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Family biography
Collecting an older person's memories by video call and shaping them into a short book for their family.
How to get started
- Prepare a list of questions for each period of life.
- Hold the interviews by video or phone and record them with consent.
- Write the story in the person's own voice, then have it reviewed.
- Deliver a PDF and, as an option, a printed book through an online service.
Skills needed
- Writing
- Customer contact
Tools and equipment needed
- Computer
- Smartphone
Good tips
- Start with a short format, a portrait in a few interviews, which is easier to sell.
- Children and grandchildren often give this as a birthday present.
Watch out for
- Have the person approve the text before anything is printed.
- These projects take time: put the number of interviews and revisions in writing.
Rules to know
France
The simplest status is the micro-entreprise: platform income must be declared, even small amounts.
Belgium
You usually need self-employed status, which can be held alongside a job.
Simplified summary: check the official websites before you start.
How much it pays
Indicative amount, varies with region, experience and demand. Before tax and social contributions.
France
Estimate From €220 to €1000 per assignment (rate charged)
Typical range published by a biographer in France: €220 to €1,000 for a portrait of a person or an event (1 to 3 interviews), rate charged before costs.
Indicative example: about €220 to €1000 per month for 1 assignment per month.
Source: Sophie Darroux : tarifs d'une biographie · Checked on 24 Oct 2026
Belgium
Estimate not available
No reliable source found yet: we prefer not to give a figure.