As some of you know, I have recently experienced a mild crisis of indecision. It’s not that I don’t know what I want to do with my life, but more that I’m not sure how to do it.
I love technology and the internet; this is absolutely certain. I want to spend many of my waking moments and brainwaves in those arenas; this is [at least currently] true. However, I would like to this in such a way that is at least marginally relevant and helpful to some portion of humanity.
Quite relevant and helpful: physical and mental health, connecting people
Less relevant and helpful: throwing sheep, celebrities and makeup
You get the idea.
This presents a bit of a conundrum as I search for my first “real” job. The good news is that a lot of new technology being developed is for relevant and helpful things. The bad news is that a lot of internet business (specifically Web2.0 - do not give me grief for use of the term) is not. And unfortunately, all I really know is the internet.
So here’s an idea. It involves freelancing, and since I don’t have the network for this, I don’t know how to begin. Help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
I want to bring people online. First of all, everyone should love the internet, because it makes the universe a better place even - no, especially - if you’re not a techie. There is a ridiculous wealth of information out there about everything, just waiting to be consumed and shared by people it applies (and doesn’t apply) to. Allow me to explain.
The world I inhabit is disproportionately inhabited by technologically adept people. I don’t often encounter people whose lives take place offline. However, when I do, I usually feel that they would benefit by changing that. Their personal lives would be augmented, sure, but more often I think of how it would improve their livelihood, whatever it is. Areas this applies to:
- education
- medicine
- small retail/food/other brick-and-mortar establishments
So many easy improvements jump out at me; so much difference the simplest technology could make. Marketing, organizing information, operating costs, staying current… it depends on the entity in question, of course, but the list goes on. And I could do it for them - either myself or through resources I have. I can at least help them get started.
So this is something I want to do. I want to help bring people online. Except, in my world, I don’t know a lot of people like that to help. I don’t know a lot about freelancing either. I just know that I want to do something helpful to humanity, and that the internet is important, and that I want to learn more about industries other than the one I’ve chosen - this seems like a good way to do all of that.
Now, how do I get started?
10:09 am on January 9th, 2009
Get out of Silicon Valley. Think about it. You’re in the heart of the interconnected. If you’re looking to bring people online that aren’t already online, you need to move. Now, a 3rd world, sorry - politically correct term, a developing nation, may be the best spot to find those not online, but ensuring they have the infrastructure to get you and them going may pose for bigger problems. So, I’d say start by reaching out to the small towns of America.
11:51 am on January 9th, 2009
Now there’s a neat idea!
Beginning freelancing is about establishing a network of potential clients. Either you have one from previous experience or you market yourself and maybe even offer your services for free to get experience and get yourself out there.
Even though you’re a social media queen and you would have no problem doing the branding part of this - tweeting, blogging, digging, etc. there is an interesting element here. Social media is completely irrelevant for those who aren’t already on it.
Consider that there’s a big difference between someone who wants to get online and can’t afford it, someone who has a tech phobia and needs to be educated, and someone who simply doesn’t see the value add in it. Your current definition of who may need your services includes all of the above, which is why I think you should find a more precise market. You could try brainstorming who might be in need of these services, asking family, volunteering at traditionally low-tech places, or even offering help to friends and colleagues who aren’t as “plugged in” as they could be. Let that search lead you to those who you can (and want to) help the most.
Let me know how it goes!
11:58 am on January 9th, 2009
I also have to disagree with Rahul. Saying that Silicon Valley has no one who could benefit from this type of consulting is like saying it has no one who isn’t on facebook, twitter, digg, etc. That’s just not true.
If anything, there’s a drive to catch up and keep up to date with everything. And with such a drive, there must be a healthy amount of people that get lost in the shuffle or just give up. The market is different here (because it IS Silicon Valley) but I think there is one nonetheless. Even if people are connected, who’s to say they’re using their online tools to even a fraction of their potential? Just ask your nearest grandma where she got her last recipe, TV schedule, or piece of encyclopedic knowledge.
2:16 pm on January 10th, 2009
You already know what to do and you’re already doing it: networking. There are plenty of areas, industries, and people that could use some techification (did I just make this word up?). A good friend of mine is a geography major and has surprised me by finding tons of non-technical “Web 2.0″ work in the GIS field. My point is that there is work out there and you’ve just got to find it hiding in the slums of the economy. I suggest delving into local businesses (where the greatest economic impact is for people; I’m a huge small business supporter since my parents own their own) or looking into areas and industry where volunteering is in high demand to techify. Also, I am building a prototype for a friend in the education space if you’re interested.
1:02 am on February 1st, 2009
[...] hoping this session will help me figure out how to get my get-people-online deal [...]