After almost two weeks of stewing on my genealogy goals for 2013 I have finally narrowed it down as much as I can.  Never an easy feat for me as I’m usually a bit too ambitious and make more goals than is possible to be completed.  All the same, I like a good challenge!  So here goes..

PERSONAL RESEARCH

Focus

1. Minimize hopping around on my family tree.
2. Develop a research plan and consistently add to it.

Document

1.  Go back and document earlier research.

Education

1. Take advantage of at least one free webinar each month.
2. Attend the 2013 Family History Jamboree in Dayton.
3. Attend the 2013 Ohio Genealogical  Society Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.
4. Attend the 2013 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

WRITING

Blog & Social Networking

1. Write smaller and more frequent blog posts.
2. Respond to all comments.
3. Share relevant blogs and articles of interest to others through my social networks.

In-Depth Genealogist Writing

1.  Meet all writing obligations and have articles and blog posts completed 2 months ahead of schedule.
2.  Complete the State Resource pages.
3.  Create more resource pages for the columnists.

Write

1. Participate in The Family History Writing Challenge by writing 300 words a day for the month of February.  My focus will be the Morse family.
2. Complete a book on the Morse family including citations, photographs, and narratives.

Publish Articles

1. Submit the three assigned articles for publishing as part of the Archives.com Expert Series.
2. Contact genealogy magazines about possible writing assignments.

 

JENEALOGY BUSINESS

Website

1.  Use SEO and keyword linking throughout pages and posts.
2.  Add more free features to drive others to my site.

Communication with Clients

1. Better educate clients about the research process before getting to the point of developing a research plan or contract.

Timekeeping

1. Keep track of time spent on Pro Bono work for IDG, Generous Genealogists, Family Search indexing, and the Morse family website.
2. Document the time spent on Marketing, Research, Finances, and Potential Clients.

Family Tree Designs

1. Advertise trees to other genealogists for use in their books for clients (or themselves).
2. Develop new designs for sale.

Increase Client Work

1. Contact potential clients quickly with a thorough explanation of available services.
2. Follow up with potential clients about why they did or did not choose to go ahead with my help.
3. Advertise my business more in the local community.
4. Advertise my services to other genealogists.