Become a Professional Organizer and Help Others Get Organized

Have you been told that you have a knack for getting things done quickly and efficiently?

Do you constantly come up with creative ways to organize and group things together for a quick find?

Are you able to take a space and arrange that space in a way that doubles its use?

Then maybe you should become a professional organizer.

What Exactly is a Professional Organizer?

A professional organizer is someone who has been trained to take and organize a space, home, office, closet, or a hectic schedule to maximize its productivity.

Both companies and organizations hire professional organizers to help them or their clients better arrange spaces and create a sense of productivity.  As a professional organizer it is always important to ask yourself, what kinds of services does the client need?

How Much Do Professional Organizers Earn?

PayScale.com is a great resource to learning what the type of pay you can expect in different fields of interest. Professional Organizers have a varying pay that ranges based on the types of project and experience. The Median pay in the United States is $25 an hour. As a beginner professional organizer, you may expect to charge rates as low as $15 an hour but as you gain experience you can expect to charge more like $60 an hour.  However, every situation may be different. You will need to consider your expenses in any equipment and travel and so on. But this should give you a general idea.

What Are Some of the Projects That a Professional Organizer Could Do?

Organizing professionals offer a wide range of services, so being specific as to what you would like to offer clients to accomplish and become better organized and productive.  You could offer services like:

• organizing closets, shelves, and rooms
• preparing for moves or transitions to bigger or smaller spaces
• documenting and arranging collections and memorabilia
• planning and assisting office organizing for higher productivity
• supporting “organizing-type/planning software” in technology

Will I Need to be Certified as a Professional Organizer?

While you really don’t have to get certified at NAPO, National Association of Professional Organizers, it does lend credibility to you and your skill.  You can also list your skills, expertise and business there.  NAPO also offers seminars, workshops, additional training, and networking as any trade or professional organization would.

NAPO also has members that reach out and assist those with chronic disorganization, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

Again, you don’t have to be certified, since it is not a licensed or state regulated profession, but it does lend to more credibility.

What Other Special Skills or Computer Requirements Are Needed to Be a Professional Organizer?

As far as computer skills, just the basic are needed. However, it is a very good idea to have a SmartPhone with the latest camera to be able to snap pictures of the “before” or “after” areas to show clients or potential clients what you are capable of doing.  Or to show those traveling clients what you have done with their closet or spare room while they travel.

As far as aptitude goes, it is good to have:

• a sense of space/geometric relationships
• a sense of lighting and ergonomics
• an understanding of productivity

Are There Work-at-Home Companies That Will Hire You to Be a Professional Organizer?

I haven’t seen any as of yet, but I am sure that some will get into the game.   I have seen freelance writing jobs on ProBlogger.net looking for professional organizers to write blog posts.  I have also seen telecommuting jobs on Indeed and FlexJobs as well as TaskRabbit for those wanting the expertise of a professional organizer.

You can also go out and market within your own network for private clients as well.

In Conclusion

As you can see, the field is still growing when it comes to becoming a professional organizer.  My advice?  Try it if you believe it would be a good fit for you.

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