If you ever throw an event...

Although we haven't thrown many shows, we have definitely learned something each time we have. It can get super overwhelming but if you do your absolute best then it will all be worth it in the end.

Here are a few tips if you ever want to throw an event yourself:

Start as early as you can.

If you even have an inkling of an idea for an event that you want to throw, write it down immediately. You want to give yourself enough time to execute and save yourself as much stress as you can. Think about the scale in terms of crowd and event space, think about what equipment and decor you may need, and think about the schedules of your talent and crew because this will be key to how much time you will need to allot for the event.

Also, depending on the scale of your event, it may be difficult to find the perfect venue. Make sure to read all of the information on listings or contact the owner to ask specific questions, because many venues have strict rules and may have hidden fees. We like to use Storefront and Giggster for our venues. Peerspace is also a good option, but the price point is a little higher.

Plan for everything.

If you plan for everything, then you will have to worry less. We highly recommend an overall schedule from the brainstorming to the actual event, a call sheet for talent and crew that includes contact information, a materials sheet, a detailed schedule for the event day and try to have backup plans for everything. Then, on the day of, don't get flustered if something doesn't go as planned, but just be prepared to improvise.

Communicate.

Building a strong team can sometimes be difficult, but if there is constant communication, especially for mistakes or delays, your event will run much smoother. We found that using Discord to have regular meetings with those involved and using GoogleDocs to share important information visually was very helpful with keeping everyone informed. Also, try to allot enough time before your event to have a team meeting.

Profit and Deficits.

If you want to make a profit, try to have that decision solidified early. You could make a profit from selling tickets, selling merchandise and goods, selling drinks and food, and donations. If you decide to sell tickets, depending on your event, you could use websites like Eventbrite, Resident Advisor, Partiful or Dice. If you decide to sell any goods or food or drinks, make sure you have someone schedule to work the booth for the full duration of your event.

When thinking about money, you will want to keep tabs on everything you spend on. You will want to set a budget that includes venue costs, equipment and materials costs, talent and crew wages, and miscellaneous. You will want to scale your budget comparative to the scale of your event. This will also mean that if you want to make a profit, you will need decide the prices of tickets and goods that will allow you to surpass your deficits.

Don't forget extension cords.

This one is pretty self-explanatory but just make sure you get different sizes too. Oh, and trash cans and trash bags and paper towels and water and a hammer and nails.

Let us know if you have any questions when you plan your next event.