If you’re looking to organize spaces, you probably have an ultra-organized bedroom and home. If you’re planning on organizing peoples’ schedules, you’re probably always on time and manage a busy schedule flawlessly.

Say your client realizes they have way more stuff than they thought they did, but you only booked one moving truck—what will you do?

Not only will this make the people you work with appreciate you even more, but it can also make your role much easier to manage.

Marketing and salesmanship can make up for a lack of certification. You never know, you could find clients willing to pay top rates—even without formal training!

Completing your paid work takes ~3 years, but must be completed in at least 5 years. Every year, pay $100 to keep your certification active. Every 3 years, take steps to get recertified. Either retake the CPO exam or take 45 hours of courses.

Level 1: This covers your career basics, like hoarding behaviors, interpersonal relations, and even working with clients suffering from ADHD. Level 2: At this stage, you learn more about your specialization. If you want to help with productivity or older clients, you’ll cover this information in II. Level III: At this point, you’ll have spent 17-20 months studying. You’ll take more advanced courses and spend 18 hours working with a mentor in your field. Then, you’re CPO certified!

Help people organize their time. Specialize in coaching, time management, or productivity. Organize physical spaces. Choose a specialty in moving, attics/basements, or storage units. Help people with their specific, personal hurdles. Help seniors, people with ADHD, or children.

Consider making business cards with your specialty, that way your pals can pass those out to their friends, too. Ask early clients to write you a review if you can. That way, you’ll have it on file to impress future customers. Work out the kinks with clients you already know. Ask these customers about how you can improve, then brainstorm ways to raise the bar for yourself.

Or, go the extra mile and make a webpage for your business. This way, as your business grows, people can ask questions, book time, and look at your success stories—all on your site. Sites like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and Youtube are great for building a following and getting the word out.

You know that your skills can change your clients’ lives, so communicate that when a client is interested in your work. Get comfortable giving your elevator pitch to people when they’re curious. Whether it’s a grocery store isle or a wedding, you never know where you could meet your next big client! Even though it might feel a little strange, your competition is doing this same thing, so you should be too.

If a client moves because they’ve split with their partner (and they call you to help), let them know that you’re sorry they’re going through a tough time. If you’re working with a hoarder who’s embarrassed about their living situation, remind them that you would never judge them.

Offering your first few customers half-price rates Offering first-time customers a free initial consultation session Offering customers discounted hours if they refer you to a new client

The American Society for Professional Organizers offers extra resources for their members and coursework for those looking to expand their knowledge. The National Association for Productivity and Organization offers a conference each year in April and additional coursework, too.

Professional organizers also enjoy a high job satisfaction and flexibility.