24 February 2010
Some Basic Online Work Words that I Will be Discussing
Here are my most favorite topics about online work that I will be discussing time and time again. If anything, I have started on some posts already. This is posted for those who intend to learn more about working online. This post will be expanded time and time again, depending on trends that will commonly crop up when you are an Online Filipino Worker.
SEO - is Search Engine Optimization. What you do on or for your website to be found when searched on Google and the other search engines. This includes fixing the website to be easily scanned by search spiders, posting great content in the site, posting informative SEO articles in other websites, getting other sites to link to your website, etc. etc.
Web Usability - making your website easy to use for the internet user. This involves: putting simple and understandable information, making choosing options easy, clear info what will happen when a user clicks this or encodes that, having the most important element, such as a button or table, in the right place easily seen by the user, etc.
Web Analytics - collection and analysis of all the data happening in your website. Use the data to improve your users' experience and your sales or sign-ups.
Web Conversion - When your users convert/ do something in favor of your company's objective, such as buying, signing up as member, subscribing to your newsletter, etc.
Conversion Rate Optimization - All the efforts you do to increase the percentage of sales/ conversions vis-a-vis the number of visitors in your website. To optimize conversions, you usually tweak your website's usability, copywriting, testing, analytics, etc.
Web Copywriting - Writing persuasive text in your web page that will make readers convert/ do something in favor of your website's objectives.
A/B Testing/ Multivariate Testing - Presenting to users different versions of 1 webpage to see which version leads to more conversions/ sale/ sign-ups/ etc. Testing which web page version is the most effective.
There are other virtual online work such as programming, admin tasks, customer service and the like, but I will focus more on the ones above as these are the main tasks I do.
Other words I will usually use:
If I say traffic, most likely I am not referring to the heavy volume of cars on the road, but the number of people that pass through the website. These are the same people I refer to when I say, audience, users, readers, etc.
Copy is not nicking your classmates answers in the test, but the written text of a web page, advertisement, etc.
A little request from OFW Din: If you liked this post, please click the cute buttons below the title. It will let Google and the others know you sent me some love.
SEO - is Search Engine Optimization. What you do on or for your website to be found when searched on Google and the other search engines. This includes fixing the website to be easily scanned by search spiders, posting great content in the site, posting informative SEO articles in other websites, getting other sites to link to your website, etc. etc.
Web Usability - making your website easy to use for the internet user. This involves: putting simple and understandable information, making choosing options easy, clear info what will happen when a user clicks this or encodes that, having the most important element, such as a button or table, in the right place easily seen by the user, etc.
Web Analytics - collection and analysis of all the data happening in your website. Use the data to improve your users' experience and your sales or sign-ups.
Web Conversion - When your users convert/ do something in favor of your company's objective, such as buying, signing up as member, subscribing to your newsletter, etc.
Conversion Rate Optimization - All the efforts you do to increase the percentage of sales/ conversions vis-a-vis the number of visitors in your website. To optimize conversions, you usually tweak your website's usability, copywriting, testing, analytics, etc.
Web Copywriting - Writing persuasive text in your web page that will make readers convert/ do something in favor of your website's objectives.
A/B Testing/ Multivariate Testing - Presenting to users different versions of 1 webpage to see which version leads to more conversions/ sale/ sign-ups/ etc. Testing which web page version is the most effective.
There are other virtual online work such as programming, admin tasks, customer service and the like, but I will focus more on the ones above as these are the main tasks I do.
Other words I will usually use:
If I say traffic, most likely I am not referring to the heavy volume of cars on the road, but the number of people that pass through the website. These are the same people I refer to when I say, audience, users, readers, etc.
Copy is not nicking your classmates answers in the test, but the written text of a web page, advertisement, etc.
A little request from OFW Din: If you liked this post, please click the cute buttons below the title. It will let Google and the others know you sent me some love.
20 February 2010
How Did I Start with Online Work?
I found out about online working about 2003 or 2004. I knew it was happening in the US, but I doubted if there would be something similar in the Philippines. I read all about the different online gigs, but none looked stable enough to do on a regular basis. I also had no idea about the secret-identity-ed Filipinos doing this for a living.
Funny enough, I would have the tip from an offline source. I was reading an article from News Break, a reputable investigative journalism magazine. I read about the story of a telecommuting writer. The subject mentioned he had 2 regular writing projects and that it was pretty challenging. He also mentioned his monthly income: twice mine.
Being a writer and a graphic designer, I knew I had what it takes to work from home. Somehow, things happened that finally prodded me to jump into an uncertain world. I resigned from my work, and I actively looked for a regular online job.
It was to be a pretty tough year ahead. I scoured all websites I can get my cursor on. It was a big learning experience. I learned that real time ways of doing some things do not apply online. I felt the pressure of bagging jobs immediately because funds were running low.
I finally got my first regular gig 10 months after I resigned. It was all worth the wait because the client was very kind yet smart, and the industry involved was something quite close to my heart.
Now I'm hooked. I have no plans whatsoever of going back to the regular onsite 9-6 grind. If anything, I'm happier now than ever.
A little request from OFW Din: If you liked this post, please click the cute buttons below the title. It will let Google and the others know you sent me some love.
Funny enough, I would have the tip from an offline source. I was reading an article from News Break, a reputable investigative journalism magazine. I read about the story of a telecommuting writer. The subject mentioned he had 2 regular writing projects and that it was pretty challenging. He also mentioned his monthly income: twice mine.
Being a writer and a graphic designer, I knew I had what it takes to work from home. Somehow, things happened that finally prodded me to jump into an uncertain world. I resigned from my work, and I actively looked for a regular online job.
It was to be a pretty tough year ahead. I scoured all websites I can get my cursor on. It was a big learning experience. I learned that real time ways of doing some things do not apply online. I felt the pressure of bagging jobs immediately because funds were running low.
I finally got my first regular gig 10 months after I resigned. It was all worth the wait because the client was very kind yet smart, and the industry involved was something quite close to my heart.
Now I'm hooked. I have no plans whatsoever of going back to the regular onsite 9-6 grind. If anything, I'm happier now than ever.
A little request from OFW Din: If you liked this post, please click the cute buttons below the title. It will let Google and the others know you sent me some love.
18 February 2010
Online Filipino Workers: Do you still Use the Computer to Relax?
Online Filipino Workers are in front of the computer 25 hours a day. So the question is, do you still use the computer to relax?
Me, I make it a point to not stay by the computer during week-ends. That is my only time away from it. However, when I want to relax and spend some me-time during weekdays, I while away my amusement also in front of the computer.
Which sites does a typical online worker go to?
Well, my favorite site of all is Plurk. It has been formatted in a way that you grow friendships in Plurk.
There is Facebook, but I only play 1 cute Playfish game in it. I do not really participate.
Then there is StumbleUpon. You get the cutest pieces to pop out on your monitor fromStumbleUpon, that randomly shuffles pages you might like and presents it to you whenever you feel like it.
The others are random things I usually want to find out about, such as recipes, Hollywood news, etc.
On weekends, I so want to stay away from the computer but still want to interact in Plurk, so I use my mobile. Yes, it is cheating.
I imagine that I can stay away from the computer during weekends, because I have regular gigs. But for the Filipino online worker who constantly markets the self, Saturdays and Sundays are not exempt to check those mail boxes for inquiries or questions.
A little request from OFW Din: If you liked this post, please click the cute buttons below the title. It will let Google and the others know you sent me some love.
Me, I make it a point to not stay by the computer during week-ends. That is my only time away from it. However, when I want to relax and spend some me-time during weekdays, I while away my amusement also in front of the computer.
Which sites does a typical online worker go to?
Well, my favorite site of all is Plurk. It has been formatted in a way that you grow friendships in Plurk.
There is Facebook, but I only play 1 cute Playfish game in it. I do not really participate.
Then there is StumbleUpon. You get the cutest pieces to pop out on your monitor fromStumbleUpon, that randomly shuffles pages you might like and presents it to you whenever you feel like it.
The others are random things I usually want to find out about, such as recipes, Hollywood news, etc.
On weekends, I so want to stay away from the computer but still want to interact in Plurk, so I use my mobile. Yes, it is cheating.
I imagine that I can stay away from the computer during weekends, because I have regular gigs. But for the Filipino online worker who constantly markets the self, Saturdays and Sundays are not exempt to check those mail boxes for inquiries or questions.
A little request from OFW Din: If you liked this post, please click the cute buttons below the title. It will let Google and the others know you sent me some love.
15 February 2010
Why Do Subscribers Need to Enter their Email Address Again?
I'm a little weirded out.
I'm a subscriber of several conversion optimization newsletters. I read in one of the newsletters I received that there was a nice webinar and I wanted to sign up. So I clicked the link, and a long form flashes in front of me. I had to fill up this long form, when I already gave away this info when I subscribed to them. Truth to tell, I've filled up this form for them gazillions of times already.
I am mostly patient with things like this. It's disappointing though, because if you're a very much established conversion optimization company, why are your forms not optimized to convert?
09 February 2010
The Binondo Food Massacre : Northern Style Dumplings
One advantage to being an Online Filipino Worker is you can up and go anytime as long as skeds are manageable.
Yesterday, I went out with my 2 besties and we headed out to Binondo, Manila (Manila's Chinatown) for a DIY Binondo food trip. My friend had prepared a looong list of yum stopovers. I was quite doubtful whether we'd even have the digestive space to eat from all of those establishments. I've been detoxing for 2 weeks now and I wasn't too hot at the idea of swallowing an assortment of food. However, this was our christmas party, new year's party, valentines date and bday party for 1 bestie all rolled into 1: I was antsy to spend the day with the best friends. The food is a side bonus.
Anyway, with all the relaxed conversation and walking between the eating, all we got to go to were only 4 establishments. So this'll be the 1st article about it. I expect more. I didn't expect to blog about it so I didn't document at all (Boo.) . Missing names and streets (Boo again.) to follow.
First we had Northern style dumplings at 2 joints.
We were the 1st customers at Tasty Restaurant near the Binondo Church. The place was quite nice and neat for a Chinatown restaurant. We ordered dumplings and a pork dish similar to pata tim. I also ordered seaweed. Too sweet for my taste, but yum under regular circumstances.
We passed by Carvajal Street to get to Yuchengco Street. Carvajal is narrow street, just a tiny opening in the grand scheme of Chinatown things, but it will attract your attention because it is indeed a very busy street. It should be a must-visit place for all foodies who cook. The fresh Chinese ingredients were all there in Carvajal. Fruits, veggies, seafood and assorted Chinese ingredients were there. I got an eye-full of sea cucumbers and sea weeds. I wonder what ingredients I'll see next time. Cooking foodies, before you go to Carvajal, research your recipes with sea cucumber and sea weeds so you're prepared to pick the ingredients you want to take home next time.
I also bought kiwi and strawberries at affordable prices from Carvajal. And when I got home, it was only then that I observed how big and pretty and firm the strawberries were. The next morning, I ate only 2 strawberries for breakfast. It was yum. (Yup, it was that big.)
We'll be returning to Carvajal for Quick Snack's noodles, also at that same street so I'll definitely be back. We didn't eat at Quick Snack even if it was on our list because we were full.
I really wanted to sample the Northern style food first, and I wanted to savor the food before I got too full.
My friend noted that 1 restaurant mostly had Northern style food so off we trooped to Yuchengco Street. At the window of the Dong Bei Restaurant, you will be welcomed to the sight of a cook preparing the shallot dumplings and lovingly pressing the dumpling dough. Looked yummy. There we tried the dumplings again. Plus we ordered the shallot and pork pancakes. Yum. The dip was delicious. It's similar to lumpia vinegar-soy dip but not too sour or salty or spicy, or oily. I can't describe it, only that it tasted just right. They had other rice dishes but we were not interested since we were full.
By then we were interested with what tea they were serving. The staff said it was oolong. I liked the tea because it was aromatic but not strong. It was the type you can chug the whole day instead of water. The kind staff then offered they were also selling bags of it. My bestfriend bought a bag from them for only P100. The staff were also kind enough to give us instructions. The P100 bag is well worth it. They placed it in a big ziplock bag, and gave us an extra container if we wanted to share among ourselves.
Overall, this restaurant isn't as snazzy-looking as Tasty, but the price, taste of food and staff service are excellent.
- more next time-
Yesterday, I went out with my 2 besties and we headed out to Binondo, Manila (Manila's Chinatown) for a DIY Binondo food trip. My friend had prepared a looong list of yum stopovers. I was quite doubtful whether we'd even have the digestive space to eat from all of those establishments. I've been detoxing for 2 weeks now and I wasn't too hot at the idea of swallowing an assortment of food. However, this was our christmas party, new year's party, valentines date and bday party for 1 bestie all rolled into 1: I was antsy to spend the day with the best friends. The food is a side bonus.
Anyway, with all the relaxed conversation and walking between the eating, all we got to go to were only 4 establishments. So this'll be the 1st article about it. I expect more. I didn't expect to blog about it so I didn't document at all (Boo.) . Missing names and streets (Boo again.) to follow.
First we had Northern style dumplings at 2 joints.
We were the 1st customers at Tasty Restaurant near the Binondo Church. The place was quite nice and neat for a Chinatown restaurant. We ordered dumplings and a pork dish similar to pata tim. I also ordered seaweed. Too sweet for my taste, but yum under regular circumstances.
We passed by Carvajal Street to get to Yuchengco Street. Carvajal is narrow street, just a tiny opening in the grand scheme of Chinatown things, but it will attract your attention because it is indeed a very busy street. It should be a must-visit place for all foodies who cook. The fresh Chinese ingredients were all there in Carvajal. Fruits, veggies, seafood and assorted Chinese ingredients were there. I got an eye-full of sea cucumbers and sea weeds. I wonder what ingredients I'll see next time. Cooking foodies, before you go to Carvajal, research your recipes with sea cucumber and sea weeds so you're prepared to pick the ingredients you want to take home next time.
I also bought kiwi and strawberries at affordable prices from Carvajal. And when I got home, it was only then that I observed how big and pretty and firm the strawberries were. The next morning, I ate only 2 strawberries for breakfast. It was yum. (Yup, it was that big.)
We'll be returning to Carvajal for Quick Snack's noodles, also at that same street so I'll definitely be back. We didn't eat at Quick Snack even if it was on our list because we were full.
I really wanted to sample the Northern style food first, and I wanted to savor the food before I got too full.
My friend noted that 1 restaurant mostly had Northern style food so off we trooped to Yuchengco Street. At the window of the Dong Bei Restaurant, you will be welcomed to the sight of a cook preparing the shallot dumplings and lovingly pressing the dumpling dough. Looked yummy. There we tried the dumplings again. Plus we ordered the shallot and pork pancakes. Yum. The dip was delicious. It's similar to lumpia vinegar-soy dip but not too sour or salty or spicy, or oily. I can't describe it, only that it tasted just right. They had other rice dishes but we were not interested since we were full.
By then we were interested with what tea they were serving. The staff said it was oolong. I liked the tea because it was aromatic but not strong. It was the type you can chug the whole day instead of water. The kind staff then offered they were also selling bags of it. My bestfriend bought a bag from them for only P100. The staff were also kind enough to give us instructions. The P100 bag is well worth it. They placed it in a big ziplock bag, and gave us an extra container if we wanted to share among ourselves.
Overall, this restaurant isn't as snazzy-looking as Tasty, but the price, taste of food and staff service are excellent.
- more next time-
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
