Gusto ko mag-reflect kung uso pa ba ang blogging? Incidentally, sa #iBlog15, which is iBlog the Finale, ay na-discuss din ito kaya sulit na sulit ang pag-attend ko. The reward is immeasurable—reflection, refreshment, reinforcement, and rediscovery.

 To recap, there were three discussions at the iBlog the Finale:

1. How Blogging Has Changed the Philippine Internet Space – ang mga panelista ay binubuo nina ( l-r) below) Tonyo Cruz, Ruben Licera, at Jane Uymatiao

2. Bloggers: Crossing Boundaries – ang panelista ay binubuo nina (l-r)  Carlo Ople, Chad Ting Ramos, Joemar Belleza, at Apple Allison (not in the picture below)

3. Bloggers: Monetization & Competition – ang panelista ay binubuo nina (l-r in photo below) Anton Diaz, Fitz Villafuerte, Vince Golangco, Earth Rullan, and Bert Azura Padilla

Sa post na ito ay I would like to share ang meaningful tips na maaalala ko. Ganun din sa reflection ko habang nakikinig ako sa kanila.  Ito ang mga ‘yon:

Has Blogging Lost Its Charm? iBlog the Finale Explores

 Sa buong tanan ng iBlog15 ay dalawang tanong ang naglalaro sa isipan ko:  

• Uso pa pa ba ang blogging?
• May naniniwala pa ba sa power ng blogging?

Gusto ko ang ideya na ibinahagi ni Sir Ruben Licera tungkol dito. Ang hamon daw sa blogger ay hindi lamang makipagsabayan sa content creator sa iba’t ibang media gaya ng YouTubers/ vloggers and podcasters. Kailangan din silang maging aware na pati news sites at business firms ay gumagamit ng blogging style for information and marketing purposes.

Nowadays, kung baga, ang blogging or online publishing ay automatic na content marketing approach. It also makes companies’ published content searchable online. Which makes them more relevant sa internet users.

Puwedeng hindi na ganun ka init ang personal blogging like before. Totoo naman na popular ang mga social media influencers. In a way sagot ang vlogging and podcasting, para sa mga creator na hindi naman into writing. Ganun din naman, hindi naman lahat din ng internet user ay mahilig magbasa.

BUT

Claiming that blogging is irrelevant is far from the truth, as experts and digital marketing professionals know. This is not just understood by them but also by all individuals who create and produce various forms of content.

To give you a tip, in terms of digital marketing, those who search online for information. These searchers, regardless of their number, are more likely to be sure buyers rather than mere “likers.”

Transformative Journey: The Impact of Blogging on My Life

Nasabi ni Ma’am Jane Uymatiao na somehow yung direksyon ng ibang bloggers or other content creators ngayon is to be extension of PRs or to be social media influencers. She encourages everyone not to lose their own voice. Gamitin ito para sa causes, passion o kung ano pa man. It makes someone relevant and valuable.

• Develope values-driven content creation. Compare sa ibang content creator, I am behind sa mga kasabayan ko at new content creators. Baka nga hindi ako considered na influencer kung sa “number games.” While gusto ko rin naman ng maraming followers and earnings, I prioritize pa rin na maging effective content creator kaysa sa kasikatan. Kung magle-level up o mag-e-evolve ako for money and influence, dapat hindi ako nawawala ang core values.

I agree sa sinabi Tonyo Cruz, hindi ibang tao ang nagde-define sa content creator at sa kanyang posts. Dapat make a stand sa gusto mong sabihin.

I also don’t like to compromise my passions or other aspects of my life. I consider myself a passion-driven blogger. Dagdag pa d’yan, may buhay pa ako outside sa pagiging blogger or content creator. And one of the great reasons why I’m still blogging kasi protektado ko ang aking core values, welfare, art, freedom, and privacy.

Kahit pala gusto kong yumaman, napatunayan ko na hndi ko isasakripisyo ang aking websites at pagiging blogger para lang sa pera at popularity. Natutuhan ko rin sa blogging na ang gusto ko lang ay right credit at recognition, hindi popularity. Basta ma-credit ako sa pinaghirapan ko—comments, share, atttribution or likes okay na sa akin. Personally, I believe that invisibility is superpower.

• Change my career mindset and the way I approach life. Kung usapang personal growth at professional growth, I gain more than I can ask for in blogging. Before I thought ang laki ng kontribusyon ng aking propesyon sa pagiging blogger. Tinitingnan ko ito as another avenue to practice and share ‘yong mga nalalaman ko sa trabaho.

Baliktad, ito pala ang training ground ko. Dinala ako nito sa maraming oportunidad na dati ay ideya ko lang o baka ni hindi pumapasok sa aking isipan. 

Through blogging, natutuhan ko ang lead generation, public relations, SEO, online publishing/ content creation, and ecommerce. Kahit pa ang weaving, dancing, creating lanterns, managing family business, creative writing, architecture, reconstruction/ construction of cultural heritages, realty, filmmaking, philately, songwriting, boating, photography, anemia, baby massage, painting, car maintenance, at maraming pang iba. Ganun kalawak!

Sa pamamagitan din ng pagba-blog ay lumalim pa ang kaaalaman ko sa personal finance—naka-attend ako sa seminars about wealth creation, culture and arts—I was even invited to cover Taboan in Subic and Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando Pampanga, marketing, selling, freelancing, and more.

• Socialize and expand my network. Ang gusto ko  rin sa blogging events such as iBlog, WordCamp and Blogapalooza ay marami akong nakakasalamuhang passionate and successful individuals. Sa mga tips nila ay parang name-mentor ako sa career and life. Isa na roon iyong reality na sa blogging happy ka na to do what you love, you can also earn and grow.

I learn and experience different community involvements or social interactions. Kung sa ordinaryong buhay-buhay ko lang ay ‘di ko makilala sina Matt Mullenweg (Wordpres creator), Janette Toral, Atty. JJ Disini, Fitz Villafuerte, Randiel Tiogson, Chinkee Tan, Jayson Lo, Carlo Ople, Vince Golangco, Tonyo Cruz, Jayvee Fernandez, Danny Arao, JB Solis (of PEBA), Prof. Felipe De Leon (NCCA), at iba pa.

Ganito rin ang say ni Carlo Ople sa iBlog the Finale. He’s vocal to say that he’s also into monetization. He’s right sa statement n’yang passion should be sustainable. Anya, dapat binabayaran ka sa passion na pinaghuhusayan mo. S’ya mismo ay kumikita sa pagba-vlog ng kanyang passions.

Go beyond the ordinary.  Sa experience ko sa pagba-blog ay napagyayaman ko rin ang aking perspective. Hindi lang pala karera, travel, food trips, arts, at pera— may iba pang masaya at makabuluhang gawin. At hindi lang pala iisang formula para maging happy at successful.

I am proud na minsan ay naging Online Champion ako for Habitat for Humanity, campaign to list thresher sharks as one of the endangered species, promoter of Philippine Culture and the Arts. I am also glad na yung blogs ko ay naging platform to provide public service, information, and inspiration.

Naalala ko may nag-message sa akin na retired professor at OFW na nagpasalamat sa akin dahil sa business tips ko. Masaya sa pakiramdam! Sabi nga ni Joemar Belleza ng Baklapoako.com and advocate HIV awareness, may mabago ka lang na buhay sa isang tao kada post mo o blog mo ay para ka ng nasa alapaap. May matulungan ka lang, nagkakaroon pa ng ibang saysay ang buhay mo. Paano pa kaya kung involve ka na sa buong community?

When I started blogging, I was a relatively young professional. Mayroon na akong set of skills at experiences na napagyaman ko rin naman ko outside blogging. However, I believe mas napadali at napa-advance yung growth ko kasi naging blogger o content creator ako.

My iBlog Finale Takeaways

Hindi lamang magpatuloy o harapin kompetisyon sa content creation, kundi i-enjoy at i-experience ang growth at happiness na maibibigay nito. At isang daan dyan ang pag-level up din ng nalalaman at puwedeng maibigay bilang content creator.

Uso pa ba ang blogging? I think ang term na uso ay hindi bagay dito. It’s here to stay.