Comments on: My International Volunteering Ebook is in the Works http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/ Backpacking around the world on my income from the internet. Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:10:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.7 by: Erik http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39451 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:37:21 +0000 http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39451 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. 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.

]]> by: Kirsty http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39197 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:54:50 +0000 http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39197 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. 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.

]]> by: alabama http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39195 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:03:30 +0000 http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39195 Do 10$, thats a round number that people can relate to 2 cups of coffe or lunch. My 2 cents Do 10$, thats a round number that people can relate to 2 cups of coffe or lunch. My 2 cents

]]> by: Cancer Hospital http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39194 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:33:55 +0000 http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39194 Brilliant idea of writing volunteering ebook. it gone become helpful and successesful beyond your imagination. our support and help with for this work. Brilliant idea of writing volunteering ebook. it gone become helpful and successesful beyond your imagination. our support and help with for this work.

]]> by: Working Nomad http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39192 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:14:14 +0000 http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39192 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. 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.

]]> by: Eric http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39182 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:01:58 +0000 http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39182 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. 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.

]]> by: Webjourneyman http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39178 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:00:25 +0000 http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39178 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? 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?

]]> by: AdventureRob http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39177 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:53:49 +0000 http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39177 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. 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.

]]> by: Erin http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39165 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:57:29 +0000 http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39165 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 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!

]]> by: Lea http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39161 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:52:47 +0000 http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39161 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! :) 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! :)

]]> by: Diogo Slov http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39160 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:06:42 +0000 http://www.nerdynomad.com/2009/12/09/my-international-volunteering-ebook-is-in-the-works/#comment-39160 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. 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.

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