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Asking for and getting a discount from a caterer or event planner will automatically display that you're a wise and cost conscious individual and eventually get you the deal that you want. Some of them may have their own list of requirements that they'll ask you, to be able to work out your party or reception details, so it's important to shop around and interview as many caterers and event planners as possible.
This is a great time to negotiate a better deal on services!
- Instead of worrying about how to pay for your party, you offer to make a business trade.
Let's say that you have too many expenses and can't afford to pay for the party or reception that you desire. If you ask for and get a discount by offering to trade services (or the services of a co-host) and they agree, one hand will wash the other. You'll not only save money, but will be of great service to a caterer or event planner who will also be open-minded and will gratefully help you to promote your business. Think of the money that you'll both save! The amount of time and energy that you put in, looking for a willing party professional that will make the exchange, could prove well worth your effort in doing so. - Offer to sign a contract binding you to a multiple party deal. During tough financial times, caterers and event planners frequently wish to find a client that will give them repeat business. These party pros spend time marketing to get business as well as spend money on things such as print and pay-per-click advertising, for example. When you agree on a contract, you get the benefit of knowing that you'll (periodically) have wonderful parties that you'll be able to afford and the caterer or event planner that signs you to a multi-party contract will drop their prices substantially.
- Network to benefit the caterer or event planner. Most of the good caterers and event planners keep data about who makes up their client base, how many parties they've booked and and who has referred other clients and/or potential clients to their business. This is valuable information that gives insight into what kinds of parties (and what type of cuisine, decor, floral and entertainment) their target market group finds interesting and what draws more business. You can ask them if over time, the parties that they've previously produced have brought them a substantial amount of steady, repeat business and if their repeat clientele outweighs the day-to-day business that they currently receive. With the entire marketplace struggling to make ends meet, it's highly likely that they will tell you "no". From there, you tailor the kind of party or reception that you want to have - to more than simply celebrate a (birthday, anniversary, retirement) party for the sake of getting people together - to produce even better results in terms of getting more potential clients in front of the caterer or event planner, their brand and brand-style. You walk in their door telling them that you'd like to book a party to promote their business, bringing to them a number of - based on the number of people that you invite - "built-in" party referrals. This should be attractive because you're referring family members, friends and co-workers who may have never heard of them, to their business. How this works is, you and the caterer or event planner split the final invoice 50/50 and your referred invited guests show up and have a good time at your party. This is a marketing tool that will work powerfully to enhance the caterer or event planners marketing presence and get you what you want, a better deal.
