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Dear WAHFAQ,
My specialty is doing bibliographies on obscure authors or just ordinary people.
I have access to several for fee newspaper services. I have had absolutely no luck getting any clients even when I offer it for free.
Any suggestions?
Note: Much more information was included in the original email, and I did a little bit of research on the author, but won’t reveal his information for privacy’s sake.
I have to admit, this email is probably one of the most unique questions I have ever received. I was really excited to dive in and do a bit of a “brain dump” of information!
First of all, it’s great that you have a Master’s Degree in Library Sciences. That shows that you actually have a skill-set, and you’re not just some random person who likes writing things. You have credibility, education, and experience in your corner.
Something that came up that wasn’t as favorable, however, is that you don’t have a website! Not one for you personally, or for your business. You are on LinkedIn and Facebook, but that doesn’t help people who aren’t on those platforms to find you. Plus, with search engine listings, people have to be looking specifically for YOU, not the service you provide or the industry that you are in.
If you’re not up for creating your own website, think about doing something simple like an about.me page – just something out from behind the Facebook or LinkedIn walls.
When you’re looking at how to make income from your skills, (in this case, bibliography) there are three questions to ask:
- What problem does my skill solve?
- Who has that problem?
- How do I find them/Where do they hang out?
And really, these three questions are the cornerstone of Business 101! If you can answer them, you can create a solid foundation for any business idea!
Watch the video above, or listen to the podcast to hear my in-depth suggestions on how a bibliographer can turn their skill into income.