Expert Advice Tip Sheet -- Choosing A Professional Organizer -- OnlineOrganizing.com

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	Choosing A Professional Organizer

	By Ramona Creel

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

BACKGROUND AND CREDENTIALS

How long have you been a Professional Organizer?
What is your educational background?
What kind of work did you do before becoming an organizer?
Why did you become a Professional Organizer?
Are you a member of NAPO? Any other professional groups?
Do you have any relevant certifications or distinctions?
Can you provide me with 5 client references that I may contact?

METHOD OF WORKING

Do you have a "minimum" size job?
What is a standard length session? How often would we meet?
What is your organizing philosophy?
What is expected of me during work sessions? What can I expect of you?
Do you provide supplies? Will you shop for supplies? What is the fee?
Do you bring in assistants or work alone?
Can you refer me to other related services if I need them?
Do you assign "homework" between organizing sessions?
Would we work in person or over the phone?

POLICIES AND FEES

Do you charge by the hour, the day, or the project for your services?
Do you charge for travel? How much?
Do you guarantee your work in any way?
Do you have a cancellation policy? What is it?
Do you charge extra to work nights or weekends? Any other fees?
Do you offer a free on-site consultation? If you charge for it, how much?
Do you have a written contract or letter of agreement?
Are you insured or bonded?

SERVICES

What business or corporate organizing services do you provide?
What residential organizing services do you provide?
Do you put on workshops or speaking engagements?
Do you work with seniors? Children? Students?
Do you work with ADD / ADHD or chronically disorganized clients?
Do you work with disabilities? Learning disorders? Traumatic brain injury?
Do you work with groups or just individuals?

Copyright 2000-2009 Ramona Creel -- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box and a link to www.RamonaCreel.com.

Ramona Creel is Professional Organizer, NAPO Golden Circle Member, and the original founder of OnlineOrganizing. A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives. Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone she meets. She leads by example -- having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona now considers herself a "Renaissance Woman" -- bringing all of her passions together into one satisfying career. As a "Virtual Organizer", she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or office. As a "Simplicity and Accountability Coach ", Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little bit easier -- perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, travel tips, and social commentary with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, check out her Facebook profile, and subscribe to her blog feeds.

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