Why I Started The Stateless Project & Our Recent “Advertising Campaign”

I’ve heard that when you’re passionate about something, it’ll take you out of your comfort zone. Thinking about it, I suppose that has happened to me before ... but usually because someone tells me it has to!

The Stateless Project is taking me out of my comfort zone ... and it’s no one’s fault but my own! 😅

The WHY behind the project

I started the project because I realized there are virtually no resources for stateless orphans. I’ll share more in a future post what I mean by that, but every time a stateless child needs to go to the hospital or has some sort of legal expense, an asking chain goes around the different social media groups.

One time, the funds arrived too late. The baby was taken from his mother before she could pay the hospital bill. An agent came and took the baby by force presumably to sell ... and we thought it likely we’d never hear about the child again. Thankfully the child was found and they were reunited.

That’s when @ironmanmatt and I decided we needed to do something. We started putting aside money for emergencies ... but it wasn’t enough.

Motivated to do what we can

I’ve designed cards in the past. Recently I ran across some new channels to do it at no production cost to me. I thought, “Why not? If no one likes them, it’s only my time that’s been wasted.”

I designed a few cards, put up a website to share our story and the need, and started to post about it.

Forward progress

Three orders later and the fire’s been lit. The fact that we have about $50 to give to two other families who are caring for stateless children and the same amount to add to our emergency fund is HUGE! That’s money no one was expecting to have. And let me say from experience, just knowing someone cares makes a world of difference.

A friend of ours gives about $20 to our adoption fund every month. While it may not seem like much, his consistent thoughtfulness cheers us up every time it comes through.

Out of my zone

@chrisrice encouraged me to start a @fundition account, so I’ve been reading their advice blogs and working on a proposal. I’ve also watched a couple videos on marketing handmade goods.

I am NOT good at marketing. In fact, I’m terrible at it ... my attempts would dissuade people from buying something (they probably have already).

Anyway, I know something has to be done for the stateless orphans. Selling cards may not be the best solution, but it’s something I can do. So I’m going to campaign for it as much as I can.

My attempts

I’m working on using “call to action” terminology and engaging interested parties. I’ve also dreamed up a partnership with businesses who want to sponsor the project and/or benefit from some brand exposure.

For mainstream social media, I also created a series of cute ads to remind people about the cards. This is the first one in the series. I’m not sure the ads have convinced anyone to buy yet, but I’m certain they’ve brought a smile to someone’s day!

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