I can’t believe that it is March already!  It’s been a whirlwind since I became involved with The In-Depth Genealogist leadership team.  I love it, but it’s certainly a challenge to keep up with all the different goals that are in my radar.  So I thought I’d take a few minutes to check in on my goals.

 

PERSONAL RESEARCH

Focus

1. Minimize hopping around on my family tree.  Considering that I haven’t had time to research my tree… I’d say the goal is still on course.  I do plan on focusing on the Morse family while I start writing my narrative.
2. Develop a research plan and consistently add to it.  No progress on this.

Document

1.  Go back and document earlier research.  No progress on this.

Education

1. Take advantage of at least one free webinar each month.  I did attend a webinar in January, but February was too busy to squeeze in.  
   
2. Attend the 2013 Family History Jamboree in Dayton.  Goal met!  I got a lot out of it too!
3. Attend the 2013 Ohio Genealogical  Society Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.  On schedule to attend.
4. Attend the 2013 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.  On schedule to attend.

WRITING

Blog & Social Networking

1. Write smaller and more frequent blog posts.  Started out well on this, but the last month I was too busy for it.
2. Respond to all comments.  I have kept up with this one.
3. Share relevant blogs and articles of interest to others through my social networks.  I have kept up with this too.

In-Depth Genealogist Writing

1.  Meet all writing obligations and have articles and blog posts completed 2 months ahead of schedule.  Need to work on this.
2.  Complete the State Resource pages.  Need to work on this.
3.  Create more resource pages for the columnists.  Have not started on this.

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.  I wasn’t able to get started on this.  I’m thinking that I will try this in May.  
2. Complete a book on the Morse family including citations, photographs, and narratives.  Have not started on this.

Publish Articles

1. Submit the three assigned articles for publishing as part of the Archives.com Expert Series.  I submitted my first article!  
2. Contact genealogy magazines about possible writing assignments.  I’m in the process of writing a QuickGuide for Legacy about Jewish Genealogy.  I’ve also got a class to write up for NIGS.  Exciting stuff!

 

JENEALOGY BUSINESS

Website

1.  Use SEO and keyword linking throughout pages and posts.  I have been working on this.
2.  Add more free features to drive others to my site.  I added a free calendar of events for Central Ohio educational events.

Communication with Clients

1. Better educate clients about the research process before getting to the point of developing a research plan or contract.  Haven’t had the opportunity to work on this.

Timekeeping

1. Keep track of time spent on Pro Bono work for IDG, Generous Genealogists, Family Search indexing, and the Morse family website.  I have done this!  So far I’ve spent 86 hours on Pro Bono work.
2. Document the time spent on Marketing, Research, Finances, and Potential Clients.  I’ve been keeping track of this too.

Family Tree Designs

1. Advertise trees to other genealogists for use in their books for clients (or themselves).  No progress.
2. Develop new designs for sale.  No progress. 

Increase Client Work

1. Contact potential clients quickly with a thorough explanation of available services. No progress.
2. Follow up with potential clients about why they did or did not choose to go ahead with my help. No progress.
3. Advertise my business more in the local community. No progress.
4. Advertise my services to other genealogists. No progress.