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            Courses            
Business Skills: Career Development: Choosing a Niche-Part 1
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NOTE: This course requires compulsory materials to be ordered. Please click on the Supplies tab for details.

Creating a genealogical 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 comes the business planning, market analysis, marketing planning and overall business structure to establish. Finally, considerations of things you need for the business from supplies, income, marketing opportunities, and a productivity tool chest will help round out your plans and get you off on the right footing. In Creating a Business, you will learn the skills you need to accomplish all these things and spend a lot of time thinking about the ins and outs of business.


Course Content

Module 1
Introduction
• Note about Web Addresses
 
Websites
Required Reading
Board for Certification of Genealogists Code of Ethics and Conduct
Introduction to Choosing a Niche
Self-Analysis: Are you Ready to Add Income Streams?
What Do You Want and Why Do You Want It?
 
How to Get From Here to There
• Education
 
Educational Opportunities
• National Institute for Genealogical Studies
 
Other Educational Opportunities
• Enrich Your Current Focus
 
Accreditation and Certification Options
• Board for Certification of Genealogists
• Research Category Requirements
• Teaching Category Requirements
• International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists
 
Final Thoughts on Adding Income Streams
 

Module 2
Writing and Publishing
Websites
Required Reading
Introduction
Self-Analysis: Do You Have The Characteristics Of A Writer?
Education
Self-Study
 
Collaborative Study or Writing Groups
• Writing Group Tips
• Formal Writing Classes
 
Professional Writing Organizations
• International Society of Family History Writers and Editors
• Association of Personal Historians
 
Writing Options
• Blogging
• Books
• Book Reviews
• Articles or Other Forms of Media
• Paid Avenues
• Unpaid Avenues
• Things to Consider
 
Writing for Pay vs. Non-Pay - Pros and Cons
 
Publishing Options
• Self-Publishing
• Publishing House
 
Writing and Publishing Business Components
• Business Plan
• Marketing
 
Further Considerations
Additional Resources
 

Module 3
Forensic Genealogist
Websites
Required Reading
Self-Analysis: Are You Ready to Become a Forensic Genealogist
 
What Is Forensic Genealogy?
• How does this specialty benefit us as genealogy professionals?
• Who needs the services of a forensic genealogist?
• What are the services we can provide?
• What does it take to become a forensic genealogist?
• What are common issues a forensic genealogist runs into?
 
Education
• Credentials
 
Going to Court
• Expert Witness vs. Eyewitness
• Preparing to Take the Stand
 
Standards of Practice
 
Professional Organizations
• Association of Professional Genealogists
• Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy
• International Society of Genetic Genealogists
 
Mentors
Setting Your Fees and Writing Contracts
Marketing
Final Thoughts
 
Additional Resources
• Books
• Websites
 

Module 4
Family Archivist
Websites
Required Reading
Introduction to Family Archivist
Self-Analysis: Are you Ready to Become a Family Archivist?
Who Uses Archives?
 
Archives As An Additional Income Stream
• How does this specialty benefit us as genealogy professionals?
• What are the services we can provide to genealogy clients?
• Working with small institutions
• The Chicago Cultural Alliance
• What are common issues a family archivist runs into?
 
Education
• National Archives Preservation Conference
• Society of American Archivists Continuing Education
• National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators
 
Standards of Practice
 
Professional Organizations
• Association of Professional Genealogists
• Society of American Archivists
• The Ephemera Society of America
• Australian Society of Archivists
 
Getting Down To Business
• Setting Your Fees As a Family Archivist
• Marketing
 
Final Thoughts
 
Additional Resources
• Books
• Websites
 

Module 5
Conference Organizer or Special Event Planner
Websites
Introduction to Event Planning
Self-Analysis: Do You Have The Skills and Characteristics of a Conference
Organizer Or Special Events Planner?
Who Needs This Service?
Tips For Getting Started
 
The Process of Planning An Event
• Event Planning Tips
 
Professional Organizations
• Association of Professional Genealogists
• Convention Industry Council
• International Special Events Society
• Event Planners Association
 
Education
 
Getting Down To Business
• Setting Your Fees As a Professional Event Planner
• Marketing and Business Plans
 
Planning a One Day Conference - Example
• Event Details
• Event Budget
 
Final Thoughts
 
Additional Resources
• Websites
 

Module 6
House Historian
Websites
Introduction to House Histories
Who Needs This Service?
House History Research Process
 
Writing the History of a Home
• Book Layout Example
 
Historic Registration Programs
• Preserving the Home for the Future
• Education
• Setting Your Fees
 
House Historian Business Plan and Marketing Plan
• Business Plan
• Marketing
 
Conclusion
 
Additional Resources
• Books
• Websites
 
 

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