Home Business Idea: Personal Memoir Consultant

We all have a unique life story that could be made into a memoir. Writing a personal account of one's life gives  future generations the opportunity to get to know the author and what they learned. It provides a tangible record after death which keeps memories alive for surviving loved ones. The process of writing a memoir can be deeply therapeutic as it helps one to reflect on the meaning of life's journey.

Most people never complete a memoir because they lack the skill, time and patience necessary for such a project. This is where the memoir consultant can provide assistance. Helping people transform their memories into a book is both a lucrative business and a fulfilling career.

Landing a job ghostwriting a celebrity memoir would be difficult without the right connections. But what is often overlooked is the huge and untapped market of ordinary people who would like to see their story in print. There are people willing to pay for assistance in this sometimes intimidating task.

This is actually how I got my first paying job as a writer.  Just by chance, a family friend asked for some advice on getting a book published. He knew I worked at a typesetting/printing company and that I had an interest in publishing. This was 1988, when desktop publishing was still in its infancy.

The friend had obtained a very rough draft of a memoir of a man who died before completing it. The widow had asked about the possibility of getting the unfinished work published. After reading the diary-like draft, I gave some advice on what needed to be done. An offer was then made for me to turn the little stack of papers into a finished product. The contract made me responsible for every step of the process - from writing to selling the printed copies.

That was my entry into the world of publishing. The advance money provided was enough to buy my first real computer, along with professional desktop publishing software. It took some work, but through trial and error the book was completed and I am still selling copies of it today under my own imprint.

This is a relatively easy business for anyone with adequate writing skills. There are little to no start-up costs. And given the fact that virtually everyone is a potential client, it shouldn't be hard to land your first job. I did it without even trying!

Marketing this service through the internet can easily be done by starting a blog on memoir writing. The readers would all be potential clients. Google Adwords provides an easy way to drive traffic to a website advertising your services. There are also plenty of potential clients in your own town or even in your circle of acquaintances.

A second source of income could be earned by teaching classes, either on the internet or in person, on hot to write a memoir. There would be no need to hard-sell your services, simply advertise the class as being taught by you, a professional memoir consultant or ghostwriter. Not only will it give you credibility as an expert in the field, it will also provide a steady stream of leads as many of your students will find they need assistance in completing their memoir.

The appearance of POD publishing is a great development for memoir writers. As few as one copy can be printed, eliminating the need for a large investment. Since POD wasn't available when I took my first job, I had to deal with a local printer and low press run. Offset printing might be cost effective if the client already  has some renown beyond family and friends. Examples might include, local political leaders, ministers, experts in a narrow field - basically anyone whose fame is limited to a particular locale, industry or group.

The business could specialize in only certain services. One option could be to market it solely as a ghostwriting service. Those who have graphic design skills might make additional money by offering full layout and cover design. Finding the right printing company and negotiating the best price makes one a broker who could charge a fee from the client and also get a commission from the printer. Anyone with marketing and sales skills can assume the role of publisher and earn a percentage of the profits.

Not only will this business earn a lot of money with little investment, it's also fulfilling to help someone through the process. For the fiction writer it offers a chance to improve skills and get ideas for character development. Talented writers will enjoy the challenge of creating a unique and fascinating story out of the lives of ordinary people. Helping someone give life to a lasting document of their journey is a rewarding experience and a great way to make money as a writer.