Head Over Heels: Web Radio for Professional Women
By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)
The web provides so many ways to bring women together, and help them get to the next step in their careers. And The Glass Hammer is always looking for ways to collaborate with and support other publications that have a mission similar to our own – to inform, empower, and inspire professional women to break glass ceilings every day.
But with the vast wealth of information on the internet – including websites, social networks, newsletters, and more – one new media segment is often overlooked: web radio.
Recently, our founder and CEO Nicki Gilmour had the opportunity to contribute to Head Over Heels Women’s Business Radio with Bonnie Marcus. Marcus, in turn, agreed to tell us why she thinks web radio is the next big thing.
Marcus explained, “The show started as an extension to my coaching practice. Two years ago, I was having lunch with one of my mentors, who said, ‘You have a unique message, how do you want to go on coaching? One-on-one, or do you want to have a more global influence?’”
She continued, “It really hit me – the radio show opportunity came along so I grabbed it – it’s an opportunity to reach a more global audience.”
“I first launched the site September 22, 2009 under the name Women Mean Business. In January, I changed it to Head over Heels Women’s Business Radio.”
Reaching a Critical Mass
Marcus explained that she wanted to explore how women can thrive in business, covering topics such as negotiation, body language, mentoring, collaboration, accessing venture capital, social medial, work/life balance, etc.
She said, “I thought that radio was a really good way to reach that critical mass.” In fact, she said, according to Arbitron/Edison research, 69 million Americans listened to online radio in May. “Online radio is really number one for me… I think it can be pretty powerful.”
Marcus says she supplements her radio presence with her website and her blog. Her show, which airs Tuesday mornings, features valuable research and advice from well-known subject matter experts.
She continued, “We talk about the topics I think are really important that women need to cope with or overcome to be successful – and I’m always looking for feedback from listeners.”
Advice for Women
Marcus, who speaks with experts regularly – and is an expert coach herself – had a few pieces of advice for professional women.
She began, “I’m a little biased because my niche is self promotion for professional women, because I really think it’s so important. When facing subtle and not-so-subtle gender bias that does exist, it’s one way women create credibility and visibility for themselves and their business.”
She continued, “Women have to stay connected to their values and have to communicate. There are so many things women do that keep them in the background – like working long hours, keeping their head down, not getting out there and schmoozing. Self promotion and networking is important, and quite frankly, men do it better than we do.”
Finally, she said, “I’m always amazed at the wealth of information and the generosity of women on the show in sharing their expertise. In fact, I’m learning every day. It’s really one of the benefits of doing the show.”
To listen to Head Over Heels Women’s Business Radio, tune in Tuesdays at 2pm Eastern/ 11am Pacific, or you can download a podcast, and listen whenever you’re ready.
