The iBlog10 Experience (Part 4)

4/17/2014 10:50:53 AM

After hearing a lot of speaking engagements at the 10^thPhilippine Blogging Summit, I realized something: we have the capability to foresee them.

Yes, we all do, just like the trolls who used to create those ‘end-of-the-world’ prophecies.

Even yours truly came up with a list, which goes… like this:

1. Blogging will definitely not die. It will even grow. It may not be as popular compared to the present times, but the venture is definitely here to stay.
2. Cybercrime law can never stop people from blogging. You know, even during the hottest times of the so-called “Anti-Cybercrime Act of 2012,” the provisions can actually threatened one’s right of speech. But despite that, I don’t think it can really put the blogosphere’s revolution to an end. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t act like a cynical guy to the eyes of the internet advocates (‘coz in fact, I myself has been standing against the RA 10175’s dangerous clauses). And come to think the fact that we are in an ill-disciplined society and where laws aren’t ben implementing the way it should be.
3. More books will be published. Since blogging was the new venture for aspiring writers, it’s not that hard to see why. Want some examples? Those books from the Definitely Filipino authors. Another? Lourd de Veyra’s THIS IS A CRAZY PLANETS. The SPOT.ph’s popular commentary blog already compiled two books from his surreal number of entries. Aren’t convinced? How about Tricia Gosingtian’sfash-book (err, I mean fashion-content book).
4. Blogging will penetrate the mainstream shores. Actually, even today… some bloggers already have been successful in penetrating the limelight.
5. Internet will become a basic human right. Yes, it is now part of our freedom. In fact, one meme even shows the wi-fi as the hyper-extended version of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs aside from food, shelter, clothing, emotion and even sex (which believe it or not, is a basic human need at all).
6. In the journalism aspect, blogging will be serving as an additional source of information. In fact, it is the more vintage form of the so-called “citizen journalism” (heard of news blogs?). Which means researchers will not having a hard day or night clamoring for the information they needed. All they need is… a piece of modern thingies.
7. It will be more mobile. In the advent of technology where every gadget has its mobility, people now has the more capability to tell their story as it happens, just like an alternate version of live telecast.
8. More people will be get into blogging. And I am not pertaining to the predictions where a sudden rise of numbers, huh? It’s just there will be more new people who will use the platform. And just because more people will take the new venture…
9. Expect a much stiffer competition ahead. Of course, people will gonna race for their stats, audience and even revenues. And come to think that the “world as a huge battlefield;” it’s like a jungle-like battle royal match on wrestling, where “every man is for himself.” But I would highly suggest though that we should not treat others as if they are our opponents at all. It will not help you gain everything, believe me.
10. Everyone will be an entrepreneur. Well, technically speaking, we are in our very own right. But with the emergence of startups, more people will have that kind of mindset and personality which can be really helpful at all.
11. Everyone’s a historian. Well, Ms. Janette Toral was right when she told this on her presentation. And count Mr. Clarence Nixon too via his blog post. Actually, there mere fact we’re putting some inputs in our respective blog sites (especially if we’re doing it a la typical diary or journal type), we are already recording our own tale of events. We are author of our own respective lives, and as well as our own respective legacies.
12. Expect changing of behaviors. If during the old times, we only focused on one aspect of our daily lives; now… there’s a habit which Howie Severino called as the “multi-screen behavior.” Yes, everyone will be multi-taskers.
13. Expect new brands to emerge. We’ll never know. There might be a new dominating platform in the world of blogging in the future. There’s also a chance that a new social networking site can even lord over Facebook and Twitter (remember, at one point of our lives, Friendster was the name of the game in the early 2000s… until Facebook came over and ruled the social media world in 2009 – even if in reality is FB has been already in the circulation since 2004).
14. And last but not the least… there will be no apocalypse. No signs of 12-20-2012. Only ‘climate change.’ Besides, no one can really tell ‘when’ at all.

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

The iBlog10 Experience (Part 3)

4/15/2014 8:42:13 PM

A few days ago, I had thought of creating a part 3 of my experiences on the 10^th Philippine Blogging Summit. The funny thing though is that one of my friends in the industry replied of “go ahead.”

And now, turns out the joke was one me when I made this post real.

As much as there are several points I imparted on the first two write-ups of this series (which by the way, was my personal tales of accounts during the two-day event).

It just so happened that I’m so thankful with bunches of stuffs I garnered during the stretch.and I’m not talking about anything materialistic here.

Instead, I’m all about ‘learning’ this time around.

1. Don’t write just because of Google. As what one of the social media kings Carlo Ople said (not in exact words though). Who cares if you’re the most searchable page on the world’s biggest search engine, while in fact you only have nothing but pieces of craps down there? It’s not bad to do the Search Engine Optimization, but make it your only second priority, ‘cause remember…
2. Content is still the king. Right, the C word does matter the most. This is what your readers and digital marketers are really up into. No one gives a crap on your site look on its superficial aspect, nor how catchy your title is, ‘cause...
3. Design only covers the small portion of your entire blog when it comes to SEO. Jason Bagio was right when he told me this. What’s the proof? My old blog design in 2012 where some readers expressed that I may have the good content – despite its not-so-freakin’-good outlook. But it doesn’t mean that you won’t focus on that aspect. Of course, you still have to level them all.
4. We are all marketers. Even if don’t have that natural way of ‘sales talk,’ the thing is we actually marketing ourselves to the entire cyberspace. And blogging is not the only ways and means; there’s also social media. Even if the way we used to express – that counts as our own selling strategy. In my personal and philosophical article entitled ’69 Things In Life According To Me,’ I told in one of the items there, “everyone’s a salesman, and the world is a huge marketplace.”
5. We’re not just bloggers. I’m not talking about our day-jobs here (even if reality-speaking, “I’m a BUM who blogs. LOL!”). It’s about professionalism too. Mr. Brad Geiger was right when he said we’re not just bloggers, as it alone lifts everyone’s status and morale in the entire society, regardless if that’s online or offline.
6. Don’t use (nor don't take even part) the platform for any of the ‘dark ops.’ ‘Cause you want to troll something? Make people pissed out of what you’ve written? Or to simply attack a personality? Dude, I may be a rant-maker, and I may be tagged as a troll (by nonetheless but a mob of no-brainers) or bully, but there is a ‘thin line’ between expressing one’s word and ‘pure attack.’ I would discourage that, especially if: first, you know nothing at all; and second, you’re nothing but a coward in real life.
7. Make your presence felt. This is how people will recognize you, regardless if you’re a big-time guy or just a member of an online cult. And if you’re sociable, or just a plain social climber (in a positive connotation), try joining on some online communities. Unless you don’t want to make many friends, doing such can be a huge starting step for you to get noticed. After all, we are all born to…
8. Make a stand. Through the advent of blogging, one simple person can be an online sensation. And now with the advent of social media, and other platforms, making a statement has just got easier. And on that note, making your own opinion can be reachable at your fingertips.
9. Never stop from chasing your passion. Take note: that P word keeps you going from doing what you love in the first place.
10. Make social media your friend. People may think that social media can be that one huge enemy from other aspects of the World Wide Web, especially for blogging. But, actually, NO. It’s definitely not. In fact, social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or even Tumblr (which is by the way a mixed platform of blogging and social networking), can be utilized to make your voice heard. It can be even more effective if you’re not that good on SEO.
11. Be responsible. Not just on your words, or design, but also on your entirety. The fact that there’s always a ‘responsibility’ accompanied for every basic human right we had – even if it;’s about expressing thru WWW. Besides, if in real life, you regularly check yourself at the mirror and fixing yourselves before you go, the same approach also applies on your blog too. Why did I say so? Simply because…
12. Your blog is your own brand. Just like as your name to your reputation.
13. Blogging is the new REAL venue for aspiring writers. Have you noticed a number of authors, writers, even journalists and other professions rose to the occasion through the act of blogging? Let’s face it: not everyone has a chance to become part of the school’s paper, or a pre-production staff, or every other profession that requires writing. You might be stunned if I tell you that even doctors do blog (just like one of the speakers during Day 2).
14. It’s even the new ways and means for the so-called ‘citizen journalism.’ Have you heard of the so-called news blogs? That one attests to this idea. The downside, though, is that a lot of bloggers tend to be irresponsible to post news items, too. And not all of them can really give a shit on the so-called ‘ethics.’
15. We’re growing. The internet is 25 years old, and whoever thought about advancements come in an ‘instant,’ especially lately where phones evolved as well as from desktop to laptops to tablets?
16. There’s a brighter way ahead. Well, if you asked me about the future of blogging…

Say, I already had a lengthy post. Maybe I should go for a Part 4.

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

The iBlog10 Experience (Part 2)

4/9/2014 10:43:02 AM

There are so many memories and learning from Day 1. I know, the question from your mind goes: hey slick, how about the second?

Well, that is something I am gonna tell you for today. No need to worry, alright?

Aside from the almost the same routine as I did on Friday, I dropped by at the Vibal booth once again for much curiosity – in regards to that publishing e-book thingy. Seriously, I seem convinced on that project, and it turned my interest anew in writing (‘coz a few days back I am not just suffering a writer’s block, but also a quarter life crisis-like scenarios).

Well, I just hope I need to hit the right guys and improve from there (‘coz seriously, it seems I am not).

Anyway, moving on… sports blogger Ivan Saldajeno was in the house; and he spoke about the rise of sports bloggers in the Philippines.

Now that is something I can mostly relate into considering that yours truly actually started in this venture by putting my takes on several marquee match-ups in the National Basketball Association. But that was five years ago, though.

Afterwards, Jason Bagio hit the podium and spoke about the goodness of link-building.

After the break, Bien Nillos also told us about why other professionals, such as the ones from the medical field, should go blog. From there, business-minded peeps took over as speakers Genesis Reonico, Sonnie Santos, and Vanj Padilla engaged the participants in discussing about the bloggers as entrepreneurs.

As the afternoon session rolls, all eyes and camera lens were on Mr. Howie Severino as the Kapuso reporter took the spotlight and tackled the future of journalism, as well as how does blogging gets involved into it.

After Severino, it was Lace Llarena’s turn to discuss the impact of Crowdsourcing and Social Media on Business.While outside the hall, bloggers including yours truly took chances in photo ops and even interviewing the now-EIC of GMA News Online.

Then, Christian Blanquera introduced us into a new world named “startups.”

From there, Cebu-native Ruben Licera Jr presented the state of blogging in the countryside; with more emphasis to the central Philippines.

Then there’s nothing but good laugh while you’re learning around with Atty. JJ Disini when he spoke about the internet regulation. I think he just made the issue lighter considering it was quite very heavy to talk about with the advent of those blog-threatening provisions of the Cybercrime Law.

Last, but not the least, the Digital Filipino lady herself was on the podium where she tackled the 20 years of existence of the internet in the Philippines, and answers the questions relating to the future of blogging.

Well, Janette’s talk reminds me of my own thoughts on where the blogging will go from here (aside from hoping there’s an 11^thPhilippine Blogging Summit next year). And perhaps, that is something I will deal with you guys next time.

Anyway, what's an iBlog without a raffle segment? Here are several people who won the prizes. 

I knew that I talk less this time around, but anyway… here are my other thoughts from the second summit day.

·         Good links are hard to find. You just can’t expect that to be found easily on Google, Yahoo, Bing, or any other search engines. It’s like finding a good kind of car, better quality of Wrestlemania video to download, best rap song made by any local underground artist, or even finding a relationship partner – you will definitely have to exert effort to find the best things.

·         Sports will be the best thing on the planet. Of course, I’m bias. Nah, seriously, since most of the blogs comprised entertainment and political items, it’s high time to see more of them covering the emerging popularity of UFC, volleyball leagues, and as well as the always-skyrocketing NBA and other basketball associations.

·         Bloggers will be the new bunch of journalists; and whether you agree or not, they will be. In fact, some self-proclaimed news websites can actually fool you if you would only learn to read between the lines.

·         Cyber issues can never take down blogging. This is the philosophy where I really believe, and all you need to do though is two things: know your boundaries, and fight for a much-deserving right. In fact, there are more provisions which the blogosphere peeps will have to protest about. Though let’s face the fact  that it’s gonna be a long journey ahead.

·         The future is bright. No question about it.

I think that’s all for me for the iBlog10, folks! Looking forward to the 11^th summit which might happen on… okay, I have no idea if that might took place soon (or at least, when).

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions