NOTE: This course requires compulsory materials to be ordered for those students that are pursuing the Professional Development Certificate. Students working on the Personal Historian program may find this required reading helpful. Please click on the Supplies tab for details.
Creating a genealogical or personal historian business requires many steps. First, there is self-analysis to determine who you are, what you want, how to achieve balance in work and personal life, and what kind of business you wish to start. Next, you will need to conduct business and marketing planning, market analysis, and establish an overall business structure. Finally, you must consider what you need for your business including supplies, income, and marketing opportunities. A productivity tool chest will help round out your plans and get you off on the right footing. In this course you will learn the skills you need to accomplish all these things and prepare yourself for starting a successful business.
This course assumes that you have intermediate or advanced in either genealogy skills or personal historian skills (i.e. family history research, writing, photography, audio and video recording, and/or interviewing) and that you want to use those skills to create a business.
One students experience:
To hear a student discussion regarding their experience with this course, please click here. (This is a large file and may take a minute or two to download.)
Course Content
Module 1
So You Want to Create a Business
Course Introduction
Note about Web Addresses
Websites
Required Reading
Introduction to Creating a Business
Becoming a Professional
Goal Setting
Self-Analysis: Are you Ready to Start a Business?
Why Do You Want This?
What Type Of Business Structure Do You Want?
Sole Proprietorship
Limited Liability Company
Partnerships
S-Corporation
Establishing Your Business
Tax ID Numbers
Licenses
Zoning
Taxes
Financial Planning & Business Records
Building a Library
Additional Business Resources
Things to Consider
Networking
Volunteering
Balance
Additional Resources
Module 2
Writing Your Business Plan
Required Reading
Introduction
What is a business plan and why do you need one?
Steps of Writing a Business Plan
Things to consider before you start
Pieces of a Business Plan
Executive Summary
Company Description
Market Analysis
Organizational Structure
Services
Marketing Plan
Financial Planning/Funding
Financial Projections
Appendix/Supporting Documents
Updating the Business Plan
Business Plan - Example #1
Executive Summary
Introduction
Description of Business
Industry
Company Basics
Services
Market Overview
Marketing Plan
Target Market
Brand Positioning
Promotion
SWOT Analysis
Management Plan
Operational Plan
Financial Plan
Strategic Growth Plan
Business Model
Objectives
Strategies
Recommendations
References
Business Plan - Example #2
Executive Summary
Educational Background
Memberships and Associations
Business Description & Vision
Mission Statement
Company Vision
Goals and Objectives
About the owner
Definition of the Market
Description of Services
Organization and Management
Marketing and Sales Strategy
Financial Management
Appendices
Additional Resources
Module 3
Contracts and Fee Structure
Required Reading
Introduction
Things to consider when creating a contract
Types of Contracts
Letters of Agreement
Research Contracts
Example Contract - Letter of Agreement
Research Contract - Example #1
Research Contract - Example #2
Research Contract - Example #3
Research Contract - Example #4
Final Thoughts
Module 4
Marketing
Websites
Required Reading
Introduction
What should you market?
Marketing Avenues
Online
Blogging
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Other ideas
Offline
Join a Group
Word of Mouth
Writing
Teaching & Lecturing
Volunteering
Schools
Local News Outlets
Paid Advertisement
Trade Shows & Conferences
Collaboration
Writing a Marketing Plan
Marketing Strategies to Keep in Mind
Final Thoughts
Additional Resources
Module 5
Time Management
Required Reading
Introduction
Identifying Time Wasters
Personal vs. Professional Time Management
Tips for Time Management
Additional Resources
Module 6
Tools For Productivity
Websites
Introduction
Being Productive in Daily Life
Old School Tools for Productivity
Paper and Pencil
Paper Calendars and Planners
Index Cards
Bulletin Boards, Whiteboards, and Notebooks
New School Tools for Productivity - Technology Items
Smart Phones
Digital Cameras
Hand-held scanner
Two monitors
Digital Recorder and Video Camera
Technological Bulletin Boards, Whiteboards, and Notebooks
Scrivener
Microsoft OneNote / Growly Notes
Online Storage
Google Drive
DropBox
Backup System
Client Timer
Social Media & Email
Tools to Organize Client Information
Organizing Paper and Digital Files
Family Tree Programs - Computer Based
Family Tree Programs - Online
Spreadsheets or Databases
Things to Consider
Conclusion
Additional Resources
Appendix
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