Online Writing for Development Issues, Causes

I've been putting together in my head the best practices of writing for development issues these past few weeks.  Of course, the usability principles are the same. It's just that those I've been seeing are writing in the pyramid style.  Inverted pyramid writing is easier to use for online readers (where the most important topics go at the top and is mentioned first).  Headlines I usually see are just events, dates and personality-centered.  I've seen these too much I can easily go on auto-shut off when I see any more.

If we are to be honest, in terms of usability, a headline saying "(Insert name of org official here) attends (insert name of conference here)"  is useless information for an interested development worker. I think even the person mentioned won't read that article either. 

I just wonder really how much of a use it is for readers (even colleagues, yes) to find out the top official went to this or that. These conferences gather the best think tanks in the world, I'm sure tons of  interesting/ relevant resolutions or recommendations are done in these workshops and conferences. Why not focus on new resolutions/ recommendations so that development people immediately get an idea what happened, then just conveniently insert the official attended this or that?

And I'm sure, our top officials, down to earth great leaders they are, are embarrassed (or sick) of seeing their names over and over in lame headlines.  I think they would really appreciate their names alongside with a highly relevant development resolution in a headline. 


Please subscribe for free online marketing tips, geeky funnies and Pinoy living info
Subscribe to Online Filipino Worker - OFW Din!

Black Hat SEO doesn't Work. (Yes, stating the obvious.)

So I just saw this ad for online workers looking for "Black Hat SEO"

Of course, the client wanted to be on top of the Google search results.  It was a strange request, to use questionable means to be no. 1 at the list.  If this were true, the person needed to be explained to that black hat techniques are easily monitored AND penalized.  That is, Google bans you and all the efforts you did to cheat will lead to your page not being indexed at all.

The strange thing is, because of the big budget allotted, online workers were actually bidding to do the project.

Tsk tsk. As an online worker, isn't it a given that you should be looking out for a client's best interests?  By taking care of a client, and providing legitimate advice and expertise, the big budget projects will follow you around later.  

Please subscribe for free online marketing tips, geeky funnies and Pinoy living info
Subscribe to Online Filipino Worker - OFW Din!

Pilipinas Kay Ganda Website Disaster Could Have Been Totally Avoided

I had the usual reaction over the new Department of Tourism campaign, about using a slogan that is not immediately recognizable to its target audience, blablabla, and that was the end of it.

My hair stood on its end though when I heard the news that the Pilipinas kay Ganda website URL, beautifulpilipinas.com, would lead to a porn site if you change one letter in the URL.

I was wondering why this mishap happened. Ok fine, I admit I'm indignant about it.

For us web developers who are also concerned about Usability and Search Engine Optimization, I believe URLs should be carefully chosen.  It represents yourself, organization, and in this case, your country.  New website names should be chosen :

1)  to immediately tell what the site is about
2)  for ease of use of the target users
3)  for easy finding of search engines or SEO

1)  Immediately tell what the site is about


I encourage anybody who wants to set up any webpage, whether a free blogspot account or a paid domain to carefully think over and list a bunch URLs.  Your URL or website name should clearly state what your website is all about.  For beautifulpilipinas, fine.  That passed that step.

2)  My next consideration, for usability:

• Is your chosen name easy to remember?  
• Is it short or at least an acceptable length?
• Did you put in dashes, underscores or numbers that might confuse your searchers?  Note that these are fine, as long as kept to a minimum and easy to remember.
• Are you using spellings that might confuse your searchers?
• Are there synonyms, same words with different meaning, that might confuse your users?

And the last 2 points is where things went awry.  Pilipinas, that stands for a country, can also stand for persons, the Pilipina. Westernize the words. Filipinas is also used to stand for our country, and course our women are more popularly called Filipina here and in other countries.

3.  Optimize for Search Engines  

To optimize your URL for search engines, it is as simple as following steps 1 and 2. But there are other things your web-developer should do in this step, and that could have avoided the disaster of the tourism website.

For the web developers-marketers part, we practice a standard procedure of searching out the potential URLs that can be used where we find:

-  related keywords being searched

-  how many searches have been done for the searched keywords in the past month or year

-  etc. etc.

This way, you can advice the client what may happen when using a particular URL, and let the client choose what suits the purpose.

Some people would prefer using the barely searched keyword, and is willing to take on the challenge of  getting people to visit. If people pick it up, then only you will be identified with that keyword.  Other people prefer to be safer, and will pick names with keywords already being searched.  

With this step alone, you will quickly see there are no searches for beautifulpilipinas.  Free advice:  Since the Philippines' tourism has been around for sometime you can think up and search for more words that people are actually using now when they want to visit or vacation in the Philippines.  Then you can think more of what words can be used for your taglines, etc.

Now search for beautifulfilipinas and you will see the obvious.  Lots of searches, and other keywords with searches are "beautiful filipina", "beautiful filipina women", and "dating filipina".  By now, even if you cannot imagine these could lead to a porn site, you will at least get that the country's synonym stands for its women as well.  And it is easy to read, what is being pertained to here is another kind of tourism industry that is not so wholesome as the Department of Tourism would prefer.
- -

Looking at it another way, the real winner in this situation is the website owner of  beautifulfilipinas.com because, by applying these simple steps mentioned above, now an entire country is looking at their homepage.  Lucky bastards.

Please subscribe for free online marketing tips, geeky funnies and Pinoy living info
Subscribe to Online Filipino Worker - OFW Din!

Filipino Inventions at QC Circle Nov.15-21, 2010

 Filipino Inventions and Inventors deserve the recognition so I want to go to this.  I have work even on holidays for now, so I hope to go this week-end.  I just want to show my appreciation and I really think it's our patriotic duty to let others know about this.

Love our own.  It's about time we had something like this. Visit Quezon City Circle this Nov.15-21 and show your support.  Please forward this info to those who get suppliers for construction, agriculture, health and wellness, transport, safety devices, energy sources and miscellaneous items. 

Please subscribe for free online marketing tips, geeky funnies and Pinoy living info
Subscribe to Online Filipino Worker - OFW Din!

Another Kind of Online Marketing

Starting this week, I'm off to a different kind of online marketing adventure.

It's my first time to merge online marketing principles, with social development writing.

Same marketing principles, just a different kind of audience with different values leading to a different conversion.

I'm sure the psychology of using the website will be the same.  People are people.  They use the internet the same way.  

I will just need to adjust to the learning curve quickly and efficiently.

Exciting! :-))  Kileggs.

Please subscribe for free online marketing tips, geeky funnies and Pinoy living info
Subscribe to Online Filipino Worker - OFW Din!

Withdraw Xoom at SM or BDO - Part 2

Withdrawing Xoom at BDO or SM business centers is okay if you are prepared and have the complete information and documents. 

As promised in the Part 1 of this post, here is how you can claim your Xoom salaries or remittance through SM or BDO.

Note:  SM and BDO uses the same Remittance Form and the procedures are the same too.

You will need the following:
1.  Most important - the Xoom Number that your sender got when the money was sent.
2.  The amount sent and what currency.
3.  Optional:  The secret word if your sender indicated any when the money was sent.
4.  2 government issued IDs like Passport, Driver's license, SSS, GSIS, etc.  If you only have one, fine, bring it still.  Some branches are considerate.  But the policy is followed to the letter by some BDO and SM branches and are picky with seeing 2 IDs.

Usability and Customer Conversion Note: 
I can understand SM and BDO are being protective of your money, but it's inconsiderate because not all Filipinos have 1 legal ID to begin with.  So looking for 2 IDs makes it rather difficult to withdraw the remittance, when they have the Xoom number and secret word anyways.  It is a drawback to you, dear SM or BDO because you may lose precious remittance dollar$ and customers, when the sender finds out their family back here cannot withdraw the money they sent!  They will quickly change money remittance centers the next payday, so that it's convenient for their family to receive the money.  I'm just saying...

5.  Your sender's information overseas and your information

• Complete Name (Tell your sender to write in the same name as the one in your legal IDs)
• Your sender's and your address
• Your sender's and your tel. no.  I think SM-BDO wants a land line number indicated as well.

6.  Lots of patience

7.  Bring a book, PSP or gadget so you can wait in peace.

To claim your Xoom remittance:


Make sure you have asked your sender the number, secret word, name indicated, address and phone number overseas.

Go to SM or BDO.  If you will claim late in the afternoon or early evening, ask the branch up to what time they accept Xoom transactions.  Some have a cut-off because it takes some time to process.

Ask for the remittance form and fill it up completely.  Your sender's info will also be written down so I hope you followed the first step before coming over to BDO-SM.

Give the form and your IDs.

Wait for 15-30 minutes.  Sometimes it takes 45 minutes to an hour.  Yeah.  Quite ridiculous in this day and age of instant messaging and almost instantaneous email.

In my experience,  SM Business Centers are quite quick.  BDO branches I've been to are quite zzzzzzzzzz....  except for BDO in Robinson's Galleria which surprised me because they were quicker than the SM Business Centers even.  (Note that I withdraw in US Dollars, so there's a lot of hullaballoo in requesting for dollars and eats up more time)

If your sender sent you money in Philippine Pesos, I recommend getting your remittance at a Cebuana Lhuillier branch instead.  They are super quick, almost no waiting time.  And they are not so strict with IDs and the sender's information.  You can definitely claim with only one ID.

So there.  I thought all along BDO and SM were okay but as I tediously write this down, I just realized it was quite cumbersome.  But still, you might need this info so best be prepared.  I have been using Xoom 2x/month for 2 1/2 years so I can claim my remittance at SM or BDO even while asleep.  The quickest way to get your money is to have everything prepared before you go there.

Since Xoom is okay anyways, you can still ask your sender or client to send you your fees through Xoom, just in Philippine Pesos, and claim at Cebuana  Lhuillier so that the process is quick and convenient for you.


Please subscribe for free online marketing tips, geeky funnies and Pinoy living info
Subscribe to Online Filipino Worker - OFW Din!

Super Pleased with Union Bank EON

I am super happy with my Union Bank EON.

• Total deductions, minimal (and from Paypal, not Union Bank).
• Time to make funds available : Quicker

The total fee deducted from my pay is just P50 for the Paypal request to transfer to Union Bank.  I used to transfer Paypal to my China Bank account, but it frustrated me that they deducted around P200-plus for accepting Paypal.  And this is deducted every time, so people who need to make weekly transfers because they need to are penalized the most.

As for time to receive the money, I do transactions on Wednesday mornings and money is usually in by late Friday evening.  When I was still using China Bank, the money came in by Monday the following week.

Yup, I'm a happy customer.

Please subscribe for free online marketing tips, geeky funnies and Pinoy living info
Subscribe to Online Filipino Worker - OFW Din!

Resorts World Casino Philippines

Resorts World Manila is a 6-star resort with hotel, casino, mall and the grandest string of entertainment programs located across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, in Manila.

For our balikbayans, OFW friends (the overseas kind, this time) and Filipino families, the resort is a one-stop entertainment haven that can accommodate travelers and locals.

Me and my friend Renz of Pinay Mommy A Dreamer won some slot machine funds last night and had a lot of fun at the Resort World Casino.

Slot Machines Galore

At the casino, you won't get bored with the assorted entertainment and the gambling. Of course, there were the gaming tables, but we were only interested in the slot machines.  And there were A LOT of slot machines, with different kinds of ways to win.

I felt like a kid on a field day at Time Zone.

Iffy to Try the Slot Machines?  It's fun and easy

The casino uses strip cards instead of the traditional tokens (the card is also the Membship Card, btw).  You just insert the card in the slot to play (yes, slot machine is still an appropriate word regardless the new currency). Then you key in your PIN, choose your bet and the stakes and you're playing.

Bets at the slot machine start at P1. The minimum bet for other machines are P20, P30, P50, P100.

Renz was so good at figuring out the instructions based on the drawings on the machine.  I've never had problems with figuring out  instructions from graphics, but my mind was addled last night.  So if you're good at understanding illustrations, figure out which games appeal to you first and think if you can win better with the object of the game.

There were also digital roulette tables where you still get to play with people, just that the service is digitized.  Lowest bets there start at P10.

Availing of Winnings

Then if you think you've won enough, you can avail of your winnings at the Resorts World ATMs scattered around the casino. Fun, diba $_$  Or if you like to redeem some beautiful items at the counter, you may choose to do so.  See, I told you it's just like Time Zone, but with better perks.


Sorry I can't tell you about the gaming tables, they are not my thing. I don't play even the regular, non-betting games among friends and family.

But we had so much fun with the little amount we played with.  We won some, we lost some.  Our funds lasted until 12AM.  We went home tired, with zero funds in our card, but happy.

Kudos also to the kind staff of Resorts World.  Whatever we needed, we were assisted graciously by security, service people, kitchen staff, etc.  Yes, now that I think about it, we asked so many people for instructions and we were always accommodated nicely.

Yep, Resorts World Casino is a great place to go to and have fun.


How to Get There

Resorts World Manila is at Newport Boulevard, Newport City Cybertourism Zone, Pasay, Manila Philippines

Here is the Resorts World Manila map (PDF file).
-  Instructions how to get to Resorts World Manila
-  Schedules of Shuttle Service to Resorts World Manila 

For inquiries, call the hotline:  63-2-836-6333 or 63-2-908-8833
or visit their website  http://www.rwmanila.com



Please subscribe for free online marketing tips, geeky funnies and Pinoy living info
Subscribe to Online Filipino Worker - OFW Din!

Withdrawing Xoom in the Philippines through BDO and SM Business Center Part 1

I have been withdrawing Xoom at BDO and SM for the last 2 years and I can say the service is very reliable.

Recently, I have ended my online services with a client who pays with Xoom. So last week, it was my last time to withdraw Xoom. I did so at the SM Business Center and the teller requested for a second ID. I said I only had my SSS ID, my license and passport are not available, but I did have a Xoom password. I was allowed to withdraw the remittance, and the teller said they were just accommodating my request but it will be the last time they will allow me to withdraw with just one ID. I nodded, knowing full well that it was to be my last until another Xoom client comes along.

As I waited, I reflected that yes, Xoom and I had a good roll. In mid-2008, as a newbie freelance online worker, there were lots of times BDO's or SM's connection with Xoom were offline. But on hindsight, I realize I have not had trouble with offline connections since late 2009 and 2010.

Also, if you are withdrawing in Philippine Pesos, I found out that withdrawals through Cebuana Lhuillier took just minutes. I expressed my surprise and the Lhuillier staff said that they had a more direct access somehow with Xoom, that is why they were faster. SM and BDO have a lot of online clearances to verify an amount to be sent, thus I always had to wait a long time.


Next: How to Withdraw your Xoom Money from BDO or SM Business Center



Please subscribe for free online marketing tips, geeky funnies and Pinoy living info
Subscribe to Online Filipino Worker - OFW Din!

Tips for Applying for an Online Job

I am helping my friend apply for an online job, and she sent me the ad so I can give her pointers.

Looking for - Social Networking Specialist

Bla bla

Bla Bla bla

Bla bla bla bla bla

Please do not send me your resume, because it is not related to what I'm looking for.

Lol.

Yes, please.

When applying, please do not attach your resumes.  It is funny and some might even find it irritating (which will cost you the chance to be chosen).  I have had lawyers send me 3 page details of their legal education.  And I was looking for a website assistant. Hello?... Connect?

Usually, for online jobs, I just write a short warm letter saying I'm interested and a brief outline of why I'm qualified for the job.  Then I just include in bullets below:

-  Related work experience, if any.

-  Related education, if any.

For newbies, if you have no experience

-  Stuff that you know how to do on the net.  Facebook, Tweet, etc.

And for goodness' sake, cut the business English that makes your potential client zzzzzzzzzzz.... Filipinos are really bad at this, to be honest.... I have seen lengthy  resumes written in phrases that make my eyes glass over.

Not to be arrogant, but I can honestly say I have a high batting average with application letters (either for jobs or projects).  Most of the time, when I write an application letter, I at least get an interview or the job itself.  What I just write are simple sentences that show I am human, honest and reliable.

I hope you get the online freelance job you are applying for. :-))

Please subscribe for free online marketing tips, geeky funnies and Pinoy living info
Subscribe to Online Filipino Worker - OFW Din!