What can your society learn from the corporate world?

The September 2017 FGS webinar will feature Laurie Hermance-Moore, who will present "Borrowing Corporate Strategy Techniques for Your Society."

The webinar will address a variety of paths for a society to utilize the techniques of the corporate world. 

Many societies are at a crossroads: new competition from online genealogy sites and webinars, dwindling membership, and challenges in figuring out how to evolve activities. It’s time to stop and make a plan!

So why not borrow from the business world?

Marketing strategist and genealogist Laurie Hermance-Moore will show you techniques that are used by large companies to refine how they “go to market.” Learn how to align your society leadership to your vision for the future, your current mission, how you are positioning yourself against the competition, and identifying and prioritizing your target audiences.

Laurie has more than 15 years of experience in marketing, marketing research, strategic planning, and brand development. She provides coaching to professional genealogists and genealogy societies in marketing strategy, so they can craft their unique story, target their offerings to the right clients, and build their confidence in marketing.

The webinar will be held on September 21, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. Central Time, and will be recorded for viewing on the FGS website shortly after its conclusion. Please register in advance.

NEXT TIME: The topic for the October webinar will be “The Social Media Manager Role in Today's Society” presented by FGS Education Chair Jen Baldwin.

About the Webinar Series

Each month, the FGS Webinar Series will feature a new and interesting topic, ranging from recruitment and volunteer management to technology, publications, and working with your local tourism board.

Webinars are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Central Time. Advance registration is required. Regular updates will be shared via the FGS Voice blog, FGS Voice Newsletter, and social media.

Speakers interested in presenting topics should contact Jen Baldwin, Education Chair, at education@fgs.org.

Are you looking for a rewarding and beneficial way to volunteer? The Education Committee at FGS could use your expertise. Please contact Jen Baldwin at education@fgs.org.

How to Turn Society Newsletter Content Into Blog Posts

"...your society is probably sitting on a gold mine of material..."

Your society's blog is one of its most valuable means of communication. It can reach anyone — members, non-members, potential members, people who never thought before about being a member, but discovered you're a useful group to know.

One of the challenges to having a successful blog is finding good content. Posting notices about your meetings is good (and necessary!), but a steady stream of meeting announcements isn't going to keep people coming back to your blog. You need something more. Fortunately, your society is probably sitting on a gold mine of material — the back issues of your society's newsletter.

Republishing is Ok

Some people hesitate to republish material from their newsletter. "Won't people be annoyed to read something they've already seen?" Here's the thing – most of the people reading your blog never saw that item in your newsletter from 4 years ago. In other words, this is brand new material for them.

For those people who were members back when you published it the first time, it will be a refresher. (Of course, there's always the possibility that they didn't actually read it the first time, so it's new for them, too!)

(Photo Credit: Freeimages.com)

Go Green – Evergreen, That Is

As you're going through your old newsletters, look for "evergreen" content. That's the type of material that isn't time sensitive, but is relevant whenever someone reads it. Look for articles that cover things like:

• Libraries and archives in the area
• Where to find certain types of records
• Uncommon sources
• Unusual or humorous records
• The history of your county

Basically, if it's still useful to people, consider blogging it. 

Work With Your Authors

Depending on the agreement you have with your authors, you might not have permission to go ahead and republish it on your blog. Before you do anything, contact the author of the article you want to republish and get their permission to do so. Otherwise, you could be infringing on their copyright; you don't want to do that.

When you publish it on the blog, give that author credit. Give them a byline either at the beginning or at the end of the post.

After you publish it, get back in touch with the author and give her the link to the post. Encourage her to share the link with her social media followers. (Even if she isn't on social media, she'll appreciate seeing how it turned out on the blog.)

Reformatting and Updating

You'll likely need to do some reformatting to take the article from your print publication and make it shine online.

• Add hyperlinks where appropriate. If the original article said, "Visit our website," make that a hyperlink to your website.
• Add headings to break up long text. People tend to scan when they read online. Headings give them points to stop.
• Add images. Blogs are visual. Good images not only help your readers understand and retain the material better, they are key for sharing on social media. No image = nobody will pin it on Pinterest. Poor images = less sharing on Facebook and Twitter. 
• Update anything that needs updating. If the original article says the library is open until 9:00pm, but now it's only open until 7:00pm, change it. 

A Marketing Opportunity

Besides giving the author's name, give your society a plug. Be upfront that this came from one of your newsletters. It turns it into a mini ad for your society. Consider this at the end of the post:

"This article is by Sarah Jones and originally appeared in our newsletter, "Climbing Your Tree," in June 2010. The newsletter is one of many member benefits. If you're not a member, please join us!"

Be have "join us" as a hyperlink to the membership page on your website.

Don't Let This Be Your Only Source

Just like you don't want your blog to be only about upcoming meetings, you don't want to turn it into nothing but old newsletter materials. Mix it up with new content. Do a quick tour of the public library. Highlight a volunteer. Show photos of a local cemetery. It doesn't have to be pages long. It just has to be meaningful to your audience.

Dig Out Those Back Issues

Your blog is the most visible publication your society has. You need to have good content there to keep your readers interested and returning for more. The more often they return, the more likely they are to join at some point, buy your products, and attend your events. Instead of letting your blog go dormant because you don't have "new" content, use some of the great material that you already have. Your old newsletters are a great source to keep you going.

(Photo Credit: Pixabay)

The Doctor Is In - Solving Your Genealogy Society Problems

The Doctor is In - Solving Your Genealogy Society Problems

Taking a little different approach to the standard radio show, Thomas MacEntee answers listener questions about current issues and problems that genealogy societies face all the time.

Here is a sample of some of the issues that are discussed:

• How do you get new people to run for office (aside from nominating them when they aren't present)?
• How do you get new members?
• How do you know what your members want?
• What needs to be done to start a new society?
• How do you make money other than membership fees?
• Does your mission statement reflect current ideals?

Listen to the archived broadcast of "The Doctor is In -- Solving Your Genealogy Society Problems" on the blogtalkradio My Society channel by FGS, or you can listen below:

Popular History Internet Radio with mysociety on BlogTalkRadio

FGS Radio: Promoting Genealogy to a Larger Audience

Click here to create a reminder to listen to FGS Radio:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2012/12/01/promoting-genealogy-to-a-larger-audience

Saturday, December 1, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

This week’s episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled Promoting Genealogy to a Larger Audience. Our guest this week will be Angie Rodesky, Tennessee genealogist, blogger and guest on a recent episode of “How the States Got Their Shapes” on H2. Join us as we discuss Angie’s experience in that program and what each of us could do to promote our efforts in unique ways. We will also be featuring FGS member society the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society in our weekly Society Spotlight feature.

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Technology & Marketing Resource List for Genealogy Societies

This afternoon on FGS Radio - My Society, we had a lively workshop session with many participants in the chat room discussing a variety of resources.  As promised, here is a list of all the resources discussed, grouped by category.

Technology News

• Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter
  http://www.eogn.com

• Free Technology Tools for Teachers
  http://www.freetech4teachers.com 

• Gizmodo
  http://gizmodo.com

• MakeUseOf.com
  http://makeuseof.com

• Lifehacker
  http://lifehacker.com

Technology for Non-Profits - Purchasing and Advice

• TechSoup.org
  http://www.techsoup.org

File Management

• Dropbox
  http://www.dropbox.com

Office Productivity (documents, spreadsheets, etc.)

• Google Docs
  http://docs.google.com

• Zoho
  http://www.zoho.com

Payment Processing

• Paypal
  http://www.paypal.com

Event Registration

• Razor's Edge
  http://www.razors-edge.biz

• MemberClicks
  http://www.memberclicks.com/

Indexing and Digitizing Records

• Ancestry.com Content Publishers
  http://publish.ancestry.com

• What Was There
  http://www.whatwasthere.com

• HistoryPin
  http://www.historypin.com

Note Taking (for meetings)

• Evernote
  http://www.evernote.com

Website Creation

• EasyNetSites
  http://www.easynetsites.com

• Joomla
  http://www.joomla.org

• Weebly
  http://www.weebly.com

Social Media

• Blogger
  http://www.blogger.com

• Facebook
  http://www.facebook.com

• Google+
  http://plus.google.com

• WordPress
  http://www.wordpress.com

Video Hosting and Event Broadcasting

• Blog Talk Radio
  http://www.blogtalkradio.com 

• LiveStream
  http://new.livestream.com

• Vimeo
  http://www.vimeo.com

Outreach

• FamilySearch Research Communities
  https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Join_a_Facebook_Research_Community

• FamilySearch Research Wiki
  https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Main_Page

FGS Webinar on Reaching New Communities Now Available Online

The popular FGS Webinar "Your Society's Next Generation: Reaching Out to New Communities" presented by Josh Taylor is now available at the FGS website at: http://fgs.org/webinars/. On the FGS Webinars page you'll also find a link to the handouts which can be downloaded in PDF.

If you missed the original broadcast last Saturday, June 18, 2011 or if you just want to review some of the great education content on how your society can tap into new communities, turn up your sound and click the play button below. The webinar description can be found by clicking here.



Don't forget that FGS has more great webinars planned - our next one will take place on Saturday, August 13, 2011 with D. Joshua Taylor presenting Joining a Genealogy Society. Details on how to register will be posted soon!

FGS Radio - Genealogy Society Marketing Q&A Session

Click here to create a reminder to listen to FGS Radio:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2011/05/28/genealogy-society-marketing--qa-session

Saturday, May 28, 2011
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Click here to listen to the show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2011/05/28/genealogy-society-marketing--qa-session

Join us for the next episode of My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies. This week your host Thomas MacEntee will focus on: Genealogy Society Marketing - Q&A Session.

Q& A Session

We’ll have a true question and answer session with Thomas – an expert in the use of social media for genealogical societies. Email your questions to publicity@fgs.org and he’ll try to answer them on the air. Or call into the studio at +1 (619) 638-8565 and ask your question live on the air.

Society Spotlight

My Society will also feature a member society of FGS during the broadcast. Please join us for great conversation and an exchange of ideas concerning genealogy societies every Saturday afternoon!

FGS Webinar on Social Networking Now Available Online

The popular FGS Webinar "Social Networking for Genealogy Societies" presented by Thomas MacEntee is now available at the FGS website at: http://fgs.org/webinars/. On the FGS Webinars page you'll also find a link to the five page handout which can be downloaded in PDF.

If you missed the original broadcast back on April 30, 2011 or if you just want to review some of the great education content on how your society can use social networking, turn up your sound and click the play button below. The webinar description can be found by clicking here.



Don't forget that FGS has more great webinars planned - our next one will take place on Saturday, June 18, 2011 with D. Joshua Taylor presenting Your Society's Next Generation: Reaching Out to New Communities. Details on how to register will be posted soon!

NEW! FGS/ISGS 2011 Media Center

The FGS/ISGS 2011 Conference Publicity Committee is pleased to announce the opening of the FGS/ISGS 2011 Media Center - A Virtual Press Kit.

What is a press kit? Traditionally, a press kit would be mailed to media outlets such as newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations weeks or even months ahead of the event in hopes of securing publicity for the event.

Well the FGS/ISGS 2011 Conference has decided to create a virtual press kit to better serve not just the media outlets, but its members societies and the genealogy community at large. The Media Center is a green, efficient and cost-effective way of providing a "self service" press kit.

Over the next few weeks you'll see us adding more ads, more articles and even videos to be used in publicizing Pathways to the Heartland.

And stay tuned for tomorrow's exciting announcement related to the Media Center and the FGS/ISGS 2011 Conference!

Who Do You Think You Are? Season 2 - Is Your Society Ready?

[Editor's note: the following information about Season 2 of Who Do You Think You Are? was received from Ancestry.com.  There are many ways in which genealogical societies can use this event to increase membership as well as to expand services to current members.]

Beginning in February, NBC will air the second season of the hit show “Who Do You Think You Are?” During the first season, millions of viewers tuned in each week to watch celebrities uncover their family history, and the United States saw a renewed interest in genealogy not seen since the days of Roots. It’s likely that growing interest in tracing heritage will continue to increase.

“Who Do You Think You Are?” creates excitement around genealogy by showing the types of stories and discoveries people can make about their ancestors — ultimately leading viewers to begin thinking about their own family history. Since the show does not delve into the how-tos of research, newcomers are looking for guidance.

The genealogy community is uniquely positioned to be on the front lines of this growth. The new season of “Who Do You Think You Are?” offers libraries, societies and more a unique opportunity to reach out to their local community – the more people in the area who watch the show, the more potential clients a genealogist may have.

Here are several ideas to spread the word about “Who Do You Think You Are? and to leverage the show’s popularity to grow society memberships, client lists and the interest in family history in your community:

1. Host a workshop for beginners. The show will interest people in genealogy; now experts can teach them how to find their own family stories. Last season, several genealogy societies across the country reported standing-room-only attendance at beginners’ workshops – and some classes were popular enough to merit repeat performances.

2. Contact your local media. The show’s popularity offers you a chance to talk to local newspapers and TV stations about how people can get started and especially how professional genealogists can help. You might consider offering to research the family history of a local news anchor and offer him/her their own “Who Do You Think You Are?” mini-experience. Or if you belong to a society, you could invite media to a society event as the San Antonio Genealogical and Historical Society did last season: “Our local NBC affiliate, WOAI-TV, not only publicized our event, they filmed our Library and gave us a live interview on the 5:00 & 6:00 pm news.”

3. Encourage clients or society members to spread the word and invite their friends. Who better to promote the TV show, your event, and your services than your clients and society members, who are already passionate about family history and already have a network of friends and family? Urge your clients or members to post links to your event and the “Who Do You Think You Are?” season 1 videos on their Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, websites or blogs.

4. Prepare getting started materials for beginners. Create a 1-page “Getting Started in Family History” guide that you can pass out to potential clients or that beginners can pick up at your event. Also consider posting the same getting-started info on your website, blog or Facebook page.

5. Brainstorm more ideas with your fellow genealogist friends and society members. You know your community best. So why not brainstorm with your genealogist friends on how you can increase your local community’s interest in “Who Do You Think You Are?” and best benefit from that increased interest.

All in all, “Who Do You Think You Are?” continues to present the genealogy community with a golden opportunity to revolutionize, reshape, and redefine family history as a whole. It’s an opportunity to grow and strengthen societies, to infuse our industry with younger audiences who can become the next generation of family historians, and to educate the public about what family history is and how to successfully research their heritage.

So promote your local genealogy community, bring in new members – and don’t forget to spread the word about “Who Do You Think You Are?” Fridays on NBC beginning February 4. 

Thomas MacEntee Joins the FGS Voice Team

FGS is proud to announce that Thomas MacEntee, social media and technology expert in the genealogy community, will be bringing his talents and ideas to the FGS table beginning 1 December 2010. Thomas is the National Publicity Chair for the FGS 2011 conference “Pathways to the Heartland." He will also assist FGS in marketing its services, publications, educational offerings, and events to genealogical societies and to individual genealogists. Look for new FGS social media initiatives in the upcoming weeks including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media applications. Thomas is the author of GeneaBloggers (http://www.geneabloggers.com) and the principal of High-Definition Genealogy, a company providing services to the genealogy and family history community including market research, consulting, education, and more.

We’re very pleased to have Thomas on the FGS team!