Startup Princess Marketing to Women Online Conference

It was one of those conversations you really don't want to have with an airport security guard.

SG:  Ma'am, what's this?

Holly:  It's a wand.

SG:  A what?

Holly:  A wand.

SG:  LIke for kids?

Holly:   Actually.....it's mine.

SG:  (deadpan)  It's yours.

Holly:   Yes. I'm a fairy godmother.

I was totally serious, but I could see the security guard thought I was yanking his chain.  So, i decided to just shut up, retrieve my shoes, belt, watch, and, yes, wand, and scamper away to redress myself.

It's always tough when you have to re-enter reality after a great conference.  This past weekend I was a speaker at the Startup Princess retreat.   What an amazing weekend.  Kelly Anderson treated all of us so well, including providing, you guessed it, special wands for all  of the fairy godmother speakers.   

Even though marketing to women online is my specialty, I still learned so much from the incredible line- up of speakers.    If you weren't there, keep reading and I'll share some of what I learned.

Barbara Jones on Word of Mouth Marketing

Barbara Jones has a fabulous company, One2One Network which helps brands reach out and connect with women.

One2One Network has developed a national network of socially-connected women who actively promote products and services they believe in using an authentic one-to-one approach.

One of the things I love most about Barbara and her company is that she is truly authentic.  This is so important in word of mouth marketing.  Women value their relationships.  When they recommend a product, their reputation is on the line.  With Barbara's campaigns, her network can say as much or as little as they want about the products.  There's no spin. 

If you are a company or brand who wants to reach socially-connected women - talk to Barbara Jones.

Janet Meiners on SEO Press Releases

Janet Meiners writes the popular blog NewspaperGirl.   She gave some great tips on how to write search engine optimized press releases to get online PR for your company and products.   Be sure to visit her blog for specific tips on how to get online PR. 

One quick tip here - use PRWeb and submit your press release at the $200 level.   Janet tested out which level is the most effective and found the $200 level will get you the best bang for the buck.

If you want someone who can write your online press release to get maximum results, talk to Janet Meiners.  And for great information on Internet marketing, visit NewspaperGirl.

Gwen Bell on Twitter

If you haven't met Gwen Bell in person, you're missing out.  But the next best thing is to read her blog and follow her on Twitter.

Gwen gave us some great tips on using Twitter. 

• Just jump in and start.  The more you use it, the more you'll get it.   
• If you're providing a link in your tweet (I'm still trying to get my Twitter conjugation right)  go to tr.im and you can reduce the number of characters in your url. 
• Twitter is a great way to get more traffic to your blog.  People find you on Twitter and start following your blog.
• Use the immediacy of Twitter with Tweet ups.  If you're going for coffee at the local Starbucks, tweet about it and ask folks to join you.   This worked great for a Salt Lake City meeting of Startup Princess attendees and other twitters.
• You don't have to follow every tweet.    Twitter is like a river - you step in for a while, and then you can step back out.   

This is a really great way to think about it, since so many of us feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of tweets.   I wish I had more great tips from Gwen, but I wasn't able to get to her private workshop at the end of the day - so be sure to read her blog for more great advice on Twitter.

Gabrielle Blair on Blogs and other Social Media

You probably know Gabrielle from her popular Design Mom blog.  I have to tell you, I am so jealous of her blog.  It looks so professional and clean.   I'm now feeling the itch to redesign my blog again.

One of the big questions for Gabrielle was - how do you monetize your blog.   Gabrielle told her story of how she went years before she even considered adding advertising to her blog.  But she found that it really didn't affect her readership.   She is a part of Martha Stewarts ad network and speaks highly of it.   

Another great piece of advice from Gabrielle was - plan for success.  Even if you think you're starting off as just a small blog, expect that it's going to grow into something successful.

She told the story of Kirtsy - I describe Kirtsy as kind of a woman's version of Digg.   (though men are always welcome as well) 

kirtsy is a social media platform of pure goodness. A plaza for the peachy. A portal to the pretty. A place to find cool things. To read smart scoop. To connect with fab ideas, exceptional people, useful information, excellent products. All of it. And more.

kirtsy is just like that friend who always finds the best stuff. Only better.

When the founders of Kirtsy first started out, they had another name - Skirt - but ended up in a copyright battle with a much larger company.   So be very careful about the name you choose for your blog or company - Google it and see who else may have rights to certain urls.

The best piece of advice from Gabrielle was to tap into the power of your network of readers.  When they changed the name of Kirtsy, they let their audience help choose the name. 

I could go on and on, but I'll stop here.   All I can tell you is, the next time you get a chance to go to a Startup Princess retreat, drop everything and go. 

Comments

[Barbara Jones]

It was so great to finally getting to meet you at the conference as I've been a fan of yours (and your Soccer Mom Myth partner Michelle) for awhile. I appreciate your kind words and I have to tell you that I felt like a bobble head during your presentation (by how much I was learning & nodding in agreement). SUCH great information and perspective on how to communicate with women differently based on WHO they are instead of WHAT they are (e.g., soccer moms).

I love what I do and like I mentioned to you, I love meeting other smart women like you who feel the same about their work. It was a total pleasure and I hope to see you again very soon. (So glad you're on twitter now too @hollybuchanan!)

[Amber]

What a delightful summary of the weekend, Holly. You captured not only the info but the feel of the event. I'm so excited to get it into action this week!
-@ajpassey

[Sarah Bray]

Thanks so much for putting all of this together! I cannot wait for the next retreat AT ALL!

[Michelle McCullough]

Holly, it was a delight to meet you. What a nice post! Great summary. I can't wait to DIVE into your book, and now that I've recovered from information overload, I just may be able to take it on. I HIGHLY recommend Holly Buchanan! Have a great week!

[Marie @ Make and Takes]

Seriously fabulous. I can't wait to read your book cover to cover. Women ARE so diverse and I'm happy to know how to serve them better individually. Thanks!

[Janet Meiners Thaeler]

Holly,
Thanks for your amazing presentation and summary. I keep thinking about this stereotype of the soccer mom. I'm not aware that there's an equivalent label for men. I'm looking forward to reading your book!

The retreat was wonderful. I missed most of Gwen's so I appreciate your summary. Normally I take notes, blog, and tweet all at the same time. Unfortunately, I was too sleep deprived to multitask!

You and the other presenters brought so much knowledge, energy, life, and personality to the event.

Thank you for capturing it for us.

Janet

[Jenny Johnson]

I was blown away and so enlightened by your presentation. It was fabulous. I can't stop talking about it. You were a delight to listen to and am so blessed to have met you.
Thank you for taking the time and energy to share your love and passion with us. It's lit a fire in me!

[Holly Buchanan]

I do a lot of presentations, and you always wonder afterwards if you really connected or not.

So thank your for all the kind words and feedback. I SO enjoyed this crowd. So many smart, fabulous, fun people in one room. You inspired ME.

Holly

[Leigh Anne Wilkes]

Holly,

Thank you so much for all the great information you shared with us this past weekend. A few hours after I got home from UtahI headed to our home on the Oregon Coast for a few days - having no internet at the house I had lots of reading time so started your book and am loving it. I am reading with highlighter in hand!

I so appreciate the feedback you gave us on our iLashGirls site and we are making some changes as a result!

Thank you so much!

[Yvonne DiVita]

Holly, you write the best posts! I almost felt as if I were there with you.

Start-up Princess is a stellar idea and having a wand seems so... uplifting. We all need that magic to give our lives a little sparkle.

Shine on, my friend. You are a star!

[Kelly King Anderson]

Holly! What an amazing summary here and i loved the wand story (really??)! We LOVED having you at the retreat and I can't wait to discuss more possibilities in 2009. You're one of my very favorites, you know!

Thanks for granting so many wishes with your marketing magic.
Kelly

[Gwen Bell]

Hey Holly, I'm must have been in an SLC-haze after the retreat b/c I neglected to comment on your blog. Thank you for speaking last weekend -- it really was great to see you blast through myths about marketing to moms and women. I look forward to hearing you speak again in 2009. And your book - looking forward to spending some time with it and a mug of hot cocoa during the snowy days in Boulder.

[David Fanshaw]

that is a great idea,my wife an I realy enjoy the way you inspire everyone.We all need some one lke you to keep us going.

David Fanshaw
http://www.v3Dates.com

[mcpokafinda]

Just thought Id introduce myself,

Names ashmiel. I like television,jogging, and this forum! =]