris3453]

This is one of my problems I don’t wanna to see as if I’m over charging for services

[@bisiegbeyemi9313]

How do you handle a client who refuses to pay three days before the event as per your company's policy. Is it okay to involve the police, what's the best solution that won't give your biz a bad image?

[@BashBesties]

Hello, I’ve never had a client who has refused to pay, thank God. However, you should be charging a deposit and making them sign a contract stating they know when the balance is due and agree to pay it or the party will be canceled. If they don’t pay upon arrival you don’t setup. You don’t ever want to involve the police if you don’t have to. 😊

[@deniyahsjourney2748]

Where on Etsy can I find you’re stuff? I’m not seeing the link on this video

[@BashBesties]

Hey hun, it’s Etsy.com/shop/MissEventPlanner 🎉💕

[@jackieshuster2067]

What amoutn of deposit do you require from a client ? Sorry if I missed this in one of your videos

[@BashBesties]

Hello Jackie! I usually take 50%, if I have to buy something in full that’s specific (like a custom sign or favors) or book other vendors...then sometimes I’ll add the full amount in so it may come up to more than 50%. But on average as a rule 50% for deposit, and remaining 50% is due 1 week prior to event.

[@jackieshuster2067]

@@BashBesties Thanks so much! You Rock! Love your videos and all the great information!! Thank you!!

[@bisiegbeyemi9313]

Thanks for your response

[@BashBesties]

Of course, thanks for watching! 💕

[@annedaniels100]

Hello! What if the client still does not pay a week prior? Do you do the event anyway?

[@BashBesties]

Hello, so earlier in my business I didn’t have the week ahead policy, so I would come do events and get paid after. I quickly learned this was not the way to do things because my team and I lots of times would be sitting around awkwardly trying to flag down the host waiting for our pay after we we’re all cleaned up and it just didn’t feel right. In the beginning I also had tighter budget clients or clients that were well- off, but were cheap, so I had more issues with this. Since I’ve raised my prices, I now usually get clients who have a lot of disposable income and can afford to pay in advance or are use to paying in advance for services, so I rarely have issues. Occasionally some do miss their exact week deadline and I do a friendly-firm reminder that they need to pay the day after and that usually works....if they don’t pay before you have to be ready not to do the event. This is why you need a payment clause and the due dates in your contract and why they need to sign that they agree to the terms. The only time I get paid the balance after the party is when I work with one of my trusted luxury planners providing our entertainment service as a vendor, which I know that even if the client were to not pay her (which has never happened) she would cover the balance out of her own pocket. I still take a large deposit though.) So be clear with your client early on when they first book, have them sign a contract, send reminders before payment due dates. I know some people may still come to the event the day-of and say we can’t setup until payment is made. This can work for smaller events, but if you were doing a wedding or something this could severely cut into your time if they didn’t pay immediately and therefore compromising your work, which then the client may complain about in the end. So just always best to get paid before in my opinion, but I know some planners do installments broken into 3-4 payments and some do offer the last payment due after the event. So, it’s really up to you and your business services you are offering as well as how trusting you are to let your clients pay you after the party is over, but keep in mind when the party is done the excitement dies down and the party budget dwindles.💕

[@cdmanor777]

Thank you for sharing.

[@BashBesties]

Thanks for watching! 💕

[@terridavid741]

I asked about how to do your packages

[@s2swellnessspa]

so how much you charge for booking deposite and cancel fee

[@BashBesties]

My deposits are 50% of total party cost and non-refundable, cancellation fees start at $100 if cancellations are made in a timely manner.

[@frameartjamaica889]

you should only give back a deposit if there was a death (the person for the party or planning the party dies)

[@BashBesties]

That’s a very straight forward policy 👌🏽

[@mildrednormil4412]

Great video. How many times should I reach out to a client who claims they want my services but are dragging their feet...

[@BashBesties]

Thanks! No more than 1-2 follow up reach outs for me for regular individuals. If people want to book and actually can afford to they usually are quick to want to lock you in I find. If it was for corporate I’d probably follow up again a couple more times as long as I felt I wasn’t being too bothersome.

[@bismeirylantigua]

they have to pay 100% of the balance 31 days before the event

[@BashBesties]

When I started I had a standard set-up of backdrop/tables/chairs etc. that was included in my package and I brought that every time with no alterations.. At that time my events were centered on kids entertainment and I offered only alternatives for linen color, not actual setup. No matter the space available I was able to move those elements around in the client's space. I think that was what the question was referring too. 🙂

[@elishatkenya384]

I partner I want start my Award in Kenya how can I find sponsors

[@yoreagba]

New subby!

[@BashBesties]

Glad to have you hun! 💕

[@yoreagba]

@@BashBesties 😊😊😊 so happy to be here! I've learned so much already :D

[@BashBesties]

Love to hear that! 🙌🏼💕