Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your use of these links is greatly appreciated!
Last updated on April 8th, 2022 at 08:51 pm
What do you need to become a professional organizer? Over the last year, I’ve had a lot of people reach out asking about what it takes to organize professionally. The number one thing I think you need may surprise you.
I’ve been organizing professionally since 2017. Since my intention has always been to do it on the side and in-between other things, my start-up costs were very low.
Someone recently reached out and asked if I think it’s possible to earn a full-time income as a PO. The answer is YES! While I personally do not, I’ve seen many, many others do it.
But let’s start at the beginning. What do you need to become a PO?
In this post, I’ll go over the qualifications you need to become a professional organizer.
They include:
- A love for organizing & teaching
- Compassion & empathy
- Willingness to get your hands dirty
- Resourcefulness
- Practice & experience
A Love for Organizing & Teaching
A love for organizing is a no-brainer. Even if organizing doesn’t come naturally to you, you can still help and teach others. Perhaps you’ve successfully organized your own home and life and you want to help others do the same. Your willingness to teach others what you’ve learned is passion enough.
You might be like me and (weirdly) love organizing. It’s something you have a knack for, and you believe that talent can help others. (Spoiler alert: it can help others.)
Compassion & Empathy
The next most important qualification is compassion and empathy. While I love the organizing part of the job, the best part has been getting to know my clients.
I describe my in-home services as “cozy.” And they truly are! I love getting to know my clients and their families. Hearing different parts of my client’s story as we work together has been an incredible gift.
As we walk through her story, I do more listening than anything. Then I ask the right questions and guide her through making the right decisions for her. There’s no one-size-fits-all for organizing …which is what makes 1-on-1 sessions so valuable.
Willingness to Get Your Hands Dirty
Some jobs will be dirty. Most of the time you’re dealing with items that haven’t been touched in a long time. I’ve seen a lot of dust in my time, and I’m always prepared to do a bit of light cleaning.
Heavier cleaning can be part of your offer. I know many organizers draw the line when it comes to pests. I personally will not accept jobs when a house is filled with second-hand smoke.
It’s your business and you get to choose what you do. But know that no matter what you do, there will be dirt.
Resourcefulness
I think organizing is among creative services. We often have to think outside the box and work out solutions that fit our clients’ lives. I’m constantly getting creative to work around budgets, lifestyle habits, and obviously, the size of the space we’re organizing.
But since I love organizing, this all counts as fun.
Practice & Experience
At the very beginning of my PO career, I organized for family and friends. I did a lot of free organizing to get both experience and testimonials. The first clients I took on were offered a much lower rate than I offer now.
The best way to start is to work with family and friends. It’s very different working with that first stranger, and there will be nerves. If you have experience dealing with other people’s stuff the organizing part will come easier.
You don’t need any certifications to organize unless you want to work with more specialized cases. There are some POs who are specially trained in working with mental health issues such as hoarding. Unless you have those certifications, I recommend passing on those clients to a specialist.
If you want more training, check out NAPO. They offer a variety of courses and certifications.
To take a less expensive route, I recommend reading some of the more popular books on organizing to familiarize yourself with different techniques. Here are two I suggest:
So, do you have what it takes to become a professional organizer? I think the most important skills of all are compassion and empathy. The job of the PO is to connect with the client, enabling her to make the hard decisions and benefit her life.
Are you planning on creating content for your PO biz? Access my free Content Planner here >>>
Leave a Reply