Post-feminist Woman – like Her or Hate Her?
Published October 7, 2009 | 
Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
It’s been a little over a year since Sarah Palin burst on the national scene as the Vice Presidential candidate on Senator John McCain’s GOP ticket. Palin’s managed to not only stay in the headlines but her new book, “Going Rogue” to be released in a couple weeks, is already a bestseller on Amazon.com
Like her or hate her, Palin’s probably a pretty good example of the post-feminist woman. A woman who’s unapologetic about her confidence and willingness to take risks. A woman who doesn’t back down. A woman who’s never intimidated and keeps charging through life no matter what.
Back in the heyday of the feminist movement many assumed a “new woman” would evolve from the old “Stepford Wife” stereotype. This would be a result of a nation where women have a similar upbringing and the same kind of opportunities as boys and men have to succeed in life. This woman wouldn’t be compliant, cheerful, deferential and always standing behind her man. She would be bold, confident and a risk-taker. We saw this new woman as a positive improvement.
So how do you like that “new, empowered woman” now?
When Palin first became a national figure, I saw her as an example of how we’ve evolved over the last 40 years.
We talk about how important it is for women to become more empowered. She has no need to talk about “being empowered.” She’s powerful. She doesn’t need a fight for equal rights. She’s got ‘em. And, what’s your problem if you don’t feel equal or if you feel men have an edge? She doesn’t. She busted down the door of the world’s most entrenched “old boys network.” In contrast, Hillary Clinton spent years trying to figure out how to get invited in. There isn’t a “victim” or “martyr” bone in Palin’s body.
Palin grew up actively involved in sports. Her parents told her, “You can be anything you want in life.” Isn’t that what women want for their daughters?
I’m not in agreement with her uber-conservative points of view. I voted for the other guy. But I remain amazed by her super confidence and the moves she’s made over the last year. Not necessarily in agreement with them – but still amazed. As a marketing mentor I deal with women clients who love their business but feel uncomfortable and weird about getting the word out and asking for the sale.
So let’s step away from politics – because let’s face it – her political career appears to be over. What are your thoughts on the new woman? After all, if women today have big responsibilities like paying the mortgage and handling the finances – it just doesn’t work to be the woman who feels uncomfortable asking for money. What are your thoughts?
Denise Michaels is a marketing mentor, trainer and author of the business bestseller, “Testosterone-Free Marketing.” Find out more about her at her websites below:
Marketing with Denise
Empower U Academy – Get marketing and empowerment tips here!
Get Testosterone-Free Marketing
My Copywriting Ebook
Posted in Confidence for U | 
Adventurous Women, business, competition, Denise Michaels, empowered, empowering, testosterone-free, woman | 
2 CommentsHow to Make News Work for Your Business (Part 1)
Published September 28, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
You’re busy. You don’t have a lot of time for news. However, as a woman, home-based business owner out in the world, it’s probably a good strategy to keep up with what’s happening. Then there’s all that negativity in the news. Who needs all the dire predictions of increased terror alerts and another murder weighing you down?
This two part article provides a few smart guidelines for slightly overwhelmed women business owners to keep up with news without getting caught up in it. Maybe you can even benefit from it. Hopefully, I have some useful knowledge for the task. Journalism was one of my majors in college (Marketing was the other).
If you’re over 40 it may be hard to remember a day when we didn’t have so much TV news. There was a half hour in the morning. A half hour at noon. A half hour at dinner time. And a half hour at 11:00 pm. That’s it. I remember when NBC’s The Today Show was one hour – now it’s four hours. It’s crazy.
Traditional news as an industry is going through massive change. It’s not just in the last year with the economic tailspin we’ve experienced. In the last two decades with the onset of the internet, newpapers and two a lesser degree are barely hanging on with their fingernails for survival.
“So what? Why should I care?” you say. Consider this: the vast majority of investigative journalism that uncovers the big stories is provided by and paid for by traditional news sources. Newspapers and TV are online – but most haven’t yet figured out how to turn online news into a profitable business model that supports all their costs.
There are three cable news networks that report all news all the time: FOX, CNN and MSNBC. Then there’s ever-increasing news programming on network television. Then there’s what I call “niche news” like CSpan, providing gavel to gavel coverage of Congress. “E” is about entertainment news – basically celebrity fluff.
Since there’s not much more happening, but 24 hours of time to fill and tougher competition for ratings (which is translated to advertising revenues and survival) what’s a network exec to do?
There’s plenty of news out there – but by and large Americans aren’t overly concerned with international headlines. Also, we seem to only be able to handle a few snippets of good news – what gets eyeballs glued to the the tube are the three Cs: conflict, controversy and confrontation If happy, positive news of what’s right in the world got the same kind of ratings – believe me – that’s what would be aired.
Three things:
• Repeat the same story over and over again. Ever notice how the same video image is looped over and over again?
• Spin off new “angles” or “tangents” on the same story – this tactic can be an opportunity for your business I’ll discuss in a future post.*
• Sensationalize and whip up stories that are much ado about nothing into a frenzy.
One truism for news: “When dog bites man – that’s not news. Ahhhh, but when man bites dog? THAT’S news!
TV news is the most sensational. Why? It’s all about entertainment value – it’s a show. Written words seem less crazy-making than visual images and out-of-breath news anchors. What to do? Get your news online in written form or from a newspaper. If you feel you must watch – watch short videos online. Most of the commercials are removed – so you save time. And, you don’t have to watch stories you’re not interested in.
No matter where you get news – mix it up. Don’t get it from just one source if you want a balanced point of view. Sure, it’s pleasant to read or watch news that always agrees with your point of view. But it’s smart to understand the other side.
Also, avail yourself of news sources from other countries. BBC for example. Since my husband is originally from India, I get a kick out of Times of India. Just click on “World” and you’ll get a whole new perspective about how that part of the world sees us. Other online newspapers in English originate from different countries, too.
Let me give you an example:
FOX News clearly leans to the conservative right, politically. The network has spearheaded and given the most airtime to the “tea party” demonstrations and other right wing interests. FOX is most likely to oppose the current administration in the White House. Sean Hannity is especially virulent in his disdain of our current President. Many of his “news stories” fall into the category of much ado about nothing whipped into a frenzy.
Last week apparently a video surfaced on YouTube of school children singing songs praising President Obama. Hannity reported it as children being indoctrinated akin to something like “Hitler Youth.”
The next morning I saw the same “story” reported on CNN. The school principal was interviewed. She shared a few details: it was a one time program during Black History Month. The school children sang songs about President Washington, President Lincoln and President Obama. You still might now agree – but it’s a very different story indeed. But you would never get that context if you only watched the Hannity version of the story.
So, when reading or watching news keep these guidelines in mind.
• Don’t get overwhelmed with it.
• Limit your time with it.
• Avoid over-exposure to TV news
• And not too much all from one source.
• It’s all about balance.
Tomorrow my blog post will be about how you can use the news in a positive way to help promote your business.
PS: Go to http://www.EmpowerUAcademy.com for my marketing and empowerment tipse. Also, find out about my one-on-one mentoring program at http://www.MentoringwithDenise.com
Touch What Truly Makes Your Heart Sing
Published September 18, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
It’s easy to get disconnected from your passion. Owning a business takes a lot of hard work. Especially as a woman when you have so many other things competing for your time and energy. Let’s be honest, how many women among us enjoys learning QuickBooks, asking for the sale, writing a marketing plan or handling someone who says “no.”
Success in life, however you define it, goes to those who stick with it. It’s constantly touching back with what makes your heart sing. Be willing to touch back AND confidently take a risk with your business. Show up. Actor and Director Woody Allen is famous for saying, “Eighty percent of life is just showing up.”
Are you willing to stand out a little so people can notice you and you get what you want?
Kevin Skinner was exceedingly ready. The 35 year old, humble, family man and self-described chicken catcher from hardscrabble Mayfield Kentucky who tears up easily when people compliment his singing was more than ready to take his big leap. Watch his audition on America’s Got Talent by clicking here.
I was mesmerized by Skinner’s performance. My intuition told me he’d go all the way and win it all. I watched his YouTube’s as he progressed in the competition repeatedly. And I’m not a country music fan. At all. He sings with such heart, compassion and emotion. You want to give him a hug, a cookie and hear it over and over again.
Was he the best singer in the competition? Not by a long shot. But Skinner’s talent isn’t about having a perfect voice – it’s about by making each and every member of his audience FEEL and believe in his sincerity and innate kindness. That’s his gift. He took them on a 90 second emotional journey with each performance. That’s entertainment. That’s talent. Audiences agreed.
Now the whole world knows Skinner went on to win America’s Got Talent on Wednesday September 16th. See his winning moment by clicking here. Suddenly he’s a million dollars richer and has a contract for a headline show in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood.
I’ll bet Kevin knows he’s not a perfect singer. But he wasn’t willing to wait until he was perfect. Instead he got out there and saw how far he could go on the talent he does possess. The answer came back loud and clear: pretty far.
What about you? Have you hidden your talent or great business idea in the shadows for years hoping someday it’ll be perfect and someone will discover it magically? Life doesn’t usually happen that way. The people who win are the ones who move energy even if it isn’t perfect. In fact your talents and gifts will become more perfect when you get them out on a larger stage whether it’s in business or in life. Our true “lesson” in life is about growing up and authentically becoming who we really are. And, knowing how to market yourself and feeling good about it can help you get there – just ask me.
Posted in Personal Growth | Adventurous Women, business, confident, Denise Michaels, empowering, marketing, success | 2 CommentsOffline Marketing Today – Out and About
Published September 11, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
I’m always bouncing back and forth between working online and offline to bring attention to my message and gain more people interested in my message and what I do.
Today is an offline day – It’s 6:53 am and in five minutes I need to jump in the shower and get ready to drive across town for a networking breakfast. It’s a long way to go -but it’s a really great meeting and a lot of people have purchased my book and taken an interest in my Testosterone-Free Marketing message. It’s with a group I joined a few months ago called Defining Women Network*. Empowering, fun and they really do business with each other.
Then, I have two meetings at the brand new “M” resort – a gorgeous place. They have a huge lobby area that overlooks the pool and a few miles away you can see the legendary Las Vegas strip. It’s far enough away from the ubiquitious casinos we have out here that you don’t hear the clanging bells that are part of the casino scene.
It’s elegant and lovely in a clean, modern, zen kind of way – I’m going to wrap up my laptop and take it with me and work there for awhile. My guess is they won’t have wifi access – but I have a writing project I need to complete for a client – so I can do that offline. I crave opportunities to work in lovely, elegant settings. I like my office at home – just painted it and redecorated a few weeks ago. But in comparison this space is opulent. It inspires me and encourages me to think abundant thoughts and ideas. I encourage you to find ways to work in lovely settings outside of your office to inspire you. Then, I’ll bounce back home before the rush hour starts.
The meetings are sort of “getting to know you” kind of meetings – but I’m hoping one of the two will become a marketing mentoring client.
Have a great day yourself – whatever you’re doing. Holy cow – I’ve got 15 minutes to shower, get dressed, put on makeup and get out the door. Gotta fly!
To find out about my exciting workshop coming up Monday November 2nd click here. Also, make sure you sign up for my free marketing and empowerment tips by clicking here.
PS: Defining Women has seven groups in the Las Vegas area and one in Salem OR – if you’d like more info go to http://www.DefiningWomenNetwork.com
Posted in Uncategorized | Adventurous Women, book, business, Denise Michaels, empowering, marketing, mentoring, offline, online, testosterone-free | 1 CommentWelcome!
Dedicated to every 40+ person still kickin' it. If you have dreams and adventures you refuse to abandon - follow me on the journey. Life is one big adventure! Make yours excellent.
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