Tags: Entrepreneurship, Internet, Technology Industry
By Alexander Villafania
PASIG CITY, METRO MANILA – You don’t see him or read about him often on local media, but thousands of people seek him out. In fact, he can already be considered a celebrity. He earns millions of pesos by just staying at home and spends most of his time in front of the computer. He is Ian del Carmen.
Del Carmen is what you might call an Internet marketer, someone who sells products online. His website, FireballOnline.com (a term he used after being called a fireball for his success in selling products so fast) and his official website contain all the products he sells.
But his wares are not your typical Amazon.com-type products. He is selling self-branded electronic books, and software. His target market is abroad, particularly in the US. He’s gotten so successful in the business that he’s gone to offer seminars and consultancy services for those wanting to know more about marketing techniques and even to those who want to enter in the same business.
Recently, del Carmen helped organize the first internet marketing event in the Philippines. He brought in some of his virtual friends who are also in the same business as him. His concept is to make people realize that they can earn a lot from the internet as long as they know how.
Del Carmen said that it wasn’t at all an easy start for him. It took him over a year to finally complete his business model. He made his first million at the age of 28. In an interview, del Carmen claimed it was not easy selling products in the Philippines as buyers here are not yet ready for online transactions. He then virtually moved his business abroad, selling products through networks.
“At first, it was hard to sell because they’re not familiar with me. They would think that it was a scam. The disadvantage of doing business online is that it’s not a face-to-face transaction so trust has to be strong. But eventually, I gained people’s trust when I sold good products and that’s when they came back and even introduced my product to others.”
Del Carmen used to work for ABS-CBN but when he made his first international sale, a US$27 e-book, he realized that he could earn a lot more than his current job. He eventually quit and went full time with his online business. He has also grown his operations to more than a dozen people here and abroad, most of whom he only met through the internet.
With his success, del Carmen was able to get his own house, a condominium unit, two cars and send his child to school. “All that within three years,” he said.
But despite his successes, del Carmen is quick to say that he won’t be stopping anytime soon. He said that most Filipinos would dream of only getting what he has now, but he wants to go beyond.
“I’d like to achieve more than just earn but also to give jobs to people. I have cousins and friends working for me and I also want them to succeed. That’s my Filipino dream.“
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