Blogging in a Man’s World
I recently read a blog post on TechRepublic by Head Blogs Editor Toni Bowers, about how women bloggers in technology are perceived by their readers. I was pretty disappointed to read that many readers of technology blogs could not care less about what a male technology blogger looks like, but they do pay attention to a female blogger’s looks. I love Kim Komando, but why does she have to be a good-looking blonde?
I started thinking that women in the outdoors media probably face the same prejudices. If we think we’re going to blog in a predominantly male field, then we at least need to be someone who is pleasant to look at. I beg your pardon! What’s that got to do with what we know?
Let me hear from you other female bloggers who dare share your expertise (and yes, I do mean expertise) in a testosterone-drenched field. What challenges do you face? What advice do you have for other female members of a primarily male-populated media field? Do you have any good stories to share? Do you just want to sound off? DO IT HERE!
Until next time, this is The WOMA’s own Tekkie Chik
~Paige Eissinger
Anne Vinnola on Fri, 5th Jun 2009 5:38 pm
I completely agree with you Paige. We outdoor ladies have a job of being noticed for what we write and do for the outdoor industry, as well as our other uhm… attributes. We want to be taken seriously and the women out there who are just wanting to parade around in skimpy lingerie being oogled by male hunters do not fit into the category of any women I see on this site or the women I want to work with. That being said, however, I do think we should do what we can to present ourselves at all time as well groomed professionals and look our best on and off camera!
Barbara Baird on Mon, 8th Jun 2009 10:59 am
Paige,
It’s been a hard row to hoe for a lot of women in this industry, and not always because it’s a man’s fault! A lot of us need to put on our big girl pants and get out there and deal with the issues that affect all of us: loss of hunting/fishing/trapping/shooting lands, loss of Second Amendment rights, anti-hunting campaigns disguised as save-the-local stray movement, etc., etc. There is not time to think about “I’m a girl … cut me a break.” Break that mentality and go for the “I am woman in the outdoors, hear me roar. Come on boys, let’s get this done.” Thank you, Helen Reddy.
Paige Eissinger on Mon, 8th Jun 2009 6:24 pm
I’m sitting here arguing with my husband about Kim Komando. I don’t think he even believes she IS the good looking blonde that’s on her website. He believes there’s some goofy looking nerd that writes her stuff and then promotes it with a photo of a good looking blonde…..now, does that make my point, or what?
Do you wear unzipped shorts to go turkey hunting? | Views From The Coop on Wed, 17th Jun 2009 7:41 am
[...] traditionally held by men, especially if they happen to be very good at what they do. I wrote a blog post about how a woman’s looks are often more important than what she knows. I even used Kim [...]
Mia on Sat, 20th Mar 2010 7:50 am
For us ladies, the looks part is not that important, but when it comes to men, looks most definitely are. I communicate a lot with hunting clients, and I inform them, answer questions and get them on track. It seems that they always have to call me “honey”, “darlin’” or “sweet heart”. I can give them all the information in the world, and then in the end they say “ask your husband if…”. It is not just in the outdoor industry, it is all over. The most successful women learn to deal with and deal with it well, without compromising themselves and without succumbing.