Key Takeaways from the 1st CDO ICT and Freelancer Fair

Way back 2009-2010, I did some part-time freelancing through Odesk (now Upwork) and earned some cash writing different kinds of articles. That time, I already started blogging but did not earn from my website/s yet. So, my side income really came from my job as a freelance writer. However, it was short-lived because I got busy with my personal life and my day job as a teacher. Back then, the freelancing community was relatively small and there was little competition. Years have passed, I focused on earning through my education blog and forgot about doing some freelance work. I never knew that the freelancing community got bigger and bigger and the opportunities are wider as well, as compared to before.

The First CDO ICT and Freelancer Fair poster

So, I was really when a friend of mine, Joan Sheng, invited me to the First CDO ICT and Freelancer Fair. I immediately confirmed my attendance upon reading the invitation because it sparked my curious mind. I went at the venue with excitement and an open mind to learn and relearn things that I can use as a digital citizen. True enough, I learned some new things on how to ensure online access as a freelancer.

The Freelancing community in Mindanao. Photo by Thea Alolor

Here are my key -takeaways:

The sessions were mostly focused on how to be able to get clients and earn money from freelancing. I got so amazed with the earnings they get from working online and I hope to be able to reach that level too.

#1 Takeaway:

CONNECT - CALL - PROPOSE - PAY

One of the speakers, John Pagulayan, founder of The Freelance Movement, highly emphasized that when connecting and communicating with potential clients, we should be able to do these things: (1) Establish a connection by creating meaningful conversations. That is to start communicating in a friendly manner, avoiding discussion of the services we are offering right away; (2) When communicating with a potential client, we should be able to uncover, diagnose, and confirm the client's problem. This is so we can establish our expertise in the services that we offer. By uncovering the problem of the client, we are showing that we know what we are doing and that we are there to help the person; and (3) When we propose our services to the client, it should be in a manner where we emphasize what we can do to help and not who we are. For example, instead of saying, "I am an expert web developer", we can say "I can help you get more clients by creating a website of your products and services". By doing so, the focus is on the client, it is action and solution-oriented which will entice the client to avail of your services.

#2 Takeaway:

IDENTIFY YOUR SUPERPOWER AND IDENTIFY WHOM YOU WANT TO SERVE

Nix Eniego, founder of the Social Media Academy, said that the first thing to do when venturing to freelancing is to identify our skillset first and what we can offer. I agree to this because I really believe that we cannot give what we don't have, right? By writing down what we are good at, then we can immediately identify the skills that we have which can be profitable. Also, by identifying our skills and what we can do, we can be more focused on improving ourselves in that aspect so we can give better services to our future clients. 

On the other hand, it is also important that we know our target market so we will know where to find them and how to reach them. Also, if we know our potential clients, we can create a better strategy on how we can get them to avail of our services. 

#3 Takeaway:

NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO VENTURE TO E-COMMERCE

What I really appreciate the most if the talk on E-commerce by entrepreneur CJ Cajoles. She talked about the concept of Dropshipping and it got me so interested. I will be researching more on Dropshipping and I think, you should too.

Final note:

Attending the fair motivated me to go back to freelancing once again. I'll be exploring more from this day on. Exciting!

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#WomenWill Launch in Cagayan de Oro

"Instead of Impossible, let all women say I'm

Possible." 

That was how I summarized my talk at the launching of Women Will last March 24, 2018 at Limketkai Mall.

 #WomenWill is an initiative led by Google Business Group which aims to encourage women to become entrepreneurs and leaders in their careers and communities. In Cagayan de Oro, the chapter is led by Ms. Alma Ebuña.

In many countries around the world, there is still some biases and prejudices against women. That is why, many groups and advocates still continue to fight for equality among genders because up until now, there is still some challenges with regards to gender equality.

I was happy to be part of such worthy cause and share my experience as career woman and a wife/parent at the same time. I was also inspired by the many stories of women-leaders from different walks of life who continue to create a mark in their respective circles and communities. 

Nadine Gadia, founder of the Modern Nanays of Mindanao, shared with so much passion about her advocacies in raising healthy children through breastfeeding, cloth diapering, and baby wearing. She greatly emphasized the need to raise children to become healthy to become productive members of the society later on. She also emphasized that women, whether stay-at-home or those with careers, greatly contribute to the country's economy by being the primary caregivers of our future leaders. 

Ruby Caberte, blogger, founder of Pinay Mommy Online Community, and a single mom of 3, shared about the challenges and struggles of being an online worker while raising her three kids on her own. Giving up her career to spend more time and be with family was something risky for her and even though she had a falling out with somebody she loved and was depressed at one point in her life, she went back on track and realized that she still have her kids whom she dearly loves. Until now, she continues to inspire women, especially single moms, to stay strong for their loved ones.

Roselle Machate, entrepreneur and woman behind Coffee Works and Vanity Works, also shared about being able to rise from what was considered as failure. For somebody who comes from a family of successful entrepreneurs, she also had a lot of pressure on her as she invested on a business on her own. Though at first, it was smooth-sailing, challenges began to come which made her close a lot of her branches. I can just imagine how it was hard for her especially when she need to close her main and very first branch. But instead of giving up, she took it as an inspiration to focus more on what she has and what was left for her. This includes being able to spend more time with her family and kids (which she hardly did when she had a lot of branches), to eat healthy, and to focus on how she can improve her remaining businesses. According to her, whenever we venture into a business, we need to make sure that it's something that we know and/or is passionate about and that we know/learn how to run it.

Aside from the stories shared by these inspiring women, there was also an activity for the women-participants. 

Freebies and snacks were also enjoyed by the participants.

The launching of Women Will is just the beginning of a great collaboration among women leaders, especially in Cagayan de Oro. We are so glad for Ms. Alma Ebuña, Google Business Group lead, for inviting us and making us be part of this very awesome community.

Women can. Women will.

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FREE LIFE

Japan and Koren stores continue to pop-up in all parts of the Philippines, especially in Cagayan de Oro City. I was in Gaisano Mall the other week when I noticed that there were many people coming in and out in a particular store on the 2nd floor near the entrance. No wonder because just like Miniso, Mumuso, and Daiso, it also sells very cute and trendy stuff. 

Free Life in Gaisano Mall is the first branch to open in Cagayan de Oro City. The store is located just beside Globe Telecom. It also opened a branch in Davao recently.

Sharing to you some of the things that I like.

I really love the stationery area where we can buy cheap but very cute pens. I also love the notebooks and planners! If you're a stationery hoarder like me, you'll definitely love this area.

They also have fashionable items such as bags, shoes, caps, watches, and sunglasses.

You also need to check their stuff for the home. I specifically love the pastel-colored items!

Kids won't go empty-handed since there are also a variety of toys for sale. 

For the kikays at heart, a wide range of bath and beauty products are also available.

 
There is also an area for electronics and gadgets but I'm not really sure about the quality. Their sales ladies are there any way to help in testing the products.

One piece of advice: Go there if you have money because you will only regret getting inside not buying anything. Happy shopping!

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thekagayanon

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