Master To-Do List for Starting a Professional Organizing Business by Geralin Thomas This is a comprehensive list for new professional organizers starting a business. While reading the list, please keep in mind that there are no right or wrong ways to tackle all the to-dos since it’s your business; you are the boss and the decision maker. I wrote the list hoping you’d pick just one or two sections to focus on at a time. Read the entire list over once or twice before deciding where you Metropolitan Organizing, LLC MASTER TO-DO LIST FOR STARTING A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZING BUSINESS 1. Research the Professional Organizing Industry • • • Read organizing books and organizing blogs Read blogs posts from home owners or business owners to learn what kind of organizing challenges people are experiencing Research business advice websites including. For some, membership is required. i. IRS (www.irs.gov) ii. Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov) iii. Vistage International (www.vistage.com) iv. The American Small Business Coalition (www.theasbc.org) v. Entrepreneurs’ Organization (www.eonetwork.org) • • • • Join an organization for networking (like your local Chamber of Commerce), accreditations, coaching, etc. (NAPO (www.napo.net) , local NAPO chapter, ICD (www.challengingdisorganization.org) Find a mentor, coach, or business consultant (www.score.org) Market research – pinpoint the type of client you’d like to work with Develop a niche or area of expertise 2. Name your Business • • • Create a name for your business and maybe a tagline too Check that the domain is available (GoDaddy.com, Google search, WhoIs.net, NetworkSolutions.com) Check your Secretary of State website to see if your business name is available and how to proceed regarding filing for a DBA (Doing Business As) Metropolitan Organizing, LLC 3. Financial, Legal, Logistical • • • Legal: Write a business plan Decide your business structure also known as an entity (Incorporated, LLC, Sole Proprietorship, etc.). Educate yourself at your Secretary of State website and Registrar of Deeds website. • Register your business name with your Secretary of State and any other agencies (city/county for licenses or zoning permits), or use a service like www.bizfilings.com Research tax requirements for your state and apply for tax exempt status (if needed) with your state’s Department of Revenue Purchase business insurance (General Liability, home & business equipment, Errors & Omissions) • • • • • • • • • • • • • Banking: Once your registration paperwork has been approved and returned to you, complete the federal SS-4 form and obtain an EIN number before setting up a bank account in your business name With your new bank account, purchase business checks & deposit slips Get a business debit card and/or credit card Set up a merchant account to accept credit cards or a service like PayPal or Squareup.com Logistics: Set up your desk and office space Set up a phone number and voicemail message Purchase a computer, supplies, and business equipment (scanner, printer, headset) Create a signature line for your email include your area code and phone number Purchase a backup system for your computer (Carbonite, Mozy, SugarSync, etc) 4. Develop your Services & Pricing: • • • • • • Create your list of services Estimate your business costs Define how you price your services and what your rates will be (hourly rate, tiered pricing, package pricing, project pricing, retainer fees, cancellation fees) Establish billing policies and a Services Agreement and/or Subcontractor Agreement (check www.LegalZoom.com) Purchase and set up accounting software or create an invoice and bookkeeping system Decide if you want to hire a bookkeeper or accountant Metropolitan Organizing, LLC 5. Marketing/Branding: • • • • • • • • • • Purchase a domain name or a few domain names including your own name Set up website hosting and email Create a logo Get at least one professional headshot Write a professional bio Create business cards Create stationary (letterhead, notecards, envelopes, address labels) Create a website yourself or hire a designer. Either way, you’ll need a website template (templatemonster.com or wix.com) and website content management system (like Wordpress, Weebly, Joomla, and Drupal), and content (pages on your site might include: about you, contact info, services, pricing, testimonials from clients, etc.) Create social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.) Get the word out that you are open for business with a press release (www.articlesender.com), social media posts, forum posts, call friends/family/clients and ask for referrals, create a brochure or mass mailing, etc. 6. Define the Client Experience and Create a: • • • • New client questionnaire ("intake forms" or "assessment forms") Consultation process – set expectations of what’s expected and what’s NOT included in your services; explain your billing process Welcome letter or booking confirmation Feedback form, testimonial, online reviews (Google, Yelp) Congratulations! You are on your way to starting your own professional organizing business. With my master to-do list you are bound to feel more confident in your ability to plan your time and your budget. My goal is to have you grow your new organizing business in a sensible, sustainable manner. Next, we'll work on booking clients who want and need help getting and staying organized. Good luck! Metropolitan Organizing, LLC Hello! I'm professional organizer Geralin Thomas, CPO-CD located in Raleigh-Durham, NC and the owner of Metropolitan Organizing, LLC. If you are interested in becoming a professional organizer you'll want to explore the many ways I can help you build a better business that is sustainable and sensible. Visit the website to learn more. You can find me on: Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter [@Metrozing] and LinkedIn. Phone: 919 380-7718 Metropolitan Organizing, LLC