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9 Powerful Social Networking Sites for Women Entrepreneurs
What is the real power behind women entrepreneurs? A study by the Center for Women’s Business Research shows that women now own 40 percent of private firms, women-owned businesses generate about $3 trillion in
Written Jan 20, 2010, read 11288 times since then.
What is the real power behind women entrepreneurs? A study by the Center for Women’s Business Research shows that women now own 40 percent of private firms, women-owned businesses generate about $3 trillion in revenue and employ 16 percent of the workforce; making them significant players in the national economy. In addition, the study found that 85 percent of women surveyed do not believe being a woman is detrimental to their business success, and 32 percent believe being a woman is beneficial.
There is power in being a woman entrepreneur. There is even more power in the collaborations that are formed among women business owners. Whether your product or service is exclusively for women or not, you simply cannot deny the intrinsic inclination to support each other and champion each other’s cause. Why not use that to our advantage? The real power in women entrepreneurs lies in our ability to connect, support and encourage each other straight to the top!
Below are 9 powerful social networking sites for women entrepreneurs. CAUTION: Your business could increase and expand if used wisely.
- Empower Me! – From blogs to websites to networks and everything in between, there is something for every woman. @talentdiva
- Diversity Woman - Executive network for women of all races, cultures and backgrounds.
- International Black Women’s Collaborative - The perfect platform for creating new personal and business connections. Live Local and Think Global!
- Ladies Who Launch - Find information on successful women entrepreneurs as well as resources for women. Ladies Who Launch is an online and offline social network that provides opportunities for women to move their businesses and personal goals forward. @ladieswholaunch
- Minority Women on the Rise - profiles successful women entrepreneurs from coast to coast, who are successfully running thriving businesses. @sylviabrowder
- Pink Magazine - PINK represents more than a color. It´s a badge of honor celebrating a global mission of equity and opportunity - a movement acknowledging all that women are today and will be tomorrow.
- Savor the Success - is a social network that connects entrepreneurial, professional, and creative women while helping to build big dreams in a real way @savorthesuccess
- Women Owned - information, tools, networking opportunities and advice that has helped hundreds of thousands of women. Women just like you - starting or growing their business.
- Women’s Peer Network - Only join if you want to improve your business contacts. @thebizwoman
Remember, use these networks to help develop your personal support team, strong collaborations and collective influence. Connect with the appropriate people, your ideal potential clients, those who serve your ideal potential clients, decision makers and be sure to make a few friends!
Be mindful of the time you spend networking. It's easy to become overwhelmed with managing connections and keeping your sites and profiles up to date. Schedule some time just for the purpose of networking via social media. Have a purpose, listen twice as much as you speak and give until your heart is content. Girl Power!
Do you know of more sites that harness the power of women entreprenerus? Please add them to the comments.
Learn more about the author, A.Michelle Blakeley.
Comment on this article
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Posted by Patricia Eslava Vessey, PCC..., Seattle, Washington |Jan 21, 2010 Great article with a helpful list of sites. Thanks.
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Posted by Melissa Riker, New York, New York |Jan 21, 2010 "Whether your product or service is exclusively for women or not, you simply cannot deny the intrinsic inclination to support each other and champion each other’s cause." - So very true! ...and fabulous reminder of balance at the end. I'm looking forward to exploring these new sites!
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Posted by Krista C, Utica, Michigan |Jan 21, 2010 Great info. I can use!
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Posted by Teresa Rodden, Lake Oswego, Oregon |Jan 21, 2010 I love good content - it's like nourishment! Thanks for the meal.
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Posted by Katie Bauer, Haymarket, Virginia |Jan 21, 2010 I feel motivated! Thanks for a great article.
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Posted by Ramesh Bannan, hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh India |Jan 21, 2010 Very useful information, i liked it.
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Posted by Jodi Salisbury, Albany, New York |Jan 21, 2010 Thank you very much for this. I'll be making good use of the information.
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Posted by Michele Kravetz, Chicago, Illinois |
Jan 21, 2010 I'd like to recommend theCRAVEcompany for women biz owners networking & connection-making! thecravecompany.com
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Posted by kevin kemper, phoenix, Arizona |
Jan 21, 2010 I am not intentionally wishing to rain on your parade. I have asked 15 SN epxerts to take over my SN work. They all ingored my request. YEt, an ad agency would love to take over my ad -marketing program. WHy the fear among SN experts? [This does include YOUR guaranteeing a specific, minimum sales increase immediately!]
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Posted by Judy Cusack, Portland, Oregon |Jan 21, 2010 Great info to pass along to all of us who believe and support one another's Brains, Beauty & Brilliance!
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Posted by Sherrell Smith, Charlotte, North Carolina |Jan 21, 2010 Thanks for the post! Helpful information to pass along.
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Posted by Michele Hill, Moab, Utah |Jan 21, 2010 Took a deeper look at the list and it lead me to another woman's resource askforit org and the links page. I really needed this female support today. I love how life works out.
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Posted by Lynn Baldwin-Rhoades, Seattle, Washington |Jan 21, 2010 I head up the Power Chicks group here on Biznik and agree one million percent - women can support one another to truly grow our businesses.
I'm familiar with many of the sources listed and also learned a few new things. I second Michelle's tip on the Crave company. : )
Many thanks for a great article!
Lynn
Chime in on the Power Chick conversation: "What 3 things are you most grateful for?" http://www.facebook.com/ThePowerChicks?ref=search&sid=1282995329.3682782844..1
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Posted by Darielle Archer, Seattle, Washington |Jan 21, 2010 Good to see more information and sites for women to help one another. Enjoyed the article and resources.
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Posted by Teresa Daggett, Seattle, Washington |Jan 21, 2010 Thank you, Michelle, for an article with real content.
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Posted by Donna Krstec, Phoenix, Arizona |Jan 21, 2010 Thanks for those stats and for the sites, Michelle. I'm VP of a networking grp in Phx, AZ where we use SEO and SN for attracting both new members to join, and consumers to use our business directory of members. We're only about 8 months old but are growing at an alarming rate due to said SEO to our website and member SN. This weekend the leaders of the Group are meeting to put together a much needed cohesive Business Plan for our organization. I relish articles such as yours -- I now need to learn at breakneck speed how to harness the power of SN to move forward with my group. Any other members with this experience? Your comments are all welcome :) Thanks again Michelle.
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Posted by Sandra Kozlowski, Olympia, Washington |Jan 21, 2010 very nice article. I am going to utilize the resources that you have suggested.
As a testimonial to social media, I am opening a non profit providing free housing for single parents who are going to college. I have networked through social media to many single parent groups throughout the country and we are uniting in one voice this April to draw attention to the issue of single parents, homelessness, and the lack of education. If I hadn't used social media to promote my dream, I would still be a lone voice in the wilderness instead of being on the leading edge of a powerful movement to educate 2 generations in this country and help them move from poverty to self sustaining within 6 months of graduation!
Please consider using social media in your marketing plan...and make it a PLAN!
Thank you Michelle!
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Posted by Alison Covarrubias, San Francisco , California |Jan 21, 2010 Hi! Those are all great organizations that I have also been involved with. It's cool to see how many groups have formed over the years to support the community! I am based in San Francisco and co-founded Hatch Network. We have a free online community where women entrepreneurs can post their events, business questions, and other resources for sharing. If you want to join, please do! https://hatchnetwork.com/account/new?type=booster Cheers, Allie
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Posted by Charissa Zeuli, Downers Grove, Illinois |Jan 21, 2010 Great information! Can't wait to explore these sites!
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Posted by Allen Voivod, Gilford, New Hampshire |Jan 21, 2010 Gotta give a shout out to a great friend and strategic partner, Leslie Sturgeon. She's the founder of Women Inspiring Women - check 'em out at http://www.facebook.com/WomenInspiringWomen - which is "Bringing super cool chicks together for empowerment, education, professional development, networking and a whole lot of fun."
Leslie herself is the Small Business Administration's 2009 Women in Business Champion for NH (yes, the NH branch of the US government agency), and was just selected as one of six "2010 Outstanding Women in Business" by the NH Business Review.
Get to know her now - she's gonna be a superstar before you know it.
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Posted by Chrystal Bougon, San Jose, California |Jan 21, 2010 Love your list. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us. I am a member of quite a few of these groups and I want to mention another fab network I am a part of. I am actually a mentor for a group called http://www.HatchNetwork.com and my own local page is http://www.HatchNetwork.com/Chrystal
We EDUCATE women with emerging and established businesses and help them take their business to the next level.
I can't wait to hear more about the above group WomenInspiringWomen , too. Thanks so much.
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Posted by Debby Smith, Kent, Washington |Jan 22, 2010 Great list of resources Michelle! I've just started to focus on women in my real estate business. After 25 years of selling homes, it's been a natural progression. So much helpful information all in one article. I'll be sure to be surfing tonight!
And thanks Allen, I love Leslie's description - I'll check it out too!
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Posted by Kimberly Dow, Frederick, Maryland |Jan 22, 2010 Great article and resources, thanks for this list. I found Savor the Success a few months ago and have enjoyed their online presence a lot! I will definitely check out some of these other networks as well.
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Posted by Debbie Josendale, Burlingame, California |Jan 22, 2010 Thanks for the great article! It's especially inspiring when you consider that it was1988 when legislation (H.R. 5050) was passed eliminating state laws requiring women to have a male relative sign a biz loan! And that in the mid '70's the SBA did not include women in their programs!
What I think is even more exciting are the number of organizations and resources that are specifically focused on women and the way we need to be supported, coached and encouraged to build our businesses! The future looks very bright.
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Posted by A.Michelle Blakeley, Sacramento, California |Jan 22, 2010 Absolutely AMAZING! I am overwhelmed with the feedback I've received from this article. PLEASANTLY and HUMBLY overwhelmed.
The support and encouragement from the many women who found the information resourceful, helpful and useful has truly been an experience.
My apologies for the delayed response. I wish you ALL a year of meaningful networking and powerful connections!
Please feel free to connect with me or contact me offline if I can be of any assistance or support you in anyway.
Be well, A.Michelle, Micro Business Therapist™
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Posted by Carolina Dursina, Spring Green, Wisconsin |Jan 22, 2010 Good article; it's great information you covered and I could share it with other ladies entrepreneurs!
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Posted by Lisa J. Jackson, Nashua, New Hampshire |Jan 22, 2010 Great listing of resources - I hadn't heard of any of them. Now I'm following new folks on twitter and have signed up for some newsletters to start seeing which group might be best for me.
thank you!
-Lisa twitter.com/lisajjackson
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Posted by Maria Marsala, Seattle, Washington |
Jan 23, 2010 Thanks for the information. I would stay away from Diversity Women though.. they send out lots of email, even w/o joining their list.
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Posted by Carol Arnott, Greenville, Delaware |Jan 23, 2010 I'd like to give a shout out to NEWS4Women, the Network to Encourage Women's Support for women, which was founded in 2008 to promote economic opportunity for women and to support local nonprofits in our community. Currently a regional org but we expect to have a national presence by year end.
Visit www.NEWS4Women.org.
Carol Arnott Chief Visionary Officer NEWS4Women
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Posted by Tynisha Thompson, New York, New York |Jan 24, 2010 Michelle, Thanks so much for this wonderful list. Many of these groups I didn't know about. Will be checking them out.
@tynishathompson (twitter ID) http://www.girlgetyourbookdone.com
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Posted by Hazel Grace Dircksen, Seattle, Washington |Jan 25, 2010 Thanks for the great post, Michelle! I have a LOT of experience with fempreneur focused social networking groups - including being the former leader for Ladies Who Launch Silicon Valley and the resident Social Media advisor for the Savor the Success community (I head the official SM "Cafe on the network).
Here are some tips from my experience:
1) Savor the Success is my favorite online network for women. It's an incredible site that attracts a great group of women who are rockstars and still take the time to support and help one another. Definitely the most generous community I've been involved with. I should note that Savor has some in person chapters, but not yet in Seattle - anyone up for leading this area? :)
2) The LWL incubator is a good system for women who are in very early stages of their business, but one can outgrow their network once they are more established.
3) In the Seattle region, CRAVE Business is fantastic.
4) In the Bay Area/LA Hatch Network rocks.
5) In the LA area, SmartyLA rules.
Happy networking!
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Posted by A.Michelle Blakeley, Sacramento, California |
Jan 25, 2010 @Carolina - THANKS! I'm glad you found it resourceful
@Lisa - Happy networking! I hope you make some FANTASTIC connections. I'm following you!
@Marla - Thanks for the heads up! and fair warning.
@Carol - OUTSTANDING! I'm all for the CBO's
@Gail - thank YOU.
@Tynisha - You are in for a treat! p.s. I'm following you.
@Hazel - Yes! Savor is one of my favorites too. THANKS for the additional information.
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Posted by Donna Krstec, Phoenix, Arizona |
Jan 25, 2010 Wow -- I've only been part of Biznik for a week now and this lively exchange has been awesome as well as a great learning experience. Keep up the good work ladies!
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Posted by Sue Cartwright, Worcester, Worcestershire United Kingdom |Jan 26, 2010 Hi
Great article and especially your advice about listening twice as much as you speak and giving until your heart is content! There are several women's networks in the UK who welcome connections from all over the world. However, it's nice to know you can attend local events and meet other girl entrepreneurs in your area.
Women on Their Way - Set up by Lisa Ibbotson and Jo Cameron (The Apprentice) to inspire women around the world to improve their lives and move towards better equality - www.womenontheirway.co.uk
Everywoman - A national research group of influential women whose opinions represent the voice of the UK’s one million women business owners - www.everywoman.com
Prowess - Over 300 members who support 100,000 women each year to start 10,000 new businesses which contribute an additional £1.5 billion to the UK economy - www.prowess.org.uk
WiRE - Supporting women with businesses in rural areas, offering members a package of practical business services and networking opportunities - www.wireuk.org
I look forward to exploring the networks you have mentioned. As women in business, we experience the same challenges wherever we are and it's good to know that distance is something that doesn't have to come between us.
Thanks again, Sue
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Posted by Adrienne Graham, Alpharetta, Georgia |Jan 26, 2010 I can't say enough how much I appreciate you including my organization in this list. Thank you.
I am open to connecting with any of you ladies on Twitter, Facebook, etc. I am @talentdiva on Twitter. Reach out and I'll be sure to reach back. Even if you have nothing to say or ask, just drop by to say "Hi". :)
Please keep in touch for what's to come in 2010. I promise it'll live up to the standards of this honor.
Adrienne Graham Empower Me! Corporation
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Posted by Celeste Howie, Tacoma, Washington |Jan 30, 2010 This is a great post. It is a very useful resource for any woman who wants to start their own business. Thanks!
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Posted by A.Michelle Blakeley, Sacramento, California |
Jan 31, 2010 @Celeste - THANKS! Happy networking and connecting to you!
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Posted by Yvette Laboy, Woodside, New York |Jan 31, 2010 Great article!! Thanks for all the great info.
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Posted by A.Michelle Blakeley, Sacramento, California |
Feb 02, 2010 @Yvette - I'm glad you found it useful! All the best to you!
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Posted by Teresa Schmidt, Bellingham, Washington |Feb 04, 2010 Thank you Michelle. This information will help kick off plans for making new connections and growing my business in 2010.
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Posted by A.Michelle Blakeley, Sacramento, California |
Feb 06, 2010 @Teresa - Excellent. Collaboration is essential in all business endeavors! Be well, AMB
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Posted by Terra Paley, Los Angeles, California |Feb 06, 2010 Your articles are always so thoughtful and filled with great advice. I look forward to everything you write. Thanks AGAIN!
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Posted by Audeliz Angie Perez, Monmouth Junction, New Jersey |Feb 10, 2010 I am surprised to see that of the 50 plus comments, not one of them from a man.
I am inclined to believe that despite advances in women business owners, women continue to earn less than men.
Here is an excerpt from bnet.
Despite decades of activism in the area of women's rights, and mountains of legislation against sexual discrimination, women are still earning--on average--79 cents for every dollar earned by men. Statistics provided by the AFL-CIO reveal that, in 65 job categories, female employees do not earn the same or more money in any single field. The discrepancies range from the small, $28 a week for bookkeepers and accountants, to the pronounced, $323 a week in the advertising industry.
But as an entrepreneurs, sky is the limit. That's why I choose to be a SBO.
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Posted by A.Michelle Blakeley, Sacramento, California |
Feb 11, 2010 @Terra Vita - You are so kind! THANKS so much. @Audeliz - Yes! Take your destiny into your own hands and break the ceiling AND the chains!
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Posted by Ali Edvardsen, Bainbridge Island, Washington |
Feb 13, 2010 This was a great article, and thank you for the sites. I am looking forward to exploring them.
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Posted by A.Michelle Blakeley, Sacramento, California |
Feb 14, 2010 @Tancred - Thanks a bunch! @Ali - Thanks! You will surely have a fantastic time connecting with some incredible women, enjoy!
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Posted by Laura Crest, Bellingham, Washington |Feb 16, 2010 You have an iconic vision...There is a magnetic force around you, and I have just got to meet you! - Laura@writeratwork.net
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Posted by A.Michelle Blakeley, Sacramento, California |
Feb 16, 2010 @Laura - Thanks and I welcome the opportunity!
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Posted by Dawn Renee Mallory, Seattle, Washington |Feb 19, 2010 Very interesting ... I look forward to looking beyond the Facebook generator! Thanx ... I will be paying attention to you and your work.
Dawn Renee Mallory www.autografcom Please send me your Flaky Friends!!!
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Posted by A.Michelle Blakeley, Sacramento, California |
Feb 19, 2010 @Dawn - Thanks! These websites are rich with some incredible and inspiring women. Use them wisely.
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Posted by Angel Mok, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada |
Mar 16, 2010 Thank you for the great piece! If you are based in Vancouver, there's an organization called "Forum for Women Entrepreneurs" that mentor and educate female entrepreneurs. There is tremendous value in connecting and learning from other members and they have incredible speakers.
@FWEBC on Twitter
FWEBC for Facebook Fan Page
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Posted by lauren ura, Miami Beach, Florida |
Feb 01, 2011 InterviewHer.com is the best site out there for women entrepreneurs. Rumors are that they will soon have the best social networking site out there for women entrepreneurs!
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