Question: Hi Anne- I just picked up a new customer-someone in my networking group. She has already told me that her house is very bad. And others in the group, when they found out she hired me, rolled their eyes and said, "Good luck!". I'm afraid she is most likely a chronically disorganized and maybe a hoarder. Her plan is to sell her house, but right now she's looking to rent somewhere and weed through the stuff in the empty house. She'll probably make a mess in the new place too. I'm a little nervous about this; I have an appointment on Monday. She seems willing to purge and wants to change and get rid of stuff; I guess I'm a little anxious that if she DOES have a problem, it may be more than I can handle. I've already told myself not to feel bad if we only get so far; it won't be my fault if we take a step forward and 2 back, right? Any wise advice from a seasoned pro? Answer: My initial reaction is to say, “no” because you don’t have the ...

Question : Hi Anne, I hope all is well with you. I am writing the marketing section of my business plan and I am searching for articles and information on the growth of our industry. Can you advise me on the best place to gather this information? Thank you so much for your guidance. It is a great support through this rocky building time! Best, Cathy Answer: Hi Cathy, The best source is NAPO and the Board of Certified Professional Organizers . Understand, any industry information is going to be lagging by about two years, but you can get trends. However, the trends are changing in general due to the economic climate of today is so vastly different than it has been as during the growth of our industry. You might also just do a general Google search "professional organizer industry" and read the websites that come up. If you find anything great--email me the link(s). Anne

At the NAPO Oregon Vendor Expo this past weekend I was asked, “With the economy being what it is, is it really a good time to start a Professional Organizer business?” Answer : I replied, “It is probably the best time to start any business because you will have the time to focus on your Action List—everything you need to do to launch your business successfully. When the economy picks up people will start loosening their purse-strings and start spending again, then you will be ready for them. In the meantime, with the clients and contacts you do make be sure to communicate the value of your services and how you can benefit them.” Do you want your own Action List with everything you need to do to launch your Professional Organizer business successfully? Do you want to learn how to communicate the value of your services and how you can benefit your clients? Now is the best time! The Professional Organizer industry is growing!! Our Track 1 Webinar filled and we are launching ne...

I’m very excited to see that the Professional Organizer industry is growing in this economy. Fourteen new participants are engaged in our Webinar Track 1 and Self-study Programs! Our Professional Organizer Training Program for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs is the best place to start to launch your business or to become retrained in a new field that will see you through these tough economic times while realizing your dream of launching your Professional Organizer Business. Don't miss out! Register now for the next Webinar track or February Seminar I look forward to meeting you soon at one of our Seminars , Webinars , or through our Self-study Program . You can live the dream. Start here today!

Question: Hi Anne, I feel like my business is stuck and I really need help with marketing. Can you give me a boost? Answer: Marketing is something you never stop doing, or shouldn’t stop doing, for two important reasons. One – it keeps you in front of your client and potential client. Two – it keeps you sharp and focused on your services and what you can offer. If you really feel stuck and want some expert guidance I suggest you work with a Marketing Coach specific to our industry. And, lucky you there is one. Her name is Brandie, Kajino and her business is The Home Office Organizer . Check out what she can offer Professional Organizers at www.thehomeofficeorganizer.com/organizers-only/. Good luck and tell Brandie you heard about her from me. If it is a website you need—my #1 marketing recommendation--I can help you with your website development. To get started read what we offer and then complete our online request form . If you have a website and would like to link with ou...

Question: I would like to run this opportunity by you for your suggestions and/or thoughts. I have the opportunity to speak with some tenants of an office park about organizing their work space for the new year. I have about 50 minutes total to teach them something! I was planning on providing some take-aways, besides my business card! Any thoughts? Answer : You could talk about just paper management or time management or a combination of both. Talk about what a lack of organizational skills causes; loss of time, money, space, energy, relationships and then talk about the value your services can provide; regaining time, money, space, energy and relationships. Sell your VALUE! You could give them a little questionnaire to find out if their preference is for paper or electronic time management tools. Gives them an activity and you a break. Or, you could have them fill out the Your Relationship With Clutter exercise from Unit II. If you are feeling really brave, do a demo...

Hi Anne, I hope you can help – and are willing to help your “in over her head” student. I am not really in over my head, I am just not sure how to go about something. I have my first project where I may need the help of someone else, and I am not sure how to go about it. It is a larger project and the client does not want to have anything to do with it, other than for me to tell her what I have done and what she needs to do to maintain it. I can do that – although not the ideal scenario as I am used to having the help of a client. I am used to having the client help with a project, so what do I do now when I don’t have any help? How do I approach her about whether she is fine with me doing the project on my own – or if she wants me to hire someone to get the job done faster? How do I go about including an assistant in the estimate? If I charge by the hour, or by the package deal, how do I account for another body – especially when I don’t even have another body? Where do you find ...