Comments on: Can I make money collecting oral histories? http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2008/02/21/can-i-make-money-collecting-oral-histories/ Editors from FSB magazine answer your pressing small-business questions. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:52:55 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Dave Burrell, Denver CO http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2008/02/21/can-i-make-money-collecting-oral-histories/#comment-437 Dave Burrell, Denver CO Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:27:40 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=189#comment-437 I have been a home historian for <a href="http://www.historicalinsights.com/" rel="nofollow">Historical Insights</a> for nearly 4 years now, and learned a lot along the way. First, everyone undervalues their work to start. Sure, it's a way to get business at first, but you'll do yourself a service if you give a real time-accounting for not just the work you do but the value clients gain. Second, provide firm pricing. I use a building block system in which people select various components of a home history research project (e.g., building permits, owner research, renter research, historical maps, photo archives, etc.). That way, they know what they're getting and what they're paying without me telling them that their history HAS to be XXXX dollars. Generally, homeowners choose histories ranging from $500 to $1500, while the business arm of the market (e.g., realtors) pay $300 to $600. Finally, I would suggest considerable allowances for end-product finishing. I find that the research is only about 35% of a project. The rest is crafting an interesting story in an attractive format. Since this is what the client sees, it's monumentally important that this be done right. And yet, sinking too much time in this area can be a killer. If you'd like more information, feel free to contact me directly at the Historical Insights Inc website. Best of luck! I have been a home historian for Historical Insights for nearly 4 years now, and learned a lot along the way. First, everyone undervalues their work to start. Sure, it's a way to get business at first, but you'll do yourself a service if you give a real time-accounting for not just the work you do but the value clients gain. Second, provide firm pricing. I use a building block system in which people select various components of a home history research project (e.g., building permits, owner research, renter research, historical maps, photo archives, etc.). That way, they know what they're getting and what they're paying without me telling them that their history HAS to be XXXX dollars. Generally, homeowners choose histories ranging from $500 to $1500, while the business arm of the market (e.g., realtors) pay $300 to $600. Finally, I would suggest considerable allowances for end-product finishing. I find that the research is only about 35% of a project. The rest is crafting an interesting story in an attractive format. Since this is what the client sees, it's monumentally important that this be done right. And yet, sinking too much time in this area can be a killer.

If you'd like more information, feel free to contact me directly at the Historical Insights Inc website. Best of luck!

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