E-Books are big
business on the Internet these days. If you are not familiar with e-books,
they are simply books (usually less content than a printed book) that are
available for immediate download after purchase from a website. E-books are
great because they are easy to create, free to distribute and have a high
profit margin.
As a genealogical consultant, you
will help people learn about their past. Your search will uncover
details of interest on past family members and their lives. To do
this, you must conduct personal interviews, sift through records,
and read through library material. A strong like of research and
people is critical to this job, since that's pretty much all you
will be doing - researching and talking. Everyone family has its
story and as a genealogical consultant, you will be the one to tell
it.
You can conduct simple searches that include straightforward
information on individual births, deaths, marriages, immigrations,
etc., or an advanced search that includes the following:
· Complete family histories
· Town histories
· Church histories
· Church records
· Court abstracts
· Surname registries
· Historical newspaper research
Once you have gathered all the requested information, you will
compile it into a family tree or a report. The most simple searches
can be billed at $25-$30 per hour. The advanced searches could be
billed as high as $75 per hour, depending on what it is you are
doing. Keep track of each search related expense. You'll want to
charge your clients for photocopies, postage, and other incurred
expenses. Make sure you keep a good record of how you spend your
time. Not all searches will result in the kind of information your
client had hoped for - but you still need to get paid. Use of a
contract would be helpful.
You'll need a good computer system and genealogical software to
produce the kind of reports you will need. Expect to spend $500 1500
plus marketing expenses. Advertise in historic magazines,
newspapers, and the yellow pages.
