Frequently Asked Questions About Our Training Program -- OnlineOrganizing.com

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	Frequently Asked Questions About Our Training Program

Q: WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT QUALIFIES YOU TO TRAIN NEW ORGANIZERS?

A: My name is Ramona Creel, I have been a Professional Organizer since 1998, I am a Golden Circle Member of the National Association Of Professional Organizers (NAPO), and I am the original founder of OnlineOrganizing.com. I spent a number of years phone-coaching new organizers before laying my thoughts down on paper, and have used my training program to educate scores of "newbies" to this industry. I created this training program because I found that most "how-to-be-an-organizer" guides simply involved students reading about another organizer's experiences -- stories which didn't necessarily apply to their situation. I found that organizers had more success if they were given some basic information about the topic at hand (marketing, direct client appointments, setting up fees and contracts, etc.) -- then challenged to think about how they would structure their own businesses. The model here is one where you work through the issues and problems of running an organizing business from your perspective, then receive feedback on your ideas, as well as suggestions for expanding them -- sort of like role-playing on paper.

Q: HOW DOES YOUR TRAINING PROGRAM WORK?

A: This comprehensive program is broken up into twelve DOWNLOADABLE course modules -- each one covering a different business or organizing issue. These courses come in an MS WORD format so that homework assignments may be submitted by email once completed (but we can also send them to you as PDF files or printed copies if you need them). You select the modules you wish to take, pay for your purchase, immediately download your courses, and complete each assignment at your own pace. No classes to attend, no lost time at work, no travel costs.

Q: WHY DO I NEED TRAINING? I KNOW HOW TO ORGANIZE!

A: Most organizers already know how to organize themselves -- but many of them don't have the tools to be able to successfully TEACH those skills to a client -- and do it in such a way that the client will be able to get and stay organized over the long run. We help you to turn your great organizing ideas into a practical and systematic METHOD that can be customized to each client’s needs, and easily replicated again and again.

Q: WHAT IF I'VE NEVER RUN A COMPANY BEFORE?

A: Many organizers lack the BUSINESS background to succeed as an entrepreneur. We also offer the practical tools necessary to make sure that you run your business legally, that you can successfully market your services, and that you know how to deal with both difficult and routine client issues that might come up. We teach you how to be a better business person so that you can be a better -- and more PROFESSIONAL -- organizer.

Q: WHAT DO YOUR CLASSES COVER?

A: We focus on every major issue related to business start-up and skill DEVELOPMENT -- client relations, marketing, financial issues, legal concerns, organizing technique, developing credibility, and defining your own personal organizing philosophy. See our course outline for a detailed DESCRIPTION of each module.

Q: WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH EACH ASSIGNMENT?

A: Each course (approximately 20-30 pages long) includes a:

detailed DISCUSSION of the topic at hand -- covering important organizing and entrepreneurial concepts, offering practical business and organizing tips, explaining the rationale behind different ways of working with clients or running your company, and pointing out potential problems you might run into

set of HOMEWORK assignments -- interactive exercises (some situational, some analytical) that test your problem-solving abilities, understanding of how to practically apply organizing techniques with your client, and business skills -- as well as role playing that asks how you would handle certain situations either running your company or working with clients

REVIEW and written commentary on your assignments -- a personal and in-depth look by a veteran Professional Organizer at your answers and submissions, including a recognition of areas where you are headed in the right direction, expanded ideas for developing your services and company structure, and suggestions for overcoming difficulties you might not have recognized

BIBLIOGRAPHY of additional relevant books, articles, and publications

Q: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I COMPLETE MY ASSIGNMENTS?

A: Once you have finished each assignment, you will submit an emailed copy of your HOMEWORK back to us according to the enclosed instructions. Your work will then be reviewed by an experienced Professional Organizer (a Golden Circle Member of the National Association Of Professional Organizers) -- who will send you helpful comments and suggestions . This review is not like getting a "grade" -- there is no passing or failing. It's more like written COACHING -- your instructor will point out potential pitfalls you might not have recognized, solutions and techniques you might not have thought of, and issues you need to be aware of as you proceed (with a business decision, a client appointment, a marketing effort, etc.) -- as well as places where you are right on track.

Q: WHAT IF I ONLY WANT TO TAKE ONE OR TWO CLASSES?

A: That's fine -- our program is designed to be flexible. While there are pricing incentives for enrolling in 6 sessions or the entire 12-session course (see our package deals) you may certainly choose to enroll in any NUMBER of modules in any ORDER that you wish. Customize your own training experience if you wish. For example, if you have experience organizing but have never run a business, you may want to focus on the sessions related to setting up your company, marketing, and developing your business policies. On the other hand, if you have run a company before but never worked directly with clients, you may wish to center your training on lessons that deal with organizing technique, your first appointment, and dealing with difficult clients.

Q: WHY WOULD I WANT TO TAKE THE FULL 12 SESSIONS?

A: Signing up for the complete 12-module course will save you a lot of money ($200) off the cost of taking 12 sessions individually. You are also guaranteed to get a comprehensive training in the running of an organizing business. And when you complete the full 12-session course, you will receive a CERTIFICATE of graduation from the "OnlineOrganizing.com Academy" to include in your credentials. Best of all, we have an organizer referral service that you can join for a $25 REGISTRATION fee, at our referral network, allowing you to start building your client base right away. All you have to do is tell us what kinds of clients you want to work with and in what area, and we will start sending you referrals!

Q: DO YOU REQUIRE A REGULAR CLASS SCHEDULE?

A: Nope -- we're flexible. Because this is a downloadable "do-at-home" course, you are under no time constraints. Complete your homework assignments at your own PACE, complete lessons as they become APPROPRIATE to your business, and submit them as you finish -- it doesn't matter if it takes you a day or a month or a year!

Q: WHAT IF I NEED EXTRA HELP WITH A SUBJECT?

A: We also offer companion COACHING sessions to complement to our online training program. During each coaching session, you will spend one hour on the phone with an experienced Professional Organizer (a Golden Circle Member of the National Association Of Professional Organizers). This is your chance to discuss specific QUESTIONS or concerns about the lesson at hand -- about running your business, dealing with clients, or organizing technique. Coaching is offered either as individual sessions or in a package deal -- making it easy for you can get help with every session or just when you run into a problem. Just choose the "add coaching sessions" option when you check out -- you will find instructions for scheduling your coaching sessions with each lesson. And if you decide LATER that you want some additional help with a lesson, you can always sign up for coaching then.

Q: ARE YOUR TRAINING COURSES RETURNABLE?

A: Unfortunately, no. Once we have sent you the information -- the intellectual property -- there is no way to return it. So please be SURE about your decision before you sign up. There are no refunds or exchanges on training program courses or coaching sessions, once they have been paid for.

Q: HOW DO I SIGN UP?

A: Just select the training program PACKAGE (6-sessions, 12-sessions, or each lesson individually) that best suits you on our enrollment page, choose the COURSES you want to include in your package when you get to our shopping cart, and complete the checkout process paying for your purchase. You will be able to download your lessons immediately, so you can get started right away