How to Make Money Online as a Genealogist: 10 Actionable Ideas

The field of genealogy is booming, with increasing numbers of individuals seeking to explore their family histories and ancestral roots. If you are a genealogist, the digital age has opened up countless opportunities for you to share your expertise and make money online. From offering personalized research services to creating educational content, there are many ways to capitalize on your skills as a genealogist. In this article, we will explore 10 actionable ideas to help you make money online as a genealogist.

Offer Professional Genealogy Research Services

One of the most common and profitable ways for genealogists to make money online is by offering professional research services. Many people are eager to uncover their family history but don't have the time, expertise, or resources to do it themselves. As a professional genealogist, you can offer your services to help clients trace their ancestry, find family records, and uncover hidden stories from their past.

How to Monetize Research Services:

• Specialize in a Niche: Consider specializing in a particular area, such as African American genealogy, Jewish ancestry, or immigration history. Focusing on a niche can help you stand out and attract clients who are specifically looking for expertise in those areas.
• Set Clear Pricing Models: You can charge clients hourly or offer packages for specific types of research (e.g., tracing a family tree, finding immigration records, or verifying historical facts).
• Use Research Tools: Make use of genealogy databases and archives like Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage to gather information and provide your clients with detailed reports.
• Offer Free Initial Consultations: A free initial consultation helps potential clients understand your services and how you can assist them. This can be a great way to build trust and convert leads into paying customers.

Offering genealogy research services can provide a consistent and rewarding income stream, especially if you build a strong client base.

Create and Sell Genealogy Reports and Family Trees

Many genealogists generate income by compiling comprehensive genealogy reports and creating family trees. Clients are often willing to pay for professionally designed family trees, especially if they are well-organized and visually appealing.

How to Create and Sell Reports and Trees:

• Use Genealogy Software: Leverage genealogy software such as Family Tree Maker or Legacy Family Tree to create detailed family trees. These tools allow you to organize family information and visually present it in an easy-to-understand format.
• Offer Custom Reports: You can offer custom genealogy reports that provide clients with historical context about their ancestors, including locations, occupations, and cultural backgrounds. These reports can be presented as downloadable PDFs or printed as keepsakes.
• Create Family Heritage Products: You could also expand your services to offer items like heirloom books or printed family trees on high-quality paper. These can be perfect gifts for clients who want to preserve their family history for future generations.
• Sell on Your Website or Marketplaces: You can set up an online store on your website or use marketplaces like Etsy to sell your genealogy products. This allows you to reach a wider audience and automate the sales process.

Creating and selling genealogy reports and family trees provides an opportunity for genealogists to leverage their research skills and generate additional income.

Write Genealogy Guides or eBooks

Writing guides or eBooks about genealogy is another way to make money online. There is a growing market for educational materials that can help beginners learn how to trace their family history or explore specific aspects of genealogy. If you have expertise in certain genealogical methods or specific regions, your knowledge can be extremely valuable to aspiring genealogists.

How to Create and Market Genealogy Guides:

• Identify Popular Topics: Think about what people want to learn about genealogy, such as how to get started with family history research, how to use DNA testing for genealogy, or how to search for specific records like census data or immigration files.
• Write a Comprehensive eBook or Guide: Break down the process of researching family history into clear, actionable steps. Include examples, resources, and tips based on your experience. Make sure your guide provides real value to your audience.
• Self-Publish on Platforms Like Amazon: Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allow you to publish and sell your eBook to a global audience. You can also consider offering physical copies of your book through print-on-demand services.
• Promote Through Social Media and Blog: Once your eBook is published, use your website, blog, and social media channels to market it. Writing blog posts that align with your eBook topics can also drive traffic to your sales page.

Writing and selling genealogy guides is a fantastic way to create passive income while helping others navigate the world of family history research.

Offer Genealogy Consultation Services

If you have significant experience and expertise in genealogy, you can offer consultation services to individuals or businesses that need help with their family history research. This could include providing advice on how to get started, what records to look for, or how to interpret genetic testing results.

How to Offer Consultation Services:

• Set Up Virtual Consultation: Use video conferencing tools like Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet to offer online consultations. This allows you to work with clients from all over the world without the need for in-person meetings.
• Create Consultation Packages: Offer different levels of consultation based on client needs. For example, you can offer a one-time consultation to help someone start their research or a more in-depth package for clients who need ongoing support with their family history project.
• Market Your Services: Promote your consultation services through your website, social media, and genealogy forums. Sharing testimonials or success stories from previous clients can help attract new business.

Genealogy consultations allow you to provide personalized support and guidance, making it a lucrative avenue for monetizing your expertise.

Start a Genealogy Blog or YouTube Channel

Creating a blog or YouTube channel dedicated to genealogy topics can be an excellent way to share your knowledge, build an audience, and make money online. Through engaging content, you can educate people about genealogy methods, record sources, and tools for researching family history.

How to Monetize Your Blog or YouTube Channel:

• Create Quality Content: Write blog posts or produce videos on genealogy topics that interest your audience, such as tips for beginners, exploring different genealogy tools, or reviewing the best DNA testing services for family research.
• Use Affiliate Marketing: Many genealogy companies offer affiliate programs, where you can earn a commission for promoting their products or services. For example, you could recommend genealogy software, DNA test kits, or online subscription services.
• Offer Sponsored Content: Once you have a strong following, you can work with genealogy-related companies to feature their products or services in your blog posts or videos in exchange for payment.
• Monetize with Ads: If your blog or YouTube channel gains significant traffic, you can monetize your content through ads (e.g., Google AdSense for blogs or YouTube ads for videos).

A blog or YouTube channel provides an ongoing platform for monetization while building your personal brand as a genealogist.

Offer Online Genealogy Courses

If you enjoy teaching others and have a deep understanding of genealogical research, creating an online course could be a great way to make money. Online learning platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Skillshare allow you to create and sell courses on a variety of topics, including genealogy.

How to Create and Sell an Online Course:

• Choose a Specific Topic: Identify a niche or specific aspect of genealogy that you can teach others. For example, you could create a course on how to use online archives for genealogy research or how to interpret genetic testing results.
• Structure Your Course: Break down your course into digestible modules, ensuring that each lesson builds on the previous one. Include video lectures, downloadable resources, quizzes, and assignments to enhance the learning experience.
• Promote Your Course: Use your blog, website, and social media to promote your course. Offering a free webinar or mini-course can help attract potential students.

Creating and selling an online genealogy course allows you to generate passive income while helping others learn about family history research.

Become a Genealogy Speaker or Host Webinars

As a genealogist, you can make money by speaking at conferences, events, or webinars. Many organizations and genealogy societies are always looking for knowledgeable speakers to lead workshops, seminars, or webinars on various genealogy topics.

How to Start Speaking or Hosting Webinars:

• Identify Your Expertise: Think about the areas of genealogy that you are most passionate about and skilled in, and offer to speak on those topics. This could include a range of subjects such as using DNA in genealogy, understanding historical records, or building family trees.
• Host Webinars: Hosting webinars is a great way to engage your audience, share valuable information, and charge a fee for participation. You can partner with genealogy organizations or host independent webinars on platforms like Zoom or WebinarJam.
• Pitch to Conferences and Organizations: Research genealogy conferences, workshops, and societies that are looking for speakers. Contact them with a proposal to present on a specific topic.

Speaking and hosting webinars not only provide an income stream but also establish your reputation as an expert in the field.

Sell Genealogy Templates and Resources

If you have a talent for creating organizational tools or templates, consider selling genealogy-related templates and resources online. These can be used by fellow genealogists to help structure their research and streamline the process of documenting family histories.

How to Create and Sell Genealogy Resources:

• Design Templates: You can create printable templates for family tree charts, research logs, or ancestral record sheets. These tools can help others stay organized and track their progress.
• Sell on Marketplaces: You can sell your templates on websites like Etsy or your own website. Digital products are an excellent source of passive income, as customers can download them immediately after purchase.

Selling genealogy templates and resources provides an additional revenue stream while helping others with their research.

Offer DNA Analysis Consultation

As DNA testing becomes more popular in genealogy research, many people are seeking expert guidance to interpret their results. If you are experienced in using DNA testing for genealogy, you can offer consultation services to help individuals understand their genetic data.

How to Offer DNA Analysis Consultation:

• Guide Clients Through Their Results: Many people are unsure about how to read their DNA test results. You can offer to help them understand their genetic connections, ethnic breakdowns, and possible family connections.
• Partner with DNA Testing Companies: You can collaborate with popular DNA testing companies like AncestryDNA, 23andMe, or MyHeritage to refer clients to their services while earning a commission.
• Offer Ongoing Support: In addition to a one-time consultation, you could offer follow-up consultations or packages to help clients interpret ongoing genetic results as they test additional family members.

DNA analysis consultation is a highly specialized service that can command premium fees, especially if you have deep expertise in genetic genealogy.

Become an Affiliate for Genealogy Products

Another way to make money online as a genealogist is by becoming an affiliate marketer for genealogy-related products. Many companies in the genealogy industry offer affiliate programs, allowing you to earn a commission for referring customers to their services or products.

How to Start Affiliate Marketing:

• Join Affiliate Programs: Sign up for affiliate programs offered by genealogy websites, DNA testing companies, or software providers. These programs often provide marketing materials such as links, banners, and product reviews.
• Promote through Your Blog or Social Media: Share affiliate links on your blog, YouTube channel, or social media platforms. Write reviews or recommendations for products and services you genuinely believe in.
• Earn Commissions: Once someone makes a purchase through your affiliate link, you earn a commission on the sale. This can become a significant income source if you have a strong online presence.

Affiliate marketing allows you to generate passive income by promoting products you use and recommend.

In conclusion, there are numerous ways to make money online as a genealogist, from offering research services to selling educational content. The key to success is identifying your niche, building your brand, and consistently providing value to your audience. Whether you are offering personalized services, creating digital products, or sharing your expertise through content, the online genealogy market is ripe with opportunities for monetization. By leveraging these 10 actionable ideas, you can turn your passion for genealogy into a profitable online business.

View Product