Share this
I’ll be honest. I used to feel a little silly about how much time I spent organizing my pantry. Like, who color-coordinates their cereal boxes? Apparently me, and apparently it made me weird. At least that’s what I thought until my sister-in-law asked if I’d help her tackle her disaster of a kitchen and offered to pay me for it.
Wait, what? People actually pay for this stuff I do naturally? Turns out, while I was busy feeling embarrassed about my “obsessive” organizing habits, there’s an entire industry of people making real money helping others create functional, beautiful spaces. And no, you don’t need some fancy certification or business degree to get started.
The problem is, most of us who are naturally good at organizing don’t see it as a marketable skill. We think everyone can do what we do, so why would anyone pay for it? But here’s the reality check: they can’t, and they will. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, service-based businesses are thriving, and organization services are in that sweet spot of high demand with low startup costs.
I’m going to share seven ways you can turn those organizing skills you’ve been giving away for free into actual income. No overnight business transformation required, just practical steps you can take without disrupting your current life.
Three Ways to Start Making Money From Organizing This Month
1. Professional Home Organizing Consultations
This is probably the most obvious path, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s oversaturated. People are drowning in stuff and desperately need help creating systems that actually work for their lifestyle, not just look good on Instagram. You can charge $40-$60 per hour for in-person consultations, and most projects run 3-6 hours, depending on the space and level of chaos you’re working with.
Here’s the thing nobody tells you about this work: it’s not really about being able to fold clothes perfectly. It’s about understanding how people actually live and creating systems they can maintain. Can you look at a family’s morning routine and figure out why their entryway always explodes with backpacks and shoes? Can you ask questions that help someone realize they’re keeping items they don’t actually use? That’s the valuable skill.
Start by offering your services to friends and family at a discounted rate to build your confidence and gather those all-important before/after photos. Then expand to neighbors through local Facebook groups or Nextdoor. Don’t worry about having special equipment. Most of the time, you’ll be working with what they already have or suggesting simple storage solutions they can pick up at Target.
The beauty of this approach is that you can see immediate results (literally and financially), and word-of-mouth spreads incredibly fast in local communities. One satisfied client who can’t stop raving about her newly functional playroom is worth more than any advertisement.
2. Virtual Organizing Sessions
This option opened up everything for me because it eliminated travel time and opened up clients nationwide. During virtual sessions, you guide clients through organizing their spaces via video call. You’re essentially coaching them through the process while they do the physical work, which means you can help more people in less time.
Charge $30-$50 per hour for virtual sessions. Most clients book 2-hour sessions, and you can often help them tackle an entire room or category (like all their bedroom closets) in one focused session. The prep work involves having them send photos beforehand so you can come to the call with a clear plan and specific suggestions.
What makes virtual organizing work so well is that you’re teaching them to make decisions, not just moving their stuff around. You’re asking questions like “When was the last time you wore this?” and “Do you have a better spot for items you use daily?” They’re learning your thought process, which means the changes actually stick.
You’ll need a reliable video platform (Zoom works great), a system for taking notes during sessions, and maybe some digital resources you can share afterward like checklists or label templates. The best part? You can do this in your pajamas if you want, as long as you’re providing real value.
3. Decluttering Coaching Services
Some people don’t need help with organizing systems. They just need help making decisions about what to keep, and that’s where decluttering coaching comes in. This is perfect if you’re naturally good at helping people think through “Do I really need this?” without being judgmental about their attachment issues.
You can offer this as standalone sessions ($35-$55 per hour) or package it with organizing services. Many clients prefer starting with decluttering before they tackle organization, so this often becomes a natural first step in longer client relationships. Plus, it’s easier to organize a space when there’s less stuff competing for attention.
The secret to good decluttering coaching is helping people develop decision-making frameworks they can use long after your session ends. Instead of just saying “toss this,” you’re teaching them questions to ask themselves. “Does this fit my current lifestyle?” “Would I buy this again today?” “Am I keeping this out of guilt or because I actually want it?”
Think of it as teaching someone to fish rather than doing all the fishing for them. The clients who get the most value are the ones who walk away feeling confident about making these decisions on their own going forward.
Build Long Term Income With Online Organization Services
4. Creating Organization Courses and Content
If you’re comfortable on camera or writing detailed guides, this is where you can start building something that makes money while you sleep. People are hungry for step-by-step organization systems they can implement themselves, especially when they come from someone who clearly lives in the real world with real families.
The mistake most people make is thinking they need to create some massive, comprehensive course right out of the gate. Start small and specific. Consider creating courses around the exact pain points you hear about most: “Organize Your Kitchen in One Weekend,” “Kids’ Toy Organization That Actually Lasts,” or “Small Space, Big Impact Organization.” Price these anywhere from $47-$197 depending on the depth and your audience size.
What makes a course actually valuable isn’t fancy production or perfect lighting. It’s solving a specific problem with a clear, step-by-step system that people can follow. Think about the organizing wins you’re most proud of in your own home, then break down exactly how you did it. What did you do first? What supplies did you use? What mistakes did you make that others can avoid?
You can start simple with a PDF guide and some video walkthroughs, then expand from there based on what people respond to most. Platforms like Teachable or even just email and Dropbox can get you started without major upfront costs. The real value is in your ability to think through problems and create systems that work for busy families, not in having expensive equipment.
5. Affiliate Marketing with Organization Products
Since you’re already buying and testing organization products for your own home, why not get paid when others purchase your recommendations? This works especially well if you’re already sharing your organization wins on social media or have friends who constantly ask, “Where did you get that container?” or “What’s that drawer organizer you use?”
Focus on products you genuinely use and love, not just whatever has the highest commission rate. Amazon’s affiliate program is the easiest starting point, but many organizing brands have their own affiliate programs with better commission rates. You can earn 2%-10% commission on sales, which adds up quickly when you’re recommending $50-$200+ organization systems that people actually need.
The secret to affiliate marketing that doesn’t feel gross is being honest about what works and what doesn’t. Share the products that solved real problems in your home, and don’t be afraid to mention when something didn’t live up to the hype. People trust authentic reviews more than salesy pitches, especially from someone they see as a peer rather than a professional influencer.
Start by making a list of the organization products you recommend most often to friends. Those are your first affiliate opportunities. Then think about creating simple content around how you use each product. A quick video showing how you use that spice rack organizer or a photo showing your closet system six months later can be more persuasive than any fancy marketing copy.
Premium Organization Services That Command Higher Prices
6. Custom Organization Systems and Planning Services
This is where you can charge premium prices ($75-$150+ per project) because you’re creating something totally customized for how a family actually functions. Think meal planning systems for busy families, command centers for households juggling multiple activities, or maintenance schedules for people who struggle with keeping organized spaces organized.
You’re not just organizing spaces anymore. You’re designing systems that fit seamlessly into someone’s real life. This might involve creating custom labels that match their decor, designing maintenance checklists that work with their schedule, or even mapping out daily routines that keep spaces functional long-term.
The key to premium pricing is understanding that you’re solving a deeper problem than just “messy closet.” You’re creating systems that reduce daily stress, save time, and eliminate those “Where is everything?” moments that drive families crazy. When someone can find their keys every morning or knows exactly what’s for dinner without thinking about it, that’s worth paying for.
Start by documenting the systems you’ve created for your own family that actually work six months later. Those are your gold mine. Maybe you have a morning routine system that gets three kids out the door without chaos, or a meal planning approach that eliminates the 5 PM panic. Take photos, write down the steps, and think about how to adapt these for families with different schedules or space constraints.
The clients who pay premium prices aren’t looking for the cheapest option. They want someone who understands their specific challenges and can create something that fits their lifestyle perfectly. This often leads to ongoing relationships because once someone experiences a system that truly works for their family, they’ll want your help when life changes.
7. Local Networking and Complete Solution Packages
Instead of competing on price with other organizers, create packages that solve complete problems from start to finish. “New Baby Organization Package” might include nursery setup, diaper station creation, and toy storage solutions that grow with the child. “Moving Day Rescue Package” could combine unpacking services with system setup in the new home that makes sense for their new space.
Package pricing typically runs $200-$500+ depending on scope, and clients love the simplicity of knowing exactly what they’re getting upfront. Plus, packages often lead to ongoing relationships. That new baby organization client might need playroom help in two years, or the moving client might want seasonal organization services.
The magic happens when you position yourself as the person who solves the whole problem, not just part of it. Instead of just organizing a playroom, you’re creating a system that keeps toys manageable, teaches kids to clean up independently, and adapts as they outgrow different activities. That’s worth significantly more than hourly organizing.
Network strategically through local parenting groups, real estate agents (they love having organizers to recommend to stressed moving clients), house cleaners, and interior designers. These professionals see families in transition or struggling with organization challenges all the time. Building relationships with them means getting referrals for clients who are already motivated to invest in solutions.
Don’t just show up to networking events and hand out business cards. Offer to present a quick workshop on “5 Organization Mistakes That Make Moving Harder” or “Setting Up Systems Before Baby Arrives.” When people see your expertise in action, they remember you when someone needs exactly what you offer. Plus, you’ll learn about the specific challenges people face, which helps you create even better packages.
Your First Week Action Plan
Here’s what I want you to do right now, today: pick the one method from this list that made you think “I could actually do that.” Don’t overthink it or try to evaluate all seven options. Just pick one.
If you chose virtual organizing, download Zoom and practice walking a friend through organizing one small space over video call. If you picked local consultations, text three neighbors and offer to help organize one room for free in exchange for before/after photos. If you’re drawn to creating content, outline your first mini-course based on the organization system you’re most proud of in your own home.
The Small Business Administration has step-by-step guides for service-based businesses when you’re ready to make things official, but don’t let paperwork stop you from testing your idea first.
Stop waiting for permission or the perfect moment. Your organizing skills are already helping people for free. It’s time to get paid for the value you’re creating.
