Marketing and PR have long been fields dominated by women and, as we move into the world of new media, especially all things related to social mediums, it’s no surprise that this is an area where women are amazingly adept. I’ll be the first to admit that, right now, men seem to dominate the field. You can’t toss a stick without hitting guys like Chris Brogan, Brian Solis, Jay Baer, Gary Vaynerchuck and other heavy hitters in the world of new media. My advice to those talented gentlemen: enjoy it while you can, because it won’t be long until you’re overtaken by the Estrogen Team.
I am joking – but not. I just read a brilliant post Why Women Thrive In Social Media written by my good friend and occasional colleague, Owen JJ Stone, a/k/a @ohdoctah on Twitter. Owen is a big presence in the social media realm and is especially well known for his vlogging. He understands video in a way that not everyone does, and is a sought after consultant when it comes to businesses wanting to integrate video and other tactics into their social media marketing efforts. But the beautiful thing about Owen is that he also understands women – and why they are so good at what they do. His latest post on women in the social media realm is insightful and right on target.
Women make the majority of the purchasing decisions in most households
Women make the majority of the purchasing decisions in most households and nearly one-half of the workforce is comprised of women. In fact, in a recent poll done by Time magazine, some 40% of women surveyed indicate they are the primary breadwinners in their household. So, when it comes to brands and their never-changing objective of reaching their target audience, it’s a no-brainer that that audience is, in most cases, women. And women instinctively know not only how to connect with other women in effective ways, they also know what moves women and compels them to make buying decisions.
Our male counterparts… have to work infinitely harder… men are not, by nature, givers.
Power Exercised In Social Media
As such, it only makes sense that women are front and center when it comes to marketing and PR. And, in no time, we’ll see them really dominate (if they aren’t already) the world of social mediums. Women have been unloading on one another since the beginning of time. We dish dirt, we ask advice, we share tips and ideas, we offer shoulders upon which to cry and take them just as willingly when needed in return. We are often unflinchingly honest, with ourselves and one another, and share pieces of ourselves that would – and often do – horrify men. We are empathy personified and are conditioned to nurture from literally the earliest stages of toddlerhood on. As such, with the very fibers of our beings, we completely and totally “get” how important it is to listen within the social media world. And to give before we ever expect to get. Women are born givers. As such, we understand that giving is a natural part of the equation. Our male counterparts, no matter how accomplished, have to work infinitely harder to understand that concept, simply because men are not, by nature, givers.
And so, I leave you with this. The world of social mediums, while filled with manly movers, shakers, book writers and pontificators is, ultimately, a world that will be lovingly and most capably conquered by and led by some amazing women. They are out there already, quietly doing their thing. Some members of the Estrogen Team to whom I look for inspiration are @Laura_Lake @adamsconsulting @BuzzEdition @LizStrauss @Nongling @BethHarte @SSmirnov @zenaweist @BridgetAyers @SarahRobinson and @AnnEvanston. Some of them don’t even know me, or barely know me, yet they still inspire – thus, the beauty of Twitter. And, please know, this is only a drop in the bucket of the many, many female voices singing so beautifully in the social media choir that so consumes me on a daily basis.
Who inspires you?
About The Author
Shelly Kramer is a Co-founder of V3 Integrated Marketing and founder of Kramer & Co, both headquartered in Kansas City, MO, and doing business with clients all over the world. She’s a sought after consultant and speaker, well-known for her “keeping it real” persona. She’s irreverent, irrepressible and possessed of a wicked sense of humor. In short, when she’s in the room, you know it. And, when it comes to business her clients will be the first to tell you she is, without question, their secret weapon. You can read her blog here: http://www.v3im.com/blog and find her on Twitter @shellykramer http://www.v3im.com
