Volume III: A Handbook for the Self-Employed Astrologer........$18.95
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Steven Forrest
Introduction
Chapter One--Making the Transition from Student to Professional
Astrological Education
Organizational Certification
Mentorship & Apprenticeship
Testing Your Knowledge Level
Visiting Another Astrologer to Observe Their Professionalism
Techniques Required to Start Practicing
Self-Confidence
Doing Mini-Readings at Psychic Fairs
Being an In-House Astrologer at a Local Bookstore
Chapter Two--Establishing Your Professional Practice
Leasing Commercial Office Space
Part or Full-Time Aspirations
Your Mission Statement & Setting of Intention
Electing a Chart for the Start of Your Practice
Office Furniture
Computer & Printer
Astrology Software
Word Processing & Data Base Software
Business Telephone Line, Voice Mail & Long Distance Service
Acquiring a Toll-Free Number for Your Clients
Internet Access Account & E-Mail
Office & Postal Supplies
Company Name & Logo
Brochures & Letterhead Stationery
Business Cards
Sole-Proprietorship Business License
Liability Insurance
Post Office Box & Bulk-Mail Permit
Astrological Mail-Order Business for Charts & Reports
Becoming an Astrological Software Dealer
Chapter Three--Handling Income, Expenses & Taxes
Categories of Astrological Income & Expenses
Creating Spreadsheets to Organize Your Practice Financially
Paying Estimated Quarterly Taxes
Using the Services of a Licensed Tax Consultant
Resale License and Sales Tax
Business Checking Account & Debit Card
Invoicing Clients, Past-Due Notices & Late Charges
Merchant Services Account
Making Business Income Bank Deposits
Paying Yourself as a Sole-Proprietor
Cash Flow, Business Loans & Carrying Debt
Chapter Four--Marketing & Advertising
Family, Friends & Co-workers
Referrals
Establishing an Advertising Budget
Yellow Page Ads
Alternative Practitioner Directories
Display & Classified Ads
Circulating Brochures & Business Cards
Flyers & Bulletin Boards
Newsletters & Client Birthday Mailings
E-Mail Mass Mailings
Building a Web site
Media Appearances
Chapter Five--Navigating the Client Relationship
Scheduling Appointments
Preparing for the Client Appointment
In-Person, Telephone & By-Mail Consultation
Requisite Equipment for Taping Consultations
Fee Structure, Sliding Scales & Fee Increases
Payment of Consultation Fees
Your Professional Consultation Environment
Attire & Appearance
Communication Skills
The Decision-Making Process of the Client
Ethical Considerations
Working With an Attitude of Love & Service
Progressed Synastry with the Client
The Consultation Appointment Chart
Consulting to Other Astrologers
Being a Spokesperson for the Planets
Chapter Six--Teaching Astrology & Public Speaking
How Teaching Contributes Income to Your Practice
Where are the Teaching Opportunities?
Starting a School of Astrology
Teaching at Bookstores, Colleges & Metaphysical Centers
Designing a Beginning Class Syllabus
Textbooks, Weekly Handouts & Homework Assignments
Tuition Fees & Pre-Registration Incentives
Designing an Intermediate Class Syllabus
Saturday Workshops & Tuition Fees
Selling Your Class & Workshop Tapes
Local Public Speaking & Lecturing
Chapter Seven--Writing, Publishing & Lecture Travel
Astrological Journal & Magazine Articles
Newspaper & Magazine Sun-Sign Columns
Getting Paid to Write for Astrological Web sites
Research Papers
Writing Your First Book
How to Become a Self-Published Author
International Standard Book Numbers
Library of Congress Control Numbers
Scannable Bar Codes
Retail Prices
Cover Art
Back Cover Photo & Content Synopsis
Forewords
Designing Your Book Cover
Printer Quotations
Financing Plan & Direct Marketing to Astrologers
Book Distributors
Amazon.com Advantage Account
Book Reviews
Lecture Travel & Earning Astrological Income on the Road
Chapter Eight--Participating in the Astrological Community
Service & Membership in Local Astrological Associations
Service & Membership in National Astrological Organizations
Referrals & Professional Courtesy to Colleagues
Salons, Internet E-Mail Groups & Message Boards
Professional Ethics, Collusion & Other Considerations
Chapter Nine--Overcoming Occupational Hazards
The Self-Employed Experience Jupiter Cycle
Financial Stress & Worry
Academic, Scientific & Religious Community Condemnations
Isolation, Alienation & Loneliness
Patience, Faith & Perseverance
The Impact on Your Personal Life
Living With No Medical Insurance or Retirement Plan
Consultation Burn-Out
Teaching Burn-Out
Sustaining Your Practice Through Personal Loss & Tragedy
The Mythological Experiences of the Career Astrologer
Chapter Ten--Fostering Personal & Spiritual Growth
Walking the Talk
Meditation, Prayer & Personal Renewal
Exercise & Nutrition
Partners, Friends & Family
Hobbies Outside of Astrology
Going Through the Inevitable Hard Times
Chapter Eleven--Notes for Astrologers in the UK & Australia
Astrology in the UK by Paul F. Newman
Astrology in Australia by Scott Whitters
Chapter Twelve--Epilogue
The Joys & Rewards of Practicing & Teaching Astrology
Solidarity: Why Self-Employed Astrologers Need One Another
Remaining Loyal to Your Inner Light
Appendix I--Contact Information for Local Astrology Groups
Appendix II--Lecture, Class & Workshop Tapes by the Author
Appendix III--Astrology Software Programs
Appendix IV--Computer Chart Services
Appendix V--Contacting The Author
To Write The Author
Author Availability For Lectures/Workshops
Author Availability For Telephone Consultation
Bibliography
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From the Foreword by Steven Forrest
“Robert charts the course for anyone considering making astrology his or her life work. And he's not just blowing smoke: he's followed that course himself, and wound up prosperous, happy, and respected in his field. Like most of us, he's had defeats as well as victories. He's learned some lessons the hard way. And in the pages that follow he is blessedly forthcoming about everything, from soup to nuts .. The astrological community has been good at education and publishing, but we have been a catastrophe in terms of the practical work of actually helping people give up their "day jobs" and make the switch to full-time astrological work. Robert goes straight to the heart of these issues in his practical, Virgo Rising way. I particularly appreciate his Scorpionic willingness to overcome the social taboo about discussing money .. you'll learn in a step-by-step, nuts and bolts way how to establish and build an astrological practice. Meanwhile, subliminally, you'll get the clear message: I can do this. That's a big reason why this book is so precious, and why I am so grateful to Robert for taking the time to share what he has learned.”
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“In the past year or so, we've reviewed other books directed at the profession of astrology. Each in its own way had a useful take on the nuts and bolts of approaching astrology as a business. Blaschke's consideration of the subject is both comprehensive and thorough, and, for all that, personal, as in many cases he is relating to readers the details of his own business and his own experiences in setting up shop as an astrologer...this particular volume will be a valuable one to read for anyone trying to become an astrologer, as it tells you nearly everything you could want to know about it, including quite a few things you never would have asked or suspected.”
- Kenneth Irving, American Astrology
“A Handbook for the Self-Employed Astrologer contains answers to questions aspiring astrological professionals ask..and many they don't understand should be asked...In the real world it isn't enough to know how to read a chart and print out a computer report, and it doesn't matter if you can juggle six planets on the tips of your fingers, because in the real world bills must be paid. Making a living as a self-employed person in any profession requires more than education and expertise in your chosen field; it requires business know-how. For those who are entertaining thoughts of entering astrology as a vocation, or moving up from the one-consultation-a-year hobbyist club to an authentic full-time business, the book provides concise concrete groundwork for setting up a consulting practice.”
- Bette Denlinger, The International Astrologer
“Robert Blaschke's third book is based on his past 13 years of setting up a successful astrology practice. The author is methodical and thorough in his approach to astrology, and these gifts have translated beautifully into the process of building a business. This book will be of tremendous benefit to those who are contemplating becoming full-time astrologers and also to those of us who have been practicing for years but who lack Blaschke's gifts for creating a very grounded, efficient and practical methodology...The author's passion for the unabashed truth pervades this narrative. He shares his successes and his mishaps in an openhearted spirit of helpfulness. The book covers all conceivable aspects of a practice...This labor of love is offered as a guide for astrologers everywhere. If you are thinking of going into the astrology business, even part-time, buy this book.”
- Mary Plumb, The Mountain Astrologer
“A Handbook for the Self-Employed Astrologer is a welcome, and much needed, addition to current astrological literature. Blaschke's intention was to 'produce a practical handbook for the self-employed astrologer that addresses all of their concerns: transitioning from student; establishing a professional practice; handling income, expenses and taxes; marketing and advertising; navigating the client relationship; teaching and local public speaking; writing, publishing and lecture travel; participating in the astrological community; overcoming occupational hazards; and fostering personal/spiritual growth'. He succeeds grandly. This book is loaded with practical information and gives readers the nitty-gritty details of running a practice - everything from recommended office supplies to breakdowns of yearly expenses...Aspiring astrologers take note: this is the book to read if you want to set-up and run a successful business practice. For already established astrologers, the ideas in this book may inspire you to expand your practice and to improve your business skills.”
- Leda Blumberg, Considerations Journal
“This book is a subtle one. On the surface it is a manual for solid business techniques, innovative ideas and grass roots common sense. It is so well constructed that it could be followed step-by-step by anyone starting out in the profession. A 'no bull' manual for success. Underpinning this is a very emotive personal story, illustrating the subjectivity of this profession, its anxieties, emotional content and lack of guarantees...He shows how there is no separating the person from the business nor the business from the person and does so in a very ingenious way...The book begins with a chapter entitled Making the Transition from Student to Professional, and moves on through many facets of the profession. It does not stop at the Consulting Astrologer. Robert explores and advises on many of the opportunities that are available to achieve a decent living. There are some excellent chapters dealing with the logistics of setting up an office, right down to a shopping list of office supplies, bulk-mailing, telephone services, licensing, marketing techniques, setting up a school, writing, publishing, lecturing, breaking into the lecture circuit and associations with other astrologers. He examines the legal aspects of the profession along with tax liabilities etc. Throughout the book the story of his own journey from corporate security to soulful insecurity, his anecdotal successes and failures encourage the reader to learn from his experience, laugh with him and share his moments of despair. For someone yet to take this journey there is a heartening message that success can be achieved as he tells us of his journey with great humility. Robert is totally realistic about the occupational hazards but never once gives the impression he regrets one moment of his decision to become a professional astrologer. He illustrates that this is no ordinary occupation but is a whole lifestyle. His writing style is conversational - reading the book is like having a chat with a well-informed businessman but making a personal connection with a sensitive human being. He makes it clear that one does not have to be coy about earning a decent living and does so by spelling out exactly his own income and expenses. I like this - there has been a prohibition on discussing money in the astrological community for too long. The 'cringe' has been well and truly challenged in this book. One of my criteria is that a book should have no padding. Every word should count. There is no padding here. Every page has something to offer...In short - there are not many books I would call 'Highly Recommended' but this is one.”
- Linda Reid, FAA Journal (Australia)
“Included in these pages are chapters devoted to establishing a practice, marketing, advertising, hints on what to charge and how to generate money (consultations, teaching, writing, publishing, lecturing...), all from the perspective of one who has done it and is still doing it - successfully. Mr Blaschke's dedication and organisational abilities would be admirable in any profession, but while the book makes no bones about the precarious career-choice that astrology obviously is, it will also serve to boost your confidence, strengthen your ties with the vast network of similar souls who serve the world in this fashion, and give you many new ideas to use.”
- Paul F. Newman, The Astrological Journal (UK)
“This nuts-and-bolts approach to surviving and prospering as a working astrologer gives all the details on making an astrological practice a viable enterprise in the real world. The reader, whether a hopeful astrologer, or anyone interested in becoming an astrologer, is introduced to all the ways an astrologer can make a decent living. Along the way, the reader is also introduced to some of the frustrations, the pitfalls, the joys, successes, and life-style choices that accompany being a professional astrologer. Blaschke's very personal tale is interwoven through the pages of the highly detailed procedures in creating an astrological practice...The author has made it over the hump, and now enjoys a prosperity that others may also find. This volume shows you how to do it.”
- Chris Lorenz, Dell Horoscope
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