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From: "Janice Nickerson" <>
Subject: [TGF] Market Research
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:49:03 -0500
In-Reply-To: <mailman.91747.1232485914.2571.transitional-genealogists-forum@rootsweb.com>


When I first hung out my shingle, I didn't know what to expect. So like
others, I took any and every client that came along. I tried to get my name
on every list of researchers in the area and online. I participated in my
APG chapter and got to know people. I have probably found clients through
every method imaginable - from lists, from referrals, from people who've
read my articles or attended my lectures, and from people "just surfing" on
the Internet (the most common response to my question "how did you find
me"). Over time, the number of referrals has increased, both from previous
clients and from fellow professionals.

Since I've never met most of my clients, I don't know how old most of them
are. However, it seems clear to me that the ones who are themselves amateur
genealogists tend to be older. The ones who don't care to do any research
themselves, but are interested in their family history, tend to be much
younger. They are also often wealthier and more willing to pay large sums
for large projects. Government offices and organizations are willing to pay
higher rates than individuals.

I would say that the most successful "marketing" strategies for me have
been:

1. Having a website with lots of content
2. Serving as chair of my APG chapter
3. Developing specialties that no one else was serving
4. Contacting my province's Public Guardian and Trustee's Office to offer my
services in heir tracing
5. Writing for popular magazines

Janice

============================================
Janice Nickerson
Upper Canada Genealogy
Suite 2807, 33 Isabella Street
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2P7
www.uppercanadagenealogy.com



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