Transitioning to a Professional Full-Time Genealogy Career

Key points and insights

Embarking on a full-time professional genealogy career is a significant step for experienced researchers. This insightful webinar, “How to Transition to a Full-Time Professional Genealogy Career,” produced by Aha! Seminars, Inc., offers a comprehensive guide for those looking to transform their passion into a profession. It delves into the essential considerations and practical steps required to build a successful genealogy business, from defining your services to establishing a robust marketing strategy. This summary provides a glimpse into the valuable advice offered, helping aspiring professional genealogists navigate the exciting journey of turning their expertise into a thriving career.

• Define Your Niche and Expertise: The webinar emphasizes the critical importance of evaluating one’s accomplishments, experience, and specific areas of expertise. It encourages genealogists to consider various service offerings, such as client research, training, public speaking, professional writing, lineage society assistance, or consulting for organizations. Identifying a clear niche and understanding one’s strengths in areas like geographical locations, time periods, record types, and repository knowledge is paramount for differentiation and success.
• Strategic Business Setup and Financial Management: A significant portion of the webinar is dedicated to the practicalities of setting up a professional genealogy business. Key takeaways include determining necessary income, initial financial and time investment, pricing services, and legal structures like incorporation. The discussion highlights the importance of obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN), establishing separate bank accounts, and considering financial software for efficient accounting and record-keeping, ensuring a clear separation of personal and business finances.
• Comprehensive Marketing and Continuous Development: The webinar stresses the necessity of a well-defined marketing plan, including establishing a corporate identity with a company name, logo, and tagline. Building a strong online presence through a website and active social media engagement (e.g., Facebook pages, blogs) is crucial for reaching target audiences. Furthermore, continuous education, networking with colleagues and experts, and periodically reviewing and diversifying service offerings are presented as vital for long-term growth and adapting to industry changes.

To gain a deeper understanding of these crucial topics and unlock the full potential of your genealogical career, viewers are strongly encouraged to watch the complete webinar. The detailed insights and actionable advice provided will equip you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and build a sustainable professional practice. Additionally, explore the comprehensive resources included in the syllabus for further guidance and tools to support your journey.