Good Morning, All! I am in the process of working toward certification. I have been researching for family and friends for nearly 30 years, always pro bono. I recently completed the Boston University research course in preparation to expand my research services. Monday, I was contacted via Internet about a potential research project. In the initial contact I was asked about my rates and whether I could accomplish the research (a very vague goal of a Christmas gift to her father of his potential heritage from Ireland or Scotland) before Christmas. I responded with some general information on rates and indicated the information I would need to determine an estimate of costs and my ability to meet the Christmas deadline. The potential client provided "what she knows" Tuesday morning which was basic information to her father's grandparents all born in Northern Georgia and I am located Florida. I spent some time on the Internet to identify the scope of what was readily available and identify whether the Ireland or Scotland connection appeared on census or other on-line records. My next step was to send another email explaining that we would need to discuss her specific goals so I could provide her a proposed quote and contract. I explained my policy of obtaining a 4 hour research retainer with the contract. Her next email thanked me for my time and explained that her mother had already found another genealogist for the research. I was disappointed but feel the process was an additional learning experience. My question. How much time should I have spent on this initial research and as professional genealogists, how are these hours recouped financially? As the saying goes, "Time is money." One thing I noted in the BU course was that I took more time than the instructors indicated when factoring in time spent for writing reports and pre contract research. I realize the more times specific actions are accomplished, the quicker results will be obtained. Thanks! Connie Bradshaw

Excellent question, Connie. Your experience sounds very familiar. Client goals are often somewhat vague and open-ended. I have no problem with that, but it can be a big problem when the client is thinking about quick turn-around on something that might be a Christmas or birthday gift for someone. I always to a little quick surveillance of the landscape before accepting a job. To me, this is just a cost of doing business. Even if the client (or I) chose not to go forward, I feel this is time well spent. Jay Fonkert -----Original Message----- From: Rvsailor <Rvsailor@aol.com> To: transitional-genealogists-forum <transitional-genealogists-forum@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wed, Nov 7, 2012 9:24 am Subject: [TGF] Before the Contract Good Morning, All! I am in the process of working toward certification. I have been researching for family and friends for nearly 30 years, always pro bono. I recently completed the Boston University research course in preparation to expand my research services. Monday, I was contacted via Internet about a potential research project. In the initial contact I was asked about my rates and whether I could accomplish the research (a very vague goal of a Christmas gift to her father of his potential heritage from Ireland or Scotland) before Christmas. I responded with some general information on rates and indicated the information I would need to determine an estimate of costs and my ability to meet the Christmas deadline. The potential client provided "what she knows" Tuesday morning which was basic information to her father's grandparents all born in Northern Georgia and I am located Florida. I spent some time on the Internet to identify the scope of what was readily available and identify whether the Ireland or Scotland connection appeared on census or other on-line records. My next step was to send another email explaining that we would need to discuss her specific goals so I could provide her a proposed quote and contract. I explained my policy of obtaining a 4 hour research retainer with the contract. Her next email thanked me for my time and explained that her mother had already found another genealogist for the research. I was disappointed but feel the process was an additional learning experience. My question. How much time should I have spent on this initial research and as professional genealogists, how are these hours recouped financially? As the saying goes, "Time is money." One thing I noted in the BU course was that I took more time than the instructors indicated when factoring in time spent for writing reports and pre contract research. I realize the more times specific actions are accomplished, the quicker results will be obtained. Thanks! Connie Bradshaw The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Connie, Harold and Jay have made very good points. I just wanted to add the following. When/if you specialize in a certain area (state, region, etc.), you will become familiar with those records. It will become easier for you to determine how much time a project will take and if a project is feasible. Just one of the perks of experience. Hindsight is 20/20, but I think the next time a client approaches you with such vague goals/objectives in such a short period of time, your first response to them will probably be to educate them as to what is possible. Rest assured that you are better off without taking on this project. It sounds like they contacted several people at the same time. Some clients are not as concerned about the quality of research as others. Chalk it up to a lesson learned. Good luck in your future endeavors! Debbie Hooper Delmarva Genealogy Associates Specializing in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia -----Original Message----- From: transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Rvsailor@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 10:12 AM To: transitional-genealogists-forum@rootsweb.com Subject: [TGF] Before the Contract Good Morning, All! I am in the process of working toward certification. I have been researching for family and friends for nearly 30 years, always pro bono. I recently completed the Boston University research course in preparation to expand my research services. Monday, I was contacted via Internet about a potential research project. In the initial contact I was asked about my rates and whether I could accomplish the research (a very vague goal of a Christmas gift to her father of his potential heritage from Ireland or Scotland) before Christmas. I responded with some general information on rates and indicated the information I would need to determine an estimate of costs and my ability to meet the Christmas deadline. The potential client provided "what she knows" Tuesday morning which was basic information to her father's grandparents all born in Northern Georgia and I am located Florida. I spent some time on the Internet to identify the scope of what was readily available and identify whether the Ireland or Scotland connection appeared on census or other on-line records. My next step was to send another email explaining that we would need to discuss her specific goals so I could provide her a proposed quote and contract. I explained my policy of obtaining a 4 hour research retainer with the contract. Her next email thanked me for my time and explained that her mother had already found another genealogist for the research. I was disappointed but feel the process was an additional learning experience. My question. How much time should I have spent on this initial research and as professional genealogists, how are these hours recouped financially? As the saying goes, "Time is money." One thing I noted in the BU course was that I took more time than the instructors indicated when factoring in time spent for writing reports and pre contract research. I realize the more times specific actions are accomplished, the quicker results will be obtained. Thanks! Connie Bradshaw The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2441/5379 - Release Date: 11/07/12