How to become a professional organiser & earn more money

Organising things in your home is rewarding in itself. But what if you could make a decent living by decluttering and organising stuff for other people, too?

Professional organisers are problem-solvers who can help sort and downsize a space efficiently. There are many different things you can do in this profession. If you’re passionate about sifting through clutter and making spaces more efficient, keep reading to learn how to become a professional organiser.

What work can you do as a professional organiser?

There are many ways to make money as a professional organiser. The clients you’ll work with may need help with their homes, workspaces, and events. Here are some examples of the work you may do:

• Organising physical documents and similar items

• Creating storage solutions

• Packing and unpacking items

• Lifestyle coaching, e.g., minimalism

• Optimising business workflows

• Speaking engagement, e.g., public speeches

• Organisational training, e.g., organisational skills

• Paper and filing management

• Budgeting and financial planning

Home organising

Do you enjoy the feeling when you declutter your home? Home organiser jobs require you to work directly with your clients. Here, you can organise your clients’ personal spaces, be it in their closets, kitchens, or home offices. Here, you can organise your clients’ personal spaces, be it in their closets, kitchens, or home offices. 

• Pantry and closet space organisation

• Space management for home downsizing

• Clutter management

• Moving and relocation management — for packing and settling in

• Designing workflows for home offices

• Digital file organising

Event organising

Do you enjoy a more social setting for organising? You could also look into organising different events. You can provide the following services:

• Event management

• Event communication and coordination

• Budget planning

Business organising

Organising isn’t just about cleaning up physical clutter! If you live in a big city, there will be full-time positions open for professional organisers. The work you’ll do can vary for each business’s needs. Here are some examples of work you can explore:

• Designing optimal workflows for businesses

• Admin work, e.g., physical and digital file organisation

• Creating storage solutions

• Speaking engagement

• Organisational training

Organising consultancy

Ready to make a bigger commitment to take on projects full-time with yourself as the boss? Start an organising consultancy so you can build even more experience and get bigger projects. You can choose the range of services you can offer as well.

This will mean that you’ll need to register your business. Learn how in the next section!

How to become a professional organiser

There’s no set path to becoming a professional organiser. It pays to be armed with the knowledge you need to know before investing in the job. Here are some key things you’ll need to know before getting started.

1. Secure your toolkit and work equipment

A professional organiser’s toolkit will differ depending on your area of expertise and your client’s needs. To kick things off, here’s a list of essential tools all organisers should have when starting. 

• Standard writing supplies like pens and papers

• Office supplies such as clipboards, staplers, and scissors

• Labels or label makers

• Adhesives like tape and glue and adhesive removers

• Disinfectants for cleaning surfaces

• Measuring tape 

• Tools for basic installation like pliers, screwdrivers, hammers

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, masks, and protective clothing

2. Find experience

You don’t need to be a professional right away. Find a client who needs your help and build your knowledge in problem-solving. Every organiser will have a unique situation they’ll need to figure out as they go along.

The best place to start is with friends who need assistance. You can then start networking from there.

3. Build a portfolio

Documenting their work is a step others might overlook. Having a portfolio ready will help you land more clients. Curate all your organisational work online through a website or social media. Both are easy to whip out to potential customers and are great for exposure too! 

4. Get accreditation as a Professional Organiser backed by the IOPO

Set yourself apart and get a membership to the Institute of Professional Organisers (IOPO). This gives you an edge with credibility, the capacity to offer more complex services, and ultimately charge an even higher rate for your expertise.  

Here are some requirements you’ll need to note:

• A minimum of a high school diploma or GED to start a course

• Take a course for Professional Organiser Training

• Sign and adhere to the IOPO Code of Practice for Professional Organisers

• Get work experience with your organiser training

5. Register your business

When you’re confident in navigating the waters of the profession, you can register your business. 

• Determine your business and branding

• Register your business name and business number

• Get a domain name to set up your business’s website and portfolio

Find work that you love

As a professional organiser, you can solve and simplify your client’s concerns when it comes to navigating their spaces. If you’re passionate about the work, you don’t need to be accredited to get started. It’s easy to find organiser jobs near you when you’re a Tasker. Start now and do work you know you’ll enjoy—and it's a great option to earn extra money along the way.