If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is just one more step forward.Thomas Edison
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The Welfarian - Meeting Spot & Resource for people on welfare
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The Idea
Well, let me say it wasn't my parents proudest moment when I pitched them on this. Basically I wanted to set up a resource for people on welfare to learn as much as they can about the process, have links to forms, and most important create a community for those on welfare to meet and talk. I'm thinking primarily US & Canadian residents.
As well news, developments about welfare, maybe ideas on how to make the most of their situations, and links to resources for those who want to better themselves. Almost encouragement, rah rah type of messages, but not obnoxious. Main gist of the idea is a meeting spot/forum for those on welfare.
I thought of this idea when I was...
I am from the maritime provices in Canada, and recently went back to visit family after not being there for about 20 years. I forgot how limiting the mentality of the people is there, and a big part of the scene back east Canada is that about 25% of the population is unemployed. I want to give people like them and across both countries a place to meet and talk, rather than sit around feeling hopeless.
Comments Posted
Hi,
Perhaps you should link up with Property Geek. Propertygeek has some interesting ideas and furthermore is doing something similar to you.
Hi,
sounds pretty cool to me. Can't say if anyone near you is doing this already cause I'm Europe based. Maybe you could extend the portal with some sort of mutual assistance / swap stuff etc. thingy.
You will need to distribute computers to some of the members.
Nice comment Summertime, I thought exectly the same ...
Tommy
That is a good idea.
My only suggestion - keep it simple.
You would have a very broad and diverse group of people who might use this site, some of most not technically savvy. Some might not even know what forums and commenting are, or are too scared to do it.
From a marketing standpoint you should make videos showing how easy it is to interact with the site once built.
Nice again, thanks for the feedback everyone keep it coming... love it tighefighter.
Oh yeah and check your stats, Canadian unemployment is under 6%...
http://www.statcan.ca/start.html
Maritime provinces only are super high... im sure its not 25% but its drastically higher back there (east coast canada).
Not sure that your target audience are equipped and skilled to use this type of service.
Being poor doe'sn't mean stupid by definition, so the skills don't have to be a problem
Yeah I'm with Vanhees, I work with a lot of career and life coaches who help out many types of people in that situation.
They come from all walks of life. There are some who were previously successful people who lost in all in a business deal, weren't properly protected, or just had a bad divorce.
Don't be too quick to judge the history of motives of the target audience, though we do need to keep it firmly in mind, re: one of my posts farther up.
how do you make money?
I;m with Edavidove on this: your target audience may not be equipped and skilled to use this type of service.
I think it's a great idea. Helping others less fortunate than one's self is an honorable pursuit.
I just can't seem to grasp how it's a great business idea though
People on welfare not being skilled enough to use the internet? Oh please! There are folks with loads of money who can't or won't use the internet. Now that I've got that out of the way...
The first task at hand would be research on your target market. Where are they? Are they online in the numbers you require for profitability? Will they use the product How to bring them into the fold if they are not indeed already there?
Another thing - people on welfare are a very DIVERSE group. They are you and I who for ever reason are on welfare. There are different categories of folks on welfare as well. Research is key before we talk about marketing and profitability.
How about this approach...
Change your target market from the people on welfare to the community centers, social service organizations, libraries, etc.
I don't know the answers because I have not done my research. But let us not put the cart before the horse. :-D
p.s. Once upon a time long long ago, I was on welfare. I now make a pretty hefty 6-figure salary. So discard your assumptions and you may come up with some fresh ideas.
God Bless
Faith
oh another thing. this sounds like the making of a great non-profit organization idea. get grant money to set up a community center to provide such services and then replicate the idea to multiple communities over and over again.
God Bless
Faith
@technobizbabe
Great call on all fronts.
Maybe instead of making the site for people to help people get on welfare, I think you would be best served to design it to help them get off or avoid it all together. Resources/referral links would help and could possibly make a couple bucks that way. Also, you could implement some type of mentor program or offer some type of loan program or career board. Your demographic would change, but I think the people trying to get off welfare would be the most likely to use the web. Just a thought...
More great feedback, love it guys... very appreciated! I'll be implementing a lot of this for sure.
As for how we make money... was going to just go with ad revenue. Not really doing this to generate millions, was more just for the hell of it honestly at first, and didn't plan on doing much with the idea. But with all the great ideas and such, I'll be spiffing it up for sure.
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