Getting Started as an Information Broker: What is an Independent Information Professional?

Getting Started as an Independent Information Professional

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Research

Start at your local library or bookstore. There are a number of excellent books on what is commonly known as information brokering. You can find them under the subject heading: Information Services. Three books by AIIP members are: Building and Running a Successful Research Business: A Guide For the Independent Information Professional, by Mary Ellen Bates (Information Today Inc. 2003), Information Brokering: A How-To-Do-It Manual by Florence M. Mason and Chris Dobson (Neal-Schuman Publishers, 1998) and Super Searchers Make It On Their Own by Suzanne Sabroski (Information Today, 2002). Another source is the AIIP publication Info-Entrepreneurship: A Resource Guide for the Independent Information Professional. We also suggest that you search the Internet for the home pages of information professionals. A starting point for this is the AIIP online membership directory. Once you have a good idea of what information professionals do, you are ready for step two.

Self Assessment

Determine whether you have the temperament and skills necessary to be an independent information professional. Find out what sources are available to help you enhance your skill level (graduate library schools and community colleges may have useful courses, as do database vendors such as LexisNexis, Dialog and Factiva. A fee-based mentoring program is available from AIIP member Amelia Kassel http://www.marketingbase.com/mentor.html. Look at your past experience and take an inventory of your current knowledge.

Pick a Niche

Specializing in a technology, research technique, industry, or type of service is essential. In today's information-intense and highly competitive environment, you cannot do everything. Specializing will make marketing your services easier and will also make it possible for you to maintain your expertise.

Develop a Business Plan

Building any kind of business takes time, and an information business is no different. You will need to secure financing, buy equipment, select a name and corporate structure, identify potential clients, and develop a marketing plan. We strongly recommend that you check out the resources available from your government Small Business Administration. Check out the US Government website http://www.sba.gov.

Join AIIP

The Association of Independent Information Professionals offers a variety of programs to help the information entrepreneur. AIIP Connections, our bi-monthly newsletter, has articles on the information business written by skilled, experienced professionals. Our Annual Conference features "nuts and bolts" sessions to help you build your business, as well as insightful presentations by information industry leaders. The networking opportunities at the Conference are unparalleled. AIIP also offers a New Member Guidebook with tips on marketing and research techniques, a mentoring program that will pair you with an experienced member who can offer advice and encouragement, and benefit programs from information vendors. AIIP also has a members only portion of the website that offers tools including specially drafted legal forms for services, Confidentiality Agreements and the like. Finally, AIIP Professional Papers, such as Getting Your First Five Clients, and audio tapes from the AIIP Conferences are available for purchase.

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