What makes a professional organizer

I work alongside them the entire time, coaching, teaching skills, setting up new systems, watching for fatigue, and encouraging them. When we wrap up, I offer homework assignments if they want to work on them between sessions on their own.

It gives them accountability and gets the project done faster. I always bring my label maker, as well as a small arsenal of basic organizing supplies that work in just about any situation.

The list is included in my book, Born to Organize. Beyond the basics, if clients ask for product recommendations, I give them. But a lack of storage containers is not usually the problem.

Of course, there are some fabulous organizing products out there peruse my blog for some of my favs , and they do make organizing so much more fun for both me and my clients. Yes, for sure. If you are not a member, ask your trusted friends or local business owners for recommendations. If you have a business, you need a website.

Also, sending a monthly e-newsletter will help you stay in touch with prospects on a regular basis. During the early stages of launching a career as a pro organizer, there are several skills you can sharpen.

Organizing isn't one-size-fits-all: There are different methods depending on the space you're working with. Jeffrey Phillip , a New York City-based organizer and interior designer, specializes in spaces that prioritize function and fashion. Regardless of what organizing type interests you most, Phillip clarifies that all projects — no matter the size — are a puzzle of sorts. You're always trying to figure out how to make something better and what the new solution is.

There are currently more than 2 million posts tagged with organization on Instagram — and that number is growing by the second. The Home Edit , a professional organizing duo beloved by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Khloe Kardashian, and Reese Witherspoon, are part of the equation, and have 1.

While their rainbow-colored pantries are seemingly everywhere these days, social media domination was all a part of their strategy when they first started their business in While it may be easy for you to see someone else's treasures as trash sad but true , it's important to remember that even your client's cluttered drawers are full of sentiment.

And even if you think you know your client well, you'll discover even more about their life while digging through their belongings. NAPO — The National Association of Professional Organizers congregates about 4, professional organizers and offers training and information for both, Professional Organizers and the public.

I highly recommend becoming a subscriber and signing up for the teleclasses. It is a recognition of professionals who have met specific minimum standards, and proven through examination and client interaction that they possess the body of knowledge and experience required for certification.

Consider hiring a business coach to guide you through the process of building an expanding your organizing business. There are many colleagues coaching Professional Organizers today, so take your time, do your research, talk with colleagues, and schedule an individual session to find your fit.

I have coached with Geralin Thomas since my early days and every call has given me the answers I needed to move forward. Later I took training specific to the organizing industry, like The Coach Approach, as well as courses and certificates in areas like online business and digital marketing.

Being a well-rounded entrepreneur has been very important for my professional development and business success. Hi, I'm Helena! I have been organizing the homes and calendars of busy moms since My motto is, life can be busy, but it doesn't have to be complicated. I share here tips and tools to simplify your life and create time to enjoy it.

Your email address will not be published. That is what I am - A Professional Organizer. I kept it because it had some meaning to me and had great facts in it. I joined right away and started spreading the word about my new part-time home organizing business. It was a slow start because when I would say "Professional Organizer" no one knew what that meant.

To help explain it to people, I created a word pitch that I memorized, and when anyone said "what is a professional organizer? It worked pretty well. I charged very little to family and friends to start. However, I realized early that clients would not truly appreciate the transformation unless they paid something for it. In return, they agreed to write a testimonial of their experience and allowed me to take anonymous before and after pictures, and they would refer me to others.

Before starting the consultation, I had a lawyer friend modify a contract I created. The fee was smaller since I created it already. It included a client confidentiality statement, a liability release statement, before and after photo releases, my rates, and a cancellation fee. My client and I would sign and date it before beginning. Back then, there wasn't business and liability insurance you could buy for this type of business, but there is now. Shop around; the prices vary greatly.

I tried working with a variety of people. Some had ADHD before it was called that, and others couldn't deal with the weekly work it took to take on this task they created. And others would stop right after they started the organizing process. Others would seem interested but didn't take the extra step to make an appointment and move forward. To deal with this frustration, I had to determine what I wanted in a client.

So, I created an "Ideal Client" list. This is where I listed all the characteristics of my ideal client. This helped me focus on what I wanted to specialize in as well. My Solutions Consultation was born from this process. It worked out since I focus more of my energy on small business help and less on physical home organizing over the last several years.

YES, here are some tips I learned that will help you:. Note: Must be a member of N. She also provides coaching services. Hire professionals. Your dream team may include a photographer who specializes in headshots, an editor, a bookkeeper, and a virtual assistant.

It's a fabulous way to combine getting your name out there with gaining access to the ideas and experience of others, both in your community and within your industry. Sabrina Quairoli from Sabrina's Admin Services offers virtual or on-site recurring bookkeeping help to aid you with your bookkeeping tasks and online marketing and office administrative organizing services.