Take your party planning skills to the next level by becoming an event planner who can tackle everything from private parties to circus planning. Create a portfolio that includes photographs, menus and price lists for events you've planned and use them to build your reputation as the event planner who can handle any type or size event. Consider asking satisfied customers to write letters of recommendation to use as references when soliciting business.

When providing a circus planning service, make sure you understand what the client has in mind, then match your plans to the client's view of the perfect circus. Clearly state what your responsibilities include and put everything on paper so there are no last minute misunderstandings that could take away her enjoyment of the party and possibly damage your reputation.

1. Include major circuses in your circus event planning service.

2. As a circus event planner, consider hiring a company that will provide clowns, rides carnival-type activities.

3. Use your circus planning service to get people in the mood for the big event.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find big well-known circuses and your circus planning is easy

It's a lot cheaper, and the circus will be more impressive, if you can gather everyone up and take them to a large traveling circus. If you can do that, all you have to worry about is transportation.

I recommend: Check out the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey tour schedule and see if it meets your needs. Or consider Circus Vargas, another large, but less well-known circus.

Find circus or carnival businesses that will fulfill your circus planning needs

If there's not a convenient traveling circus in the area, hiring a small circus or carnival may be your next best bet. Several companies will provide clowns, music, rides, prizes, catering and party rentals to make your circus a success.

I recommend: Clowning Around will provide just about everything you need for a circus event: entertainers, music, rides, prizes, and catering. Similarly, Happy Days Entertainment can provide clowns, jugglers, caricature artists and magicians. For food, National Catering Business offers full-service catering for indoor or outdoor events.

Make sure your circus planning includes pre-event food and activities

Whether you're taking people to a big circus or a small carnival, get them in the mood with circus-themed props, prizes and party favors. You might even consider setting up a games and a cotton candy or popcorn machine in the weeks leading up to the event.

I recommend: Fun-Attic has carnival games and equipment perfect for getting people in the mood for a circus. Windy City Novelties has a wide range of carnival prizes, toys, noisemakers and games to make your pre-circus time festive. For circus food, consider Concessionstands.com, which carries carnival games, popcorn machines, cotton candy machines, snow cone machines and pretzel equipment, among other things.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Plan on attending the circus party so you'll be on hand and prepared to handle any last minute emergencies. Take lots of photographs before and during the party to showcase your diverse skills in party planning that include your skills as a circus planner.