Organizing has been a popular topic for several years now. Documentaries, books, shows, and companies that advertise the benefits of organizing and eliminating have enjoyed huge popularity. If you’ve decided to cash in on the organizing market, here are seven tips you should read before starting a professional organizing service.
1. Research The Industry
The first step is to find out more about the industry. Do a little research so you can determine:
- What services you should consider offering.
- What products you should purchase upfront.
- What skills you’ll need to succeed.
- How much you should charge.
It’s important to know what you’re getting into before you make any commitments.
2. Pick A Unique Name
You need to stand out from all of the competition, and the first step is choosing a name that will be remembered. A good name should:
- Be easily recognized.
- Give some clue about what you do.
- Not be used by other companies.
- Be easy to say.
A clever name can give your business the best start to life.
3. Find The Right Kind Of Help
Every business needs the right kind of employees, and organizing is no exception.
- Look for applicants that are motivated, dependable, adaptable, and willing to learn on the job.
- You don’t necessarily need someone with previous experience, just someone who
wants to excel.
- Hire a service that can find you qualified candidates today, and start booking those jobs.
The right team will make your job easier, and more successful.
4. Meet With A Marketing Manager
There are always clients who need your services, but they have to be able to find you. Meet with a marketing manager to discuss a plan for:
- Managing your website and social media.
- Creating quality content.
- Launching successful marketing campaigns.
- Reaching the customer base you’re aiming for.
A solid marketing plan will get your ads in front of the right people.
5. Find Out About Your Legal Obligations
Every business has certain legal obligations, and yours will depend on where you open your company. Here are some common legal obstacles that you may have to face.
- You’ll need some kind of insurance. Usually general liability or professional liability.
- You’ll have to decide what kind of corporation you want to be under the law. Partnerships, LLCs, and Proprietorships all have different requirements.
- You’ll need to work with an accountant or tax expert to understand and prepare for your new tax situation.
Setting your business up legally at the beginning will prevent you from running into trouble later on. Take the time to do it properly.
6. Don’t Overlook The Little Things
With so much to do and plan for, it’s easy to miss some little details. There are a few common things startup owners overlook that you should be aware of.
- You need reliable transportation.
- You need a realistic estimate of when you’ll make a profit.
- You need an expansion plan for later on.
- You need to set goals to keep you on track.
Don’t get so caught up in the big picture that you forget the steps you need to take to get there.
7. Decide What Clients You’re Comfortable Working With
A common decision professional organizers face is whether or not to work with hoarders.
Hoarders are people who keep large amounts of objects that may or may not be useful.
Here’s what you need to consider before making your decision:
- Hoarding is commonly a symptom of mental illness. Special training is required to work with hoarders to organize and discard items in a way that doesn’t upset them.
- A hoarding situation can be stressful for both you and the client.
- There is a Clutter-Hoarding Scale available to help professional organizers understand the categories of hoarding and how to proceed with them.
You must decide what you will and won’t take on and seek proper training.
If you’ve read these seven tips and still feel ready to tackle some clutter, then starting a professional organizing service is the path for you.