Social Media Women: ‘Self proclaimed social media gurus’ not welcome
Tomorrow sees the first meeting in Sydney of Social Media Women, which describes itself as “a safe place for women to gain experience and confidence to ask questions, learn and challenge themselves to grow, evolve and aspire” without being pushed to the sidelines by “self proclaimed social media gurus”.
The networking group’s founding members are Nancy Georges (Magnolia Solutions), Catriona Pollard (CP Communications) and Kristin Rohan (Sassy SEO).
In something of a clash, the event – being held at the Blues Point Hotel in McMahons Point – takes place on the same night as the inaugural meeting of Digital Citizens, which was set up by former members of Social Media Club Sydney organising committee including Heather Ann Snodgrass and Cathie McGinn.
According to a release from Social Media Women: “Having recognised the important role women play in social media, the group will give women a voice in all areas of social media. It’s a place to connect and share to support each other and build a community.
And Pollard added: “Social media comes naturally to women. We are networkers, nurturers, gatherers, builders of villages and communicators. Women want inspiration and collaboration, support and confidence. They don’t want self proclaimed social media gurus pushing them to the sidelines.”
“With Social Media Women we have created a safe place for women to gain experience and confidence to ask questions, learn and challenge themselves to grow, evolve and aspire.”
An aim of the launch meeting will be to “lend to the group’s lobbying efforts to secure more female speakers at social media conferences”.
“With Social Media Women we have created a safe place for women to gain experience and confidence to ask questions, learn and challenge themselves to grow, evolve and aspire.”
At least they bring their own brand of bullshit wankspeak. They make the whole thing sound a lot more empowering than just sitting around in a room talking about twitter.
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I am genuinely intrigued as to why this is a women-only group. I’m not saying I want to be involved, but saying women need a ‘safe’ place to discus social media has got me scratching my head.
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I just put this on the other article from Dr Mumbo on this but…
is it only me that still thinks that if there was a “Social Media Men” event there would be moans about sexism?
They say “Social media comes naturally to women. We are networkers, nurturers, gatherers, builders of villages and communicators. Women want inspiration and collaboration, support and confidence.”
Whereas obviously men want to be put down, shouted at and told they’re stupid.
what the f**k has building villages got to do with social media? My brickie can put up a great wall but knows f**k-all about facebook.
Michael – spot on with the wankspeak call.
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This is also posted on Dr Mumbo – http://bit.ly/96Wbug
Firstly I’ll start by saying that I am one of the organisers of the Digital Citizens event and I have no issues at all with both events being on the same night.
There is always cross-overs and events happening at the same time. Such things happen and will continue to happen.
Which brings me to the ‘Social Media Women’s’ group. (Disclaimer: SMW’s Kristin Rohan is a friend of mine and also one of the most amazing people I have met in my life). I was disappointed to hear it was being set up recently and my initial thoughts were what is the point of a social media group for women being set up when social media is meant to be the great leveller.
Socia Media is designed to allow all of us to share information, discuss with one another and to communicate. The moment you create a sub-sect designed to leave out men is the moment you fail to understand what true social media is about.
The press release states: “Having recognised the important role women play in social media, the group will give women a voice in all areas of social media. It’s a place to connect and share to support each other and build a community.”
Maybe it’s just me but surely men and women play an equal role in this industry? In fact the majority of people I know in social media are women – probably out-numbering the men by about 3-1.
The quote in the release states: “Social media comes naturally to women. We are networkers, nurturers, gatherers, builders of villages and communicators.”
“Women want inspiration and collaboration, support and confidence. They don’t want self proclaimed social media guru’s pushing them to the sidelines.”
Hold on a second. Let’s re-read that
“Social media comes naturally to women.” – So I guess not men then. Shit. I must be in the wrong job.
“We are networkers, nurturers, gatherers, builders of villages and communicators.” – Bugger I need to stop networking, gathering (information these days), building villages (I actually have no idea what that means cause the last time I checked stats the majority of the building industry were men, usually called Brad or Jono or something and usually showing us their asses as we walk by building sites) and as for communicating well I could have sworn I do that everyday to both men and women.
“Women want inspiration and collaboration, support and confidence. They don’t want self proclaimed social media guru’s pushing them to the sidelines.” – This is the quote that really pissed me off. I know a whole bunch of female self-proclaimed social media guru’s (and one in particular who I find to be totally useless) just as I know a number of male self-proclaimed ones. They try to push anyone to the sidelines – men and women. An asshole is an asshole to anyone.
Social media is all about collaboration and support and an organisation that is solely targeted at women gives up the right to say they collaborate if they are negating one half of the population (yeah I know that figure isn’t exact).
Sorry for the long rant, and apologies to Kristin Rohan and the rest of the SMW team but I feel that social media is about everyone and not excluding anyone.
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“Whatever happened to the Popular Front, Reg?”
“He’s over there.”
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“Splitter”!
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Odd chaps, women.
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seems a bit anti-social to exclude people
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@Angus: hahahahahahahahahaha!
“What has social media ever done for us?”
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“Social media comes naturally to women. We are networkers, nurturers, gatherers, builders of villages and communicators. Women want inspiration and collaboration, support and confidence.”
You also want your line managers to turn a blind eye while you waste your entire working day piss f@rting about on Facebook and Youtube. And now I’m told that group of school playground idiots who bitch and moan in the kitchen twelve times a day are building a village!
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I have some pretty strong views on women-only groups, particularly women in business, and I’ve made them known before. In this day and age, I just don’t see the need for it and I think it just strengthens the divide to exclude one sex. That said, our female readers have given me a LOT of feedback that suggests they WANT women in business groups, websites, features etc, and as the magazine I edit should serve the readership and not just what I personally would want to read, I have to grudgingly accept the reality that some women feel more comfortable in, and identify with, women-only groups. I wouldn’t choose to attend them myself. I don’t see anything wrong with what these ladies are doing and there’s plenty of room for all kinds of different social media groups. Pick and choose the one that works for you. I think what’s got people’s back up is the comment about social media gurus pushing women aside, which could all too easily be read to suggest men make women feel uncomfortable and undervalued at other events. This is certainly not an experience I’ve had. So good luck to Catriona and co and if you don’t like it, don’t go. If it suits you, then do.
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this sort of ‘womens only’ group harks back to the 50’s – only seeking to promote a perceived gap between men and women- truely offensive when positioned in the way it is.
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This whole thing is pretty ridiculous.
Less talking and more work from the lot of you.
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For what it is worth, I thought I’d put my hat in the ring with a comment.
I considered my views carefully last night, and after having brief discussions with some of the very respectable people who have commented here and over at the Dr Mumbo thread I’m leaning towards agreeing with Scott.
Social media is not about sexes. It’s not about individuals. It’s not about gurus.
The wonderful thing about social media is that it provides an even and leveled playing field for all participants. It’s a dynamic and evolving platform, and is accessible for anyone who has an internet connection.
What I’m torn about, is the concept that women need their own group to “give women a voice in all areas of social media. It’s a place to connect and share to support each other and build a community.”
While I support groups like Women in Business and other collaborative efforts who lobby for, and support women in achieving equality in business, I’m not sure we need it in the social media space? Surely, surely women are equal in this evolving online community?
Please don’t get me wrong, I think the three women who have launched this initiative are talented, astute women who are obviously meeting a need – they have 71 participants in less than 24 hrs notice of their first meeting – I’m more lamenting that in this day and age, we still have a need for groups like this.
In my naivety, I really believe social media is one platform we are all equal.
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I am a man. Oh yes. And I enjoy getting worked up about stuff. However I can’t see much to get worked up about here. I don’t actually mind women creating their own spaces to talk about stuff. If “Social Media Women” offers its members something useful then it will continue. If it doesn’t then it won’t. Pretty simple really.
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Hey Scott Rhodie… can i guess who the self professed female Social Media useless person is?
thats a dilemma – if a woman is a self professed SM Guru, can she join?
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LOL..after reading all these comments, this is probably why these women see a need for this event.
If it has legs, it’ll grow.
I dont see a reason what’s wrong with these women holding this event. If you had an event which is $1500 to attend, price would discriminate against many. If the event was for only people in the area code 2000, then geography would be an issue. Choose a ethnicity, another issue.
Basically, people who feel they’re being left out will feel marginalised.
At the end of the day, it’s about intent. If the intention of this event is to empower women to excel, then surely that’s a great thing, right?
PS:…. just dont be that woman..I mean guy!..whatever in SM.
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