The DNA of an Infopreneur
What skills are required to be a successful infopreneur? I see this question frequently; in fact, a conversation on AIIP’s Facebook page recently raised this very question. The discussion started with the question of whether it is necessary to have a graduate degree in library science in order to run an information business. While about half of AIIP’s members have a master’s degree in library/information science, that addresses only one aspect of having the necessary skills and background to succeed as an infopreneur.
In fact, most of us former librarians received our MLIS degrees years or decades ago, so the number of AIIP members with this degree is probably more indicative of our professional background in the information industry than an indicator that courses taught in graduate information science programs are directly relevant to infopreneurship.
This got me thinking about the skills that seem to be critical for an independent information business. I see three different features of the DNA of a successful infopreneur—an information expertise, strong business skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset. While it is possible to outsource the information expertise by using a subcontractor-based business model, I believe that the relevant business skills or entrepreneurial thinking are essential to an information business owner.
Information skills—that is, the skills and expertise in some aspect of information work—is the foundation of any information business. While many AIIP members came to infopreneurship after having worked in libraries or information centers, other members bring a background of data visualization, social media marketing, private investigation, grant writing, and other areas of information work. And even those with a library background find that their work involves more than merely finding information; it also entails analysis, synthesis and sense-making of the material, making the information as high-value as possible. The common feature of most AIIP business owners is that we either have a deep professional background in the information industry or we bring in information professionals to meet the information needs of our clients.
Business skills—strategic planning, effective marketing, client development, negotiation, and financial management—are required even for one-person information businesses. We have to learn what our clients need, value and will pay us well for; we have to discover how people in our target market talks about their information needs and how they are likely to find us; and we have to stay agile and responsive to our market’s changing needs and priorities. AIIPers can use the Accountability Buddies program to connect with a peer to stay motivated and accountable.
Entrepreneurial skills—being self-directed, having the ability to see the world from your clients’ point of view, and seeing yourself as a business owner and not just a freelancer or gig worker—are perhaps the most difficult skills to acquire from scratch. Some people are wired for being an entrepreneur; they enjoy evaluating risk, taking smart chances, and reaping the rewards of their insights in what their clients value most. If you aren’t one of those folks, you can build that entrepreneurial muscle of learning to live slightly outside your comfort zone.
One of the many reasons I value my AIIP membership is the opportunity to get to know other people who have that same unusual set of information, business and entrepreneurial skills, and who are enjoying the challenge of making a living doing what we love.
Mary Ellen Bates has been an infopreneur since 1991. Her professional focus is business research and analysis; her passion projects are beekeeping and strategic coaching to new and long-time solopreneurs. See more at Reluctant-Entrepreneur.com or call/text her at +1 303 772 7095.
