How to Market to Women Online
Women of the Internet
(IM) woman Hear me roar…Remember the old Helen Reddy song, ”I am woman hear me roar?”
Well women I want to hear you roar right now. But first off which of these categories describes you…
Your a Mom and you are pressed for time right now. If you are anything like my wonderful wife Lorraine she is on the go all the time always doing for her family.
You maybe running kids to school,running kids to sports practices not to mention every other child in the neighborhood,cooking 3 meals a day, doing the shopping,
maybe even working a part or full time job trying to help support the finances of the family, Your doing the laundry, (after you picked it up off the floor of the bedroom or bathroom floor) cleaning, etc etc etc…
I know that doesn’t even begin to describe your day.
OR,
You are a single woman and work a full time Job. (I don’t want to exclude you.) I know you still have to manage to take care of your household and work a job on top of everything else. I really hope you are getting the respect and recognition you deserve wherever it is that you are employed.
OR,
You are in college trying to go to school full time and are looking for a way to make some money to help pay for all the huge expenses that come with learning.
Maybe,
You are living the so called golden years…those years don’t seem to be so golden anymore. You or your Husband worked most of your life and retired and it just doesn’t seem that the income is enough. You did all the right things you planned it out perfectly, you save what you thought you needed and then whammo! The cost of living went sailing out of site and your retirement benefits are looking smaller and smaller.
Can’t forget…
those still living with Mom and Dad and they are telling you to find a job or get
married because they are all done supporting you…
I know that there are still several other categories of women that I may be forgetting.
If you don’t fit any of the above let me hear from you.
Well now that we have everyone covered as to what group they fit into, I bet you want to know where I am going with all of this right?
Women you are the CPOs (Chief Purchasing Officers) in the home and in the workplace. You control more than 80% of all consumer purchases and represent more than half of corporate buyers.
I feel it is pretty safe to say that men and women have different communication and
decision making styles as well as different priorities and preferences.
Knowing this I need you to educate me on how I can market effectively to women online.
I mean even the way I buy coffee at Burger King now is affected by my wife.
We go to Burger King twice a day for coffee. Each time we go it cost us $2.52. No big deal I just pull up to the window pay for the coffee and away I go. Well it was that simple until my wife so strategically pointed out to me that over a months time we spend over $150 on coffee at Burger King. OUCH! Well I still go but I can’t help thinking about how much I spend a month on coffee each time I pull up to the window. My wife affected the purchasing of coffee. I am surprised Burger king can survive now without me making so many trips to their drive up window.
I also have had Men ask for a refund on a product. It wasn’t because they felt the product was bad, it was because their wife told them that the purchase of the product was not something that was in the current budget. Had one guy tell me he had to return it because his wife told him if he bought one more thing off of the Internet he would be living alone.
Not only that But the numbers of single women households is growing at a very fast pace. Over one fourth of the children in the US are living with one parent in which Approximately 84 percent of these families are headed by women. Of all single-parent families, the most common are those headed by divorced or separated mothers (58%) followed by never-married mothers (24%). Other family heads include widows (7%).
According to Womens’Voices, Womens’ Vote there are…
10 million more unmarried women in the US than unmarried men.
50.3% of all US households are headed by an unmarried head of household.
I could keep digging and find more statistics about why I should figure out how to effectively Market to women, but that isn’t what I am here to do.
I just want you to tell me HOW!
I want to know what your Marketing needs are. What your expectations are from other Marketers.
What do you think about all of the hype in marketing?
Would you like to see less hype and more get to the point and show you what you need to do to start making money.
Would you be more likely to buy a product from a Male or a Female marketer and Why.
How much time in a day do you have to spend on learning how to start up an online Business?
What is your reason for wanting to run your own business online.
Do you want to turn it into something large scale or do you just want to make enough to supplement the income already coming into the home.
I want to know what your goals are for Impacting the world of online marketing.
Do you like an email from a marketer that is personal and tells about what is going on in my life or just short and sweet and to the point?
I could go on and on with the questions but it is time for some answers that will really help me out in figuring out how I can provide the most help and benefits to you through my marketing.
Alright I really would love for you to comment on this post. I am very serious about this and am also thinking of a couple different things that I want to start in the very near future.
So please leave your comments before you leave or at least put it on your to do list and think about it. Just make sure you come back and comment after you know what it is that you want to say.
Thanks ahead of time for helping out.
















November 10th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Excellent post on what a powerful effect women have in commerce! I especially love the line: “(IM) woman Hear me roar…”. Brilliant!
Lon Naylor
http://screencastprofits.com
November 10th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
I think back when my mother and father were alive. My Dad had his first stroke at 48 and Mom had to continue providing for us 6 kids. Mom sure could have used an online business (oh, wait the Internet didn’t exist back then). Ok, Mom could have used another stream of income.
Jeff, you are providing a valuable service to all the hard working women out there. Women just like my Mom. I’m sure they will appreciate what you are doing for them.
It is important that men listen to women.
Duane Spears
http://friendshelpingfriendsmakemoney.com
November 10th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Thanks Ana.
It is things like this I want to hear
Jeff
November 10th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Ana,
Took out over 2/3 of all the links.
Hope that helps you read my post better
Jefrf
November 10th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
I agree with ana that the links are distracting.
When I am reading a sales letter or other sales material, I like it to just get to the facts. I guess I am a “bottom line” kinda gal. I want to know: what does the product do?, how can it benefit me? what does it cost? If there is too much hypey b.s. on a page…I am outta there.
I am a single mom who works full time and then part time at home trying to get an internet business going so I can get back to being a stay at home mom. What time I have is precious, so I tend to skip anything that doesn’t immediately show me why I should continue reading.
November 10th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
The new version of the blog looks a LOT better…good job!
November 10th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Connitta
Thanks for your comments.
I am working hard to do several changes in my online marketing and comments like yours will be very instrumental in helping me make some decisions.
Thanks again
Jeff
November 10th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Jeff you are such a kick…one of the few emails I will read because they are so personalized.
I am helping my brother Doug with his website listed here. We each lost a child and have kind of banded together, realizing family is everything.
Anyway, I am in California, Doug is near Chicago and we are staying in touch much more often because of the business.
Doug appreciates what a female’s perspective has brought (I hope - maybe he’s just humoring me!).
Good luck and success to all!
Kim
November 10th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Kim,
I wish you and your brother so much success.
What is your Brother’s website?
Let me know if I can be of any help.
I bet he isn’t kidding when he says he appreciates a female’s perspective. If he is he better stop kidding and welcome it, But I am sure he really means it.
Thanks for your comment.
Jeff
November 11th, 2007 at 12:11 am
Hi Jeff
Love your personal approach - it is just so much nicer than all those hyped up over the top salesleters a lot of other marketers expect us to read. Another thing that irks me is all those money graphics, sports cars that are certainly not suitable for a family (maybe that’s the vehicle you have to pose with but how many of us get time to even think of posing) and worst of all those big mansions (me thinks lots of housework when I see them).
Maybe it gets easier for a man when they get wealthy but it just doesn’t happen for us women - we still don’t have anyway to clean up after us, do the housework, shopping,look after the kids ……… OK one could employ a nanny I guess. I even said to my husband the other day I need a wife as well as a husband.
I don’t really fit into any of the above categories - maybe I should use the slogan “Hey I’m differrent but that’s Ok etc”
Keries
November 11th, 2007 at 12:30 am
Hi Jeff,
I like your style. It takes a big man to admit he wants and/or needs a womans input. However, in my opinion, it takes two sides to make a whole : )
1) I have done more purchasing from men, though I have nothing against purchasing from women, it just seems like the men have what I am looking for more than the women to date.
2) My expectations from any internet marketer, male or female - integrity. If I sense it is not there I am history.
3) I do not like all the hype. I do like your personal stories and quips, they make me laugh and/or smile.
4) I average 3-6 hours a day working online, more on the weekends.
5) The reason for my ebiz is to eventually fire my boss and work for myself again, as a single woman, I too have to pay the bills.
6)My goal is to impact the internet with my writing skills.
I look forward to seeing where you go with all this Jeff.
Deb Ling
November 11th, 2007 at 12:31 am
That’s right - short, sweet, and to the point. The email subject line is important too - I sort my email before I read it. 75% is never even opened.
I personally need somebody to look at my business, tell me what I’m doing right and what I’m doing wrong. Is that something you can do? Almost three years here, and I’m still pouring money in what seems like a bottomless pit.
November 11th, 2007 at 2:03 am
I look forward to reading e-mails from you…it’s like receiving e-mails from a best friend who wants to see me succeed..giving me pertinent knowledge of things I need to know in order for me to be successful. So far.. out of all the Gurus I’ve been incontact with on the internet you are my top 10…I already feel that you are marketing to woman or man for that matter…just by being you…I’ve just made your aquaintance, and already feel you being my best friend…thanks for all the information that I have obtained from you thus far….I look forward to getting more information from you until I have complete success. (Brenda)
November 11th, 2007 at 3:55 am
Well Jeff,
Thanks for asking. I am pretty much in agreement with what has already been said before and of all the emails from the ‘gurus” I get, yours is still one I open. You make me feel like you are only talking to me. They all seem pretty much the same and they are pushing the same sites. I have tried many programs and I just can’t seem to get it together. I pay the dollars but don’t get any back. I run into a gliche and can’t seem to get the help to figure it out what to do next. I’m just told to be patience if they answer me at all.
The initial email subject is usally what gets my attention.
Proof the support is there after you start a program would be great.
All the links are a distraction as mentioned earlier.
Knowing what you are actually investigating before you have to subscribe to yet another newsletter would be great to.
All the bonuses makes me think the program is not so good afterall if they have to give away $1000 or more worth of programs.
Thank you Jeff and keep up the great work, I love your emails!
November 11th, 2007 at 5:43 am
Hi Jeff,
I am just about burned out on internet marketing. I am tired of hearing about how 23 year old idiots are making a zillion dollars just from typing with their thumbs.
Okay, a bit of exaggeration never hurt anyone, did it? I, like so many others, am tired of the overhyped “if you don’t buy it now, you’ll never succeed” crud I get in my mailbox. Get to the point. Tell me what the features and benefits are, and, QUICKLY…tell me the price. If I can’t afford it, I need not waste my time reading further.
I have purchased more from men, but it is becoming a closer race as more women get involved in IM.
I too, expect integrity and some followup help (if I ask for it) to be a part of the package in anything I buy. I got burned pretty bad one time (a couple of years ago) by one marketer and I still feel totally hateful towards him every time I see or hear his name. So…you have to have integrity, you have to get to the point, you have to do it quickly, while making me feel good (not rushed) about the buying experience. You have to be contactable. You have to share a bit of yourself with me. I guess it’s true that women tend to seek community and not so much “top dog” position, so that may be why a lot of the “yelling and screaming…hype after hype” marketing campaigns fall on deaf female ears.
Yada yada yada…I do go on.
Jeff, I just wanted to let you know that I enjoy your marketing. You are laid back and seem to be happy where you are in life. I think some of the pressure marketers don’t understand the need that we all have to be entertained and wooed a little in the endless barrage of email marketing. You do a great job and the stories about your family make reading a sales pitch more like catching up with a friend.
I think you pretty much have it nailed.
Sarah
November 11th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
THANK YOU!
I just want to say thank you to all that have posted so far. I have cleaned up 2/3 of the links like I have said earlier. I guess I won’t change my email style. I will just make sure I get it back to where I was with it and maybe make it a little more to the point so you don’t have to spend all day reading. But of course My wife will take time to read a 20 page letter from a friend Heck I don’t like the hype myself so I am always a thorn in the side to anyone that does my copy for me, If it comes back all hype it goes back.
I really agre with all the bonus crap that goes on with every launch. I feel it de-values the product that your giving away as the bonus as well as it says that the product you are promoting isn’t worth wha they are selling it for so you have to make up for it. So The product itself is devalued as well.
I don’t offer a lot of bonus offers when I promote. But maybe that is why I don’t make the top affiliate list either.
Well I just want you to know I am really reading these great posts and taking them all to heart.
Thanks again
Jeff
November 11th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Hi Jeff
Let me see, what were some of the questions you asked???
Who am I? What category do I fit into?
I am single, was a full-time single mom for several years, raised 4 kids and completed my university degree while working full-time. I am currently dating, but still living on my own and trying to make a living online while still working full-tme. I am also a grandmother (2 grandkids), I write poetry and short articles (see ezinearticles.com)and plan to write more.
I want to know what your Marketing needs are. What your expectations are from other Marketers. - Tell me what you are selling, what it does, how it will help me and what it costs.
What do you think about all of the hype in marketing? - It turns me off. When I see several people promoting the same item with the same marketing email, I start deleting all of them. Some people even leave in the line “insert name here”……take some time people to at least make it a little more personal!!
Would you like to see less hype and more get to the point and show you what you need to do to start making money. - LESS hype for sure….I usually start at the top, head to the bottom for price and if it’s out of the range for me, simply hit delete.
Would you be more likely to buy a product from a Male or a Female marketer and Why.
I am leaning more and more towards females because I am one and I want to support those who have a business online. I have actually set up a site (which I need to work on)where I want to set up links to other women. (woman-2-woman.info)
How much time in a day do you have to spend on learning how to start up an online Business? - not nearly as much as I would like to and I am realizing how much time just reading emails takes away from setting up my business.
What is your reason for wanting to run your own business online.- I want to get out of the daily rat race and work from home.
Do you want to turn it into something large scale or do you just want to make enough to supplement the income already coming into the home. - I want it to be my major source of income.
I want to know what your goals are for Impacting the world of online marketing.- for impacting…hmmm My goal is to provide an honest product that will benefit others for a reasonable price. I actually eventually want to go more into coaching.
Do you like an email from a marketer that is personal and tells about what is going on in my life or just short and sweet and to the point? - a little of both…. although I find that I am prefering short emails because of the number of emails I am getting. When I see a long email I tend to just save it to come back to, but I don’t always get back to it.
Hope this helps.
Fran Watson
November 11th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
WOW Fran.
I think you answered every question. Great job.
Thanks for taking the time that it took you to reply to my post. Great thought went into your answers.
Iam very impressed with everyones comments to this post.
Jeff
November 11th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
How to market to women? Great question,Jeff. Before I answer some of your questions I would like to point out what,for me,is an annoyance in your initial post. You ask for input then finish with a sales pitch. It would have been nicer to be asked what we,as women,like and then send out the pitch for ” Internet Marketing for Mom”s ” with an email discussing the results of your survey. This is IMHO of course. That said, I always open your emails,in good part,because you have shared your personal self with us. I enjoy reading about family life. We all have glitches and joys,this makes us human and our humanity can be unapparent on the internet.
I feel women will give more creedance to someone whom they feel they know. It is a trust issue,isn’t it? When you make that final keystroke to purchase anything on the internet you trust/hope that you are not being cheated. You trust that the product is as stated and that,in the event of a problem there is a way to contact someone to help.
I would like less screaming hype..tell me what it does,the benefit to me and how much it costs. Who has time for mile long sales pages,Honestly,I never read the 1000 testimonials,wasted space for the marketer and time waster for me.
The reason I am interested in the prospect of an internet business is a change of careers. I am a massage therapist,have been for 15 years and my hands tell me it is time to move on.Well,my hands and the fact that every ecomonic downturn means clients have less discretionary money to spend. That is not good news for the massage industry.
I agree with Fran Watson on goals. An honest product that is a benefit,at a reasonable price.I could not have said it better,Fran.
Now how do I get focused and motivated?
Thank you for asking,Jeff
Rita
November 11th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Thanks Rita,
Iam kind of surprised you were the first one that commented on the sales pitch at the end.
One more thing I really see as something that is taking place is that everyone seems to be reading the other comments that are here also.
Jeff
November 12th, 2007 at 12:56 am
Hi Jeff,
I’d say that in general, women don’t need a “special” way to be marketed to, or a “different” way to make money online. We can do all the basics of running an online business just as easily as men can, and we can outsource the stuff we don’t want to do just as quickly as men can.
The biggest stumbling block comes when those men we deal with treat us “differently” than them. I know I’d rather have my male partner handle the graphic designers and PHP programmers, and not just because I’m learning to spend more time creating (which is where my strengths are).
It’s also because he gets more respect from them.
Like when a woman takes her car to the garage, she’s going to get treated a lot different than if her husband or boyfriend went instead. She might even end up paying for unnecessary “fixes” to her car because the mechanic figured she was an easy target.
But having said that, there are certain marketing tactics that are definitely a turn-off to women… for instance, it’s emotion that makes us all buy. But for men, you can get away with saying “killer tactics” and “crush your competition”, whereas most women aren’t inspired to buy with that kind of violent imagery.
Just a couple of thoughts.
cheers
Heather
http://HeatherValeUnwrapped.com
November 12th, 2007 at 3:56 am
Thanks Heather,
Heather I totally agree that women are fully capable of doing anything online as men and should.
I am pretty sure that I treat or react to Women different than I do with a man in my business. But we are different. I would definatly hope that I would not try and take advantage of someone like the car repair man would. But I also agree that it happens. I have seen that happen when My wife and I go to get things like the oil changed in the van together. The guy will usually approach me as If I know exactly what he is explaining if he finds something in need of repair. Little does he know I don’t know anything about working on repairs of my vehicle.
I hope that I am reading it right and Heather is saying that it is a stubling block for women when they are treated differently. But is it also a stubling block for the man that thinks he is more superior in certain areas of Marketing. If I was to take advantage of the situation would that woman want to come back to me if she was to find out? Heck no.
I am a little confused though and I hope someone will expalin it to me .
In the first part of the comment It says women don’t need to be marketed in a “special” way. But at the end of the comment It basically says women respond differently to marketing tactics.
If it is true that women control 80% of all purchasing decisions Do you learn how to market to them or is it something youjust ignore?
Any thoughts?
Thanks again Heather. Heather was one of the first expert Interviews I did and you can hear that interview with the purchase of my layoff The Boss package. She is the expert when it comes to doing an Interview. Doing Interviews is something we really need to learn how to do and do them the best that we can. Heather taught me that the number #1 skill for the Interviewer to learn is to “LISTEN”
That is what I am trying to do here.
Jeff
November 12th, 2007 at 5:26 am
Hey Jeff,
Thanks for creating a valuable post with great insight, but also thank you for opening up your post to hear what the women have to say. There is some valuable insights in there! Thanks for sharing. I know you are looking for comments from women, but I had to give you props for a great post and creating good conversation here for all marketers to learn from. In my pet business over 70% of our orders are made from women, and I am a firm believer that most of the other 30% were purchases made by men that their wives told them to make! This is an interesting topic!
November 12th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Jeff, I think we (women) want to believe we are no different than men when it comes to anything involving a job or money. We are just as good which is true, but like you said we are different.
One thing I run into checking out sites - was after reading about the product, you clicked on the order button and you were brought to another page to add onto your order. After the third “new page” I close the window and go on… Thank you again for all your input, I believe you are one of the real people (male or female).