Friday, November 20, 2015

Nearly 700K Tweets about the #APEC2015 Summit in the #Philippines

On the 18 and 19 of November, world leaders gathered in Manila for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. Twitter saw 680,000 conversations as the world joined in on the annual gathering.


The chart below shows the flow of the Twitter conversation over the past eight days.
 

Here are the spotlighted Tweets from the #APEC2015
Yesterday, I also got interviewed by State of the Nation news program on the various APEC related tweets that citizens have used. Although citizens have become savvy in using platforms like Twitter and Facebook to vent their concerns with the use of hashtags they believe is relevant to them, I hope more can also use it as an opportunity to also understand the issues, research about it, and share their findings to others.

 

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Invest in Relationship, Do not Mislead

Once in awhile, I receive inquiries from Facebook connections on how they can be more effective in selling product or service business ideas to individuals where their success or effectiveness will rely largely on the use of social media.
Pitching their product or service is usually done via briefings, face to face meetings, and arranged via online private messages. These are usually online contacts and those met in social media public groups.
Here are some tips that comes to mind:
1. What’s on your Facebook timeline? How do you want to be perceived by people? Selling a product or service usually starts with you as the person. Selling yourself to the point that you can be trusted.
But sometimes, this is not enough. There are those who do share inspirational stuff online but when the events below happen, it becomes a disaster and contradicts to what they are projecting about themselves.
2. Show the product or service idea works for you. Try the product or service and show that it works. If you are selling an e-commerce site subscription, show that you also have your own site (or a project showcase) and it is working. Otherwise, selling an idea won’t be sustainable in the long run if you will not be able to demonstrate that it really works.
3. Invest in relationship. Do not mislead. Last night, I saw this message in my inbox. 
I removed reference to time, place, gender, amount to avoid identification.

I thank my online connection for the kind note and did not ask who the person was.
This online connection sent me private messages a few months back asking for advise on how to go about social media marketing. I gave links to our free learning modules online on digital marketing and e-commerce.
However, this message got me thinking --- and encouraged me to do this post.
From what I understood on the message sent, my connection accepted an invite from a “persona x” who will share updates on social media marketing. Especially so as “persona x” just came from a conference.
However, after 30 minutes of introduction, “persona x” perhaps zoomed into a pitch where the product or service idea includes recruiting people, using online, and making them invest a significant sum.
I am sure that “persona x” has the best intentions and may even be successful with the product or service being marketed. But if that is not what the person came for, it is a big gamble and may even cause more damage than good.
4. Be selective, listen, and know when to “back-off”. Lately, I met several persons marketing an online service or an actual product that also requires interested individuals to invest a significant sum. Some on the real estate and insurance fields. Let me refer to them as “persona y”.
“Persona y” was experiencing difficulty in conversions and asked for advise. I suggested to tap into certain type of bloggers who can experience or see the product or service. Write about it and share it via social media. They can negotiate a professional fee to do it and if possible, give them commission for successful sign-ups too.
“Persona y” agreed with the idea and I referred one who might be able to help. Talked to my referral and gave ideas on how to go about the deal.
But after a week, my referral gave negative feedback as “persona y” did not follow the idea originally discussed and instead pitched the investment.
Or in some cases, “persona y” would not want to pay the professional fee and just want to give a straight commission.
My referrals would often decline right there and give a counter-offer instead that will compensate their efforts. After a week, “persona y” would text to follow-up and my referral had to decline again.
I felt sad after hearing it and realized why they may have a hard time hitting conversions. Meetings will always boil down to what they want to say and failed to listen to the other party.
5. Guard your reputation It takes years to build a good reputation and one bad move to ruin it. More so when it involves taking money from people and the product or service did not work as promised. Or the income promised was not realized as the product or service was too hard to sell.
Or not paying people after fulfilling their part of the agreement.
6. Seek advise from experienced practitioners It is ideal to get as many inputs as possible from various individuals, whom you like on how they conduct themselves and seem to be successful, on how you can improve your craft. 
Share what you are doing and seek feedback on how to improve it. For those that turned you down, selectively, ask what they don't like about the offer or on more straightforward note - what turned them off.
7. Be genuine, be authentic. You can't fake it. Each failure is supposed to help you in becoming better. As you find the right product or service where you want to be identified ---- your passion, knowledge, and testimonial on the product or service effectiveness, rather than its income potential alone, will be the best pitch. 
You will reach a level of authenticity where what you experience about the product or service (as you grow with it), though may be not perfect, will be genuine and credible enough to convince your target to convert or purchase.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Reasons why ALDUB Rocks

Photo credits: Eat Bulaga Facebook Page

I have been an avid follower of ALDUB for quite sometime now and haven't blogged about it till now. But as this love team celebrate their 100 days, I believe it is apt for me to share my appreciation to the rest of ALDUB nation.

These reasons are at random (not by ranking):

1. ALDUB in Kalye Serye provides fun intermission before going to sleep.
If I am still awake at night, watching replays gives me a good laugh and kilig before falling asleep.

2. Falling in love with Twitter again
I usually logon to Twitter when I just want to announce something or live tweet an event. With Twitter as the primary platform where everyone tweets their support and insight on Kalye Serye episodes, it is a cool way to keep yourself updated about Aldub Nation at large.

3. Power of communities
Following ALDUB will expose you to the bigger community of followers, known as ALDUB Nation, who police itself. I love observing passionate communities as it keeps our feet on the ground as marketers, writers, and entrepreneurs.

4. Maine Mendoza is an online celebrity
I always believe that everyone online is a digital influencer. Maine Mendoza, being able to cross the line in a big way from online to offline, is a proof of that.

5. Traditional values in modern times
As I have talked about online dating and breakups in past interviews, the program serves a good reminder to the present generation on the importance of being patient and taking time to know each other better.

6. Relief from traffic
When stuck in traffic, I usually read Facebook feeds. But now, am stuck on YouTube watching replays and on Twitter checking what the fandom is discussing.

7. There's more to social media outside of Facebook
There was a time when Facebook was the most "in" place.  If you are a business, it is a must place to be. But the more you watch Kalye Serye and be part of its community, you will spend less time on Facebook as you check out Twitter and YouTube, Instagram, SnapChat, more. Also Google for checking the latest news item about Aldub, Alden Richards, and Maine Mendoza.

8. Analyst insights
I enjoy reading the write-ups and observations by various  experts, media personalities, and bloggers have published about Aldub. These various write-ups got followers intrigued more as the insights shared are more than just the love team - it tackle its effect to the public at large.

9. ABS-CBN declared war on Aldub
But what intrigues me more is how ABS-CBN has responded to the love team. They have done things that I have never seen before like putting all love teams in one big It's Showtime event, Pastillas Girl, and now the required trimming down of ADLUB-starred commercials.

Before Aldub, I am a regular "It's Showtime" viewer and laugh on comedy antics, funny segments.  Of course, "Gandang Gabi Vice" is much more fun to watch.

But when moves to counter Aldub started happening, twerking contest, Pastillas Girl, it polarized viewers to take a position (even those who enjoy watching both shows). Moreso when "Its Showtime" hold their Smart Araneta event guesting almost all ABS-CBN love teams. I felt it forced viewers to decide which "team" do they want to belong to. It was ABS-CBN vs. Eat Bulaga. Obviously, EB / Aldub was the underdog. The rest was history.

This polarization is further aggravated by news that ABS-CBN required trimming down of ALDUB featured advertisements. Although this is an old policy that has been there for quite sometime. It does not sink in logically at its present time as fairness gets questioned.

It will look awful to see KathNiel and JaDine ads be given the same treatment. I am not sure how ABS-CBN will pull itself out of this animosity that they have created with viewers who enjoy watching programs from a variety of TV stations.

They also have missed out a classic rule in psychological warfare. The more upfront and combatant ABS-CBN gets, in banning ALDUB content, the more they help increase ALDUB following by making the audience feel that it is an underdog being stepped on. It will also validate advertiser's investment as observation of events will point that ALDUB has become a powerful force that ABS-CBN is fearful of.

10. Great minds observe and learn from people and events
There was this old quote circulating around indicating small minds talk about events and people while great minds focus on ideas. I used to believe that too. But when the whole thing about Aldub began reaching audiences far and wide, I can confirm that the best ideas come from observing people and events.

11. User-generated-content in action
When you get to listen to songs created by fans, you'll be amazed how much Aldub has inspired a lot of Filipinos. This includes the artwork, designs, parades, production performances in schools and offices, products, and services influenced by its culture. Of course, not to forget the daily hashtags decided upon by key fandom viewers of the program.

12. Death of paid trending
There was a time when some products, TV programs, among others would pay personalities and contractors to make their topic trend on Twitter. Fandom generated hashtags now dominate the trending list for shows including ALDUB, It's Showtime, PBB, PSY, OTOW. Fans have become savvy as well where they now check where the tweets come from - whether they are authentic or bots doing auto-retweets or scheduled postings. They even shoutout to peers to block and report misbehaving account profiles.

13. It united Filipinos
#TeamBahay, #TeamAbroad, #TeamOnline usually join forces only whenever there is a Manny Pacquiao fight. But now they connect more, on  a regular basis, because of Aldub.

14. Embrace "being real"
When most social media users are pressured to put their best face, photo, and side forward, Maine Mendoza have shown that there is more to that.

15. Mystery touch
Maine Mendoza dubsmashing for 2 months in Kalye Serye caught everyone in a trance. Curious, intrigued, as to who she really is. What is she like? Is the sweetness of Alden Richard for reel or real? As Maine Mendoza was finally allowed to speak, we are only getting to know her now. The on-the-spot reality show type made us also demanding but accepting of their "being human".

16. Puts Philippines on the social media map
We were once dubbed as the social media capital of the world. But as other countries develop, we lost that stature. With Aldub, Filipinos started asserting itself once again on the use of social media. Holding the highest record of 41 million tweets in 24 hours.

17. Social causes
I have encountered friends who are part of Aldub communities supporting Lumads, Red Cross, and the likes. Of course, the Tamang Panahon event last October 24 set the example by organizing a huge fundraiser where all proceeds are given to building of libraries.

18. Eat Bulaga roots strengthened
From time to time, I get to watch Eat Bulaga and particularly enjoy its Sugod Bahay segment because of its unpredictability. Especially when they get to guest again those they were able to help and see how they used the prizes they got to change their lives for the better. It is fortunate for Maine to be part of such segment as that has brought her closer to the masses in a short span of time. It reminded me of the time when Marian Rivera was part of the Sugod Bahay team and giving her own share of money to help the winner.

19. Top rating
For a noon time show to get primetime rating, it is a big deal. Moreso as Aldub helped make it happen. This popularity is beginning to rub-off to other TV programs as well of GMA Network who included a portion of Aldub in their content. It also helped raise advertising revenues of the TV network.

20. Innovation in action
Aldub has challenge many to be innovative in their execution. The Preview Magazine November edition is a great example where the editors had to be creative in making their story vision materialize. It made the commercials they endorsed much creative too as they also explored the characters not being together in one advertisement.

21. Time for Alden to shine
Got the chance to watch several episodes of the Ilustrado TV series when it was still airing. Alden has shown a lot of potential at that time. However, it seems if you don't have a love team partner, there is not much to talk about as a showbiz personality. His accidental pairing with Maine Mendoza gave him the opportunity to shine and show his best side. With him being more experienced in this space gave him the expected obligation to take care of Maine.

22. Different kind of love team
As most love teams are a bit more professional rather than personal in their team up packaging, the rawness of Aldub made the audience much more attached to it. There is less script and more of "how do you feel?" As most Pinoys know how it is like to say what you want to communicate through songs, their dubsmashing style hits the hopeless romantic really hard.

23. International recognition
Whenever Pinoys get international recognition, most of us are happy about it right? Manny Pacquio, Charice, 4th Impact, Arnel Pineda, beauty pageant winners, among others. As international media and foreign celebrities start talking about Aldub and interact with the pair, I think it is just a matter of time and we will likely see old Kalye Serye videos having English caption soon and be posted on sites like Drama.net.

24. Jose, Wally, Paolo
On Aldub day 2, the pairing has shown greater potential when Jose and Paolo nudge Alden to respond to YayaDub via dubsmash. On day 3 and 4, Lommy brought the house down. The whole Eat Bulaga family was also enjoying the moment on that first week. And Kalye Serye was born after the 1st weeksary. The ongoing transformation of JoWaPao gave the series the resilience it need to enrich the story elements.

25. Tito, Vic, Joey, and the whole cast / crew of Eat Bulaga
Supportive is the best word I can use to describe them. Especially Joey De Leon who invaded Twittersphere with his own style of poetry and brave commentary answering Aldub detractors. (Sometimes I wonder what it will be like if DJ Mo Twister and Joey De Leon will have a Twitter argument as they are both unafraid to express their views online.)

26. Aldub on daily news
Interesting to see what happens on noontime shows are now part of regular evening Showbiz news. Rappler, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, Interaksyon actively having Aldub stories from its episodes. TV5 even discusses the love team in some of its programs.

27. Endorsements
The commercial deals signed by the pair only shows how much influence they have made to the audience. This includes McDonalds, TNT, Zonrox, Bear Brand Adult Plus, Belo, and Coca Cola. Alden is also endorsing Snow Caps while Maine Mendoza is the face of 555 Sardines, and O+ Ultra.

28. No to hacking
When the social media accounts of Maine Mendoza and several fan chapters Twitter account got hacked, followers were quick to retaliate against those who claimed to be responsible for it. The community also made a clear stand in denouncing hacking regardless of any valid reason behind it as it goes against existing laws such as the Cybercrime Law and E-Commerce Law. Proper complaints were filed and hope those behind it will be captured soon (assuming Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, email service providers, telecommunication companies cooperate in giving data to law enforcement authorities).

29. YouTube favorites
When you check "Popular Right Now - Philippines" on YouTube (as of November 10), you will find almost 30 out of the top 100 videos are those referring to ALDUB, Kalye Serye, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza.

30. "It's Showtime" re-loaded
I think when ALDUB and Eat Bulaga regained its top rating stature, it has become a humbling experience for cast and management of It's Showtime. It challenge them to take risks and experiment on content.

I guess their being too liberal on its content and concepts for quite sometime became a norm that made ALDUB refreshing on its presentation when it came out.

Like right now, they included TOMIHO as the new segment in their program putting fresh content on their RealiSerye.  As I got the chance to watch PBB and rooted for either TOMIHO to win, when I's Showtime folks appeared on the show, I had a hunch that they will invite TOMIHO in the program, win or lose on PBB, because of its love team and "kilig" component.

TOMIHO is also raw on its nature as they got developed inside Kuya's house and more genuine in comparison to the Pastillas Girl storyline execution. If It's Showtime handles this well, it is indeed a strong contender to ALDUB. As a TOMIHO supporter, I look forward watching this part of the program and hope they won't go too far in exploring this subject, bordering on exploiting them, as these people are real day-to-day individuals.

31. Enjoy while it last
All ALDUB followers know that their popularity is a phase. Remember when It's Showtime was at its peak? Anne Curtis and Vice Ganda were some of the most influential product endorsers. I remember somebody said "everything they touch turns to gold" - meaning how powerful they are as brand endorsers. Like any celebrity, they are also human and had their fair share of challenges.

ALDUB is going through that phase too right now. But this time without the bright lights and diva packaging that ABS-CBN stars are known for when they reach the peak of their popularity.

Although what makes ALDUB interesting is that it is part of the longest running noon time show Eat Bulaga who have met many powerful contenders through the years. Their resilience is already proven. Even if ALDUB exits inevitably, it is likely Eat Bulaga will remain.

I hope Eat Bulaga can keep ALDUB grounded and guide them well on how to be steadfast in changing times. Transition them to where they need to be to help sustain their relevance.

Let me pause here and update it as time permits. Help me add more to this list by sharing your thoughts on why Aldub rocks!

Sweat + Shape Work-out by Nike Training Club

To get fitter, stronger, and healthier, exercise is important. If you want to do exercises at home, I suggest installing the Nike Training Club on your IOS or Android mobile device.

The application has fitness programs that gives you a regular schedule of work-out and runs to do.

One of my favorite cardio workouts there is "Sweat + Shape".


This 30 minute routine gets your heart pumping and body sweating. Expect the push-ups to be tiring to the arms but if you want to lose your love handles, it is worth it.

If your tummy is bulging, the burpees can be a challenge but you will get use to it in no time.

Be flexible with your schedule. Personally, I tend to do my workouts and run on late evenings.

To do this set, you will need the following. When I got my gears, I visited "near the area" sport stores. The limitation though is that choices are limited. I hope the links I added here can be useful reference regardless whether you will get one online from your favorite source or in retail sport stores.

1. Exercise mat
There are exercises that requires lying down. I usually do my exercise in an outdoor area of our house so this one is really needed. Will also be useful (and sanitary to have your own) when you join running clinics and offsite workout programs. This is a good investment to make as it can also proxy as a "banig" or "sleeping mat" as needed.

2. Exercise clothes
Wear comfortable clothes. Although I would suggest investing on your exercise shorts or running pants as normal home shorts may get damage especially when doing the burpees.

3. Running shoes (and socks)
You will usually need to do jumping exercises and indoor jogs with Nike+ Training Club. If you will try a workout program, it will also suggest doing steady runs (I use Nike+ Running for tracking my run). If you are serious in getting fitter and stronger, investing in a good pair of running shoes is worth it.

4. Weights (or Dumbbells)
You can do this workout without the weights. But on my end, after doing it the first time, I end up getting one as the other workouts use it too and to maximize its effect.

If your goal is to lose weight, complimenting it with diet can help a lot. You can consult a fitness professional to recommend the right fat burner should you decide to take one. I am currently trying out Capsinesis. A product endorsed by Biggest Loser Philippines Coach Toni Saret.

Sunday, November 08, 2015

Tips when buying from Lazada Philippines

Online store Lazada Philippines offers exclusive daily deals from its website and mobile application. For faster access anytime, anywhere, make sure to download the Lazada mobile application.


Buying tips for newbies

Of course, when buying online, you want to get the best deal as possible. Here are some pointers to help you out:

1. Note of the Special Promotions

What makes Lazada an interesting site to shop-in are its various mobile app promotions. Some of these deals will require you to download (or access) the Lazada Mobile App to avail them.

Whether you want to buy something for yourself, a gift item, or for your business peers, these deals won't put a big hole on your pocket.

Download (or access) the Lazada Mobile App to be able to get the latest deals once it goes live. Usually, sale items are on limited stocks only and return to its regular promotion rate afterwards.

2. Check out the discount codes.

If you follow the Lazada Philippines Facebook Page, you will often see discount codes being given out. A big chunk of these though can be used on your mobile device. So make sure to download the Lazada Mobile App.

3. Know the "sale" dates.

In Lazada Philippines, they have sale dates too including:

a. MasterCard Mondays (which you can also access from the Lazada Mobile App) that allows buyers to get an additional 10% discount when buying items online.

b. They also have Payday Sale where you can get items at 80% off.

4. If there is a product or item that you got to like, search it within the site.

As a product can come from several suppliers, it can happen that there are several listings of it in the database and may have varying prices. Choose the best price for you. :)

5. If you are #TeamBahay, availing of "cash on delivery" is convenient.

Make sure to leave a reminder to a household member in case you need to go out to avoid missing deliveries.

If you are a busy person, best to pay ahead using the various payment options so you will just wait for the product to be delivered.

Lazada Philippines typically sends a text message informing you that your delivery is on the way. Please make sure to give your mobile number correctly to be kept posted.

Remember to leave your ID and authorization letter in case you will not be around to receive your delivery package.

Be realistic on the delivery dates though as some suppliers tend to get overwhelmed with the volume of orders they get (on big sale dates, this usually reaches up to x20 of their normal daily volume). In the end, it is the sellers who ships the order to the customer (unless they availed of warehouse & logistics service of Lazada).

Will update this article further and add more tips.