The Internet Sourcing Community

Does anyone have a Sourcing Worksheet?

I'm relatively new to this group, but I have found content/tips from everyone to be extremely useful. I'm interested to learn if any sourcer uses a worksheet in their search efforts to help organize their efforts (list of search engines, string used, key words, date, results, etc.). This would help me 1) become more organized, 2) be more consistent with searches and 3) able to start tracking what's working and what's not. If you do use one, could you forward me a copy at bpmcdowell@comcast.net?

Thanks in advance
Brian

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Permalink Reply by Marilyn Dwyer on March 23, 2009 at 12:09pm

Brian
I use an excel spreadsheet which has multiple tabs as follows:
* Master = all major websites that I frequent broken into categories such as jobboards, social networking etc.
* Niche = industry specific sites for networking, ie, associations, alumni groups at certain colleges.
* Strings = listing of strings cross referenced by function: directories, alumni, resumes
* Keywords = a list of boolean keywords that I may draw upon by category. IE. Category ACTION words = replied, said, stated.
Category PEOPLE words = speakers, staff, team
* Scripts = alternate scripts to use when calling and/or getting stale and/or need fresh approach.

I don't update this as often as I should but lately may have more time to do so ;-). It's best if you just take the information you have and start to categorize it. You probably have enough tips to build your own master sheet and it'll be more meaningful to you because you know where your strengths are, which ideas you gravitate to, and how best to read your own notes.

When I conduct a search I open a spreadsheet, again with multiple tabs. One tab is called RESEARCH and I can document and track what I do for each search.
Marilyn

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Permalink Reply by Brian McDowell on March 23, 2009 at 12:40pm

Marylin

Thanks - that's a great idea! I appreicate your input.

/Brian

Marilyn Dwyer said:

Brian
I use an excel spreadsheet which has multiple tabs as follows:
* Master = all major websites that I frequent broken into categories such as jobboards, social networking etc.
* Niche = industry specific sites for networking, ie, associations, alumni groups at certain colleges.
* Strings = listing of strings cross referenced by function: directories, alumni, resumes
* Keywords = a list of boolean keywords that I may draw upon by category. IE. Category ACTION words = replied, said, stated.
Category PEOPLE words = speakers, staff, team
* Scripts = alternate scripts to use when calling and/or getting stale and/or need fresh approach.

I don't update this as often as I should but lately may have more time to do so ;-). It's best if you just take the information you have and start to categorize it. You probably have enough tips to build your own master sheet and it'll be more meaningful to you because you know where your strengths are, which ideas you gravitate to, and how best to read your own notes.

When I conduct a search I open a spreadsheet, again with multiple tabs. One tab is called RESEARCH and I can document and track what I do for each search.
Marilyn