No comments on timing today. A little sleepy. I wrote the review for the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic late last night.

(Short overview) Today is the third day of the three day MPAS Online Publishing Workshop held at the Spring Singapore Auditorium. The speakers (repeating this for the third time) are Don Nicholas (the one that speaks most) and Kim Mateus, the managing and senior partner, respectively, from Mequoda Group.

I repeat once again, I am not able to construct this entry fluently - blogging and listening is a tough deal.

Here's something I picked up from their website, "Google Web Alert Hack: Is Somebody Talking About You Behind Your Back?" Is that how they picked up me blogging live about them? ;x

Note: I'd like to wear pink... But... It's not "that" professional.

(Coming back) For the past two days we covered the strategies for online publishing. Today, we are going into case studies. Flora Daily is one example brought up once again by Don - still not targeted to Asian context.

This workshop got me thinking about the proposal for Gadget3.com I submitted on Tuesday.

When I first presented it to my bosses, I was quite uncertain. My idea was based on theories, studies and my understanding. After sitting through this workshop, I'm quite certain that my ideas are workable. There is still a need for polishing, but fundamentally, I pretty much got it right - next step is to execution.

I'm not able to pick up "stuff" to blog about today. A lot of what Don is saying is very much a "business" prospective – sampling, direct sales, etc.

The idea of sampling is to allow a user to have a taste of "our product" and if they like it, they buy the "full version". This isn't a new technique. For example, on a regular basis, Starbucks sends a crew member out "on the street" with a tray carrying small cups for passers-by to "try" their new flavour(s).

Two objectives here; 1. testing if the public likes their new flavour, 2. tempting them (people like me) to go to Starbucks and purchase it. Get the idea?

Don says that usually 80 percent of these people DO NOT actually purchase anything - for Singapore, it's probably going to be a higher percentage. The 20 percent on the other hand tends to spend enough to account for those that spend nothing.

In other words, 8 out of 10 people you to try convincing is a total waste of time! Hurhur.

Finally, Don brought up a point that I would like to emphasise on - endorsement!

Celebrity endorsements are very common. When you think of Carl's Jr. (these days), you think of Edison Chan, vice versa. Blogger endorsements is pretty rare, but picking up. A good example is Sheylara (Shen Qiaoyun) - when you think of Xbox, you think of Sheylara, vice versa.

Endorsements works in a way that individual profile makes a huge difference - cult following.

*Ahem* So "businesses" interested in getting me to endorse your product? I'll have to test it first to see if I like it. If I don't like it, I'm sorry, can't endorse you. If I do like it, I accept cash and in-kind (both would be nice!). Air tickets from time to time are more than welcome! :)

PS: Today's workshop ends at 12noon. I think there's gonna be some kind of an one-on-one session with the speakers.

PPS: One more point, Don said that they spent 7+++ million to build the platform in the past. Now it cost them 300+++ thousand. I'm building a platform too, similar in fact. All I'm getting is my current wage. So... Gimme a break!? Less pressure please...

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