2021 PMC Program

All times are Eastern Daylight Time

August Session

24 August 2021 (Tue)

11:00am to 12:15pm - A Stool with Five Legs, Craig Roberts Scott, CG^®, FUGA

Many professional genealogists are focus totally on the role of being a researcher. They are trapped in one-time revenue streams. This lecture examines the other roles that exist for professional genealogists. Each provides the opportunity for a reoccurring revenue stream.

12:30pm to 1:45pm - Break and Networking

2:00pm to 3:15pm - So, You Wanna Be a Speaker, David McDonald, DMin

Finding your voice as a public speaker involves several key aspects: knowledge of your content is but one consideration. Drawing on decades as a church pastor, we'll examine strengths and pitfalls that can hinder success as a presenter.

25 August 2021 (Wed)

11:00am to 12:15pm - The Business of Genealogical Speaking, Annette Burke Lyttle

This lecture covers managing life as a professional speaker. Busy speakers monitor a mountain of information that makes up the “back room” of a speaking operation. We will cover finding and responding to requests for proposals; finding local speaking gigs; staying on top of requests for our speaking services; keeping track of the status of proposals; managing information so we meet deadlines, show up at the right place and time with the right equipment, and present ourselves as capable professionals; setting fees and charging for expenses, and developing fresh topics that will keep the demand up for our presentations.

12:30pm to 1:45pm - Break and Networking

2:00pm to 3:15pm - Presentation Skills and Options for a Virtual World, Paul Milner, FUGA, MDiv

Everything has changed in the world of genealogical presentations with most organizations having gone virtual. Because of the benefits to societies many will likely continue to use the format into the future. Learn the skills, tools and technology available to make dynamic and viewable presentations. Examine the pros and cons of many different options: live Zoom presentations; live interviews; pre-recorded webinars; and how to address Q&A sessions. Learn how to capitalize on the strengths of each tool, and how to propose alternatives.

September Session

21 September 2021 (Tue)

11:00am to 12:15pm - Planning for Success! Creating a Simple Business & Marketing Plan for Your Genealogy Business, Joy Curtiss

Whether just starting out or looking for some inspiration, crafting simple business plans for your genealogy business can lead to increased productivity and sales. This session will provide you insights into creating a short operating and marketing plan, plus vision statement, that will keep you focused to achieve your goals! Plus, we'll discuss free marketing tools that can drive additional business. Sample templates will be provided.

12:30pm to 1:45pm - Break and Networking

2:00pm to 3:15 pm - Simple Sales Strategies for Professional Genealogists – Turning Prospects into Clients, Risa Daitzman Heywood

Much has been written about how to market your services as a professional genealogist but little about how to close the deal. For those who aspire to start a genealogy research business, the selling part of the venture is often the most intimidating. Some fear rejection, others don’t want to appear pushy or just don’t know what to say. But with a simple sales strategy and advanced planning, even a novice salesperson can be successful. 

3:30pm to 4:45pm - Maybe You Shouldn't Care About Copyright, Judy G. Russell, JD, CG^®, CGL^SM

There are many reasons why a genealogical professional has to care about copyright. Ethically, we know we can't use the work of others without necessary permissions being secured and credit being given. Infringing someone else's rights, even unintentionally, can be a horrific and financially devastating experience. But in the vast majority of cases the one copyright that maybe we shouldn't care about is our own. Maybe what we really want and need isn't copyright at all, but something called moral rights.

22 September 2021 (Wed)

11:00 am to 12:15 pm - Juggling Complex Projects While Staying on Track & on Time, J. Mark Lowe

Learn how to manage your projects without derailing the research. Discover the techniques & skills needed by professionals to keep your clients on board.

12:30 pm to 1:45pm - Break and Networking

2:00pm to 3:15pm - The APG Code of Ethics & Professional Practices, David McDonald, DMin

Misunderstandings around best practices by professional genealogists can lead to frustration, disputes and costly fee-write offs. APG's Code is the backbone of the best practices members of the Association agree to use in their work. Engaging in our work with these provisos in mind can avoid disappointment on the part of our clients down the line.

3:30pm to 4:45pm - Must-Haves for Your Genealogy Business Website, Carla S. Cegielski

Genealogy freelancers may all appear the same or interchangeable to prospective clients. Learn how to present yourself, your skills and your services in the best light so that you stand out among your peers.

October Session

19 October 2021 (Tue)

11:00am to 12:15pm - Five Plans for Professional Success, Lauri Jean Swett

If we fail to plan, we plan to fail is a statement attributed to Benjamin Franklin. We want our genealogy businesses to succeed but do we know how to plan for success. These five plans will lead to better project and time management, focus our efforts, say no to the wrong clients, encourage revenue growth, and give ourselves permission to spend.

12:30pm to 1:45pm - Break and Networking

2:00pm to 3:15 pm - General Contractor: Building Blocks of a Good Agreement, Judy G. Russell, JD, CG^®, CGL^SM

Work will be done by Professional. Payment will be made by Client. So far so good. But what else needs to go into a good contract? And what can realistically be left out? Ensuring that all of the issues most likely to arise in a professional relationship are set out in plain simple terms that both sides understand and agree on is critical to a good working relationship. Crafting those terms means playing general contractor and putting all the building blocks of a good contract in place.

3:30pm to 4:45pm - 10 Tips for Becoming a Successful Writer, Michael J. Leclerc, CG^®

Whether you are writing for clients, articles for journals, or family histories, being a good writer is critical for professional genealogists. These 10 tips to becoming a successful writer from the managing editor of the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly will help you to quickly become a master of the written word. 

20 October 2021 (Wed)

11:00 am to 12:15 pm - Building Your Professional Genealogical Network – Virtually and In-person, Paul Milner, FUGA, MDiv

Nobody who becomes “somebody” in the world of professional genealogy does it alone. As aspiring and growing professional genealogists we all need to build a network, and in this session you will: learn to identify your own needs and desires for a network; learn how to identify and approach the professionals you would like to be part of your network; consider how to nurture those relationships – virtually and in-person; and understand how these relationships will change over time.

12:30 pm to 1:45pm - Break and Networking

2:00 pm to 3:15 pm - So You Want to Teach an Online Course, Jill K. Morelli, CG^®

In the pandemic era, virtual presentations became the norm and will continue into the future. We will look at how teaching an online class can enhance your business bottom line and share your knowledge with others. We will cover the steps to create, deliver, and sustain your online class concept.

3:30pm to 4:45pm - What is Soft Marketing and Why Should We Care? Annette Burke Lyttle

We tend to think of marketing in terms of so-called "hard" marketing activities that use sales messages to put our services in front of potential clients, and those activities are important for our businesses. But "soft" marketing is important, too, especially when we’re hoping to reach potential clients who have become resistant to sales messages. Soft marketing takes a longer view and involves a mindful approach to activities that can place us before the public in ways that don’t involve a sales message. Learn how to harness the power of soft marketing for your business.

Bonus Lecture

A pre-recorded lecture will be made available to all attendees.

ABCs of Accounting for a Genealogy Business, Mary Kircher Roddy, CPA, CG®

P and L. Balance sheet. Debits. Credits. 1099. W-9. What does it all mean??? Learn the basics of setting up and maintaining an accounting system for your genealogy business. Should you have a sole-proprietorship or something else? What kinds of records and documents do you need to keep and for how long? What kinds of expenses can you deduct? What kind of accounting software do you need? What about paying your taxes? How can you tell if you’re making any money at this business? Mary will cover all these issues and more.