Jane has been trying to catch up on all of her blog reading -- a monumental task -- but we are happy to report we are making progress. There is a lot of chatter going on out there in the blogosphere. All of it good...whether it's focused on pruning to build a brand, discussions on whether Google's latest is good or bad for the company, to avoiding dirty tricks in linking, discussing girl bloggers, the importance of press coverage, or questions on the 85 Broads and their buycotting endeavor.

The air is a cacophony today, buzzing through cyberspace, filled with all of this somewhat heated discussion. We think the world is a better place for it all.

Meanwhile, back at Lip-sticking and Dickless Marketing, we know you're all beginning to give in to the necessary focus of approaching holiday sales. If you're marketing online, you need to get in front of two powerful shopping groups-- both composed of women who shop online.

One group, as noted by American Demographics, (subscription required) is the baby boomers. Yes, my tired old advice is coming at you again. Baby boomer women are the keepers of the closet, the kitchen, the bedroom, the pantry, you name it. They're going online to browse, shop, and consider what should go into their shopping list this holiday. That doesn't mean just gifts -- it means office supplies, business needs, and more. American Demographics, in their Snapshots of Today's Consumers, has a well-written article with a great pie chart showing, "At least 1 in 3 of the 75 million Baby Boomers who are rapidly approaching the age of retirement has already started a second career."

That means she's looking for products, services, and advice. In time to get her career jump-started for 2005. Are you going to provide it for her? Or, are you going to ignore her and let others reap the benefits of her needs and desires?

Next, we look at young people. We say "people" but you know we mean -- young women. In the same issue of American Demographics, Peter Francese writes about intellectual achievement and how women are outpacing men on the educational front. Seems the guys are slipping backwards...taking on the role women used to embrace; he writes

"The unfortunate message to young people, and the one that seems to get through to young males in particular is this: forget about education, being good-looking or good at sports is your ticket to power, adoration and wealth."

(obviously Mr. Francese doesn't know about Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera...both pitiful role models for today's preteens...espousing false beauty, aggressive PR to make them seem more important than they are, and the promise that marginal talent will make you a star.)

"Brains & Gender" -- Mr. Francese's article -- makes valid points regarding men and their failure to achieve degrees in higher education affecting our economic future, but Jane wonders why he can't see his way to embracing the fact that young women will contribute what these young men do not. And, as we noted in previous posts, as well as in our book, Smart Marketing to Women Online, young women today will graduate, become wives and mothers, and may very well be the wage-earner in the family. This shift in responsibilities does NOT demean men...nor does it mean the economic future of the U.S. is in jeopardy because more women than men will be holding executive degrees leading to executive positions in major corporations.

On the contrary -- it's a perfect example of changing times contributing to changing mores. For the good of all concerned. If you're marketing to a youth culture, get your products and services in front of the young women. Don't neglect the college crowd. This group has money to spend, and they'll spend it with you if you remember that they're choosey about their selection: they want it THEIR WAY...no cookie cutter products and services for them! (here's a hint on how to please her-- many young people will be traveling home for the holidays this year -- give her options and advice on that subject and she'll love you for it.)

--picture courtesy of Devbuzz.com/pg/Travel

Now, you should be ready to go out and grab your share of the Baby Boomer women's market, and the Gen X and Gen Y women's market. That is...if you're prepared to do so NOW! These women are already on the prowl for the holidays. Don't wait another minute...show us you understand us...offer us loyalty programs and sales that give something back. We'll buy...really we will.

What's not to like about that?

UPDATE:

We would be remiss if we didn't give you some more exciting ammunition for fighting the good fight...that is, getting more women to buy at your websites. According to news reports from ABC Television (we admit it...we took a break and watched some TV today), women are into fishing big time! The news told us there are approximately 14 million "fisherwomen" in the U.S. and that 1 of 3 fisher-folk is a woman! Here's a site that can give you great info on this formerly male sport that women are flocking to like seagulls to popcorn:

Landbigfish

We really LOVE it when we uncover neat things like this. The question is: can YOU, dear reader, figure out how to get these women to your websites to buy, buy, buy? Share some of your inspiring ideas with us...we want to hear from YOU!