Holly Buchanan, over at Future Now, Inc, spent some time over the holidays citing her marketing to women online awards. She didn't include herself, but she should have.
This blog was a contender - for which I send lots of hugs Holly's way. But, I'm going to turn the tables and give you 5 Outstanding reasons Holly Buchanan is a true marketing to women online winner.
ONE: She's a woman. That always helps. It doesn't mean 'men' don't get it (though mostly they don't) , and it doesn't mean marketing to women is only a woman's job. It means-- being intimate with the group you're marketing to helps. (anyone who read the word 'intimate' and thought of Victoria's Secret, go sit in the corner; intimate means "arising from close personal connection or familiar experience.")
TWO: She does the research necessary to present the kind of insight you would spend thousands, maybe millions, for - and she shares it on her blog, for free. This post about the "Anxious Single Female" is just the kind of information YOU should know about -if you're serious about marketing to women online.
THREE: She's written an e-book to help YOU understand the pitfalls of marketing to women online. When I read her book (I was privileged to receive a copy, having been a finalist in her award list) I was cheering and laughing at the same time because she hits the proverbial nail on the head with this book. Get over to her site and get your copy of The 7 Biggest Mistakes in Marketing to Women Online NOW! (it's only $9.95 for a limited time...then it goes up to $12.95)
FOUR: She's real. Her work isn't full of graduate-school-speak or stuffy executive summary lingo. She talks to her readers in the language of women: down to earth facts, with a little humor thrown in. To quote from a recent post, " ROFLMAO! Ha-ha-ha!!!"
FIVE: She makes friends - I will never forget the first email I ever got from Holly. She wrote to tell me she was starting a new blog - and that it was called, "Marketing to Women Online" dot typepad dot com. Since THAT was MY area (along with some other notables who write about women, but weren't focused on the ONLINE space, as I was, and still am) I was a little flabbergasted. But, Holly immediately endeared herself to me because she was kind enough to give me a head's up. Since then, we've shared content and information and emails and become friends. I consider her a class act and I'm downright thrilled that she thinks I'm even in the same league as she is. 
Holly, here's to you. Winner extraordinaire in the Marketing to Women Online space. You get the Blue Ribbon. Congrats!
Michele, thanks for joining the "I love Holly" club. We have an "I love Michele" club, too. Actually, we all love each other. That's the beauty of sharing and caring.
Holly, you are so right. I feel comfortable disagreeing with my blogger friends, because they know it's the idea or concept I disagree with, not them. And vice-versa.
Up with blogs!
Posted by: Yvonne DiVita | January 10, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Wow Yvonne, I'm speechless. (and that does not happen very often).
Thank you so much for your kind words.
What I love most obout our relationship is that we can disagree (and we do sometimes) but it is always with respect. I always learn something from you. I wish more people in the blogosphere could follow that example.
No one person has all the answers, but if we can put our heads together and share our opinions - everybody wins.
That's what I love so much about this space. I really am honored to be working among so many talented and giving people.
Posted by: Holly Buchanan | January 10, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Hurrah for Holly Girl, who is not only a dear friend, but a kick-butt expert in marketing to women online! And cheers to ALL of us bloogers in the women world, for we know the healthy nature of competition AND partnership!
Posted by: Michele Miller | January 09, 2008 at 03:57 PM