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

I just arrived home from the (first) Philippine BlogCon 2006 and I’m dog tired. Working out at the gym this afternoon was probably not such a good idea. My legs hurt–probably because I used an ill-fitting old pair of shoes to work out. And I had to walk a mile (almost?) across three shopping malls from the Ayala MRT station to Greenbelt 3, where the National Sports Grill is located. (Reminder to self: get a car. Soon.)

But it was worth it. I got to meet up with old friends and former colleagues from dotPH (you know who you are), the usual suspects (the bloggers and probloggers I always get to meet during blogging events), the sponsors (the Globe Innove people from the last Globe-sponsored blogger meetup) and new faces.

I wasn’t able to listen much to the presentations since I came in a bit late, and my group was holed up in this corner table, hence the low visibility, and–yes–higher propensity for side-discussions. My mother actually asked me, earlier this evening when I picked up the calling cards I asked her to print (more about this later), why I wasn’t speaking this time. I told her that in events like these, it’s usually best to stay in the sidelines and get to meet the people. That’s where the real stuff happens.

Networking

The primary reason for my attendance is to network with people, and possibly look out for new business prospects, and I consider this blogger meet-and-greet to be successful in that regard. This time around, I got several inquiries on the problogging/writing jobs I had written about. I met with some very capable game writers, and I’m hoping we can get to talk soon, and that our discussions turn out to be fruitful. I also had inquiries on whether I had other requirements that weren’t game-related, and for this I would have to refer them to my other contacts in need of bloggers for other niches.

Of course, people asked me about the PayPal for the Philippines campaign and we got to exchange ideas about the need for payment gateways in the country. I also got wind that PayPal is actually on its way to setting up here. Of course, those are still unconfirmed info tidbits, but it’s good to hear something is happening, whether influenced by the campaign or not.

One Big Community

What’s great about meet-and-greet events like these is that the people seem to be familiar with almost everyone else, even if it’s usually their first time to meet. Here’s where the virtual community extends to the real world. In the blogsphere, we usually know people by the ideas they communicate and the opinions they make on their blogs. In the real world, you see a new face or hear a familiar name, and you get to connect that face with the person’s online persona.

You see your online correspondents in the flesh, and it feels great!

Handing Out Calling Cards

I wrote before (a long time ago) that blogs are the new digital handshake, that one doesn’t usually need calling cards anymore these days. It turns out that calling cards are important, after all. No matter how digital we get, and even if most–or even all–of our clients are online, one still needs something tangible to hand out to people one meets.

And here’s where the calling card comes in. Weeks, months, and even years after, when emails get archived, blog links get buried deep in blogrolls, and text messages get deleted, calling cards will be there to stay. Even if the contact details, companies (or businesses) and interests change, physical cards are likely to remind the recpient of the person who gave it, and the circumstances of their meeting. That’s why it’s a good idea to note down on the business/calling card the date, venue, and event where you met the giver.

Speaking of calling cards, here’s my latest one, designed and expertly cut by myself (concept blatantly stolen borrowed from Abe’s “kickass Web2.0 calling card” idea).

The card says problogger / tech evangelist / new media consultant. Wow, what does that mean?

Photos

I wasn’t able to get many shots, since I was busy with my primary objective–that is, getting to talk to people. But here are a few photos I was able to squeeze in.

Pinoy Big Blogger Retz, in the flesh!

Fellow man-blogger, Noisy Noisy Man Ade Magnaye

i.ph webmaster Randy (right)

Dash-Media and fellow Man Bloggers people Marco “The Site Guy” and Peter

Abe Olandres, thinking of his blog-derived millions

Jayvee of b5media/m|ph and Peter

Check out my Flickr photoset for larger versions.

Linklove!

Here are a few of the people I got to meet. Sorry if I can’t post a complete list of names and links for now (I tend to be forgetful). Please do post a comment so I can add you.

* Abe Olandres
* Peter Juan
* Randy Nivales
* Kevin Codamon
* Jayvee Fernandez
* Juned Sonido
* Noemi Lardizabal-Dado
* Sonnie Santos
* Jennifer Velasco (Globe Innove)
* “Retz Ruiz”:http://retzwerx.com
* Marco “The Site Guy” Palinar
* “Ade Magnaye”:http://blog.ademagnaye.com
* Noel Bautista
* “Mike Abundo”:http://mikeabundo.com
* “Jun Asis”:http://www.intourpreneur.com/

‘Til next year, or next time. Now, back to work …

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