If you don’t normally charge for your consultations, you can include a tips booklet or organizing product, so it’s your donation isn’t perceived as having no value.

I know I hate “winning” gift certificates that are no use to me unless I kick in some extra money from my own pocket.

I worded this comment much better this morning, but it seems to have disappeared…

The only point of contention I have is the donation of gift certificates. From the very beginning, I chose to have a very “selective” professional organizing practice, interviewing prospects as much and as deeply as they interview me, in hopes that we’ll determine if we would work well together and to make certain that we’re on the same page.

If someone has already bid on your gift certificate and purchased it, even if you included a laundry list of policies (which you probably would find awkward to include, and they probably wouldn’t read before bidding in an auction), it’s too late to make clear what you do and DO NOT DO in the course of your practice. Without coming to some sort of understanding regarding policies, things can become uncomfortable for all parties. U-G-L-Y.

Janet, your point about including this as an option is apt, as it does get your name out there (though I think donation of gift certificates for services is *not* tax deductible in the U.S.), but I think rather than a certificate for service (which pretty much bypasses any control you have over your policies), it might be more useful to offer a certificate for a consultation, maybe even paired with a product (like an ebook or small storage containers with a tips guide).

In terms of business cards — YES — don’t wait. With a service like Vistaprint, you can get 250 very professional cards (over and over and over) for the cost of shipping…as low as about $8, until you find a design that’s perfect. Waiting to have a business card does nobody any good. Not having your card with you makes you look disorganized…something no PO can ever afford to be!

Finally, in terms of “spread the word”, you’re darn tootin’! In fact, if you figure out your target market and then spread the word to the people who already talk to them, you’re one step ahead. For example, if you want to help organize moves, don’t just tell real estate agents, but also leave your cards with bank loan officers, because they can spot the folks with disorganized paperwork, and recommend you at the start of any process.

Great tips, as always! Thanks!