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Let’s be honest: Most people are terrible at planning events. They don’t realize it, of course. They think they’re doing great by sending out invites, booking a venue, and maybe even throwing in a “fun” group chat for coordination. Then, the day arrives, and chaos ensues. Half the guests don’t show up, the schedule falls apart, and people leave early because the energy is all over the place.
As an event manager, I’ve seen it all. The good news? If you know what makes an event memorable, you can fix these flaws.
The 5 Most Common Mistakes
1. Lack of Pre-Event Engagement
Most amateur event planners assume that sending an invite is enough. They wait passively for RSVPs, hoping people will show up. But here’s the truth: if people aren’t emotionally invested before the event, they won’t prioritize attending.
The Fix: Build anticipation. Share behind-the-scenes updates, teasers, and special content connected to your event. Platforms like Happening let you keep your audience eager and dedicated to showing up long before the event starts.
2. Ignoring the Psychology of Attendees
Success in events is more about knowing what connects people than about your spending level. No matter how elegant the location or cuisine is, a gathering devoid of a feeling of community falls hollow.
The Fix: Create an event encouraging interaction. Little details such as careful seating choices, engaging events, or customized welcomes can help guests feel as like they are part of something unique.
3. Poor Time and Flow Management
Nothing kills an event faster than bad pacing either cramming too much into a short time or leaving long, awkward gaps where people don’t know what to do next. Events should have a rhythm, much like a great movie or concert.
The Fix: Map out your event as a series of moments rather than a rigid schedule. Allow for organic interactions while ensuring key moments hit at the right time. Smart scheduling tools help keep things flowing seamlessly.
4. Failing to Adapt to Last-Minute Changes
A speaker might cancel. The weather might change. Your caterer might show up late. Amateurs panic in these moments because they don’t build flexibility into their plans.
The Fix: Every good event has a Plan B (and sometimes a Plan C). Use a system that allows you to make real-time adjustments and communicate those changes instantly with attendees.
5. Forgetting the Post-Event Follow-Up
Most planners forget that long-term value is produced in the post-event period and concentrate just on execution. A great event is about the relationships, memories, and connections it generates, not only about what transpires on that one day.
The Fix: Follow up with attendees through personalized messages, event recap content, and community engagement opportunities. Keep the momentum going so your events become the start of something bigger.
The Bottom Line
Event planning is about creating an experience people wish to be part of, not only about logistics. Anyone can become a professional from an amateur planner by concentrating on involvement, psychology, flexibility, and follow-up. And if you want a one-stop shop to simplify and improve your event preparation, look at Happening great events don’t happen by accident.
