There’s an online community for the residents of Bandar Puteri, Puchong in Selangor Darul Ehsan. The website of the community is http://bandarputeri.com.my/puchong/.
January 25, 2008
Malaysia’s Youth Lifestyle Showcase 2008
By some unknown reason, I made my way to PWTC last Saturday to attend the Malaysian Youth Lifestyle Showcase 2008. To be frank, the “blog” portion of their advertisement attracted me the most.
I stumbled upon my dear old friend (take the second last word literally), Azira Aziz, at the event. Too bad I didn’t have any camera with me - can imagine the pictures I could have taken. 
What did you do last Saturday? Did you attend the showcase as well?
Kenny Sia covered the event since he attended it… to give a talk at the function.
20 Entries Per Day?!
I was going through my usual stroll at eLance and GetAFreelancer - looking for projects. For obvious reasons, I decided to check out the blogging adverts. There were Buyers (i.e., the prospect) who were looking for bloggers who can enter up to 20 entries per day! This gave rise to one simple question: how often should you blog?
What do you think? If you’re a blogger, how many entries do you make per day? How long do you spend in cyberspace?
January 13, 2008
Lookie Lookie What I found on Google!
I was bored so I Googled my name. Guess what I found? My campaign poster for last year’s campus election being featured in a blog entry! Here it is.
January 12, 2008
Waiting for AldricTinker.com and Bloggerware Assignments plus 1 Bonus Entry
Just 5 minutes ago I transferred RM15.00 via CIMB Bank ATM to register aldrictinker.com with Hive Hosting. The package I selected? The Hive-SmallWhiz Plan.
For RM15, I can register my own domain name along with 5 GB Web and Email Space. What does this mean? I can set up a simple website and create several emails ending in “@aldrictinker.com”. Since my designated website would primarily be text-based, I don’t have to worry much. The few graphics that I need are my logo and my picture. If the 5 domain name parking (i.e. http://aldrictinker.com/page) isn’t enough, I am at liberty to - hopefully - upgrade my plan to the Hive-MediumWhiz plan. After all transactions are in Malaysian Ringgit. Alternatively, I can use this blog or even Writing Success!
Also in today’s entry, I received two emails from Bloggerware. Apparently the Blogger Office approved me using this blog and Writing Success to write billable entries. Billable entries? Get paid for writing a blog based on the job offered.
BONUS ENTRY
I took the liberty of checking this blog’s ranking. The report came back positive - IMHO.
Book Review: Rahsia Buat Duit Dengan Internet
If you’re considering opening up an e-commerce business on the Net, the book Rahsia Buat Duit Dengan Internet (which comes with a tutorial VCD) by Wan Mohd Syazwan Wan Syukri and Sabri Hassan Assa’ari (PTS Professional) would be an interesting read. This book (with the free VCD) is worth RM30.00 and available at bookstores nationwide. I got mine at MPH SACC Mall, Shah Alam. To be honest, I got mine by mistake. I wanted Secrets of Internet Millionaires Revealed by Irfan Khairi. For this review, I hope I don’t sound like Simon Cowell on American Idol.
The Bad News
From a (copy) writer’s point of view, I find the copy on both front and back covers abysmal. I have no idea how many bought this book. Remember: I got it by mistake. Other than the free tutorial VCD which comes with it, I would not have given the book a second glance under normal circumstances. The testimonials were made by relatively unknowns. Testimonial by at least a member of the higher echelons of PTS would have been welcomed.
The copy on the back cover explains the features of the book. That’s all. Correct me if I’m wrong, unless it’s a novel, I (the consumer) want to know the benefits of the book. It doesn’t tell me how it can help me at the point of sale. To cite an example, I’ll take the book The Teenage Investor by Timothy Olsen (McGraw Hill). This 13 year old (at time of the book was published) Wall Street Veteran relates what he wrote in the book with how it can benefit the readers - especially teenagers. One short 4 line paragraph explaining how RBDDI benefits me would have made a lot of difference. I’m curious of what you think.
We move our attention to the free tutorial VCD. The pronunciation of some words were terrible. If those words were unimportant, I would not mind. Unfortunately the narrator did not say critical and technical terms right. While there were variation in intonation, the narrator failed to sound remotely interested on the subject. He wasn’t even engaging! I became bored and fast forwarded the presentation. The presentation itself wasn’t even smooth. There were too many pauses - both long and short.
The visual presentation was no better. There unnecessary portions which should have been left out. The person doing the typing had to go back and correct the words every now and then. Under normal circumstances - again - this would have been acceptable. Like a sitcom or movie, you don’t want the bloopers in the middle of the show. They come at the end, if any. Same case here. And the Internet Explorer browser had too much to show. I was looking at the icons instead of looking at the process. Can’t blame me. I did say I became bored. When we watch a tutorial video, it should be smooth unless how to correct typos are in the syllabus.
The Good News
Kudos for using visuals and graphics in the book to explain the processes. Good arrangement of contents. The advice inside the book itself was undeniably eye opening. To make up for terrible copy, I’d like to quote Kenneth Fox who’s comments are printed in the book: the authors demonstrated outstanding knowledge in both Internet and e-commerce technology. The use of text boxes every now and then to explain a term and give tips helped me to understand it better.
One subject featured in the book which deserved a paragraph on its own is search engine optimisation. It is both covered in the book and the VCD. It helps start-ups and novices understand a complex method of tweaking your web site so search engines can find them easily - and increasing your chances to be discovered on the web. The reason I say this is complex is because some copywriters specialises purely in SEO writing - and get well paid. Unless you have a deep interest in this subject, you’d better be off doing calculations about Pluto.
Conclusion
In terms of content, Wan Mohd Syazwan and Sabri did a good job. I’d give them a 4 star for that. It’s unfortunate that the other elements undermines the content and knowledge the two authors try to convey. I’d like to hear your feedback on this review. If you have bought and read the book, what do you think? Overall, I’d give this book a two star recommendation; they were lucky. There are rooms for improvement - hopefully we can see it in the second edition of Rahsia Buat Duit Dengan Internet.
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January 11, 2008
Is there something I’m not aware of?
It’s almost been 6 months now since I frequent Coffee Bean SACC Mall and suddenly it hit me: is there something about this place which I’m not aware of?
While spending over 10 hours sitting down here, sipping my usual Moroccan Mint Hot Tea, it’s normal to hear conversations about and involving “Tan Sri”, “Datuk” and “Datin”. The table in front of me are two guys having a lively discussion on some business presentation. Seated in table in front of them are some local celebrities. Amidst all this, here’s one kid in blue jeans wearing a purple white shirt tapping away on his laptop and hiding behind a tower of books.
People, is there something going on which I’m not sure about? Should I be bringing by blazer and be wearing black slacks every time I “clock in” to work? *smiles* You know what scares me the most - the fact that I’m typing in Coffee Bean and not my own office! But that will happen in due time.
January 5, 2008
Next Order of Business: Business
After spending quarter of my morning and two hours past mid day cleaning out some old stuff, I’m finally sitting down at my desk and typing this entry. Il Divo and Celine Dion singing "I Believe" on top of their lungs, trying to drown the noise from the main road. The aroma of my freshly brewed instant coffee (Nescafe 3-in-1 Regular) fills the room - and my empty flat. After yesterday’s event, I’m planning to take things light for today and tomorrow.
LETTERHEAD DESIGN
Earlier this morning, I awoke from my slumber around 6 a.m. At that time, my brain was still in autopilot mode - I went back to sleep. Until I finally woke up 11 minutes past 8, my subconscious nagged me: "you’re a businessperson! Time is money! Start doing some work!" After showering, I "opened my shop" just before 9. It took me until 11.30 am just to create a letterhead which would compliment my business card. Adobe Photoshop 7.0 nearly killed my mood but I got the best of it. Microsoft Word came in next. I had to align all the text box to make sure that the outcome would be balanced. This is why I don’t do design. Can’t wait for the day I just order my letterheads and stationary. *smirks*
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
I spent the better half of the day going through every piece of paper, notes, books and booklets in my room. I wish I had a camera. You should see the mountain of trash I had to take out. There’s another stack of book, paper and notes which I’m going to give my juniors on Monday. My 2007 diary and some notebooks I’ve kept for years have finally been chucked out. My collection of Aliran, Utopia and Gempak magazines keep them company at the moment. Only (all 11 of) my World of Feng Shui magazines were spared.
In that period, I also rearranged my books. Those not related to my subjects this semester, writing and management, are kept on my wardrobe. Finally I can arrange the books neatly on the two bookracks flanking my workstation.
NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS…
In most instances, the writers who earn the most money are not necessarily the best writers; they are the best marketers.
- Robert Bly, (Getting Started as a Freelance Writer)
As a copy writer, I am like a tailor. Clients tell me how they want their dresses to be and when they want it. But before they leave my shop, I ask them about the purpose of the dress, where it will be worn, and for how long. I cannot afford anything less than beautiful. I know that if the dress caught attention, people will ask my client where she did it and how much. When she complains, people will notice. While I keep this in mind, I feel the fabric and begin measuring it. I consider what needs to be added to the piece to enhance it’s quality and go beyond my client’s expectations. At the same time, everything should remain within budget. As the dress takes form, attachment grows and this time I want nothing less than perfect. When my client finally comes, she tries it on and I take note of the necessary alterations before she takes it with her. As she walks into the function, heads turn her direction and eyes gaze at her admiringly. More orders come because of that. And the process repeats itself. The seams, threads and buttons helped spread the news - and it was free publicity.
For copy writing, my job is to write copies which my prospects’ customers will read. In that sense, I have done my job. A lot of factors affect the closing of the sale which are beyond our control. At least we have done our best. My first client is obviously me. If I can’t sell my own services, how can I sell my prospects’? It’s like a tailor who has no shirt even on his back.
The next order of business for me is marketing. By this time next wee, copies of my brochures and sales letters should be ready.
