Re: Brand-new way you can help hurricane victims...

Sandi,

While your idea is great, I doubt that it would be that helpful.

Keep in mind, these folks need money NOW. And, anyone that is into marketing, knows that just doesn't happen. At least, not in the amounts that they need now.

In the long run.. maybe. But, as you should know, it's going to take a lot of time. Especially if these are rank beginners. Just the learning curve would be an awful time killer.

And, many of these folks are probably NOT computer literate. Add to that, the mountain of advertising needed to get the word out to the ones you want to help.

No matter what, I wish you well with your efforts.

Pete

> It occurs to me that one of the things the victims of these hurricanes
> will need is a way to make a living. So...I have some ideas. Let's see
> what you all think etc...

> What if each person or group 'adopted' one head of family who is somewhat
> computer literate and helped them, step by step, to create a working,
> financially productive, website? The mentor could volunteer to offer
> domain and hosting if they were in the position to do so. It would be up
> to the mentor/student team to come up with the product(s) and so on.

> There are tons of free programs that would enable them to create the site
> and so on. Also many people who might volunteer products with resell
> rights or some such. Articles for advertising and other copy could be a
> cooperative effort between copy writers and the folks who need copy
> written for their site and promos.

> If we all pitched in, we could brighten the horizon for some of these
> folks at least. There are several outfits around who are collecting
> donated computers etc for use by evacuees for contacting relatives or
> finding bodies etc...why not for earning a living online? Best of all,
> it'd be a portable business which is ideal for those whose lives are
> unsettled and in transition. We might even find some corporate sponsors
> who would fund basic computer systems for those who have proven their
> persistence at producing an income from the internet.

> What do you think? It should probably be under the sponsorship of some
> group such as the Red Cross or other involved group. They'd likely know
> who might qualify and be able to make maximum use of the hand up.

> Alternatively, we could form a non-profit organization of folks who'd
> volunteer time, skills, and various resources to help folks at every stage
> of the development toward being self-supporting via the internet.

> Suggested name for the effort? A Hand Up! Slogan? How about "Building
> businesses, builds hope and pride".

> I'll be happy to do whatever I can. I have some things I can donate as
> well as assistance with copy writing, for starters.

> Let's REALLY use the internet to help the recovery...and put our skills as
> webmasters and teachers to the test where it really matters. What better
> way than to share knowledge and resources with those who have nothing and
> no way to support their families?

> People come first, and people have to have a way to survive and provide
> for the essentials. Comments? Offers? Additional Ideas?