30 April 2010
Do Feelings When Placing Bids Help you Get Online Work?
I don't know why, but I feel blissy when I bid for projects.
Pretend-new age geek that I am, I feel that when I bid on projects feeling blissful and peaceful, I am much more inclined to win the project.
When I am all frazzled out and stressed and pressured, MORE especially when there are bills to be paid, I don't get new projects.
But when I am all inspired and feeling moneyed and just all smiley in my heart, I immediately see a notice that the buyer is interested in availing my services.
How about you, would you rather smile or pressure yourself when applying for a project?
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Pretend-new age geek that I am, I feel that when I bid on projects feeling blissful and peaceful, I am much more inclined to win the project.
When I am all frazzled out and stressed and pressured, MORE especially when there are bills to be paid, I don't get new projects.
But when I am all inspired and feeling moneyed and just all smiley in my heart, I immediately see a notice that the buyer is interested in availing my services.
How about you, would you rather smile or pressure yourself when applying for a project?
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23 April 2010
Typo Ghosties can Come Back to Haunt You
Start your website right. From the start and while it's running, use correct spellings on ALL your copy and optimizing tags. Do not dismiss this as "oh, it's just one tiny error." But you do it the next time and you still say "Oh, it's just a small error." And you do it again. And again. And again.
Years later, you have a big fully running website that is highly optimized for SEO. And you can't figure out why your site does not appear in the searches. Then, to your horror, you find yourself in a Google search alright, but with typos!
Typos make your website look unprofessional. This can hurt your sales/ conversions. How can people trust you with their credit card numbers if you can't even go the extra mile with correct spelling? Not all people are great with spelling, true, but it can be addressed with a little effort.
In addition, because of typos, you can't be found when people look you up. Unless someone also got the spelling wrong when they search for you, then you will be. But you will lose a lot of customers because most of them take care to type in the correct spelling so they can get the correct provider they need. So you'll be out of the ball game before they start. Only because of a simple neglect to run a spell check or to look up a word in the dictionary.
So be prudent. Invest very little time to correct typos as you do a page. Years later, you will be glad you did so. You may not be able to see all errors while working, but the next time you do see one, do correct it ASAP so search engines will be better able to find you.
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Years later, you have a big fully running website that is highly optimized for SEO. And you can't figure out why your site does not appear in the searches. Then, to your horror, you find yourself in a Google search alright, but with typos!
Typos make your website look unprofessional. This can hurt your sales/ conversions. How can people trust you with their credit card numbers if you can't even go the extra mile with correct spelling? Not all people are great with spelling, true, but it can be addressed with a little effort.
In addition, because of typos, you can't be found when people look you up. Unless someone also got the spelling wrong when they search for you, then you will be. But you will lose a lot of customers because most of them take care to type in the correct spelling so they can get the correct provider they need. So you'll be out of the ball game before they start. Only because of a simple neglect to run a spell check or to look up a word in the dictionary.
So be prudent. Invest very little time to correct typos as you do a page. Years later, you will be glad you did so. You may not be able to see all errors while working, but the next time you do see one, do correct it ASAP so search engines will be better able to find you.
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17 April 2010
Thanks, IBlog6
I attended the sessions of IBlog6 yesterday at Malcolm Hall in UP. When one lives under the rock and just peers at the monitor all day, a blog conference is mighty welcome.
On the resource persons, I was amazed that these people who wrote so well ALSO spoke well. That was kewl.
Thank you to the speakers and organizers. I learned some new things and most importantly, was rejuvenated on committing to my blogs.
And of course, kudos to UP isaw. When you go to UP, don't miss this uniquely marinated and surprisingly soft Pinoy grilled deli.
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On the resource persons, I was amazed that these people who wrote so well ALSO spoke well. That was kewl.
Thank you to the speakers and organizers. I learned some new things and most importantly, was rejuvenated on committing to my blogs.
And of course, kudos to UP isaw. When you go to UP, don't miss this uniquely marinated and surprisingly soft Pinoy grilled deli.
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08 April 2010
Yay! Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valour) is Respected this 2010!
The good news is our Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration falls on its exact date this year.
Only because it fell on a Friday.
--
One of the things that irk me a lot is the disrespect of moving historical holidays to the nearest Friday or Monday.
A lot of times in the past 10 years, the Day of Valour in the Philippines (April 9) is not important enough. The commemoration always gets moved a day or two, to accommodate a religious group's week-long holiday.
I'm offended, really. How dare anyone just change a day that remembers how our grandfathers and grnadmothers died horrible deaths protecting this country's independence 60 years ago?
You can change holidays. Long week-ends will be good for tourism, says the intrimitida officials.
Okay fine. I hope somebody changes your birthdays and see how that feels.
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Only because it fell on a Friday.
--
One of the things that irk me a lot is the disrespect of moving historical holidays to the nearest Friday or Monday.
A lot of times in the past 10 years, the Day of Valour in the Philippines (April 9) is not important enough. The commemoration always gets moved a day or two, to accommodate a religious group's week-long holiday.
I'm offended, really. How dare anyone just change a day that remembers how our grandfathers and grnadmothers died horrible deaths protecting this country's independence 60 years ago?
You can change holidays. Long week-ends will be good for tourism, says the intrimitida officials.
Okay fine. I hope somebody changes your birthdays and see how that feels.
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01 April 2010
Emo-ing on the Pricing System of Writing Online
I know my future contractors will come across this article and may take it as a point against me, but I plead for everybody to hear me out first.
Writing articles or books is a difficult task. It takes effort and brain power, especially if you're writing something that is very structured and formal.
So I am wondering why writers are willing to exert so much effort in exchange for 3 dollars, 2 dollars,1 dollar. And they're supposed to be super grateful when they do $5 each for an article.
Call me a slow writer if you will, but here is a typical set of tasks for me to accomplish a 500-word article:
- Reading around the topic EVEN IF it is one of my expertise topics. Thinking.
- Writing a draft. Thinking.
- Looking for official documents if possible, if not, a verifiable 3rd party source. For internet marketing articles, I look for information through about 2-5 books in my collection. And these books are the newest in the industry and cost money too. Thinking.
- Cross checking information again. Thinking.
- We-write. Thinking.
- More changes. Thinking.
- Final look. Oh, I don't want to think at this point anymore. :-)
If you were the one to do these steps, you would not think all that time and effort is worth $5, no? Moreso, $3, $2, $1. The electricity you used to use the computer for this wouldn't even be covered with that amount.
The pricing system for online writing is a tragedy.
$10 for a more personal piece with less research is okay. But $5 for a fully-researched, well-structured article does not cover it, folks. Sorry...
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25 March 2010
Drowning in Analytics? What to Look For
In my almost 2 years of handling Google Analytics, I feel sometimes that I'm going on and on, around and around with data, and still feel, at the end of the day, that I do not know a website's customers.
Sometimes, I do feel that, especially when there is one product that I cannot figure out why people are buying so much, or not at all. I will be totally honest. I have looked at what they look at, looked at what they buy, walked backwards to see how they moved forward in the store, but still somehow, something may be amiss.
In Avinash Kaushik's Analytics an Hour a Day, he clarifies what one should look for in tracking analytics. It is only now that I realize, I'm not lost. I'm on the right track, it's just that I see the trees for the forest. There are days when I face a different aspect of analytics, and another aspect on another day. Then I totally forget to see the bigger picture and the implications to sell off a product.
I'm sure most of you analytics specialists are already doing these, but lemme just lay it out in 1 little space.
What to look for in monitoring analytics:
1) What does your customer want from your site?
2) When customer gets to the store, what does he do there?
3) Was the sale closed?
You will find that there are different data involved here. You will have to combine different information from different sources. The ones below are simplest, easiest ways to get metrics but of course there are more methods.
What does the customer want from you in the first place? Some ways to find out:
- Ask customers. Personally or through forms. You can do it, don't be shy.
- What did the customers click? You can see this through the map overlay. You'll see which buttons or categories that people really like.
What does the customer do in your site?
- Your analytics software will be mainly in charge here. Keep those eyes open.
The end sale or conversion. Did you bag it?
- You can check your analytics' e-commerce section here or your website's accounting system for sales closed.
- You should also read the numbers from sales generated from offline methods.
Then put into consideration all your marketing and sales operation, on and offline and hopefully the trees AND the forest help you make crucial decisions to further your company's purpose.
Thank you Avinash for the enlightenment. :-)
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Sometimes, I do feel that, especially when there is one product that I cannot figure out why people are buying so much, or not at all. I will be totally honest. I have looked at what they look at, looked at what they buy, walked backwards to see how they moved forward in the store, but still somehow, something may be amiss.
In Avinash Kaushik's Analytics an Hour a Day, he clarifies what one should look for in tracking analytics. It is only now that I realize, I'm not lost. I'm on the right track, it's just that I see the trees for the forest. There are days when I face a different aspect of analytics, and another aspect on another day. Then I totally forget to see the bigger picture and the implications to sell off a product.
I'm sure most of you analytics specialists are already doing these, but lemme just lay it out in 1 little space.
What to look for in monitoring analytics:
1) What does your customer want from your site?
2) When customer gets to the store, what does he do there?
3) Was the sale closed?
You will find that there are different data involved here. You will have to combine different information from different sources. The ones below are simplest, easiest ways to get metrics but of course there are more methods.
What does the customer want from you in the first place? Some ways to find out:
- Ask customers. Personally or through forms. You can do it, don't be shy.
- What did the customers click? You can see this through the map overlay. You'll see which buttons or categories that people really like.
What does the customer do in your site?
- Your analytics software will be mainly in charge here. Keep those eyes open.
The end sale or conversion. Did you bag it?
- You can check your analytics' e-commerce section here or your website's accounting system for sales closed.
- You should also read the numbers from sales generated from offline methods.
Then put into consideration all your marketing and sales operation, on and offline and hopefully the trees AND the forest help you make crucial decisions to further your company's purpose.
Thank you Avinash for the enlightenment. :-)
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23 March 2010
Xoom will no Longer Accept Paypal
Attention, Online Filipino Workers:
If you have clients/ contractors who are sending you your payments through Xoom paying with Paypal, might as well give them the heads up that Xoom will no longer accept Paypal payments.
Odd thing is it will be effective immediately. As in tomorrow! (March 24, 2010)
I wonder why there's no time allowance on this. Plus I don't know if it's just for the Philippines, or if other countries are still allowed to. There's a number at the bottom of picture below if you need clarifications.
Oh well, I hope you all won't have sticky issues with payment and everything will be well.
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If you have clients/ contractors who are sending you your payments through Xoom paying with Paypal, might as well give them the heads up that Xoom will no longer accept Paypal payments.
Odd thing is it will be effective immediately. As in tomorrow! (March 24, 2010)
I wonder why there's no time allowance on this. Plus I don't know if it's just for the Philippines, or if other countries are still allowed to. There's a number at the bottom of picture below if you need clarifications.
Oh well, I hope you all won't have sticky issues with payment and everything will be well.
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22 March 2010
The Silliest Argument to Not Vote for Villar
I am constantly weirded out when people say, "Oh Villar has spent a lot on his campaign. If he wins, he will surely earn the money he spent on the elections back by corruption."
WTH???
If you are a genius at earning sooooo much legitimate money, why the hell will you suddenly want to earn criminal money? And in the public eye, as president?
Come on. Even if you seem stupid for thinking that muck up, you wouldn't be that stupid. Heller.
Bobo lang ang gumagawa ng ganyang garapal na katangahan if you have/ are related to the highest power in the land. (Ehehehe, you know who you are. Yes, you're stupid.)
Kasi naman Manny, ang weird naman talaga. I do believe the steep increase in your wealth while in Congress and the Senate is due to the meeting a lot of different people as a government official. If you have a big network, you see a lot of financial opportunities to strike on. I believe it's all legitimate, but still, this post hoc fallacy leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
I do believe in (not the exact words) "Those who lead, should not have. And those who have, should not lead." Dude, if you win, Please stop your money-generating projects first. It'll still be there when you get out after 6 years.
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WTH???
If you are a genius at earning sooooo much legitimate money, why the hell will you suddenly want to earn criminal money? And in the public eye, as president?
Come on. Even if you seem stupid for thinking that muck up, you wouldn't be that stupid. Heller.
Bobo lang ang gumagawa ng ganyang garapal na katangahan if you have/ are related to the highest power in the land. (Ehehehe, you know who you are. Yes, you're stupid.)
Kasi naman Manny, ang weird naman talaga. I do believe the steep increase in your wealth while in Congress and the Senate is due to the meeting a lot of different people as a government official. If you have a big network, you see a lot of financial opportunities to strike on. I believe it's all legitimate, but still, this post hoc fallacy leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
I do believe in (not the exact words) "Those who lead, should not have. And those who have, should not lead." Dude, if you win, Please stop your money-generating projects first. It'll still be there when you get out after 6 years.
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Public Service : Fastfood Delivery Hotlines in Metro Manila Philippines
If you're looking for delivery hotline numbers, I hope this post helps.
If I have posted an old delivery hotline number, please point out which has been updated so I can change it, thanks.
(According to main food item)
BURGERS
Jollibee Delivery – 8-7000
McDonald’s – 8MCDO, that's 8-6236
Wendy’s Hamburgers – 533-3333
PIZZA
CHICKEN
Kenny Rogers Roasters Delivery – 533-8888
KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) – 887-8888
Max’s Restaurant – 7-9000
CAKES and PASTRIES , etc.
Goldilocks Bakeshop – 888-1-999
Red Ribbon Bakeshop Delivery– 8-7777
CHINESE
North Park Noodle House Delivery – 73737
Chowking – 9-8888
---
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BURGERS
Jollibee Delivery – 8-7000
McDonald’s – 8MCDO, that's 8-6236
Wendy’s Hamburgers – 533-3333
PIZZA
Pizza Hut Delivery – 911-1111
Greenwich Pizza – 5-5555
Yellow Cab Pizza - 789-9999
Domino’s (now called Angel's) – 922-2222
Shakey’s Pizza – 77-7777
Shakey’s Pizza – 77-7777
CHICKEN
Kenny Rogers Roasters Delivery – 533-8888
KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) – 887-8888
Max’s Restaurant – 7-9000
CAKES and PASTRIES , etc.
Goldilocks Bakeshop – 888-1-999
Red Ribbon Bakeshop Delivery– 8-7777
CHINESE
North Park Noodle House Delivery – 73737
Chowking – 9-8888
---
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How Many Potential Customers Can a Fastfood Website Lose?
I have griped before about fastfood websites in the Philippines to cut the fancy shmancy features of their websites because their audience is most likely hungry. I will repeat, hungry or craving people need only
1) A BIG delivery hotline number
2) Prices of available items
3) Posting your delivery charges in a prominent place is a nice touch.
And all the info should load immediately.
Anything more that takes up loading time and click time is unnecessary.
Specially, if the food you're offering is in season, your website should at least be up and have a contact number.
- -
The other day, my sister sent me an SMS message asking me for the delivery number of Chow King. It was very hot and Chow King's halo-halo seemed like a good idea. She knew I'm online most of the day so it's easy for me to look and text her back. Lo and behold! The site was down (still is today). Tsk tsk. I'm sure it's not just my sister who wanted to order from them and will use the net to look for the number. There are hundreds, if not thousands, who have googled chowking for their delivery number.
Yeah, let's see... To be pakielamera about it, let's demonstrate to Chow King how much profit they would have missed.
Google searches for this month:
Chowking hotline - 1 000
chowking philippines - 1 900
chowking menu - 2 900 and drumroll, please
chowking - 49 500
Who would type the words "hotline" and "menu"? People who want to BUY. As in, right now. Conversions (or that final sale) are SURE when they type hotline and menu. They are not out to get something from Chowking, like applying for a job, but they want to PAY Chow King for food. And they will not take days or multiple visits to decide whether they want to buy halo-halo. They want to order and pay right now.
Put a conservative estimate of percentage from that audience that typed in the plain "chowking" . How much of that 49,500 searched to order food from them? Now multiply by average order in Pesos.
It's halo-halo time, Chow King people. You should have at least a 1-page website up.
Last free tip: Add to your "sorry for the inconvenience page" your BIG contact number. And if you're really nice, why not add some food items and prices at the side as well, instead of that expensive website being totally worthless and punishing customers to look for your number elsewhere.
If you are really sorry, you should give the people what they need even if you still don't have those spinning pics up.
And if you stumbled upon my post looking for their contact information, Chow King's delivery number is 9-8888.
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