Connections

Some people call it serendipity. Some people call it socializing. Some people call it networking. Whatever name you give to it, the connections you make with other people, as you go about business on a day to day basis, are the pedestals holding up the foundation of your success.

Women are experts at this kind of connecting. Whether it's our verbal ability--the need to commune in words--or our penchant for helping-- women are naturals at building connections--across rooms, across towns, and across the nation.

I've been on the receiving end of such encouraging, uplifting, and thoroughly marvelous connections lately, that the experiences required a blog entry. When I chose to write Dickless Marketing: Smart Marketing to Women Online, I was hesitant to use such a provocative title; I worried what would people think, and I was rewarded for that worry...oftentimes with laughter, sometimes with disgust, and occasionally with confusion. However, enough people of both genders found the title so funny, and so interesting, that I pushed forward and I have no regrets.

As the writing progressed, I had several assistants--editors and readers of both genders--who made sure I kept true to the purpose, and who are mentioned in the Acknowledgements at the end of the book. Meanwhile, I was continuing my normal routine of attending networking events, meeting with prospects for web content writing or article writing or book writing, and in the course of all of these meetings, I began to connect to some truly fascinating and helpful women and men.

First, I am privileged to count Michele Miller, author of the audiobook"The Natural Advantages of Women" as a new friend. I met her through an email connection. Just a note to let her know how valuable her work was to the writing of my book. Through Michele, I 'met' Dave Young, author of "Why We Blog," an audiobook I recommended a few posts back. The list goes on, Michele has been encouraging and welcoming and helpful beyond anything I expected. But then, she's a woman, and as kindred spirits in the world of marketing to women, we have much in common. Michele introduced me, through this blog, to Kirsten Osling at re:invention, inc, who, in turn, introduced me to Melissa Giovagnoli, author of "Networlding."

Here at home, my connections have borne fruit of another sort. I have writers who look up to me for the success I have created in an atmosphere (the Internet) that still baffles them a bit. I have a select number of men who think Dickless Marketing is the greatest thing since Dick and Jane--they get it, and they can't understand why others don't get it. In addition, I have a few new, special friends, Cheryl Freer, a local marketing and technical writer, being one, who continues to introduce me to women she thinks can help me get Dickless Marketing in front of a larger audience. Victoria Dravneek, a web content writer and one of my book editors, knows women at iVillage and Viacom. The list could go on and on--if I tried to include everyone who has crossed my path and helped me, this post would never end.

Since it does have to end, let me reiterate--the connections you make as you go about building your business are the strongest elements of your success. Women are so good at this, I compel you to include as many women as you can in your inner circle. The women will bring the men. Trust me. It's the wave of the new millennium. Men and women working in partnerships that enable real success.

What's not to like about that?

Comments

[Wayne Hurlbert]

The internet is built on connections. Women instinctively find those connections, in what on the surface, appear to be disconnected ideas.

As the internet and blogging grow to even greater prominence, I fully expect to see many women achieving very significant roles in that new paradigm.

[kirsten osolind]

Hear Hear! Glad to see women are beginning to forge their own strong BLOG cartels (let's keep ours infinitely more fluid, open, and supportive -- less combative or argumentative). Thrilled to have met both you and Michelle. Looking forward to hearing more good news about your book signing events. Grassroots evangelizing and viral marketing drive book sales. Especially when you have something important to say. We learned that with the launch of the Whole Foods Market cookbook.

[Michele Miller]

Such nice words! Don't forget that connecting is a two-way street, my friend. Think of all of us who have connected with YOU! :-)

I think we're finally beginning to see the meaning of "world wide WEB" as far as internet connecting goes... this is what community is all about.

The internet ROCKS!!