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Is sexism a problem among internet marketers?

by Dorian Anthony
21 replies
Seems to me that the majority of internet marketers are men. Why do you think this is so? Are women intimidated by men online? IM is obviously a gender neutral endeavor, however, that doesn't account for why men make up the vast majority of marketers. Also, I've noticed that many programs sold online use terms predominately associated with macho stereotypes such as "sniper", "bully", and "renegade", "assault"...
#internet #marketers #problem #sexism
  • Profile picture of the author serryjw
    Yes..but only partially because of male IMers...Even on here, many have responded to my post in the male reference after seeing my PIC. Young woman aren't as entrepreneurial as their male counterpart. How many female coders are there??
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  • Profile picture of the author Brando95
    I'd agree with serry. I know it sounds terrible, I promise I'm not sexist. But if you look anywhere in history male minds do seem to be much more entrepreneurial, getter dun, think for themselves type. Women kind of do what they're told. Men are also seen to be meant to be the breadwinners. So we need to find money, wherever we can. And have it spent by our women.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dorian Anthony
      Originally Posted by Brando95 View Post

      I'd agree with serry. I know it sounds terrible, I promise I'm not sexist. But if you look anywhere in history male minds do seem to be much more entrepreneurial, getter dun, think for themselves type. Women kind of do what they're told. Men are also seen to be meant to be the breadwinners. So we need to find money, wherever we can. And have it spent by our women.
      I think women would say they've had fewer opportunities-historically. There are quite a few Mommy bloggers online though...
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      • Profile picture of the author serryjw
        Dorian..WHAT are they blogging about? Family, cooking, raising children?
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      • Profile picture of the author Brando95
        Originally Posted by Dorian Anthony View Post

        I think women would say they've had fewer opportunities-historically. There are quite a few Mommy bloggers online though...
        Yes I do absolutely agree with that. But not everywhere, and not so much now either. A woman could just as easily pickup IM as a man their equally intelligent. I think its just something about the male brain that makes us think business. I think the testosterone attracts us to power and control. Which we gain from owning a business. Like a male lion or gorilla killing shit and owning some African plains. The females couldn't care less about the territory.
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        • Profile picture of the author Dorian Anthony
          Originally Posted by Brando95 View Post

          Yes I do absolutely agree with that. But not everywhere, and not so much now either. A woman could just as easily pickup IM as a man their equally intelligent. I think its just something about the male brain that makes us think business. I think the testosterone attracts us to power and control. Which we gain from owning a business. Like a male lion or gorilla killing shit and owning some African plains. The females couldn't care less about the territory.
          Very good point. Males are dominant and most concerned with survival among the majority of species.
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      • Profile picture of the author ErinWalsh
        There are women entrepreneurs and marketers, etc. It takes a focused person no matter the sex. It also takes a certain level of assertiveness. I hate to say it, but women for the most part aren't direct enough. We speak in more neutral language even when dealing with facts. Unfortunately it holds us back.

        Also from a sociological stand point women, in general, want to be pleasing. Want to be liked and no seen as "bossy" or the other b word. Once you give up fear of being those words, and actually embrace the empowerment those words try to shame you out of, then you can be successful.
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        • Profile picture of the author serryjw
          Erin, It took us 20 years to be as good as men in sales...we will catch up. People forget that IM is about 12 years old. I interviewed with Jockey for a sales trainee in 1975. The sales Manager could not understand WHY a woman would want to sell men's briefs. I didn't get the job.
          My friend was the first road sale rep in the apparel industry. NOW there are many.
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    • Profile picture of the author serryjw
      I can't agree with the WHY.. 16 year old females care about boys, make up & fashion. What % of IT majors are female?
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  • Profile picture of the author Johnny1975
    The argument about women not having opportunities lost its credibility a long time ago. The fact is that men like doing this stuff more than women, as well as other things. Men and women are different, and rather than worrying about what men are doing, women should just be themselves and do whatever they want to do and whatever comes naturally to them. You don't see many men concerning themselves about whatever women generally tend to do. There's no sexism, it's just nature being played out. Who exactly is being sexist? The men who are just getting on with their lives doing what they're good at and keen on? Only people can be sexist, not situations.
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  • Profile picture of the author dana67
    I think things are changing and more women are entering the Internet Marketing arena. There is still a majority of men, but the great this is anyone can do this. The only thing it's dependent on is your own efforts.
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  • Profile picture of the author AllieB
    Banned
    Could it be that women are starting to come into their own? For many years advertising and marketing has been focused on very idealistic roles i.e. men as workers and bread winners and women as homemakers and nurturers. Now what we are seeing is more women in the workforce and more men staying home with the kids. I think it's great, it just goes to prove that your gender doesn't predetermine what choices you make in life - you do!
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    • Profile picture of the author agmccall
      The majority also seem to be white, Let me guess we are Racist too. How about Gays Maybe we are homophobes as well.

      This victimhood mentality really makes me want to puke

      al
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      • Profile picture of the author Dorian Anthony
        Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

        The majority also seem to be white, Let me guess we are Racist too. How about Gays Maybe we are homophobes as well.

        This victimhood mentality really makes me want to puke

        al
        ha ha. No, I don't think anyone here is racist or homophobes..but I also don't know everyone here. I know what you mean about the victim mentality, but this is just a discussion about gender based labels and how sometimes we(men) don't think about about a woman's perspective because IM is predominantly a man's world. I just think it's an interesting topic.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dorian Anthony
      Originally Posted by AllieB View Post

      Could it be that women are starting to come into their own? For many years advertising and marketing has been focused on very idealistic roles i.e. men as workers and bread winners and women as homemakers and nurturers. Now what we are seeing is more women in the workforce and more men staying home with the kids. I think it's great, it just goes to prove that your gender doesn't predetermine what choices you make in life - you do!
      Hi Allie,

      I agree. Let's think of it this way..would a man buy a product called "Adwords Princess" or "Webinar Queen?" I don't think many would-whether they're willing to admit it or not.
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      • Profile picture of the author serryjw
        WE arrived 25 years ago from the MRS degree....BUT Men more than Woman related to technology, science or engineering...IT is just an extension of this skill set. NO ONE in college encourages woman to expand beyond the traditional majors...HOW many men enter school with the idea they are going to be a kindergarten teacher?
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        • Profile picture of the author Dorian Anthony
          Originally Posted by serryjw View Post

          WE arrived 25 years ago from the MRS degree....BUT Men more than Woman related to technology, science or engineering...IT is just an extension of this skill set. NO ONE in college encourages woman to expand beyond the traditional majors...HOW many men enter school with the idea they are going to be a kindergarten teacher?
          Nice point. It's a fact that women don't usually specialize in their filed-take doctors for example. Most female doctors are family practitioners..not surgeons.
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          • Profile picture of the author serryjw
            UNFORTUNATELY, woman still have multiple roles, taking care of the house, the kids, their husbands (professional) needs and their own professional life...something has to give.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    I support female marketers (and entrepreneurs) all the time. I think they rock.

    There's no sexism in my book... Just for whatever reason a shortage of them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aniblow
    What can I say buddy...? It's a man's world... I bet the ladies would agree to that.
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  • Profile picture of the author CAmarketing
    I think there are just more men in "business" in general... more men with MBAs than women. Internet marketing is very much running your own business, so perhaps that's why. Women are just less interested (as a whole, not saying they aren't women who are interested in IM, I happen to be one of them)
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