Wealth Is there money in charity work?

[Inbocca]

A while back, I got an idea into my head that has grown to become the visualized end-game for my career: I want to start an NGO that builds schools and provides free education in underdeveloped countries. Of course, as a non-profit, it's going to need a lot of money to keep it afloat. I was thinking I'd take an internship and get involved in some non-profits in the education field and eventually work my way into a decent-paying job, thus landing me the experience and finances I need. But I'm realizing that humanitarian aid and non-profit workers - even the higher-up ones - really don't make a whole lot.

Are there any jobs in the education or non-profit sector that bring in the kind of money needed for an endeavor like this? Or would I be better off doing something totally different and use the money from that to fuel my projects?

 

[Regal Tiger]

You could always try freelance copywriting. As a freelancer, you would be able to work closely with the non-profit industry but still make good money.

Starting a blog is an option as well. The place that I recommend most for that is SmartBlogger.com
Tons of useful information, and probably the best that I've ever seen anywhere. Then talk about non-profits and education. They do say that you retain 90% of what you teach...

Another possible idea I just thought of, if you want to become a travel writer/photographer. You could visit these places that you want to help, take amazing photographs, build an Instagram following and write about it at the same time.


Though I don't see a blog becoming super successful about the non-profit, if you could find a way to make it work that could be a way to build your following. But, what you could try to do is something like Khan Academy, Coursera, or any of those other sites did. The site's primary objective would be to actually teach different subjects, and then you slip in your real agenda's things here and there. Build the following and funds that you need and then go to work on what you really want as you maintain your website/blog/copywriting/whatever.

Good luck! And let me know if you want additional information on how to do any of that if it sounds interesting to you.

 

[Inbocca]

Thanks for the advice! Those are some good ideas I'd never thought of, and I definitely like the travel element; that's a really big deal for me. I like that you mentioned the travel writer/photographer thing, that sounds like something that would be a good freelance project if I could find a niche that's not flooded yet. Is that something that would be best to go to school for?

 

[Regal Tiger]

I have a personal bias against school and am a firm believer in learning on your own. We live in an age where the totality of man's knowledge is literally in your pocket lol.


Are you interested in being a travel writer or photographer or both?


For both you would have to look into publications that would be interested in your views. If you can get into those niches then the rest is just the skills involved, which you would have to work on and I can suggest some resources. I can also suggest a few ways in which to break into those areas, but it's never a guarantee.

 

[Inbocca]

The idea of being a photographer is interesting, but I know there's a big supply of people looking for jobs in that field (not sure about travel photography). A writer is definitely up my alley. Let's say both for now.

As far as the skills involved, I imagine like most artist professions I'd need to get started on a portfolio. Anything beyond that is beyond me. What are your suggestions for honing skills and breaking into the field?

 

[Regal Tiger]

I've got a metric ton of ideas for photography! As for practicing, just decide what you will offer the publications and go and do that. If you want more money on the side, I can post some of them as well.

But as for the writing...

Yes, you would need to get started on a portfolio for your writing. For travel writing, most writers start out as bloggers. If you want to break into the blogosphere, I know of no better resource than SmartBlogger.com (and you can turn around and use your own blog/fame to create your own travel blog/website/whatever).

Jon Morrow is an absolute goldmine of blogging information.

As for busting into the travel writing area: blogging and copywriting are really the only things I know that would accomplish your goal and make you money at the same time.

But! I was just reading about another absolutely brilliant idea, that could work as well. I'll link to the story:
https://www.writersincharge.com/oliver- ... -one-year/

This guy built up his online following by answering questions on Quora. But he didn't write just any old answers, he wrote blog post worthy answers to questions. On that SmartBlogger.com that I mentioned earlier, there was a writer that did the same thing and had one answer with well over 83 thousand views. Imagine if you got 10% of that in visitors and 10% of those visitors subscribed? Pretty awesome numbers if you ask me.


Some of the top Quora answer writers would have only 20-40 answers and have a grand total of well over 500 thousand views. Granted, this was only in the SmartBlogger guy's chosen area, but still. Having written something like 20 answers he was the number 1 viewed Quora guy for that niche. Pretty crazy if you ask me.

What's more, (can't remember if it was the link I linked to above guy, or SmartBlogger guy that was talking about this, but) if your answers are really good/popular: sites like HuffingtonPost, Forbes, Lifehacker and others will copy and paste them and link back to them. That's an additional bajillion people that your name will flash in front of.

Incredibly huge amounts of exposure. Not just to get your name in front of hundreds of thousands of people, but also great opportunity to present yourself as an expert. An expert worthy of writing for the top publications and getting paid to do it.


Just some thoughts

 

[Inbocca]

Photography would be incredible. I'm gonna need some more equipment to get started on that (iPhone cameras and Instagram filters probably won't cut it, haha). Right now I'm just working on building up financial stability and I've been toying with a few ideas. I can go ahead and add that to the list. Sounds like you've associated with the field somewhat; what would you say the best brands are for getting started (preferably within budget)?

I've used Quora a few times and it sounds like a good place to start. Reading that article, the first thing I noticed is how the guy implemented a lot of practices that we talk about here: studying experts, breaking down every little thing you do wrong, and spending every spare moment you have into its improvement. I'll mess around with this a bit within the next few days and see if I can come up with any solid ideas for getting started on a blog. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Regal Tiger]

Photography would be incredible. I'm gonna need some more equipment to get started on that (iPhone cameras and Instagram filters probably won't cut it, haha). Right now I'm just working on building up financial stability and I've been toying with a few ideas. I can go ahead and add that to the list. Sounds like you've associated with the field somewhat; what would you say the best brands are for getting started (preferably within budget)?

I know what I'm going to get for myself (still in the same boat as you, need to buy my own). I used to bug friends about letting me borrow theirs

But anyways, you would have to research which one would suit you best. I'm starting out with a higher end beginner Nikon, but that might not be what would help you out the most. It's not like there's a right or wrong camera brand (though my friends and I both suggest sticking to either Nikon or Canon because of lens selection).

And actually, when it comes to cameras, the lenses are where you will spend most of your money.

I've used Quora a few times and it sounds like a good place to start. Reading that article, the first thing I noticed is how the guy implemented a lot of practices that we talk about here: studying experts, breaking down every little thing you do wrong, and spending every spare moment you have into its improvement. I'll mess around with this a bit within the next few days and see if I can come up with any solid ideas for getting started on a blog. Thanks for all the advice!

You're welcome! Best of luck!