Friday, June 27, 2014

My CBSME Journey with Ateneo-DigitalFilipino


June 28 is Social Media Day in the Philippines, and there is no other way for me to contribute in the celebration than by sharing with my readers my journey in attending the Certified Blog and Social Media Entrepreneurship (CBSME) Program with Ateneo-DigitalFilipino.

The CBSME Course Pie
If you are a blogger, online seller, social media practitioner or a student who would like to understand social media more, then this program is definitely for you.

I started blogging in 2001 and it is only in January 2014 when I realized that there is more to blogging than being a personal journal. As an online seller/entrepreneur, the program helped me in terms of  attracting leads and generating sales.


MODULE 1
Blog Launch, Copywriting, and Social Media Promotions

Hands-on Project : Produce a blog, follow an agreed-upon content plan and promote
Project : JLofied.com

When I migrated from Friendster to Facebook in mid 2000, I lost interest in blogging since I already can do microblogging using FB. I am glad that our mentor Ms. Janette Torral of DigitalFilipino inspired me and brought back the fire in me in blogging.


It was the 25th of January 2014 when JLofied.com was launched in cyberspace and it was life changing. JLofied.com talks about events and celebrating life to the fullest.


Objectives :

1. Identify goals, target audience needs, and potential.
2. Build a blog site and content plan.
3. Roll out the site and perform basic promotions inlcuding social media.
4. Reach out to fellow bloggers, social media users and build community.
5. Monitor and improve performance.

Lessons Learned :

1. Blogging is not Bragging, always think about your readers
2. Content is the King
3. Trust your brand
4. Find your niche
5.  Be an influencer
6. Use the power of being personal

Self rating : 88%


MODULE 2
Professional Blogging, Social Media Marketing, and Advertising as a Business

Hands-on Project : Design and run a blog and social media marketing and advertising program
Project :  I :-> Being a Mom : An Extra Ordinary Way to Honor Mothers on Mother's Day

This is my favorite Module of all. I was given an opportunity to campaign for an advocacy which helps single mothers from Nazareth Homes. With the help of the mommy bloggers community, we were able to  come up with this event.

I only envisioned it as an outreach program where a group of Mommy Bloggers will just blog about the institution after turning over the donations, but it turned out to be a baby shower, seminar on stress management and breasfeeding and mentoring program all in one.

The Mommy  Bloggers and the Mommies of Nazareth Homes


Objectives :

1. Tap blogs and social media in various ways for promotions, awareness, and support for marketing and entrepreneurial pursuits.
2. Understand the available blog and social media advertising platforms, costing, and analyze a blog's effectiveness.
3. Profile blogs, bloggers, social media users based on their reach and influence.


Lessons Learned :

1. Build your own tribe
2. Create and/or Join networks/communities
3. Collaboration works
4. Beef up social media profiles
5. PR / Building relationship is important

Self Rating : 95%


MODULE 3
Make Money from Blogging and Social Media as a Service Provider

Hands-on Project : Come up with a social media services package and roll it our for a client
Project : Lopez Canteen FB Page and Blog Promotions


Module 3 gave me the opportunity to provide social media services to a business. We were tasked to come up with a social media services package and roll it our for a client. Dealing with clients is not new to me but offering social media services is really something new. During the course, Digified Solutions, Lopez Canteen's FB Page and www.lopezcanteen.blogspot.com was born. 


At first, I thought that this will be the easiest Module, but I was wrong, it is not an easy task. Creating a website is not for me (yet ...), but what I love about Module 3 is the opportunity and having the  chance to organize bloggers event or at least  be invited to a  bloggers event.

For this project, I asked blogger friends to do a product a review (Lopez Palabok and Lumpiang Prito)  for Lopez Canteen. And this is what they came up with :

Elaine Gallardo of Wife na Mommy pa 
Joy Lojo of Pinions and Plumage of Love


Objectives :

1. Generate income through blogging.
2. Make money from Blogging and Social Media as a service provider.
3. Offer blog creation, blog marketing, blog advertising placement, content development and, social media promotion as a service to businesses.
4. Build a blog content writers network.

Lessons Learned :

1. Engage with followers
2. Promote as much as possible
3. Post daily social media content
4. Be visual


Self Rating : 86%



Revelations & Experiences during and after the Program

1. Be a mentor.
2. I am an influencer
3. I was able to enhanced my presentation skills.
4. Social media is really that powerful. Use it wisely.
5. My mantra - Work hard. Give more. Play harder!
6. My leadership skills was put to a test, and I was able to validate  that I am a good leader.
7. I've met and networked with awesome, empowered and like-minded individuals who value hard work.
8. The program opened me to a new world of PR and marketing which gives me more self-confidence.
9. I was able to build my own network.












Do you want to experience the same? Join the Certified Blog and Social Media Entreprenuer Program. 




Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Kammerchor Manila : 42nd Festival of Songs Olomouc 2014 - Competition Absolute Festival Winner

Congratulations to Kammerchor Manila for winning the title "42nd Festival of Songs Olomouc 2014 - Competition Absolute Festival Winner" last June 4-7 held at Czech Republic beating other choirs from Singapore, Slovenia and Germany. The Philippine team received 100 points (Gold Medal) in all of the four (4) categories :
Mixed Category - GOLD MEDAL
Spiritual / Pop / Gospel - GOLD MEDAL
Folk - GOLD MEDAL
Mixed Superior - GOLD MEDAL


Watch the Video here :




00:04:16 MEŠANI PEVSKI ZBOR POMLAD Novo Mesto (SLO) 
00:17:04 VOCALISTI ROSTOCHIENSES Rostock (G) 
00:33:58 TEMASEK JUNIOR COLLEGE Singapore (SGP) 
00:48:19 MEŠANI PEVSKI ZBOR SVOBODA Šoštanj (SLO) 
01:03:19 KAMMERCHOR MANILA Quezon City (PHI) 
01:21:37 Announcement of results 
01:38:37 UNIVERSITY OF GUAM SINGERS Mangilao (GUAM, USA)


Other than bringing the Grand Prix trophy from Czech Republic, KM also joined in the 2nd International Competition - Ave Verum in Baden Austria, where KM advanced to the Grand Prix round and got proclaimed 4th place last May 21-23.



KM also succesfully staged series of concerts in countries in Europe : Berne, Switzerland; Vienna, Austria; Kassel, Germany; and the Netherland from May 16 to June 16, 2014.



Mabuhay ang Korong Pilipino! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!


Related Article :
http://www.jlofied.com/2014/04/5-reasons-why-we-should-support.html


Saturday, June 14, 2014

The Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide

Getting married and don't know where to start? 


I've noticed lately that after launching this blog in January 2014, a lot of friends has been asking me to help in their wedding preparations. What is so amazing is that, most of the times, I am one of those few who are privileged to be informed first of the coming union. First hand information huh! spells also as "tsismis". Kidding aside, I am honored and humbled to be tapped in helping  them in their journey to forever.

Their first line usually starts with "May date na kami pero ano na ba ang mga susunod na preparation? Where do we start?" I usually advise the couple(s) to start preparing a year in advance if they plan not to hire a full wedding coordinator.

So I am sharing with you my Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist and the General Wedding Information Sheet which I usually present to my couple for them to have an overview of what will happen during the wedding preparation.


12 Months before
- Start a wedding folder or binder
- Work out your budget 
- Pickup your wedding entourage
- Start the guest list
- Hire a planner if desired
- Reserve your dates and venues
- Book your priest / officiant
- Research for photographers, bands, florists and caterers



8 Months before
- Hire the photographer and the videographer
- Book the entertainment / bands / singers / choir (if any)
- Meet caterers
- Meet gown designer for your bridal gown
- Reserve hotel room for your bridal suite
- Launch a wedding website "wedsite" (if you wish)



7 to 6  Months before
- Select and purchase invitations
- Start planning a honeymoon
- Send save the date (STD) cards  or  video
- Meet with the priest
- Book a flourist
- Arrange transportation
- Start composing a day-of timeline


5 to 4  Months before
- Check on the wedding invitations
- Select and order the cake
- Send your guest list to the host of your bridal shower
- Purchase wedding shoes and start dress fitting
- Schedule hair and make-up artists (HMUs)
- Choose your music

3  Month before
- Finalize the menu and flowers and over all set-up of the reception
- Order favors
- Make a list of the people giving toasts
- Finalize the readings
- Purchase your undergarments and schedule for second fitting
- Finalize the order of the ceremony and the reception
- Print menu cards, if you like, as well as the programs
- Purchase the rings
- Send your event schedule to the suppliers




2 Month before
- Meet again with all your suppliers to finalize 
- Meet with the photographer for your pre-nuptial photos
- Review the playlist with the band or DJ
- Send out invitations
- Submit a newspaper wedding announcement


1 Month before
- Enter RSVPs into your guest-list database
- Get your marriage license
- Mail the rehearsal-dinner invitations (if there is)
Visit the dressmaker for the last dress fitting
- Send out as many final payments as you can
- Confirm call times for hair and make up and all suppliers
- Email and print directions for drivers of transport vehicles
- Assign seating
- Purchase bridesmaids' gifts
- Write vows, if necessary




Week of the Wedding
- Reconfirm arrival times with suppliers
- Delegate small wedding-day tasks
- Send timeline to the bridal entourage
- Pickup bridal gown
- Check in one last time with the photographer
- Send the final guest list to the caterer and all venues hosting your wedding-related events
- Break in your shoes
- Pack for your honeymoon



THE GENERAL WEDDING INFORMATION SHEET

Download the free General Wedding Information Sheet from JLofied.com to guide you with your wedding planning.


Download the PDF File  here


If you need some help in your wedding preparations, feel free to leave a message or leave your questions at the comment section. You may also email me at bonsky_jen@yahoo.com.

HAPPY PLANNING!

Monday, June 02, 2014

My Party Diary : Peacock Wedding Theme Ideas

Event       Lopez - Calimag Nuptials
Date        September  14, 2013
Theme     Peacock inspired

Church              Mt. Carmel Church
Coordinator     JLofied
Flowers            Olivia Angeles
HMU                 Rina Gorrospe
Bridal Gown     Edward Teng Collections
Dresses           Larinna Bridals
Hotel                 Discovery Suites

Venue              Oasis Manila
Catering           CVJ Food Catering
Cake                Hearts and Bells
Photo               Nice Print Photography & Exige Weddings
Video               Nice Print Photography & Exige Weddings
Host                Jonathan Ramos

_______________________________________

My brother asked me to arrange his wedding last year and they wanted a peacock inspired wedding. I know that there will be challenges along the way because they are based in Qatar, but they gave me full authority to decide on which supplier to hire, so challenge accepted.

So here's a guide to peacock wedding themes, peacock wedding ideas, peacock wedding decorations, and ways to incorporate peacock theme into your wedding or events.

The couple wanted the color scheme to be more on the blue and green, but I suggested to add more  pink and purple which we incorporated in the flowers.

Peacock feathers used as accents in the invitations

Flowers from Olivia Angeles
D-I-Y Invitation by JLofied

Peacock feathers were also used as accent on the bridal bouquet

Wedding Cake from Hearts and Bells. Simple yet elegant
 
VIP Table Setup from CVJ

Peacock inspired bridal gown from Edward Teng Collections

I love how the combination of colors worked together.

Cris and Marnie 09.14.13

I am overall satisfied with how the event turned out to be and I love every details of it. 

Watch the Wedding Video here :


















'Till next JLofied events.