Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
We've all heard the expression, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” But how many of us are able to really live that way? People have too much stuff, not enough space or time, and lack basic organizing skills. Enter the Professional Organizer!
Some of us are naturally gifted when it comes to organization. Others of us have learned to become better organized, and the rest, desperately need professional help. If you have the knack for organizing, whether naturally or learned, you may have what it takes to be a professional organizer.
The services provided by a professional organizer range from planning storage space to moving an entire office, from reorganizing a particular room in a home to managing a home office. Some specialize in only doing a particular type of organizing, while others will do it all.
What does it take to become a Professional Organizer?
First off, you need to have a heart's desire to help people. Realize that as a personal organizer, you are likely to run into a bit of psychology with your clients. Most people have some attachment to their things ““ and might struggle with the organization process if it involves de-cluttering (throwing and/or giving things away), which it often does.
Along with the desire to help others, you need to be able to very patiently teach. Clients will need to learn the skills to maintain their new organizational system. It takes patience and understanding to help someone who may not be able to easily grasp the same sense of organization that you have.
You also need to be intuitive and a good listener. Clients will not be satisfied if you reorganize their area in a way that isn't pleasing or useful to them. Professional organizers excel in understanding a client's needs and habits through listening and observing ““ and then taking those things into consideration in the redesign.
Last, but not least, you have to have stamina and vision. Let's face it: organizing can be exhausting. Without the ability to see the end from the beginning, discouragement can set in and spell disaster. You need to be resilient, confident in final results that cannot be seen yet, and able to pass along enthusiasm to your clients. The ability to cast a vision of the final results, amid current chaos, is critical to success.
Do I need a license to be a professional organizer?
You don't need any special certification, a license, or even training to be a professional organizer. However, it will pay you to have as much organizational skill and knowledge in your wheelhouse as possible. It is also advised not to forget to cover the bases on any tax obligations and local business ordinances.
Getting started
Gain experience by volunteering to help friends or family with their organizational challenges. Ask to use them as referrals.
Consider working for an organizer service before striking out on your own.
Although it isn't necessary, you can read books, take courses to become a certified organizer, and learn how to have success operating an organizing business. Check out the National Association of Professional Organizers (napo.net) for information on organizing companies in your area, training classes, business advice, and more.
Do you need to buy organizational supplies?
There are some organizing tools that you will use regularly (like storage boxes or file folders), so you may want to have some things on hand to make it easier on you and your client. There are some other “tools of the trade” that some organizers use, such as quick-fold gadgets for rapidly folding clothing to identical shapes and sizes. Having extra boxes and garbage bags on hand for donation items, and just plain junk, is smart too.
However, you may also want to take the more personalized approach. Consider, as well, the overall design of the new space or the function of the new organization system. Clients often want style with their function ““ or may have strong colors preferences.
Before buying anything, see if your client already has some storage containers, boxes, etc. that could be used keep their costs down. However, note that organizers typically avoid using plain cardboard for ongoing storage. The main reasons: they don't hold up as well, can retain moisture, and bugs love cardboard. So it is wise to replace any cardboard boxes a client was using.
Getting jobs
In addition to starting with friends and family ““ and hopefully getting the word out through them ““ you'll need to use other methods to become successful. Try social media, have handouts or brochures, and stay on top of other opportunities to promote your organizing business through events, marketing ideas, and more.
If you have the skills, or know someone who does, also consider a website or at least a webpage. Most will search online if they don't know where else to look. You want that search to lead to you! Just be cost-savvy and don't go overboard getting your name out there. Large or complicated sites can be costly. Simple works just fine.
Bidding jobs
Before agreeing to a job, you'll want to talk to a potential client in person, or over the phone, to find out what they want to have done. It is wise to either visit the location in person, or, through the convenience of modern technology, have a potential client send you a short video or pictures of the area needing help. Without laying eyes on a job, it will be very hard to estimate a price.
Doing some “practice” jobs will help with accurate pricing. Gaining experience with how long things really take to go through and rearrange is crucial. It's amazing how much stuff can be unearthed in just one room in a home or office! Without the necessary experience of going through boxes and drawers and closets, it's easy to think a room doesn't have much, and won't take long.
Once you've seen the job, you'll need to provide an estimate. To properly calculate, take into consideration more than just your time. Be sure to cover the time needed to teach the maintenance of the new system; the cost of necessary supplies; and even the time it takes to shop for the proper organizational supplies. Additionally, if the job is a bit of a drive, don't cut into your own earnings by footing all the gas you'll spend going back and forth to the site. Be reasonable with your pricing, but don't cut so low, and absorb so many costs, that you make no money by the end of a job.
How much can you make?
It will depend on where you live and the number of clients you have. Chances are you won't be able to charge as much in a rural area as what you can in suburbia. Reported national rates range anywhere from $40-$200 per hour. Even new organizers charge from $35-$50 per hour. Rather than charge by the hour, some organizers charge according to the task.
The joy of bringing freedom to a client drowning in their piles of stuff is exhilarating to the Professional Organizer. They love to see the weight of overgrown, out-of-control areas of life lifted off the shoulders of the people they serve. Do you have the skills, the desire, the vision, and the stamina?
