Becoming a Professional Organizer

Congratulations on the prospect of entering the Organizing field! There are so many options available to you at this point, the sky is the limit. Choosing this career will allow you flexibility, room to grow and expand, and unlimited choices as far as areas to specialize in, regardless of your background or level of education. You can be your own boss and work full time in this field, or you can continue at an established career. Utilizing your organizing skills as well as your current and prior professional experiences will allow you to supplement your income,

boost your confidence level, and learn many things along the way about business, sales, marketing, networking, and entrepreneurship. As a Professional Organizer you have the ability to choose the areas you will specialize in, according you what you enjoy and what your strengths are. Some examples of this would be: Home or Office Organizing, Clearing Clutter, Working with ADD, Verbal Presentations, Hands-on Assistance, Closet Design, Kitchens, Garages, Offices, Time Management, etc. The list goes on and on. Don't be afraid to build on your experiences with other careers. I have made great use of my optical and medical background. My experiences in those areas helped my greatly with areas such as: filing, insurance billing, customer service, sales, marketing, and much more. I have even become a consultant for several optical venues in Eastern Iowa. I have helped to organize brand new optical stores, standardize office protocol, and continue to consult for businesses when they contact me with questions. A good way to find out what you enjoy is to offer services to your friends and family until you feel comfortable in your abilities. A great resource in the Organizing field is NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers). They are the leading authority on all things organizing. Founded in 1985, this non profit organization was formed to promote the field of organizing, to help make the public aware of professional organizing, and to provide support, training, and networking forums for members. By joining, you may also become part of their referral service, so they offer your information to interested clients. The amount of money you charge a client is your decision as a business owner. Considerations include experience, skill level, and personal choice. Ask yourself, what would you pay for this type of service? How many hours per week/month will you work? How much money do you want to make? What do other organizers in my area charge? Organizing fees vary depending on what part of the country you live in. Bigger cities may charge up to $100.00 per hour, whereas in the Midwest, people are still finding out about the profession and cost of living is much lower, so you may decide to start out with a flat fee of $25 or $50 per project, or a lower hourly rate. It may also be beneficial to find out what other organizers in your area specialize in. This field is so broad, someone is bound to provide a service that you do not offer, as you probably have valuable skills that someone else could refer clients to you for. Think of your fellow organizers as valuable resources in your community. This article has given you a start and many things to think about, but remember, there are many other things to consider in regards to becoming a Professional Organizer or starting an Organizing business of your own such as: startup costs, finding clients, record keeping and other business and tax requirements, at both state and federal levels. Contact NAPO, a local Professional Organizer, the SBA, or SCORE offices in your area to assist you in making smart decisions in the startup phase of planning your new business or Organizing career.