In Alternative Careers, Kool Kanya explores unique and lesser-known fields to give you insight into a more adventurous world of livelihoods! In this guide, we’re discussing how to become a professional organiser in India.
If you eat, breathe, and sleep organisation, pat yourself on the back! There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing a clean space, free of junk. And in today’s world, people find it harder and harder to keep their homes and workspaces organised when they’re hustling through the day. Decluttering takes a backseat and, before they know it, it’s harder to rummage through the mountains of things piled up.
Enter, a professional organiser- someone who can help people organise their space for a living, Yes, you heard that right! If you feel like taking a break from your current job, are looking for a fun side hustle, or just want to start out in a unique career, professional organising is something you can consider.
We spoke to Gayatri Gandhi, India’s first KonMari consultant, about what it takes to become a professional organiser in India. Having trained under Marie Kondo (the organisation queen), Gayatri uses the KonMari method of decluttering and helps clients organise their homes (and lives!). She believes that organisation can not only help transform your space but also your life. Gayatri shares some valuable advice on starting out as a professional organiser.
What Is A Professional Organiser?
Professional organisers help clients declutter their space and organise things according to usability, necessity, and aesthetics. They offer a wide variety of services, right from wardrobe organisation, workspace organisation, home organisation, to even digital decluttering. This profession involves getting up close and personal with how clients function and what they require in their daily lives.
Gayatri Gandhi, a media professional turned professional organiser, stresses on the importance of decluttering. Many people store things in their house on the principle that they’ll need it ‘one day’, but the day never comes.
Getting rid of these unnecessary piles of things helps clear not only your house or workspace but also your mind.
A professional organiser also helps arrange the remaining items in such a way that the space looks minimalistic, but you can also flow through the day with everything you need being available in the logical spot. For example, if there’s a bowl full of keys on the dining table, the first step is to get rid of keys you don’t need. Then, mount a key holder near the door, so that you can place the keys there as soon as you enter or take the keys from there right before leaving the house. These things seem small but can help save a few minutes every day and get rid of the unnecessary hassle of hunting for your keys all the time.
Who Can Become A Professional Organiser?
The first and most obvious necessity to take up this career is organisation. Usually, people who are highly organised in their daily lives and have a knack for decluttering and placing things around the house in a logical manner can be professional organisers.
The second prerequisite is intuition and observation. It is essential to observe clients and understand their requirements. What items would they require every day? How does their day usually flow?
This is done by picking up insights from conversations and asking the right questions.
Considering the pandemic and current restrictions on face-to-face interactions, it’s also important to think about transitioning to online consultations. Rather than organising things yourself, you could hold video calls with clients and counsel them on how to organise their spaces. Developing an online business model makes all the difference today.
How Can You Become A Professional Organiser In India?
Here are the steps you can take to begin your career as a professional organiser:
1. Pursuing A Course
There are quite a few professional organising courses and seminars available right now, which will give you great insights into this career. Marie Kondo conducts courses on the KonMari method of organising. Gayatri, being the first KonMari consultant in India, employs the methods she has learnt while also introducing her own. Having a certificate builds credibility while allowing you to hone your talents in the field.
2. Research The Market
Without demand, there cannot be supply. Take the time to research how the market functions and determine your target audience. Once you know exactly what clients look for nowadays and what the market lacks, you’ll be able to make a name for yourself in the industry. Conduct surveys and read up as much as you can.
- Alternative Careers: How To Become A Storyteller In India
- Skills You Need To Learn Before Starting Your Own Business
- Alternative Careers: How To Become A Date Planner In India
3. Offer Free Sessions
Start by providing free sessions to your friends and family and ask them for advice. Focus on what you have done well and what needs to improve. This way, it’ll get easier to zero in on the hero features of your service and determine the right price for sessions.
4. Register Your Enterprise
This isn’t necessary, but it has many benefits. Creating a brand for yourself will help in recognition and growth. Doing this early on also ensures that you market your brand right from the start, rather than switching from your personal name to a brand midway.
5. Price Your Services
Remember the market research and free sessions you conducted? Here’s where all that will significantly help. Create a catalogue with all the services you intend to provide, whether it’s on-site organisation, online consultation, etc. Price these services depending on the work required, your target audience, and competition.
6. Market Yourself
It’s time to set up a website for your brand and create social media accounts. Keep the website minimalistic, which sets the vibe of organisation right from the start. You could also enable bookings and transactions for easy payment. Turn business mode on for your brand’s social media accounts so you can track engagements and also promote your posts.
7. Build Your Portfolio
Initially, take whatever assignments come your way. This will ease you into the career and help you gain practical knowledge. Ask clients for their insights and reviews, and showcase them on your website and social media accounts. Once the business is established, you can start being exclusive about clients.
How Much Does A Professional Organiser Earn?
The cost of organising depends on various factors, such as the size of the space, the amount of decluttering required, and even whether it’s a virtual consultation or on-site organisation. Professional organisers with one to five years of experience usually charge anywhere between 500 to 2000 per hour for an online consultation. As for on-site organisation, the charges can range from 1500 to 4000 per hour.
The market for professional organisers is currently quite underpopulated, which means you have the flexibility to create your own set of services and packages in a way that stands out. Do your research and check out what the competition is offering and charging, so you can structure your services accordingly.
If decluttering is your forte and organisation gives you that sense of comfort and balance like nothing else, you should definitely consider doing it for a living. We hope this guide has inspired you to venture into the world of professional organisation!
You Might Also Like
You’re invited! Join the Kool Kanya women-only career Community where you can network, ask questions, share your opinions, collaborate on projects, and discover new opportunities. Join now.
Last updated 17th Aug’2021
