As in every profession, there is more to a person’s day than completing their core work. A teacher, for example, will have to mark assignments, prepare lessons, and supervise kids at lunchtime. This is on top of their core work – teaching.
Ever wondered what organisers do other than decluttering and organising people’s possessions? If so, look no further than this article. In the article below, I will outline five things organisers do other than organising and decluttering.
1. Making Cups of Tea
Decluttering can often be emotionally straining for our customers, as they frequently deal with sentimental items or help them sort through the belongings of a deceased relative. Some of our customers are also older or disabled and suffer from low energy.
Having regular tea breaks and being a listening ear is essential in our profession. I am incredibly fortunate as some of my clients make the best cuppas, but occasionally, when things get rock bottom, I make the tea, and we have a break to recharge.
2. Writing Invoices
As much as I enjoy my job, I need to make a living and charge my customers for my services. Writing invoices is an integral, if not the most fun, part of my job. After each decluttering session, I send an invoice which clients can pay in cash, by cheque or via bank transfer.
Once they have paid, I will also issue a receipt, and at the end of the year, I will deal with HMRC and pay my taxes. Fun!
3. Networking to promote their businesses.
Sadly, customers don’t magically appear and queue up to want my services. To find new customers and promote the organising profession in general, my colleagues and I do a lot of networking. This can take on a variety of forms.
Wherever I go, whether it’s a friend’s birthday party or my walking group, I discuss what I do with people who don’t know me. Some of my close friends must be bored to hear about the benefits of a clutter-free home and why hoarding disorder is a recognised mental health issue.
In addition, I also attend events in my local area where I can promote my business. Every Wednesday, I go to a coffee morning on my estate where I get to know the locals and chat about what I do.
I produced flyers for my business, which I display in local cafes, shops, and random notice boards.
4. Take stuff to the charity shop.
Some of our clients struggle to carry stuff or leave the house unaided, some of our clients are too disorganised to arrange the proverbial piss up in a brewery (no offence, they have other skills!). So, we take stuff to the charity shop for them. This is often to ensure things get a second life somewhere else and are not just piled up in the client’s home.
5. Online Marketing
In addition to in-person networking and promoting our business in the twenty-first century, we must also maintain an online presence. Therefore, many of my colleagues and I promote our business online. Life Organised can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn, where we update weekly with tips, tricks, and links to articles that may help our clients and customers.
There are, of course, many other things organisers do than the five mentioned above, but this article wasn’t meant to be exhaustive. It was intended to give you a flavour of the varied things we do outside of visiting a client’s home and helping them declutter.
trabantbettina
Bettina Anna Trabant, Founder of Life Organised, your professional organising and decluttering service in East London. Eco-conscious minimalist and avid tea drinker,