Business Plan for Archive Compass

Tagline: Know where to look.
Website: [genealogy-research-center.com]

Executive Summary

Archive Compass is a specialized records and archive finder service dedicated to assisting individuals, families, and organizations in uncovering historical and genealogical records. Operating through [WEBSITE_URL], our mission is to simplify the often complex and fragmented process of locating vital records, historical archives, and genealogical documents.

Our target audience includes amateur genealogists, professional researchers, legal professionals, and cultural institutions. Archive Compass differentiates itself by offering a curated database of global archive sources, expert consultation services, and subscription-based tools for efficient record discovery.

In the first three years, Archive Compass aims to achieve $1.2M in annual revenue, driven by a combination of subscription services, one-time research fees, and partnerships with archival institutions. Our scalable business model, combined with a robust marketing strategy, positions us to capture a significant share of the growing genealogy and records research market.

Company Overview

Business Name: Archive Compass
Website: [WEBSITE_URL]
Business Model: Subscription-based services, one-time research fees, and institutional partnerships
Incorporation State: [STATE]
Business Address: [COMPANY_ADDRESS]

Mission Statement

To empower individuals and organizations to uncover their past by providing expert guidance and tools to locate historical and genealogical records.

Vision Statement

To become the most trusted and comprehensive records and archive finding service globally.

Market Analysis

Total Addressable Market (TAM)

The global genealogy market is valued at approximately $3 billion annually, driven by increasing interest in family history, legal research needs, and cultural preservation efforts.

Serviceable Addressable Market (SAM)

The U.S. genealogy market, including amateur researchers, legal professionals, and institutions, is estimated at $1 billion annually.

Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM)

Archive Compass aims to capture 1% of the U.S. market within three years, equating to $10M in annual revenue potential.

Key Market Drivers

• Growing interest in genealogy due to accessible DNA testing services (e.g., AncestryDNA, 23andMe).
• Legal requirements for historical records in estate planning, citizenship applications, and property disputes.
• Increased digitization of archives, making records more accessible but harder to navigate without expertise.

Competitive Landscape

Key Competitors

1. Ancestry.com
   - Strengths: Established brand, extensive database.
   - Weaknesses: High subscription costs, limited personalized support.

2. FamilySearch.org
   - Strengths: Free access to records, strong community.
   - Weaknesses: Limited professional research services.

3. ProGenealogists (Ancestry subsidiary)
   - Strengths: Professional research services.
   - Weaknesses: High fees, limited to Ancestry’s ecosystem.

Archive Compass Differentiators

• Personalized Research Services: Affordable, expert-led research for individuals and organizations.
• Global Archive Database: A curated, user-friendly directory of archives worldwide.
• Flexible Pricing Models: Subscription tiers for individuals and institutions, plus one-time research services.
• Education & Resources: Tutorials, webinars, and guides for amateur genealogists.

Products & Services

Core Offerings

1. Subscription Services
   - Monthly/Annual access to a curated global archive directory.
   - Pricing: $19.99/month or $199/year.

2. One-Time Research Services
   - Expert-led record searches for individuals or organizations.
   - Pricing: $250 for basic research (10 hours); $500 for advanced research (20 hours).

3. Institutional Partnerships
   - Custom solutions for libraries, museums, and legal firms.
   - Pricing: $5,000–$20,000 annually, depending on scope.

4. Educational Resources
   - Free and premium webinars, tutorials, and eBooks.
   - Pricing: $29–$99 per resource.

Marketing & Sales Strategy

Audience Segmentation

1. Amateur Genealogists
   - Demographics: Ages 35–65, middle-income, hobbyists.
   - Messaging: "Simplify your family history search with expert tools and guidance."

2. Professional Researchers & Legal Professionals
   - Demographics: Ages 30–55, high-income, career-focused.
   - Messaging: "Save time and ensure accuracy with expert-led record searches."

3. Institutions
   - Demographics: Libraries, museums, law firms, and universities.
   - Messaging: "Enhance your archival capabilities with custom solutions."

Marketing Channels

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Targeting keywords like "genealogy research services" and "find historical records."
• Content Marketing: Blog posts, case studies, and tutorials on [WEBSITE_URL].
• Social Media: Facebook and YouTube campaigns targeting genealogy enthusiasts.
• Partnerships: Collaborations with DNA testing companies and historical societies.

Conversion Metrics

• Website traffic: 50,000 monthly visitors by Year 1.
• Conversion rate: 3% for subscriptions, 1% for one-time services.
• Customer acquisition cost (CAC): $50.

Operations Plan

Tools & Technology

• CRM: HubSpot for customer management.
• Database Management: Airtable for archive directory.
• Payment Processing: Stripe for subscriptions and one-time payments.

Key Processes

1. Subscription Onboarding
   - Automated email sequence for new subscribers.
2. Research Requests
   - Intake form → Researcher assignment → Deliverables review → Client delivery.
3. Database Updates
   - Monthly updates to archive directory by research team.

Staffing Plan

• Year 1: 3 full-time researchers, 1 marketing manager, 1 customer support representative.
• Year 2: Add 2 researchers and 1 sales manager.
• Year 3: Expand to 10 researchers and 2 additional support staff.

Management Team Framework

1. Founder & CEO: [REPRESENTATIVE_NAME]
   - Expertise in genealogy and archival research.
2. Marketing Manager: [NAME TBD]
   - Responsible for SEO, content marketing, and partnerships.
3. Lead Researcher: [NAME TBD]
   - Oversees research quality and database updates.

Financial Projections Framework

Revenue Model (Years 1–3)

Cost Structure

• Fixed Costs: $120,000/year (salaries, office expenses).
• Variable Costs: 20% of revenue (marketing, tools).

Break-Even Analysis

• Break-even point: $300,000 in revenue (achievable by Month 8 of Year 1).

Key Milestones & Timeline

Risk Assessment

This business plan provides a clear roadmap for Archive Compass to establish itself as a leader in the records and archive finding niche. By focusing on customer-centric services, scalable operations, and targeted marketing, the company is well-positioned for sustainable growth.