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Archiver > APG > 2004-07 > 1088716131


From: "Kenneth G. Aitken" <>
Subject: Re: [APG] New Business
Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2004 15:08:51 -0600
References: <1d4.24b455b0.2e15c7c7@aol.com>


Denise,
In your market research did you consult with local libraries county
clerks, archivists, family hisytory center directors etc. to discover the
most common requests they receive? From that list select some areas of
specialization you can work in.


In the last APG Quaretly there was an interesting article on
specialization.

Although you may have a RESEARCH specialzation, you may find you need to
diversify your services. Lecture. Teach classes or workshops. Do
consultations. Write an instructional booklet on using records in your
specification and sell it. Among my colleagues in England are some who
index certain broad classes of records and sell surname searches of that
material.

Publicity builds your business. Why not devote time when not paid by clients
to write articles that illustrate you research skills. Case studies, in
other words. local Genealogical journals all over the continent are hungry
for good, well thought out, well written articles. And Claire and Tom at
the NGS Quarterly are always looking for new material and new contributors.

I'm sure others will have other ideas. But I'd like to recommend a regular
"sharpen the saw" component to your work. Either take courses or plan a
directed reading program for yourself to keep improving yourself. Take
genealogy course or small business course or courses on teaching adults-- or
whatever suits your business. When you do not have 'billable hours" you
have learning opportunities.

Have fun
Kenneth G. Aitken,
Family History Education Specialist,
2426 Dewdney Avenue East
Regina, Saskatchewan, S4N 4V5 Canada




----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>
Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2004 2:02 PM
Subject: [APG] New Business


> Okay fellow members....
>
> I'm hanging out my shingle this time. I'd love to hear some feedback from
> those who are operating their own businesses as to the +/- of different
types of
> businesses. I live in S.E. Florida and have access to quite a bit of
> information, 3 major county libraries and many newspapers for obituary
research.
>
> I am wanting to start out slow and take on small projects to get myself
> started. What directions would you suggest, given your cumulative
knowledge.
>
> I have a computer, fax, scanner, desks, file cabinets and phone and cell.
I
> have basically all the office materials I need. I have designed a very
> professional letterhead with matching business card. I have not taken on
or assumed
> a business name other than my own.
>
> I'm looking for suggestions and ideas in any area that you already love so
I
> can think about what I would like to create for myself.
>
> I have been studying much, have Elizabeth Shown Mills' "Professional
> Genealogy," and have spent 33 years as a paralegal. I know and understand
computers
> and type about 120 words a minute. So computers are everyday life for me.
I
> just have a small tentative website up at the moment, but will be working
on
> that soon.
>
> Thanks so much for your anticipated assistance as I begin this journey.
>
> Denise
> Denise A. Wells
> Vice President, Florida Chapter
> Association of Professional Genealogists
> Member of National Genealogical Society
> Member of Florida State Genealogical Society
> www.cookcountygenealogy.com
>
>
> ==== APG Mailing List ====
> The Association of Professional Genealogists
> http://www.apgen.org/publications/apg-l/index.html
>
>


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