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Archiver > APG > 2006-10 > 1159722822


From: "Kenneth Aitken" <>
Subject: [APG] Thanks for a great learning experience
Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2006 10:13:42 -0700


Dear colleagues;



As the tumult and the excitement of the last few days fade away into memory,
and I forget what Donn, Natalie, Melinde, Mary and even Ken had to say, I'd
like to share a couple of thoughts.

First I appreciate the passion and the effort each has put into their
comments, responses, rejoinders, rebuttals, "me too"s and explanation. It
has been a great educational experience for me. I have changed views on some
things, and am more firmly entrenched in others. As Kory suggested, this
has perhaps been the most discussion on this list in the present year. Some
years ago I was a moderator and editor for H-Local, and academic list sadly
faded now, about local history. My job was to provoke, and I tried my best.
Apparently I've not lost my touch.

Second, I instigated this discussion because of a real concern about
"branding" for APG, and I suppose ICapGen and BCG. I believe the four
groups need to be more effective in reaching new genealogists, and in
showing these prospective clients how professional genealogists can help
them. Where are they new prospects. How d o they learn? How can the media
and technology they use serve us better. I am not talking about Donn Devine
appearing as a pop-up, ( oh wondrous day that will be Donn!) but perhaps
more targeted advertising/ promotion of our values, ethics and services as
professionals. I'd like to see our consultation schedules filled, our
classes sold out, our lectures filled and our client rosters enlarged with
clients who turned first to us for help because we (APG, etc. )are a
household name in the circles they live in as problem solvers for their
needs. We need to push the brand, the image etc collectively.

I think we all need to be involved more in promoting the APG image in
active ways: pushing, not waiting.. Everytime someone googles
Kansasgenealogy, or German genealogy there is google ad for APG (or
whatever)
inviting people to check. "Need help solving a Maryland research problem?"

Third, we need to get more APG people up to speed on the business of doing
genealogy.

We could use the list and post a weekly short article on some aspect of
business. I'll bet in the Q there are many, many past articles that could
be recyled and thus reread, And commented on. Do you recall the article on
elevator speeches? Not until you read that four times will it sink in. (Hi,
I'm Ken Aitken. I help people solve family history problems") Some experts
suggest rereading such articles the next day, then a week later, then a
month later and finally a year later.

We could create a library of a hundred or so such articles, recycled and
new, explaining how-to bits regarding business, with references, and using
push technology, automatically send out "APG Business Tips"biweekly or monthly
as an electronic newsletter. Since this is not a newsletter, the APG BT bank
of articles could be created as a package in advance. The technology is such
that if desired, when you subscribe, you start at #1, so though every
subscriber gets a monthly tip sheet, not everyone gets the same one. When
the bank is exhausted, the subscription returns to #1 tip sheet to
repeat.Those who need this most among us, often do not generate sufficient
revenue to go to every PMC conference.

The same technology could be used in promoting other messages to the
public.
I am sure you can think of other messages.

Brand loyalty, and brand recognition seldom just happen. We need to actively
seek potential clients for APG members.

What do you. think?--

Kenneth G. Aitken, MLS
Family History Education ServicesPenticton, BC, Canada

Check out my blog!
www.genealogy-education.com

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