racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

First, let me say that Caren and I had a good time last night at Temple Bar, Greenbelt 2, where the Globe Innove sponsored bloggers’ meetup was held. Food was okay–not really great, but it was okay–and the drinks were good, too (anything with alcohol is, right?). But what was great was how the event gave us bloggers another opportunity to interact with each other in person. While I have been seeing an upsurge of activities lately where bloggers get to meet and do interesting stuff, this is not as common an occurrence as we would like it to be. So we try to take advantage of such events.

It was also great to have met people from the corporate world who have started considering the blogosphere as a way of getting feedback. After all, Globe Innove’s market is the Internet-using public. It would only be logical to seek inputs from those who are usually connected most of their waking hours.

However, the event was one big disappointment for me, and I would think the other bloggers present last night would agree. And here’s why.

The Influencers

Most, if not all, of the bloggers present during last night’s meetup are people who can be considered influencers. We each have our respective spheres of influence. In our areas of interest, we write about our thoughts, opinions and insights and people listen to and interact with us. It could be in technology, politics, business, the arts, or other themes. Some would just even fans regardless of interest (it’s sometimes personality-based).

As Scoble highlights,

I’ll tell you what executives from big companies (like Kraft, Procter and Gamble, GM, and others) who were at MSN’s OWN ADVERTISING CONFERENCE told me. An influencer is worth THOUSANDS of times more than a non-influencer (influencer is someone who tells other people stuff, which is why blogging is getting so much advertising attention lately). That’s why Google is charging more per click than MSN is (Google has more influential users). That’s why Federated Media is closing advertising deals left and right.

I think Innove missed a very important opportunity last night. They went out to gather a group of bloggers to get inputs about our behaviors, opinions and preferences, particularly when it comes to going online. However, apart from the dinner and drinks, the bloggers were treated to a standard Innove gift pack for the trouble This includes some stationery, a jacket, and a month’s free access to Globe WIZ, the company’s WiFi hotspot network that spans several cafes, malls and resorts. That’s it.

True, every one of us needs a fast and reliable Internet connection, and if possible, we do want a way by which we can access the ‘Net from anywhere. But a free WIZ account would probably be the last thing we need, since most of us have free unlimited Airborne Access accounts, anyway! WiFi isn’t exactly new to us. Accessing alternative networks would be a last resort, say, if ever we find ourselves in a location without AA. And there are usually prepaid options–even Globe WIZ has prepaid.

The Missed Opportunity

Honestly, many of us were expecting the opportunity to try out Globe’s 3G-based wireless Internet, called Visibility. This is exactly what we’re looking for: connectivity anywhere–or at least anywhere with a Globe HSDPA or GPRS signal. We would have been happy to get to try that out, even for a limited period, much like how Smart Bro has tapped Abe and other bloggers to try out their services (free) and give feedback.

Bloggers would generally write about personal experiences, and would usually give honest, unbiased recommendations about products and services we actually use personally. You don’t even have to ask us. If a service is interesting enough, we’d be glad to make rave reviews. If it’s crappy, well we’ll be sure to give our big seal of disapproval!

For instance, I’m pretty sure my writeup about my Compaq Presario V2617 and my PTB article about the price drop of branded Centrino laptops helped people make a choice about the laptops they buy. And talking about connectivity, Abe has blogged about his experiences using Smart GPRS during his stay in Vigan. Arnold has written about connecting thru Globe’s 3G at PTB. I, too, have tried PLDT’s WeRoam a year back, and the connection was really slow. Don’t forget Smart Bro! Most posts I’ve read about it say its crappy–in strong language, no less (see the Smart WiFi chronicles for links)!

However, Globe Visibility is something most of us do not have access to, since it’s still currently intended to service corporate accounts. I hear they’re planning to open this up for personal and even prepaid use soon. This could’ve been the perfect time to get a band of influential bloggers to try out the service and perhaps give feedback and also write about it (it doesn’t even have to be free; what’s important is that it’s available to us non-corporate types). What’s even better is that within the bloggers’ spheres of influence are likely to be like-minded people: those who want and even need mobile connectivity, and who have the money to spend for such. Talk about targeted word-of-mouth advertising.

This could’ve been great marketing, wouldn’t you think?

Update: Here’s what the other participants wrote about the meetup (list stolen from Noemi). I’ll update as more people write about the event. Also, do check the trackbacks at the comments section.

* Noemi – The Globe-Innove Sponsored Blogger’s Meet at Temple Bar
* Kiven – Globe-Innove Blogger Meet at Greenbelt 2
* Gail – A night with bloggers
* Bimbo – Globe Innove Blogger Meet
* Anton – Power Blogger’s Meet and Unfulfilled Expectation
* Abe – Link Building Strategy (Globe Innove Blogger Meetup)
* Connie – The Globe Innove meet-up
* Jayvee – Globe Innove Aftermath
* Marc – Globe’s Blogging Adventure

Feedback from bloggers who were not present:

* Migs – Globe/Innove Bloggers Meetup: A Wasted Opportunity?

*Laptop with mobile phone image from yugatech.com

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