Practical online marketing via Facebook

A blogger I recently met in the Adelaide bloggers meet-up asked me a question through Facebook chat. This is on how to market bead jewelry products online. She regularly post her items via Etsy but was hoping for higher volume.

I am also into bead jewelry as a hobby although that didn't click much then back in Manila as it is easier to sell items directly face-to-face which my sister and I end up doing through our friends.

But for Australia, the story may be different especially for those of us who are not in the main city areas. I think if I will make my own bead jewelry today, I will create a website still (whether own or via Etsy) and I will market it through Facebook by creating a page and target the more than 1 million Aussie users via an ad campaign.

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Last week, the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in 2008 writing project was just launched. One major dilemma that I had last year was the lack of international participation. I'm asking for your help and support by joining the writing project.

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On another note, I just arrived in Manila last April 25. The 4th Philippine Blogging Summit or iBlog4 went very well. Campaigns are now in full steam for the upcoming Social Networking and eBusiness Conference on May 20 and 21.

My brother-in-law arrived in Adelaide two weeks ago to start his work contract. My sister will be joining him by next week. I'm excited as it is different to have a family member close by that can be contacted and share some time together. At least Christmas will be different this year.

Will be back soon in time for the June 2008 Adelaide Bloggers Meetup.

Hello Adelaide Bloggers Meet-up Participants

More than 20 bloggers dropped by the Adelaide Bloggers Meet-up, organized by Shai Coggins. This is my first time to attend a bloggers meet-up in Australia.

Some of the bloggers I got to meet are:

• Kay and Nick Morales
• Steve Thomas
• Kay Walker
  
• Chaz
  
• Steve Davis
• Keith
• Andrew
• Simon
• Ivalene
  
• Bernadette
• Charlie Robinson
  
• Melissa
• Lee Hopkins
• Bridie
• Jim Manning
• Miles Crawley
  

There were a few whom I was unable to approach and note their names and blogs. Hope you can take time to reply and will add you here.

There were a few opportunities that I'm trying to validate if they are feasible to do in Adelaide. I must say that I had a much clearer idea after the eyeball and my attendance was well worth it.

I think the big number of participants unable some of us to get to know fellow bloggers better. However, making this connection will be a great step towards the process and look forward to the June meet-up. (I won't be able to make the May one as I'll be out of the country at that time.) Should you like to get to know me more, check out my info. Cheers!

P.S. More photos posted at Facebook.

Join #Aussie channel in Jaiku

Hi everyone. I just created an #Aussie channel in Jaiku. I hope you can join.

As a way to promote each other, I encourage you to post the badge in your blog, and will add your blog feed in the stream afterwards. This way, we are also cross promoting each other's post in the process.

I hope you'll join. Cheers!

14 Lessons from Australia E-Business Entrepreneurs

Emily Ross and Angus Holland puts the spotlight on 14 Australia e-business entrepreneurs in their book 50 Great E-Businesses and the Minds Behind Them. Truly inspiring as the authors gave a view on the realities of running an e-commerce endeavor through the personal sharing experience of various owners. The book also has e-business stories of those based in the US.

Here are some of the insights I gained from the various Aussie entrepreneurs featured.

1. Challenge why and how you are doing something. How can you make things smarter? Every little thing is an improvement. (Graeme Wood of Wotif.com)

2. Offer equity to main clients and as a result, they'll also bring more business to the company. (Greg Roebuck of CarSales.com.au)

3. Never underestimate work required to keep a company afloat. (Karl Sabljak and Marty Howell of RealEstate.com.au)

4. Look for every possible way to reach critical mass. (Andrew and Paul Bassat of Seek.com.au)

5. Do something that doesn't that doesn't look or act like everything else out there. (Garth Franklin of DarkHorizons.com)

6, Use as many channels online to market the brand. There's no shame in seeking attention for the brand. (Sean Ashby of AussieBum.com.au)

7. Invest in the functionality of the site. (Brett Clark of ePharmacy.com.au)

8. More listings means more sales. (Philip Leahy of EntertainmentHouse.net)

9. Focus on the people who will deliver inventory to the site. (Rob and Audrey Hunt, Chris Sharkey of Stayz.com.au)

10. Take criticism on the chin (Fiona Boyd and David Eedle of Artshub.com.au)

11. Inspire members to tell their friends about the site. (Kylie Little and Deirdre Walker of EssentialBaby.com.au)

12. If you feel you can't do something, take it down to manageable bits and get it done one by one. (David Clarke of Webjet.com.au)

13. Constantly invest new ways of to generate income from the site where customers will not feel ripped off. (Stephen Mulcahy of RSVP.com.au)

14. Be open to take on new leaders who can take the company to the next level. (observation on Stephen Mayne of Crikey.com.au story)

If you need an inspiration to your e-commerce business, this book is worth investing in.