Dec 09 2009
My International Volunteering Ebook is in the Works
I posted last week about wanting to raise $10,000 for a good cause and was bombarded with lots of encouraging comments with idea for the type of ebook I could offer. I’ve decided to follow the advice of several people and write an ebook on international volunteering. It makes sense since all of the revenues from the book will be donated to Hands On, an organisation that does disaster relief work all over the world with the help of volunteers. Plus it’s an area I have some experience in, am passionate about and the idea that I could help motivate people to volunteer is a pretty exciting one.
I’ve spent the past couple of days writing ideas down and I think I have a pretty good base for the book and I’m kind of excited at how well it’s going so far. Here are a few of the points I’m planning on including:
- Finding volunteering opportunities
- Finding an organisation that is right for you
- What to look for in a volunteering organisation
- Vacation volunteering/voluntourism
- Should you pay to volunteer?
- Living conditions and what to expect
- Paperwork and visas for volunteering
- Benefits of volunteering
- List of trustworthy free and cheap volunteering organisations
- Outline of the types of volunteering (disaster, construction, social, children, teaching, professional, farming etc.)
- Volunteering membership websites
- Volunteering scams to look out for
- List of resources on volunteering
- Interviews about people’s volunteering experiences
As I flesh out these ideas, I was wondering if any of you have anything else you would hope to read about. I’m completely open to ideas! I would also love to hear suggestions for trustworthy organisations… these sorts of things are best found by word of mouth and, while I have a good start to a list, I would like to come up with at least 50 suggestions. Plus I would love to chat with people about positive or even not so positive volunteering experiences as well as any initial fears about volunteering and what the reality was once you got there. If you’re willing to let me pepper you with a few questions, leave a comment or drop me an email.
I’ve spoken to the people at HODR, the organisation I will be donating the money to, and they’re on board and have committed to taking charge of the book’s distribution since I will be stranded in middle of nowhere in Sumatra for the next two months. Google donate some money each month to them to use in an Adwords campaign and they suggested setting one up aimed at creating interest in the ebook which would be great. I’m not sure how that would work but it would be interesting to try it out. Either way, having the use of their resources is a big bonus and if they are willing to send a plug out on their giant mailing list, that would be huge.
I guess the last thing for now is to ask about pricing. Do you think asking people to donate what they feel its worth is the way to go? Or should I set a $5, $10, or more minimum donation? I like the idea of asking people to donate a bit, and send the message on but I think that’s something I would aim more at friends and family. I think getting some bloggers on board and asking for a mention on their blogs will be key so if anyone is willing to allow me to do a guest post or even just give the book a mention, I would love to hear from you. Or maybe I will just start spamming you all once the book is out!
Thanks again for the support I’ve gotten so far on this! I’m pretty pumped now about the idea and I’m having fun writing it and looking forward to hearing some more of your suggestions.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Hello Kirsty!
Pricing: I’d go with $17. Not too much, not too little. And PayPal if possible, please.
Plus: $10,000 by $17 = >600 books.
Now, $10,000 by $5 = 2,000 books.
I don’t think $17 is too much for up-to-date information about a life-changing experience. And 100% of the money goes to charity.
As for the list of topics, I like what I saw. And the more interviews, the better. I actually clicked to post a comment and ask specifically for interviews, but then I read it was something already present on your list.
Cheers, D.
Make sure you intersperse some stories of your own volunteering experiences - and maybe you can find other volunteers with stories to tell, even if you have to ‘ghost write’ for them
That personal touch is wonderful.
If you get access to the Adword account yourself, that should give you some experience in that area, too (I don’t think you do that atm?)
I suspect you will have great success getting bloggers to ‘pass the word’.
Make sure to write to them early, so they expect the release and can work it into their schedules.
There are some case studies around for letting buyers set their own price. Keys seem to be suggesting a price and showing some recent donations to give people an idea. Do a search and you should come up with some ideas, but overall, it seems that letting people set their own price can work very well.
Hope it helps and Good luck!
I think it’s a great idea and I’m really looking forward to the ebook. I spent 3 months volunteering in Sri Lanka after university, and as I was quite young and alone I went with a organisation that you had to pay. I had an amazing experience but I wouldn’t do that again due to the cost. I am happy to answer any questions, although it was 6 years ago!
We are becoming permanent nomads in March and are on the look out for free volunteering opportunities in Latin America, so I am most looking forward to this part of your ebook.
I would let people choose their own price. That way people pay what they can afford. As it’s for charity I am sure many people would be generous.
Once we get our travel blog up and running in February I’d be happy to feature your ebook on it.
Good luck with it!
I think it’s a great idea Kirsty, I’d likely read it as volunteering takes a bit of effort to choose one you like.
I know this is going to sound like selling for profit rather than for good causes, but if you set up an affiliate account (e-junkie?) charge $20 for the eBook, and offer 10% then any bloggers who sell through it get $2, you get $18 to contribute with charity with, chraities get more people, and the reader gets an awesome book to help volunteer with. Win all round!
It will help convince bloggers to advertise the ebook anyway, alternatively you could ask them to name their percentage too? Not sure how that would be feasible but it’s an idea.
Yeah, thanks for totally dissing my idea
In regards to voluntairing I´d sure like to hear a good argument for why someone already donating their free time and often travel cost to do hard labor should also pay for room and board?
Some say it is because local talents can often be found for less cost but then why fly someone over in the first place unless perhaps they can help with managing and/or fundraising?
I would like to second the more interviews, the better. I am looking at doing something after my year here in South Korea, so this book will come in handy since I really don’t know where to start.
Great idea Kirsty!
Is this ebook completely not for profit?
If so I would really stress this and can only see it being a big success.
Brilliant idea of writing volunteering ebook. it gone become helpful and successesful beyond your imagination. our support and help with for this work.
Do 10$, thats a round number that people can relate to 2 cups of coffe or lunch. My 2 cents
Lots of great suggestions… I have a lot of work ahead of me! I’ve done a couple of short email interviews already and have sent a few more out. I’m hoping to get a couple of locals from Haiti and Indonesia who have volunteered to answer some questions too to see what their perspective on being ambushed by a bunch of international volunteers is like and what about it made them want to join in. I’m going to chat to the people I’m working with now as lots have done work with other organisations too.
@lea The pay what you think model is an interesting one and I will do a bit of research on it. I wonder if doing a month with this method and the next month with a minimum donation fee would be a good idea… to compare them?
@erin Thanks for the support! I’m sending you an email now to pick yur brain about Sri Lanka.
@AdventureRob an affiliate program is an interesting idea and one I never would have thought of. I am pretty keen to send 100% of the donations to them though so this might not work out just now. Plus the funds would have to go through a third-party first and I am pretty keen just to have people donating straight to a charity site so there’s no question about where the funds are going to. But it’s still an interesting thought, thanks.
@WN Yep, totally not for profit. I guess if I can create a bit of buzz about it that could result in more visitors to my blog, but my motivation is purely to raise ten grand.
Hi Kirsty
Sounds like a great book! Here’s my input…
Interviews! Lot’s of them. The most important thing is how the volunteer has been able to take the time away from family/income to be able to do the volunteer work. Does everyone run websites like you? ^_^
Use affiliates! Even charities have to advertise, and paying affiliates commissions is just paying them to spread the word for you. Maybe there is a couple of bucks less in the final donation but the net is cast much broader.