Comments on: “Social media expert:” Women need not apply?

By: Get Inspired, Meet Powerful Women at Simmons Leadership Conference |

Get Inspired, Meet Powerful Women at Simmons Leadership Conference | — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:39:01 +0000

[...] I hashed out my anger and my confusion about this issue after the Men with Pens post came out with my colleague Mark W. Schaefer, who had originally addressed a related topic on his blog, “‘Social Media Expert’: Women Need Not Apply.” [...]

By: everyman

everyman — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:12:28 +0000

Mark, to answer your question directly: YES OF COURSE there is bias. Not that it’s necessarily malicious but it works like this: you (as a white male) put on a conference. Who are likely to be your buddies helping you? People most like yourself: gender and race are two obvious points of similarity. And who is in your extended network that you turn to? Still more white males. Obviously that is only part of the picture and once again, “systematic bias” in this case does not necessarily equate with harmful intent, racism, sexism, etc. Just that it is so obvious (to me as a minority) this is partly what is happening.

And yeah, we men seem to have a bigger tendency to want to get up on the stage and blow our own hot air whereas women “get it” and are already communicating. We men have “male pattern lecturing” built into our dna apparently… Ugh!! I’ve heard enough “social media experts” pontificating now to last through web 10.0.

By: Sedef Onder

Sedef Onder — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:20:50 +0000

To your point, Mark, social media is “social” and needs community (whether via links, followers, RTs, referrals, etc.) to create the kind of viral benefits that it potentially offers. It’s pretty hard to be effective — let alone reach leadership status — w/o the support of the SM influencers in some form (again, via links, followers, RTs, referrals, etc.).

Brings back Sheldon’s point about M following M, but not following W, whereas W follow both M and W. Thankfully, there are M that are exceptions to this norm. Not a ceiling per se, but an obstacle of a different sort in a medium driven by “social” currency.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:04:17 +0000

@Sedef, your comment about “create your own space” prompted a thought.

When I was doing research for this article, I noticed there were many female-oriented SM organizations like “Blog-her.”

1) What is lacking in current social media organizations that would necessitate the creation of a female-specific group?

2) Other than the possibility of a bias expressed in conference representation, what other unique social pressures could there be on female bloggers? I mean there’s no glass ceiling, right? There IS no ceiling. Everybody does whatever they want in SM. Sign up on Blogger and go.

What is behind the need for so many gender-specific social media clubs?

By: Susan Collins

Susan Collins — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:50:25 +0000

Great conversation and always a topic that remains inconclusive. My own opinion lies with several others who believe women wade in later, after more consideration. But once in, our contribution is significant and diverse. Should men “help us?” Yes, of course but I believe we should help each other. I wonder how different the social network experience really is between men and women. I find the face-to-face to be the most important aspect of relationship building and I try to get there asap. That means that total submersion in the cyber world becomes less of a priority.

Always great posts, Mark. Thanks!

By: cyberdoyle

cyberdoyle — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:38:16 +0000

Well said Lisa. The women really get IT. Always have. Social media was invented for women, perfect tool.

Lots of men are just and so getting the hang of it now…

By: Lisa Hanock-Jasie

Lisa Hanock-Jasie — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:28:02 +0000

Maybe it’s simply that women are too busy actually working at/doing social media and some of these guys are just out there talking about it? Jussayin’

By: Sedef Onder

Sedef Onder — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:16:02 +0000

I agree that men self-promo far more shamelessly. Also think that Sheldon’s point is pretty critical where SM is concerned, though clearly not for bloggers — where there are other dynamics in play. SM event organizers, particularly men, should take note.

For women, I think the key is to create your own space to succeed on your own terms, which is where I think bloggers are succeeding and perhaps making progress unimpeded.

Great post as always, Mark.

By: Jamie Lee Wallace

Jamie Lee Wallace — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:19:38 +0000

@Mark – Always a pleasure to be here. You have a gift for asking the right questions & creating loyal fans. Yours is the only blog I comment on consistently. My frequent return visits are inspired in equal part by your posts and the comments of your community. You’ve really got something special cooking here, keep up the great work!

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:54:17 +0000

I’ve enjoyed sitting back and watch the discussion unfold. I’m so grateful for this community. What a great learning experience. A couple of comments …

@Jamie As usual, you stir our minds in new directions with your provocative questions. Wow.

@Julie Your self-sufficient determination is really inspiring. You are the kind of person I would love to have on my team!

@Jordan — Thanks for the reality check. Of course we do have biases. This has been one of my blog themes I think throughout the past few weeks — social media is NOT the equalizer we pretend it is. Not everybody can stand out because there is a bias toward those willing or capable to self-promote, write a lot and put themselves out there.

In other words, the shy need not apply.

This is a reflection of the larger Western society in many ways. I remember both participating in and leading corporate leadership training and when it comes to the subject of diversity, everybody stands up for the “obvious” minorities but when I brought up the subject of “shy” I was met with blank stares. Truly, those pre-disposed toward being quiet are generally trampled in the corporate world and I think that shows up in this medium too.

I believe this is a bias not many people recognize or discuss. Being thoughtful and quiet is part of our human diversity too.