Have you ever noticed males seem to dominate the computer industry? Anytime you hear about a computer “geek” or “guru”, it’s a guy.
Blogosphere isn’t much different. The “A-List” bloggers we all hear about are men too.
Today’s Lesson
When I started blogging (March 2007) most of the blogs I found were techy type blogs, written by men. The topics were either way over my head, or I had no interest in them. I felt out of place.
I concentrated on reading Steve Pavlina and Darren Rowse (Problogger).
When I found Lorelle, I frequented her blog often. It was filled with great information about WordPress.
Months later, I left several comments on Problogger, and that’s where Asako found me. With her being Japanese, and me, having worked for a Japanese company, we became instant internet friends. (She has since gone on hiatus, but her blog remains online.)
It was through Asako’s blog, that Catherine and I found each other. The three of us faithfully visited each other, left comments and shared emails.
As more time passed and I ventured further into blogosphere, I began to find other female bloggers. Soon, dozens of female bloggers were coming on board. Their writings were phenomenal.
What a joy it was for me to read a woman’s viewpoint; to read posts on subjects that were down to earth; on subjects that affected my everyday life.
For me, it was a pleasure to see females jumping on the blogging bandwagon and having their say.
Although some may say they are “girly” blogs, often the content isn’t gender specific.
Female bloggers are becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Female bloggers are changing the landscape of blogosphere.
Female bloggers are using their blogs as portfolios to go on to bigger and better things.
Female bloggers are making money online.
I think we’re here to stay.
Today’s Assignment
Does it make a difference to you if the author of a blog is male or female?
What do you think? Are female authors as good as, or sometimes better than male authors?
Do females write more from the heart? Have more compassion?
Do you agree, female bloggers rock?
Photo Credit: LabGP & SigOther’s photostream
Yay – Go Girls I say! – I thought of making a joke about a female blogger being a flogger, but I thought better of it. A Bloggette? (sounds like something you eat) Bloggelle? I think I’ll quit right now.
Robins last blog post..Friday the 13th.
That’s funny Robin.
We must be on the same wave length as I tried the same name thing for female bloggers.
It’s got to have a “glam” sound. 😆
Let’s see if any of the following commenters come up with a good idea.
Hi Marelisa,
I don’t want to be called a flogger, do you? lol
Like you, I enjoy seeing guys comment on “life issue” blogs. They’re dealing with the issues as well, so there’s no reason why they should feel “less of a man” by expressing their opinion.
I enjoy the varying opinions, and hearing it from a male standpoint often opens our eyes to other options.
“A flogger” lol! I think women bloggers are definitely as good as men bloggers. I visit several blogs that deal with subjects like simplicity, raising a family, and other subjects that may be thought of as “soft” subjects (as opposed to technology), and some are owned by women and some by men. Also, I often see men commenting on posts that I wouldn’t have thought men would have an interest in (which I think is great). I’m not going to say that the world is becoming more “unisex”, because I don’t think anyone wants that, but I think overall people feel freer to express themselves, whether they’re men or women. And yes, women bloggers rock!
Nah, it doesn’t matter which gender writes something, heck they don’t have to be human, if the information is useful, I will extract what I can from it and say thank you.
Of course female bloggers are just as good because we do write from the heart, I think we have more influence over an audience, even marketers recognize this – women possess the “buying power” = influence…even if sometimes women may not always be shown the same respect as a man by other men as fast, I think that’s starting to change.
Yes we rock, I’m all for girl power and sure there’s room for the men too.
Naturals last blog post..Do You Suffer From Affluenza?
It doesn’t matter to me whether the blogger is male or female it’s really all about content.
Blogger = “Blog Girl” or “Blogher” ?
Dr.Casons last blog post..Stop Buying and Start Doing
I tend to take a special interest if a blog is written by a female. Maybe it’s because there are so many more blogs written by males. I am interested to find out if the female blogger is facing the same issues as I am. And more often than not, it is the case.
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Maps last blog post..My Happiness Retreat In Khao Lak
Honestly, I’m not exactly sure who the A-listers are, or what their genders are. I don’t read many of the blogs on the top of the technorati lists.
Is Skellie (a woman) considered A-list? She says no, but a lot of people would disagree. Certainly Heather Armstrong at Dooce is A-list (though I don’t read her blog). And there are plenty of females in my personal “A-list.”
“Does it make a difference to you if the author of a blog is male or female?”
Sort of. I’m not going to decide to read or not read someone’s blog just because of their gender. But their gender affects how they write, so I see it as part of the overall package offered by a blogger.
“What do you think? Are female authors as good as, or sometimes better than male authors?”
Yes, but it’s also true that male authors are as good as, or sometimes better than female authors! 🙂
“Do females write more from the heart? Have more compassion?”
I’m not sure. In general, yes, it’s probably true. But as far as the blogosphere goes, men who don’t write from the heart might be less likely to get into blogging. Therefore, male bloggers (moggers) might write more from the heart than male non-bloggers, on average.
“Do you agree, female bloggers rock?”
That’s a little too broad for me to agree with completely. But certainly some female bloggers rock–like you, Barbara!
Hunter Nuttalls last blog post..Cubicle Rage To The Extreme
I don’t think it matters. Good writing is good writing. However, most of my favourite blogs are by female authors. That could be saying something right there.
Chase Marchs last blog post..Unworn Clothes in the Closet
Female bloggers rock (but I WOULD say that wouldn’t I lol)
I don’t read a blog based on gender.. its more about writing style and if the content appeals to me. That being said, it’s always cool to find other female bloggers. *shrugs* don’t know why – it’s just a cool feeling. When I first started, I was overwhelmed by the techie blogs. I can hang with the big boys but how much SEO talk is supposed to appeal to me before I can get down with that club?
Nah – I like reading about other people’s perspective on life, humor, and just useful info like freelance writing. Man or woman. 🙂
(still. Go ladies! Go ladies!) <— lol
Lately there has been a rash of news articles (Newsweek, etc.) on “nerd girls” — basically, girls who like technology. My husband was actually the one who noticed it and pointed out how crazy-patronizing the articles are. With MIT grads for a sister and (female) best friend, he was shocked to hear women-with-technology was an unusual thing. And of course he had to catch me at the computer to have the conversation, ha!
Anyway, about bloggers … almost every blog I read is by a woman. It’s not something I planned on purpose, but I found most of my blogs by following others’ links, and so probably unknowingly tapped into the female network. I also read a lot of wedding, home, and design, so skewed sample there.
Two Wishess last blog post..Cheapie Evening Bags on the Web
Of course women bloggers rock, and of course they are just as good as men bloggers. But equality to me is about blindness – gender blindness, race blindness etc. About judging a person by what they have to offer rather than by things they have no control over. Better yet, about not judging a person at all.
My feed reader is arranged by “A list” (not necessarily A-listers, but my favorite blogs), B list etc. The A list contains females and males, and I enjoy them all very much, regardless of gender.
My own blog has a female look and is often written from a female point of view, but it still tackles many issues that are of general interest, and I do have many male readers that feel that they CAN participate and contribute. I am grateful for my male AND female readers. It’s good to have a balance.
Vereds last blog post..Apparently, Easy-To-Operate Stuff Was Invented, Because Women Are STUPID (Wordless Wednesday)
Well you certainly rock! I’m impressed anytime a blogger can actually get readers to comment by answering the questions they’ve asked. I’m with most of your readers. Gender doesn’t matter at all to me. I read for content, knowledge and inspiration. Of course females write just as well. As for having more compassion, it’s expressing it that counts! Warmth is not just a female quality.
Tom Volkar / Dellightful Works last blog post..The Three Most Direct Ways to Earn More Money Now
Hi Natural,
LOL! Do you think there are blogs that aren’t written by humans? Machine produced posts? I guess even that’s possible, after all, Hunter invented a “blog post rehasher” 🙂
Yes, research does prove women possess a lot of buying power/influence. Those who take this into consideration are one step up on the competition. Blogging may not be all that different.
Hi Dr. Cason,
Content still rules, doesn’t it. That would make content “queen”, right? 🙂
Hi Evelyn,
Like you, I enjoy reading blogs written by females, and am thrilled to see more women entering into blogging. In many areas of life, we not all that much different.
Hi Hunter,
A-listers? Who are they? That’s a good question. And WHO even came up with that “ranking”? (there’s a future blog post in that question. 🙂 ) I did think of Skellie what I was writing this post. She’s made a great name for herself.
“moggers” ? not to be confused with “muggers”. 😆
You’ve done a great job of answering all of the questions, plus paid me a very nice compliment. Looks like you get an A+ for the assignment 🙂
Hi JEMi,
I knew YOU would say female bloggers rock. 🙂 (smiles)
Like you, when I see the techno blogs, and hundreds of articles written on the exact same subject, it’s like “enough is enough, let’s move on to something else”.
Hi Chase,
Agreed, good writing is good writing, but it is interesting to know you’re enjoying the female blogs more.
Hi Two Wishes,
Welcome to the BWAB community.
That’s hard to believe that in 2008 women in technology is considered “unusual”. I thought that glass ceiling myth was shattered years ago, but apparently not. To me, it’s sad that women still have to work harder to be considered equal, (and get equal pay).
By following links on female blogs, networks of women can be discovered, and like you said, it’s often due to the subject matter.
Hi Vered,
Oh, how perfect it would be if everyone was “blind”. Like you, I agree it shouldn’t matter, but for some reason, it still does. The current political race has been a good example of that. Instead of looking at qualifications, the candidates were/are branded by gender, race and age. Sad.
With your blog, it’s your content that appeals to men and women – it’s not gender specific, and I always enjoy reading the comments you get as they give such a diverse perspective.
Hi Tom,
Thank you!
Stick around and you’ll see why I’m getting answers to my questions. The (growing) group of bloggers who are part of the BWAB community are awesome. THEY are why I continue to do what I do. They all rock!
Content is why we read blogs, isn’t it? And good content is certainly not gender specific.
Re: Warmth. Yes, SOME men do show it, but it would be great to see even more of it. I find it interesting how those men who do show their sensitive side (in their blog posts) end up with a large female following.
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you!
It would be hard to play favorites when there are so many great blogs, written by both sexes. Just think what we might miss if we discriminated.
Hi Hyrcan,
The BWAB community welcomes you. Your enthusiasm and willingness to jump right into the “assignment” gets you an “A”.
And WOW, what great answers you’ve given.
You do bring up a great point about blogs that are written to provide answers/insight from research. They will be “drier” than a more personal/blogger’s journey type blog. And…they often attract a different type of audience.
Isn’t blogging great? There are blogs to fit everyones interests, and anyone can have one. Like you, I love how that works. 🙂
I was going to leave as my comment “Girls rock!” Then I kept reading and you asked if we agree that girls rock? Yes, they do. You rock, Barbara!
I don’t play favorites though. I find good writings from both “girls” and “boys.”
The internet is always changing… What will it be like tomorrow or by the end of the day?
Jennifers last blog post..What’s Holding You Back? Part 2
Today’s Assignment
1) Nope
2) Yup, as good and as bad as male authors.
(…and probably at least better than me.)
3) Nope.
Hmm, was going to keep this simple but…
I think they express it differently, but I believe everyone writes from their heart, and it’s compassion that causes them to write about the topic. Unless they are drones writing for only a paycheck about a topic they don’t really care about.
Some (male and female) may express that in more analytical terms because that is what they are comfortable with. But to label them as not writing from the heart or not being as compassionate about the topic they write about is a bit insulting. I know several researchers that wouldn’t appreciate it. Just because the live in the world of facts and figures doesn’t mean they are any less compassionate. They just think sticking to the facts is more effective in getting the change they feel is important to them.
4) Yup.
All bloggers rock. Good, not so good… male, female… teenager, 30something, or 80… they all rock.
The conversation of females in the IT industry, or for that matter any sciences, has been going for some time now. Much has been written by people much more educated on the topic than me, but as @Two Wishes, pointed out, I also find a lot of the articles (at least in the news) on the matter quite patronizing. The Sciences don’t care about gender… nor does technology.
While we have definitely gone through a general social change from which women are still emerging from, it was not limited to just the science or technology sector.
I’m happy to see any new blogger jump in the pool!
Women definitely bring a unique perspective, as does any other group, or individual, and I’m very thankful for this constant influx of new thinking, ideas, and interest.
It’s the new thinking, ideas, and interests, that drives us to the next level of awesome.
Isn’t humanity a marvel.
peace.
hyrcans last blog post..Change?
Oh and…
@Robin: I think we as humans name to many things, labels everywhere. Blogger, Bloggrrl… Everything in it’s pigeon hole…
A label is not who I am. A label is not an identity.
I dream of a time when it doesn’t matter about any of that.
So if there must be a name for a woman who writes a blog…
My vote is for: Blogger.
Or you can even go with Author, or even Writer…
Guess what my vote for indigenous people who write blogs is… 😉
hyrcans last blog post..Change?
Hi Karl,
Thank you for including me with your favorites. 🙂
Blog post value seems to be getting the most votes.
Hi John,
You’re another one who mentioned aliens. Do you all know something I don’t? 😆
As long as the writing give me value I would read advice from a purple alien. That’s the great part of the blogosphere…we can tweak and improve our information until people start to notice and when they do there is no stopping them. My favorite women bloggers besides Barbara is Dooce and Skelliewag. I bet most of you have checked them out already, but they are always worth another look.
Karl Staib – Your Work Happiness Matterss last blog post..Use Failure as Your Slingshot
Male, female, alien, everyone’s different. We all have different backgrounds, experiences, and knowledge. I don’t think being either a female or male matters much.
John Hoff – eVentureBizs last blog post..Blind Marketing Is Risky
Hi Urban Panther,
There is often a difference in “style” between men and women, but like you said, if the content is good, you’ll read it. That seems to be the general consensus will all of the commenters, and I agree.
Aren’t you glad your brother introduced you to the world of blogging? It’s a phenomenal hobby.
Hi Bamboo Forest,
Skellie is an excellent female blogger. She has also made her mark on blogosphere in a relatively short period of time.
Hi Natural,
First I hear about aliens, and now you’re telling me that chimps are blogging too. Are you saying they might be using elephant artwork in their posts? 😆
Does not matter to me at all the gender of the blogger as long as the blog is well written, thoughtful, and thought provoking. Do I think female bloggers write more from the heart? Hmmm…men from Mars/women from Venus? I think to generalize, our style is different, but that can be expanded to any profession. I work in IT, and I just read an article that said women are rockin’ out in IT because the profession is becoming less technical and more business oriented (i.e. communication oriented).
Personally, I have written all my life. Since I could pick up a pencil and put words to paper. However, it never dawned on me that I might be able to make any money at it until blogging was introduced to me by my brother (www.somedaysyndrome.com). This has allowed me to actually live my passion.
Urban Panthers last blog post..Managing the Lion
I base my enthusiasm for a blog on the content, and the content alone. My favorite blog on blogging happens to be authored by a female. Her blog is, http://www.skelliewag.org
Out of all the bloggers who blog about effective blogging, she is undoubtedly my favorite.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..Top 7 Things I’ve Learned about Blogging
you know some scientist have some darn chimp in the back room blogging barbara. lol not to get off topic, but elephants paint. lol
Naturals last blog post..Do You Suffer From Affluenza?
Hi Shilpan,
I do know you have a lot of females who frequent your blog, and vice versa. Your topics are not gender specific, nor are you afraid to show your “soft” side.
Barbara –
Well, I’m a male and some of my best friends on the blogosphere are female. They take time to read my posts and comments regularly and for that, I’m immensely thankful. So, in my mind it doesn’t matter if a reader or writer is male or not simply because content connects us on the blogosphere.
Shilpan
Shilpan | successsoul.coms last blog post..How to Cultivate Mental Clarity and Happiness
Nobody ever said that blogging is only for men. The problem is that until a few years ago, MOST WOMEN didn’t know anything about computers and internet therefore they couldn’t hear something about blogging. It’s a good thing that there are female bloggers as any guy would like to understand more about women and we could do that by reading your posts and your opinions. Female bloggers brought something new and they give a good taste for blogging as they can write more “delicious” than male bloggers.
Tech Newss last blog post..The First Commercial UFO
I hear few people call a female blogger as Bloggeress, do you think it sounds cool?!
Well, I read many good female blogs which aren’t not less than other male blogs on the stage, I’m here and leaving a comment on a female blog 🙂
Hi Barbara – I enjoy reading both. There’s so many great bloggers out there, but it’s nice to know that more women are blogging now.
Cath Lawsons last blog post..Make Your Business Seem Amazingly Popular
Female bloggers rock! I think women, in general, bring more heart into their posts. And there is great value in that. So, keep it up ladies – you have great stuff to say, and say it very well!
Male bloggers rock as well.
There is a lot of great stuff being said out there. For me, it’s to find what interests me (regardless of gender), and learn and grow from it.
Lances last blog post..Exercise and Mood Changes
Hi Debbie,
With time being an issue, we do have to pick and choose what we read. Like you, the technical blogs are often written in language that’s over my head, so I avoid them. However, if the blog author takes the time to explain things in “my language (?), they I’ll subscribe.
Ooops,
Hi Tech News,
Welcome to the BWAB community.
Haha, some women will probably beg to differ, but I do think blogging (and the concept of it) was something that men originated. (if there is a female who blogged from the onset of blogging, I’d love to hear from you).
I like how you put that…we write more “delicious” 🙂
Hi Axecity,
Sorry, but I don’t like Bloggeress either. I’m leaning toward what Hyrcan said, we’re “bloggers”, just like you guys.
It’s good to know you don’t discriminate, as I always enjoy your comments.
Hi Catherine,
I do agree, it’s great to see more women sharing their stories/knowledge.
Hi Lance,
Right on! All of us gals thank you for your kind words.
And yes, you men rock too. 🙂
The type of blogs I read are written mostly by women. I only have 1 or 2 blogs that I read written by men and honestly, they aren’t my favorite. But, I don’t really care to read “business” or “technical” blogs. It’s not my market and I only have so much time in the day to blog. I think women have a lot to offer in this area and the men better look out. 🙂
Debbie Yosts last blog post..The Dentist
Barbara,
BlogHer is actually taken, it’s a roundup site for blogs by women. It’s a cute term, but as some folks voiced above, I’m not really into gender-differentiating bloggers. For myself, I wouldn’t want either a girly or a girl-power name for the occupation. The way actors of both genders (mainly) want to be called actors now, comics want to be comics, and your waitress might prefer you called her a server. Blogger will do fine for me, or when I’m feeling fancy, “blog author.”
I’m happy to stand on the shoulder of giants of whatever gender. If men got to the game first, fine. Women are catching up quickly. I’m certainly glad it’s not just for boys anymore.
I think there are some mighty compassionate men blogging, like Brett Legree at 6 Weeks. I’ll never be as sensitive as he is!
I write a business blog myself, and my female p.o.v. is definitely there on occasion, but I try not to make it the point of the blog.
My 2¢. Great post!
Regards,
Kelly
Kellys last blog post..Free Slippery Advice, Today Only
First of all great blog and I have been working on getting my wife to blog, she is a much better writer than I could ever be. I bought her a domain but she is slow to start. It is on travel a subject she loves. Yes I agree female bloggers rock us males are more often boring….
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