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

I’ll be out for most of this evening. (Am I not out busy almost every day this week?) Will be attending the much-awaited Bloggers’ meetup sponsored by Globe Innove. Globe is supposed to showcase its latest offering in mobile broadband connectivity, and we’re hoping for more than just a sneak peek (hint, hint!). It’s sort of a press junket, but for bloggers (a.k.a. non-traditional media people).

I’m lucky to be among the 12 “Apostles”–hopefully I will not be the Judas of this group!

On a related note, if your emails to me have been bouncing or not being responded to lately, it might be due to my racoma.net domain’s expiring. Boy, was I surprised when people told me my .net address was redirecting to a parking page.

My domain has been registered anew, but it seems we’re still waiting for nameserver propagation to complete. In the meantime, please send me emails to my jangelo (at) gmail (dot) com address.

Let’s put our laptop lid advertising (Sacha, Blogging Pro, bLaptops, the J Spot) concept to the test. I’ll be speaking at the 3rd Techfactors Regional Educators’ ICT Summit this Wednesday, August 30th at the University of the Philippines (my topic is The Learning Preferences of the New Generation). The audience will consist mainly of about 200 educators in the various ICT fields from Metro Manila schools.

Unlike Sacha, who’s selling space by the square inch (or quarter of an inch, even), I think I’ll go in larger chunks, considering the affair will not be as intimate as BarCamp, and I’ll be speaking at front, and not mingling with the crowd (well, mingling comes during the break times). So visibility from greater distances is important in this case.

Okay, I’m interested. How much will it cost?

Considering that my laptop has a relatively larger screen and lid real-estate than Sacha’s ultraportable, we can go in chunks of 4″ x 4″ or even 8″ x 4″. This is a 14-inch widescreen, and the actual area of the lid is about 13″ x 9″. That leaves enough space for six 4″ x 4″ images or three 8″ x 4″ stickers comfortably side by side on the lid with enough free space in between.

The prices:

* US$ 50 for a 4×4 image
* US$ 75 for an 8×4 image
* US$ 100 for an 8×8 image

Okay, we can go smaller, but you’ll have to email me so we can agree upon a price. And, this is first come (or first emailed?), first served. Hey, the 8×8 space is cheap (do the math). You can slash off 100% from the price of four 4x4s if you and three friends are interested in putting up 4×4 ads each.

The Elevator Pitch

This arrangement goes with the standard elevator pitch, meaning if someone asks about the ad, I’ll introduce the product/service/site to them in less than a minute (which is enough to capture the interest of people if done right). This means I cannot possibly pitch stuff that I’m not comfortable using myself, so I reserve the right to turn down unsuitable ads.

Materials, images, URLs, etc.

I’ll supply the materials and do the printing myself, unless you have some need to send me some specialized, embossed, gold-plated, diamond-encrusted logo of your company. Just send me a suitable image in print-size resolution, along with instructions to add a URL or some text, and let’s talk business.

Also, to give proof of your product’s exposure, I’ll email you back pictures from the event with your ads prominently placed on my laptop lid. Heck, I’ll even post them here on my blog.

Contact Me

Get in touch with me via the usual email address – jangelo at racoma dot net. You have until tomorrow evening (August 29th, +0800H GMT) to place your orders, as the event will start early on Wednesday.

I think our PayPal for the Philippines logo should have a spot.

One of the benefits of beng in the problogging circuit is that you get invited to attend all sorts of events. Sometimes you get invited as part of the audience, but sometimes as part of the panel. Earlier this year, I assisted the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation on the Podcasting portion of its first Blogging and Podcasting Seminar. I also helped produce the last three episode of the Liberal Times Manila Podcast. This July, they will be holding another seminar, entitled “Express Yourself” Reloaded.

Problogger extraordinaire Abe Olandres will also be speaking (again) for the blogging portion of the seminar, while this blogger would give a presentation on the basics of podcasting. Here’s what’s exciting: participants get to set up their own podcasts, which will be published on the FNF website. So sign up and get the chance to be an internet star (like Mikey here. Really).

*Update: The seminar inclusive dates have been changed from July 4-7 to July 4-6.*

Details as follows, from the FNF website

Join the Friedrich Naumann Foundation’s workshop on Weblogs and Podcasts as political tools in 4-6 July 2006.

“Express Yourself” is a three and a halfday activity with hands-on tutorials on blogging and podcasting. Well-known Filipino personalities of the Internet will be invited as speakers and instructors.

You will learn about:

# The best practices in the field of blogging and podcasting with a special emphasis on the Philippine political context
# How to craft a clear message that will define your blog
# The basic editorial and writing guidelines regarding online communications and how to apply them
# How to produce and maintain your own blog and podcast

As our workshops tend to get full fast and only 15 slots are available, we encourage you to sign up now.

Send your résumé, a letter on why you want to participate, and samples of previous work (if any) through email at liberal@philippines.fnst.org or by fax at (+63 2) 8103189. Send in application as soon as possible.

I’ve been monitoring Technorati for the latest iBlog2 entries, and I’ve tagged on del.icio.us all relevant blog posts I’ve found.