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Janette Toral
Janette Toral might fairly be called the "Mother of Blogging" in the Philippines. She is the founder of the Philippine Internet Commerce Society, where she served as president for 5 years (1997-2002), and lobbied for the passage of the Y2K Law and E-Commerce Law (Republic Act 8792). She owns two professional online communities, where knowledge sharing and business matching are usually conducted, the DigitalFilipino.com Club and Philippine Software Process Improvement Network.
I was very disappointed to learn that I had missed out on a chance to meet Janette Toral, the warm and gracious founder of DigitalFilipino.com, when she was in Houston, Texas earlier this year. Fortunately, I was able to get her to give us an interview here at TheNextGoal.com.
“Janet, do you formulate ‘SMART goals’? If so, can you give us an example or two? If not, what helps you stay on track to accomplish your goals?”
“Yes. This includes attaining 100 club members in the DigitalFilipino Club; to have 100 active bloggers in our blog network at any moment; and to help out 100 start-ups in our upcoming virtual accelerator / incubator program. So far following this 100 rule allowed me to foster a reasonable and realistic level of relationship with the people I deal with.”
“You work really hard to educate, encourage, and assist people in starting their online businesses – your dedication and professionalism have always impressed me. I wonder, do you think it’s important for bloggers to have specific, measurable goals beyond ‘make money online’? Do you believe it’s really possible to earn a full-time living as a blogger?”
“I think it is possible for bloggers to earn and make money online if they are always open-minded to do experiments and learn from it. This can be from writing to rendering other forms of services, such as blog marketing; consulting; tech support; training; or trading.”
“You mean there’s no magic, one size fits all formula?” I laugh. Janet gives me a smile that says she knows I already know the answer to that one. “So, Janet, what are your goals for DigitalFilipino.com? In the ever-changing world of the Internet, the fact that it has grown and thrived for twelve years is just amazing. What’s your vision of the future and how you’d like to see it evolve?”
“The goal of DigitalFilipino.com is to help foster the growth of e-commerce in the Philippines. This has range from educating the public, SMEs, to helping individuals earn online. To further evolve, I am launching a startup accelerator / incubator program with the intent of helping 100 startups take-off.”
“Amazing! That is so exciting – I imagine you have bloggers and entrepreneurs beating down your door to be a part of that! What is your ‘life goal,’ Janet?”
“Helping others become successful is my life goal. By improving myself continuously, I do my best to ensure that I’ll be able to share something useful to the people I meet that they can take away and use in their undertakings.”
I suspect Janet, like my grandmother, possesses one of the greatest talents of all: The ability to truly appreciate the talents of others, and to genuinely want to see them succeed and reach their goals.
For your chance to learn from Janet and take part in the Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur Program starting November 24, 2011, enter the contest here. If you don’t win, you can still sign up at http://digientrepreneur.com.
About Holly Jahangiri
Holly Jahangiri lives in Texas and claims to channel the spirits of Edgar Allan Poe, O. Henry and Erma Bombeck. She has known since fifth grade that she wanted to be a professional writer. Holly is a technical communicator whose imagination is allowed free rein in her short stories, children's books, and poetry. You can visit her personal blog, "It's All a Matter of Perspective," at http://jahangiri.us/new.
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About Holly Jahangiri
Go Janette! you simply rock…lots of my Filipino friends are your fans,i am too.
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mexican appetizers recently posted..A Simple Quesadilla Recipe
my Filipino blogger friends are in awe of her.she is really an amazing woman
Yes, she really is – she and Ms. Ileane are two of the most supportive and encouraging bloggers, always eager to give new bloggers a hand up and a lot of invaluable guidance.
I want to be a good blogger as Miss Janette Toral, i love gadgets, that;s why i want to blog about digital technology too. Thanks for this great inspiration from our beloved Filipina Blogger.
Excellent interview, Janette Toral is an important incentive for new bloggers. The internet is a world of opportunities, and to achieve success in the network, we must be aware of the news.
I love that she has been able to bring together internet users in the Philippines. Internet usage in developing countries in generally low, and though people are excited about the possibilities, they are generally unwilling to invest themselves into it. I’ll say congratulation and good work to Janette!
Jovie Onyema recently posted..Welcome to Tinapa: Africa’s Premier Business and Leisure Resort
I first ran across Janette when I started blogging 3 years ago and have been a big fan since. I did not realize that she had been involved with blogging and the Internet programs as long as she has been. More power to you.
@Kira, the Filipino blogging community is massive, and I probably interface with about two dozen Filipino bloggers over the last few years. They make up most of the P50 Allied Bloggers Blogging group I think which I am a part of, their site is here > http://www.alliedbloggers.com/
Justin Germino recently posted..3 Games That Should Exist for the iPad
Hi Justin, I strongly agree with about Filipino bloggers in the web. Wow thanks for sharing the site. I gonna check it out now.
SEO Blogging recently posted.."Keep It Simple Stupid" Blogging Updates
Even though the Philippine blogosphere is not that organized compared to other blogging societies. Ms. Toral has shown to us that nothing is impossible by her valuable leadership. I am really honored to be able to talk to her in the blogging world.
Kudos Ms Janette!
Kira recently posted..SEO and Social Media Presence with RSS Syndication
You really think it’s not? From where I stand, it looks highly organized, and Janette seems very instrumental in making it so.
Thank you Holly for the opportunity to be featured. Many thanks as well to friends who supported this article by leaving a comment. Cheers!
Janette Toral recently posted..Lessons Learned as a Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur
Thank you, Janette! I thoroughly enjoyed getting the chance to chat with you a bit, and appreciate your doing this interview on short notice, as well as helping me to spread the word that it was here. I think what you do for others deserves to be promoted and supported. You are making such a significant difference in people’s lives.
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..The Best Medicine
Interesting and thought provoking things by Janette.
Janette is a very generous woman. She helped me jumpstart my blogging and was very much willing to give comments and suggestions.
Alwin Aguirre recently posted..Of Shueblig and Halo-Halo — At The Pen
I have been following Ms. Janette a few years back. In fact, I have been itching to take her online coaching about Social Media and Blogging. Yes, there are a lot of resources online, however, having a coach can make the learning fast, fun and will definitely keep you on track. Anyway, if I can, I might be able to avail her training next year.
Great interview you have here Holly!
Tristan recently posted..Freelancing – Are You IN or OUT?
Thanks for the introduction to a “woman making a difference” in HER world! 100 at a time seems like a lot, so I wish great success in achieving it!
The picture grabbed my attention, too. Was that at a Purple Rain event? I went to school with Prince.
nice work, stuff like this is what we all need,
Thanks for the interview, helps me know Janette better. She is doing a very cool thing. I’ll have to follow her blog more.
Heidi Caswell recently posted..Level Up?
DigitalFilipino.com sounds like a great idea to grow e-commerce in the Philippines, wish you all the best with the campaign.
recently posted : http://blog.roleconnect.com/blog/2011/10/02/what-is-the-real-story-with-all-those-unfilled-it-jobs-2
EAv: RCNCT
Interesting blog post, thanks for sharing. In my blog surfing, I run across a lot of Pinay bloggers, and I wondered what the force behind them was. The one critical comment I would share is that there is so much more to blogging than making money, and I would have liked to learn more about Janette as a person. What is the goal of her online money making? What does she hope to do with the money she makes?
I think that’s a great question for Janette! I imagine she’ll visit, and, I hope, reply – as her time allows. She was very gracious to do this interview on such short notice, yesterday (the time difference was not working in our favor) and she was on deadline, herself. THAT is the kind of person Janette is – she doesn’t just say that her goal is to help others as some kind of PR stunt. I have watched her, over the years, giving a hand to the humblest of beginning bloggers and to the most experienced bloggers, and she truly makes everyone feel significant and valued. I have seen her deal with pressure, criticism, and fame – and she strikes me as very genuine and down-to-earth. That’s why most people who know her love her.
You both have lovely smiles. Hi Janette! It’s wonderful work that you’re doing. Hi Holly! This is a great, very upbeat, interview. I am happy to see you two working together.
Why, thank you, Louis! It’s always a pleasure to work with Janet.
Clearly, SMART objectives fueled by passion does the trick!
So true, Nicky! Thanks for dropping by.
Great post, everybody needs goals in work and life. – Way to go.
(e)REXCO.
Great article, thanks
Go gals!!
Cheers John
CEO #EAv Venture Capital Index
#EAv #LOCRIS #LION™ @LOCRIS (e)LOCRIS
COMMUNITY: http://tinyurl.com/elocris
*thunk*
Okay, I’ve had a good night’s sleep. Swelling’s down a bit in my hands. The anticipation of victory was sweet seasoning on my morning cereal…
It’s a great day, John. How are things across the pond?
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..CommentLuv+ (Nothing ELSE Could Make Me Channel My Inner Billy Mays!)
Nice article, Janette is doing really good job.
Thanks, Redas – yes, she is.
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..The Best Medicine
Janette comes across as a very genuine person. And she seem to know a lot about blogging. Good referral!
She knows about a LOT of subjects – blogging is just one little thing. Click her name in the first paragraph of this post for the full bio from her site.
She is multitalented and smart as a whip. And still manages to rock a hot pink/purple feather boa. That’s all right in my book, any day.
Thanks, Abel.
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..An Engraved Invitation to the Writers of Creative Copy Challenge
I’ve known the power of blogging for years… happy to see women like you two mastering the art!
Debbie Ducic recently posted..The Predictions of Wall St. Do They Determine Your Future?
Sounds like a meeting of the old-timers club in here, Debbie!
I keep trying to remember when it was, exactly, that I started blogging – and I know Janette’s been at this for 12+ years. I think it was 1998 or so – whenever Blogger was still owned by Pyra and still in beta. I remember doing some vanity surfing and wondering “What the–?” when I found myself quoted in the HindustanTimes as a “veteran blogger.” One of my very first posts was a personal musing on just what it meant to “blog” and that got picked up by a tech columnist halfway around the world. I don’t think there WERE any “veteran bloggers” at that point – we were all just finding our way in a new medium, at the time. Veteran online user, maybe – I think my first logon was to Compuserve in 1981 or so.
Impressive. It Goes on to show that Blogging is indeed coming to a more mature platform now. Such interviews and articles are great to highlight the power of Blogging.
I am and I will continue to be, as much as I can, an active member of this ‘movement’. Thank you for such a great piece of information. We need to support this.
Hemant recently posted..Love, An Emotion So Scarce…
Thank you, Hemant!
Go Janette! I work for an agency managing a technology park in Italy and we are currently running a program that funds ICT startups. I really appreciate what you’re doing for supporting entrepreneurship!
It’s great to see all the positive energy here – to know there are people out there so dedicated to helping others meet THEIR goals, too. It’s easy, some days, to get stuck in a bit of a negative rut: the economy stinks, jobless rates are high, cost of living never goes DOWN, etc. – but then, you read things like this, and remember there’s hope and energy and so much positivity working in the world. I think we all need reminders. Thanks for commenting, Mefance.
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..An Engraved Invitation to the Writers of Creative Copy Challenge
Though I have invested in Janette Toral on EA,I didn’t Knew who she was.Thanks for introducing us to such a nice and kind hearted woman.”I laugh.Janette gives me a smile” while reading this article i felt like i was watching it on TV.Great work Holly.
I would love to connect to connect with both of you on any social network.
Regards
Rohit Verma
Thank you, Rohit! Janette and I were exchanging emails and facebook notes live as I was writing this – this wasn’t just pulled together from replies to a questionnaire, and I was getting a little slap-happy by the time I got this done, but we were having (well, at least I was having) a blast doing this. And there’s a story about me and my purple feather boa – http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=9721663&pg=personal&fr_id=40741&s_src=BF_emailbadge – so when I saw her profile photo, I just begged her to let me “steal” it, because it’s just so PERFECT and it did make me laugh… I can only hope that everyone Janette has helped over the years is half as good to her as she is to others.
Awesome Article – keep up the good work!
Thank you, Chris! I really appreciate your dropping by to read and comment. Hope you have a great weekend!
Cool blog post, but would you consider explaining some terms you’ve used?
SMART goals? We’re forced to do this in my school, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-related. But I don’t know if this is the same meaning you’re using, and either way, I can’t imagine many other people would.
Also, what’s Y2K law?
It’s something worth considering in the future.
Zagorath recently posted..If you could go back in time, what would you change?
Zagorath, you are SO right – I will edit this to add a link to a post I published earlier – but here you go: http://thenextgoal.com/2011/10/make-all-goals-smart-goals/ – and yes, it IS the same meaning. It’s a pretty common term here in the US, from high school to corporate boardroom, but I was simply overlooking the fact that people who read this wouldn’t have that earlier post as fresh in their minds as I did, for having just written it.
Janette’s going to have to explain more about Y2K law. Janette?
From Janette:
“where most countries passed a law before it [the year 2000] mandating all computers to upgrade to recognize the digit 00 in the year without resetting the computers. that was hot back in 1998 and 1999″ – and indeed it was. I remember sitting there on New Year’s Eve, wondering, with everyone else in the world, if planes would start dropping from the sky. Talk about important goals and objectives – and very “time-bound” ones, at that!
Thanks for the prompt replies guys
Really helpful.
Zagorath recently posted..If you could go back in time, what would you change?
Glad you were subscribed to get the answers!
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..An Engraved Invitation to the Writers of Creative Copy Challenge
Janette it’s good to know you got your communities blossoming, great work – Cheers! MrBill
MrBill recently posted..when is SPAM just canned meat?
Great interview- inspiring words from J.
Suzie Cheel recently posted..Suzie’s Healing Journey
Congratulations Holly for your great, inspired presentation:
“Janette Toral might fairly be called the “Mother of Blogging” in the Philippines. She is the founder of the Philippine Internet Commerce Society, where she served as president for 5 years (1997-2002), and lobbied for the passage of the Y2K Law and E-Commerce Law (Republic Act 8792). She owns two professional online communities, where knowledge sharing and business matching are usually conducted, the DigitalFilipino.com Club and Philippine Software Process Improvement Network.”
For years, Janette is a great, live example of a successful great work, open mind, inspiration. I hope she will have the results the desired with his DigitalFilipino Club and with any other project started. Thank you for the “Holly need comments” message!
WordPress website recently posted..Defining the Luxury Market and the Affluent Society
I am honored to interact with Janette in the social media space. Great article Holly.
Fellow Texan here, great read. Thanks for the article
A very different approach from my own, but valid nonetheless … food for thought!
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Very interesting… Wishing the best for you.
I enjoyed reading this inspiring interview and look forward to following both brilliant, intelligent ladies via our many social media connections. Nice work Holly and Janette!
thanks Holly and Janette, inspiring work
Janette is one of my investors on Empire and mentioned this interview. so I came over to see what is was about. Loved the subject about blogging. I will be teaching a class soon and this has given me inspiration to include the online business, or I should say not include, but stress blogging and online business more. Thank you.
Nice read … Inspiring … Thanks to Janette
Janette Toral is a remarkable person to be able to help so many others succeed.
K
An inspirational interview. Keep blogging and rocking.
Wayne Hurlbert recently posted..Harvesting Intangible Assets by Andrew J. Sherman – Book review
Good interview – new inspiring person to meet
shared forward?
Thank you, Markku! Great!
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..An Engraved Invitation to the Writers of Creative Copy Challenge
Looking for blog(s) in the Philippines about green, sustainability, climate change. Any suggestions?
Erik van Erne recently posted..UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 27 October 2011
I’ve relayed this one to Janette – likely she’ll know of the best!
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..An Engraved Invitation to the Writers of Creative Copy Challenge
Thanks Holly
Erik van Erne recently posted..Cradle to Cradle: Asbest Recycling Tot Vulstof Voor Cement = Beststof
Great interview
Erik van Erne recently posted..UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 27 October 2011
Thank you, Erik – both for the kind words, and for visiting our blog.
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..An Engraved Invitation to the Writers of Creative Copy Challenge
Holly, aloha. Thanks so much for this introduction to Janette. She is indeed doing amazing work. What I appreciate is that she sets her SMART goals and then focuses on pushing them forward.
Her mission of assisting people in the PI with the online world is fantastic. To me, that is one of the beauties of the internet–no matter where you are, you can start and run a business. To have someone like Janette and her community there to assist, means there is a much greater chance the people will succeed.
Kudos to Janette for her work and again, Holly, thanks for the introduction to her. Aloha. janet
Janet recently posted..What’s Your Dream?
Aloha, Janet. E komo mai nou ka “blog hale”! Mahalo.
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..The Best Medicine
Ms. Janette Toral is one of the most popular and respected icon in the Philippines Blogosphere. One of my favorite writing projects of Janette is the “Top 10 Influential Blogger”… I love reading this Interview, thank you for sharing, Holly! =)
JoMi recently posted..OCCUPY TIME SQUARE: A U.S. MARINE VS 30 NYPD COPS VIDEO
JoMi, that’s actually how I first met Janette. I think it was back in 2008 or 2009? I loved the way she annually encouraged bloggers to build up their blogs, their following, their relationships with each other – and gave them the recognition they deserved.
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..Consider the source
Great interview Holly. This is actually your first piece I have read, and I don’t know if you could have picked a better subject on blogging. It is amazing how active the Philippines are in so many areas of technology. There are at least a hundred foundations to improve their tech prowess there, and here in America all people learn is how to Facebook. Janet sets a good example for other Pacific island nations. Technology is a way to connect the un connected, and I’ve actually had an epiphany reading this interview regarding my own writing. That’s what engaging content does though, it makes you think.
Adam Justice recently posted..The Best Way to Promote through Social Media: Influence Tree
Adam, you found us! Thank you – that’s exactly the kind of thing I crave hearing, as a writer – “I’ve actually had an epiphany reading this” – I will now sleep with a smile. I’m exhausted. I hope no one here will think me rude, but I’m going to go ice down my aching hands and sleep. I’ll reply in the morning – but I am so grateful to you for reading and making this a conversation, instead of a one-way broadcast.
Interesting and well written!
I appreciate that, Chris. Thank you.
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..Champagne and Strawberries = Vindication!
great article!
Thanks, Philip!
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..Can I Survive the Surviving the Blog Contest?
What a beautiful interview
Gabriel Flores recently posted..I’d Rather Watch a Leader…
Thank you, Gabriel.
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..An Engraved Invitation to the Writers of Creative Copy Challenge
Love it! From a fellow Texan, thanks for the great post. Love Janette and I loved this post.
Hi, Lisa! Thanks – fellow Texan – for dropping by! My teammate, Larry, here at TheNextGoal is also a Texan!
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..An Engraved Invitation to the Writers of Creative Copy Challenge
I like the way you wrote this up like a live interview. Your questions asked shined a light on why you admireJanette Toral.
It was as “live” as we could get, being half a world apart – we were chatting away in real time on both email and facebook as I wrote this.
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..An Engraved Invitation to the Writers of Creative Copy Challenge
Only thing more “live” would’ve been a podcast or a video splice. Might just have to try that at some point down the road, if Janette’s up for it!
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..Consider the source
Great post. I love the idea of setting smart goals. The notion of reaching the 100 milestone of start-ups was particularly interesting. Best of luck, Janette!
John
I’d say Janette’s 100 milestone goals are both aspirational – and, for her, achievable. They’re a worthy stretch, but doable.
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..100 Good Things About Me
I am so blessed to be connected to both Holly and Janette… I have learned so much from both of you with respect to social networking and blogging. Great interview! I have always said that if we all shared the best of who we are, our stories, our talents, our passions, the world would be a better place. You both prove that what I say is true.
Regards,
Darren Sproat
Darren Sproat recently posted..Recognize the Abundance in Your Life
Wouldn’t it, though? Ironic how much time people spend sharing their worst – are they hoping to save their best for last?
Darren, YOU prove by example what you have always said.
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Holly Jahangiri recently posted..The Best Medicine
Janette Toral is one of the foundation of Blogging here in the Philippines. She always gives advice and always encourages you to work beyond your comfort zone. I remember her telling me that, “We (bloggers) should always think of the next level. We can’t always be just a blogger.”
Great interview Holly!
Best regards,
Jhong Medina
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Janette is a lovely lady – I am SO disappointed that we didn’t get to meet. She had forgotten that I lived in Houston, and so we were just 10 miles apart, but didn’t realize it. Thanks for visiting, Jhong – I appreciate it!
Jeanette is a great friend in various social media. She also invests in social capital through Empire Avenue where we’re both holding shares in each other. Jeanette is an experienced corporate and private social media expert and blogger who understands the global shift in social media. I wish her a great and prosperous future! All the best and kind regards, Lucas
Thank you, Lucas.
I agree to that Jhong. She always encourage other bloggers to do more and think out of the box. Bloggers doesn’t have to be bloggers forever.
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