Ayoudo: A New Way to Get Help

Article by Erin McGann, sharing the scoop on Ayoudo, a new way to get help.

I’ve had a bag of children’s clothes my son has grown out of in the back of my car for three weeks now. I meant to drop it off at a charity box, but somehow, I never remember. Now I’ve accumulated another bagful, and I can see this pattern spiralling out of control until my trunk becomes a mobile thrift shop.

At 3:00 am, I put a stop to it by posting a request on Ayoudo from my smartphone.

A New Social Network

Ayoudo (pronounced Ah-YOO-do) is a new social network to connect people who need help with those who are happy to do it. You can use their smartphone app or their website (www.ayoudo.com) to post requests for help or offer to help someone else.

“It was the product of eight months of thinking,” says Ayoudo CEO Michael Tippett. “We wanted to build a company that we could test the viability of quickly, had huge commercial potential and had big positive social impact. We wanted the build the next social network. Something that went further than content sharing (which is primarily how we’re using social networks today) and added a powerful layer of collaboration enabling people to work together and help each other out.”

A Warm Glow and Doughnuts

Tasks on the site now range from taking away an old Christmas tree ($20) and power washing a driveway ($50) to hanging a heavy picture on the wall ($25) and participating in a flash mob ($0). Before I requested help for my charity drop-off, I offered to help someone sew on some buttons for $15. A lovely woman named Kate came by my apartment and dropped off a bag of dresses and sweaters. We talked about our children, discussed whether I could manage repairing a frayed hem as well and where all the buttons went. Three days later I dropped off the bag at her house, and she gave me $20. I felt the warm glow of helping someone out, and promptly took my family out for doughnuts.

Tippett has been getting a lot done in the name of testing. “I’ve already had my fireplace fixed, my drains unclogged and research done for the business. My wife has used it for tons of stuff around the house like having clothing mended and curtains hemmed.”

Build Trust, Find Flexible Work

As you often let someone into your home to do some of these tasks, trust is a consideration. At the moment, people can only join Ayoudo using their Facebook account, and you can review someone’s profile before dealing with them. As more people use the system, badges will let you know how many people a user has helped, functioning a bit like the ratings on eBay.

Tippett pitches the network as a way to make a bit of money as well: “Ayoudo isn’t just a one way street. It’s great for mums who want to re-enter the workforce on a part-time basis by giving them access to what’s essentially a list of small contract gigs. It’s a great place to find flexible work.”

Right now, Ayoudo is a Vancouver-only network, with plans to expand Canada-wide and beyond.

And my bag of clothes for charity? It’s getting picked up this weekend.

Ayoudo

www.ayoudo.com | Twitter | Facebook

Erin McGann is a writer, mom, amateur cellist and keen cook. Having spent seven years living in London, England, she’s learning how to say apartment instead of flat and drink coffee again. She blogs at Mummy & Monkey and tweets as @erinehm.