Learn To Be An Organizer At The "OnlineOrganizing" Academy

Discount Packages

The 6-session package is a great choice for organizers who have are having difficulty in specific areas -- such as marketing, special-needs clients, or product development. The 12-session package is great for new organizers who are just starting out -- and if you complete the entire course, you will be automatically enrolled in our referral network.

***if you have previously purchased any one lesson at full-price and decide that you want to take the entire course, we will credit you the $50 for the first lesson -- get the 12-session series for $350 (we must have a record of your purchase of a single lesson at $50)

Session 1: What Kind Of Organizer Am I

Thinking about becoming a Professional Organizer? Or just starting up and not sure in which direction you want to head? This 20-page session will help you decide if organizing is for you, assess your strengths, show you the gaps in your skill set -- and give you a start on "defining" yourself as an organizer.

• Knowing why you want to be an organizer and what your goals are
• Deciding to specialize or not to specialize...that is the question
• Discovering who your clients are and what kind of work you enjoy
• Identifying characteristics of a successful organizer
• Keeping yourself motivated on the long road ahead
• Assessing your skill base and finding ways to strengthen your weaknesses
• Overcoming your fears about self-employment
• Putting your educational and career background to work for you

Retail Price: $50.00 [Add To My Cart]

Session 2: Setting Up Your Business

Being an organizer is more than just organizing -- you must know how to run a small business successfully (and legally!) if you want to succeed as an entrepreneur. This 20-page session covers all of the administrative details you need to consider as you are starting a new organizing business.

• Understanding licenses, registrations, and insurance coverage you will need
• Choosing the right business entity for your situation and goals
• Recruiting members of your team and knowing when you need help
• Calculating your start-up expenses and deciding to pay for them
• Setting up a working environment for privacy, function, and comfort
• Deciding on equipment and supplies for your desk and in the field
• A 14-step process for forming a legal and functional business organization

****NOTE: This course covers legal and tax issues related to starting a business. It is available in US and Canadian versions -- but some information may not be applicable if you are starting a business in another country.

Session 3: Laying It Out On Paper

Your business plan is an important (and often overlooked) tool -- your "how-to guide" for both daily administrative details and long-term goals. This 20-page session will lead you through each aspect of creating a workable business plan that contains every detail about running your business.

• What is your market and where will you find them?
• Who is your competition and how are they doing in business?
• How will your business distinguish itself from other organizing companies?
• What services and different levels of service will you offer?
• How will you price your services and what kind of income can you expect?
• How will you market your services to different client populations?
• How will you handle day-to-day business administration?
• How will measure success and how will you overcome your weaknesses?

Retail Price: $50.00 [Add To My Cart]

Session 4: Proactive Pays Off In The End

Many people wait until a problem arises to discover that they have overlooked some important legal, financial, or administrative details. This 20-page session will help you create structure within your business -- and set policiese governing your client relations -- before you become overwhelmed!

• Developing a legally defensible contract and other client documentation
• Setting your work schedule to maximize billable hours and efficiency
• Developing solid internal procedures for completing routine business tasks
• Setting proactive external policies for dealing with client issues
• Determining policies for travel, cancellations, payment for services, etc.
• Outlining responsibilities and expectations (yours and the client's)
• Creating systems for tracking client information, accounting, and to-do's

Retail Price: $50.00 [Add To My Cart]

Session 5: Learning The Trade I (Storage)

Down to the nitty-gritty! Space organizing is one of the three basic "competencies" people expect from a Professional Organizer. This 21-page session will teach you how to apply basic space planning skills while organizing a residential or business client's storage areas.

• Teaching basic organizing principles for maximizing space to clients
• Identifying ways to strengthen your skills in weak areas
• Understanding the major causes of clutter at home and at work
• Knowing what questions to ask clients to make decisions about clutter
• Helping clients determine their space organizing goals and priorities
• Knowing what tools you will need to complete the job
• Working through a complete "action plan" for a fictional client

Retail Price: $50.00 [Add To My Cart]

Session 6: Learning The Trade II (Paper)

Each of your clients will have to deal with paper -- both at home and work. And in most cases, paper will be their number one organizing priority. This 23-page session will teach you how to apply basic paper management skills while organizing a residential or business client's filing system and desk.

• Teaching basic organizing principles for managing paper to clients
• Identifying ways to strengthen your skills in weak areas
• Knowing what questions to ask clients to make decisions about paper
• Helping clients determine their paper management goals and priorities
• Setting up customized systems for filing and incoming paper "to-do's"
• Cutting down on incoming paper and understanding records retention
• Knowing what tools you will need to complete the job
• Working through a complete "action plan" for a fictional client

Retail Price: $50.00 [Add To My Cart]

Session 7: Learning The Trade III (Time)

You will be expected to assist clients in identifying and eliminating time wasters -- as well as help them set and follow-through on priorities. This 22-page session will teach you how to apply basic time management skills while organizing a residential or business client's schedule.

• Teaching basic organizing principles for prioritizing and efficiency to clients
• Identifying ways to strengthen your skills in weak areas
• Knowing what questions to ask clients about how they use their time
• Understanding the major time management issues faced at home and work
• Helping clients determine their time management goals and priorities
• Teaching clients how to delegate and set boundaries around their time
• Knowing what tools you will need to complete the job
• Working through a complete "action plan" for a fictional client

Retail Price: $50.00 [Add To My Cart]

Session 8: Working With Clients

Although there is no one "right way" to work with your clients, there are some basic principles that all organizers tend to follow. This 26-page session will teach you all about the organizer-client relationship and the structure of organizing sessions.

• Setting up an intake form and knowing how to "qualify" a potential client
• Scheduling a consultation without giving away all your techniques
• Determining a clients' needs and priorities and creating an assessment form
• Dealing with the question, "How much do you charge?" and closing the sale
• Knowing what to do at your first appointment and creating an action plan
• Using communication skills to build trust and keep a client focused
• Completing an assessment and action plan for a fictional client
• Providing good customer service and "adding value" to your work

Retail Price: $50.00 [Add To My Cart]

Session 9: Handling Difficult Clients

"Difficult" can mean so many things -- personality conflicts, difficulty focusing, an inability to maintain organizing systems, or a client's personal issues intruding on your work. This 22-page session will prepare you for those more "challenging" clients.

• Recognizing the three types of clients and how to proceed with each
• Helping clients deal with the fear of change and encouraging change
• Creating long-term client relationships and managing follow-up
• Working with ADD clients and the special approaches required
• Role-playing 12 difficult situations and how you would handle them
• Referring clients for other help, and ending a relationship on good terms
• Evaluating your work with a client through surveys and questionnaires

Retail Price: $50.00 [Add To My Cart]

Session 10: Marketing On A Shoestring

All of your great organizing skills are nothing if you can't attract clients. This 25-page session covers a variety of innovative and inexpensive marketing methods. Find out the most effective ways to get the word out about your business -- without going broke!

• Identifying your marketing goals and the most appropriate tools
• Creating and then refining your unique selling proposition
• Building networking relationships that result in client referrals
• Designing a business card, flier, press release, and direct mail card
• Knowing how and where to market to your different target audiences
• Using special offers, promotions, and events to your advantage
• Differentiating paid advertising from publicity and making use of both
• Creating a year-long marketing plan and tracking your results

Retail Price: $50.00 [Add To My Cart]

Session 11: Developing Your Credibility

The best way to bring in new clients is by building a solid reputation -- become known as an honest business person and a competent organizer. This 31-page session will teach you how to develop a professional and authoritative air for your business.

• Joining NAPO, POC, and/or NSGCD
• Abiding by each organization's code of ethics
• Understanding CPO certification exam eligibility and test structure
• Making the choice to refer clients to other organizers
• Getting involved in other types of professional organizations
• Securing client referrals and building word-of-mouth business
• Collecting leads and testimonials from a follow-up survey
• Getting involved in public speaking, writing, and community activities

Retail Price: $50.00 [Add To My Cart]

Session 12: Expanding Your Range Of Services

Your business will probably go through many incarnations throughout its lifespan. You may move from consultant to speaker to writer to developer of organizing products -- or in any of a number of other directions. This 21-page session will help you look toward the future and start planning for growth.

• Comparing the pros and cons of expansion with your goals
• Recognizing the different avenues available to you as an entrepreneur
• Coming up with new ideas and 4 techniques for expansion brainstorming
• Developing a raw idea into a format you can put into action
• Evaluating the merits, possibilities, and pitfalls of an idea
• Understanding the resources, time, and money required in development
• Certification as it currently exists and future plans
• Evaluating feasibility and sending your idea on a trial run
• Setting up a measure of success or failure for your idea

Retail Price: $50.00 [Add To My Cart]

Optional Companion Coaching Sessions

If you need some additional guidance, we also offer optional phone coaching sessions -- allowing you to discuss a lesson (and any other questions you have) in a one-on-one environment with a veteran professional organizer. Coaching sessions last for one hour each and take place over the telephone. You may add coaching sessions to your individual course modules (an additional $75 per lesson) or to a discount "package" (save $200 on six coaching sessions and $500 on twelve) -- just choose the coaching option when you check out. Or, you may come back at any time to purchase individual coaching sessions separate from your lessons.

Retail Price: $75.00 [Add To My Cart]

Things To Know Before You Buy...

• learn more about our shipping, payment, and return policies
• first time with us? check out our step-by-step shopping guide