Helping to Address Unemployment and Lack of Knowledge about Freelance Platforms in Pakistan
Introduction
Unemployment is a major problem that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It can lead to financial instability, stress, and a lack of hope for the future. In Pakistan, the unemployment rate has remained high in recent years, with many individuals struggling to find work and support themselves financially. While the gig economy and the availability of freelance platforms have provided new opportunities for people to earn money online, many individuals may not be aware of these platforms or may not have the skills or knowledge to take advantage of them.
To help address this problem, we used Google forms to conduct surveys. Our aim was to identify ways to help these individuals earn money from freelance platforms and improve their financial stability.
Personas & Research Methods
To better understand the problem, we conducted surveys using Google Forms with individuals. We asked questions about their experiences with unemployment or lack of knowledge about freelance platforms, as well as their goals and needs.
Based on the collected data, we made three personas to represent the different types of individuals who may be affected by unemployment or lack of knowledge about freelance platforms.
· Person A: This person has no skills and no knowledge about freelance markets. They may be looking for work but have had difficulty finding a job in their field or have never worked in the freelance market before. They may feel uncertain about their ability to succeed as a freelancer and may not know where to start.
· Person B: This person has some skills, but no knowledge about freelance platforms. They may be familiar with their area of expertise but have never considered using a platform to sell their services or products online. They may be hesitant to try freelance work because they are unsure of how it works or whether they will be able to find clients.
· Person C: This person has skills and has tried to earn money from freelance platforms but has struggled due to lack of knowledge. They may have had difficulty navigating the platform, finding clients, or completing work to the satisfaction of their clients. They may feel frustrated and discouraged by their experiences and may not know how to improve their success on freelance platforms.
Through this research, we learned that earning money online has become a necessity for many people in Pakistan as there are not enough jobs in the offline market. However, they may not know how to take advantage of freelance platforms to earn money or may be unsure of what services or products to offer. They may also be hesitant to try freelance work because they are unsure of how it works or whether they will be able to find clients.
Goals and Plan
Our goal is to enable all our participants to earn money from freelance platforms. To achieve this goal, we plan to offer online workshops and invite high-level freelancers as guest speakers to educate people about how to earn money from these platforms.
In the workshops, we will cover topics such as how to create a profile and portfolio on a freelance platform, how to find and apply for jobs or projects, and how to communicate and work with clients effectively. We will also provide guidance on how to identify and pursue opportunities in different fields, as well as tips for building a successful freelance business.
We will divide the tasks within our group by allowing all the members of our group to take the lead for one week, with every member responsible for following their directions. So far, we have conducted research to identify the problem, come up with a solution, and held our first workshop.
Connecting with People
We are connecting with people through Instagram (Earn Ease) to promote our workshops and share information about freelance platforms. We have found this to be an effective way to reach a wide audience and provide updates and resources to those who are interested in participating.
However, we have faced some challenges with lack of response from some individuals. We have tried to overcome this by offering incentives for participation and providing personalized support and guidance to those who need it. We have also tried to make our workshops as interactive and engaging as possible, to encourage participation and feedback.
Next Steps
Over the next two weeks, we plan to conduct the remaining workshops and monitor the progress of the participants. We will be available to answer any questions or provide assistance as needed. We will also be monitoring the progress of the participants to see how they are doing on freelance platforms and whether they are achieving their goals. If any participants face difficulties in earning money from freelance platforms, we will work with them to help them overcome these challenges. This may include offering one-on-one support, providing additional resources or guidance, or connecting them with other freelancers or mentors who can offer advice and support.
Conclusion
Unemployment and lack of knowledge about freelance platforms can be major challenges for people in Pakistan. By conducting research and offering online workshops, we hope to help individuals overcome these challenges and improve their financial stability. We believe that with the right skills and knowledge, anyone can succeed and earn money from freelance platforms. We will continue to work towards our goal of enabling all our participants to earn money from freelance platforms and improve their financial well-being.