I just found your website while searching for CSS tutorials and thought I’d post a comment even though this is an older post and has nothing to do with what I came here for! LOL

I think Sandy shouldn’t hide her identity – she should let the world know she’s a woman.

Now having said that, I also think there’s a fine line between revealing ones gender and coming across as an “in your face bad-ass”. This is really true for any subject, actually, not just sports. Generally, people who come across that way are perceived as offensive.

A subtle, “oh by the way, I’m a female and I love sports” is probably better than totally flaunting the fact that this blog is “owned, operated and written by a woman so look out! I’m here to show off!” kind of thing.

In other words, be intelligent, not a know it all. Just write well, ensure your readers you do have a handle on the subject and it really shouldn’t matter what your gender is. Same goes for race, orientation, nationality and any other factor.

It’s sad, though, that in this day and age, we still have to even ask the question, though, isn’t it? And people leaving rude comments on your YouTube channel because you’re black? Wow . . . not cool at all. So glad to hear you know exactly what to do with those kinds of ignorant morons.

I’m white but my husband and kids are Asian and I often tell the kids that when people make comments like that to them, they should reply “Oh, I’m sorry, your intelligence is showing.”

~Annie
Annie Anderson´s last blog … Don’t be silent

I agree that putting your picture there personalizes things and makes people feel more comfortable with you when you are reading your content. BUT…

Lisa has said that it is the ability to market well that will create success… and that is what Sandy wants is success.

I would just be a little creative and not reveal your gender.
It not a sexist thing. Its not a racist thing. Its a marketing thing.

I think a better targeted analogy is that it is more like taking your little brother with you to hang out with friends.
He doesnt fit in and he`s not taken very seriously.

Sandy is worried about not being taken seriously. I understand what she is saying and think that it is a valid concern.

I wouldnt suggest that she couldnt be successful eventually if she is real good. It will just take her a lot longer.

Be smart in your marketing. Its not sexist. Its not racist.
Its business.

Sandy is the expert and she knows sports. I agree with her.

I think that her instincts are correct.

I dont think that she should be dissuaded from her gut feeling on this. She`s right!

It is hard for me to absorb what a woman is saying when she is reporting on Football. No offense; they just appear to me as jesting, and trying to fit in. Its hard to take them seriously.

I guarantee you that her instincts to stay in the closet is due to the fact that she has had a passion for sports her entire life and no one knows better than her how many times she has not been taken seriously about what she says on it.

Its probably a lot the same as a macho pro wrestler reporting at a bridal shower. Football is accompanied by men emotions and woman reporters fall short of this in their reporting. Its a man thing.

If she is passionate about what she reports, then why have this obstacle in the way. –Share the good news and keep your gender secret.

To be honest, I buy online maybe once per year as where my wife will buy several items per month. Sandy’s visual presence on her site will give visitors a welcoming feeling and will be more apt to buy something that she has suggested.
Troy´s last blog … Cash Gifting Programs

If you think you get judged on appearance now, wait until you get old! I taught computer classes at a major university in 1972 and have stayed extremely active in technology ever since. But one look at me and people assume I still own a VCR with the date flashing. ;-} And you know what? That’s okay — it saves time by cutting out the riff-raff.

My daughter (who both played and coached Division I college teams) can out-talk any man I know on any sport he chooses so I like Lisa’s “I think the advantages of providing information about yourself usually outweigh the disadvantages by far — especially if you know your stuff and have an interesting approach to the topic.” If Sandy starts a blog, I know one family, both males and females, who would surely follow it if she’s interesting and knowledgeable.

Other comments that ring true because of personal life experience:

Cindy: “It seems to me that Sandy might have hit upon a very profitable niche. Surely women buy sports equipment? And what about single women raising boys? If I were her I wouldn’t hide my gender, I’d flaunt it!”

Melanie: “…afterall all mom’s of kids in sports have to buy it anyway…”

Nick: “…when i see women on it reporting they usually seem a bit dumb or uknowledgeable to me…” Judy – I often agree with this but think it has more to do with networks often hire these women on looks instead of ability. ;-}

ThemeGrrl: “However, I think the situation of some men not taking women seriously as sports commentators will only be addressed if women like Sandy take the plunge and put themselves out there. If she writes great content, she’ll have nothing to fear.”

Bujio: “At the same time, I am somewhat uncomfortable with having my name associated with such a taboo subject.” Judy – Are your subjects taboo or just not PC? Your blog — your opinions — people have the choice not to read what you say.

dreamer77dd: “i would not be offended by a woman as they play hockey, baseball and every guys sports out there.” Judy – Another niche for your blog, Sandy — I find that young men tend to be much more comfortable with women’s skills and intellect — bet most of them would judge on your content.

firedupblog: “…being a woman or being a person of color should not matter…” Judy – but the trick is that the individual has to believe that about himself/herself.

Joshua: “I wanted to keep my identity hidden so that way I could be honest and frank about things I may encounter without fear of backlash from my coworkers if by some chance they happened to stumble upon it.” Judy – Excellent point but you might want to be prepared — people who know you will eventually recognize your writing style and opinions. Been there, done that, found out which “friends” I shouldn’t have been hanging out with. ;-}

Don: “My problem is do I remain anonymous?? I have a family to be concerned about, and I have my own personal life to keep safe!! So, in a way, I am like Sandy, even though my reasons for anonimity may be different. I don’t have a website now, but feel compelled to start one. My vision is to help spread positive, and honest information about what “being gay” really is like. There are so man stereotypes out there that many people have tunnel vision about.” Judy – Does your family know you’re gay? Are your children old enough to understand and help you make an informed decision? As far as your idea being controversial, isn’t that true of any blog that is actually interesting? If you’re this unsure about a blog at the moment, have you looked into working with groups that support gay/lesbian/transgendered high school kids? Boy do those kids need understanding adults to talk to, Plus that could be a small setting (maybe in another city?) and might give you more insight into going public.

CJ: “African-American people need to come forward. Women need to come forward–even at the risk of setting themselves back a little–to help us all overcome the idiotic thinking that seems to rule our lives.” Judy – BRAVO! You mention that you’re older, CJ — my reward for aging is being politely outspoken without feeling guilty.

Trish Jones (quoting a 3rd party): ““…it’s not that I have anything against black people, but …” Ahhhh, the infamous “but…” — don’t ya just hate it?

T: “That thought aside, though..“Rosa Parks was more of a strategist when it came to knowing her audience than any of us.” Judy – So true — that was my era and my part of the country — she was one smart lady in every way. Love the way she took that “good ole boy” tactic generally reserved for city folk and turned it back on society.

Lisa: “I don’t give them the satisfaction and just hit the DELETE button.” Judy – Ah, if life only had delete and undo buttons!

Thanks for the website Lisa. Your willingness to show your image has definitely played a role in my current goals. So, while I am (currently) unwilling to do the same, I do recognize the gift that it is..This is my last post on the subject (I promise)

I would venture to say that people from all over the world feel at a complete loss when thinking of website creation, and are very grateful to have a Lisa at the helm, no matter what she looks like. But, that warm comforting element that Lisa provides in her honest approach isn’t a necessary element in the sports world.. even, though, it is effective when newbies are coming into the scary overly technical world of website creation.

For sports, everybody is a commentator. Sandy has a lot of male competition. So, if they don’t want to see her female face, they can get info from the next guy on the corner.

Someone brought up Rosa Parks. For the most part, we just want to make income writing on subjects of interest, not spear head a movement. That thought aside, though..“Rosa Parks” was more of a strategist when it came to knowing her audience than any of us.

Like JK Rowling, and many web writers, Rosa Parks, accomplished the goal by creating an image. “The tired polite little old lady, Rosa Parks” was a pre planned image . Why? Because she knew what her audience responded to.. That’s smart marketing.

Everything from skin color, to clothing, to mannerism – all of this was taken into account to create a strategy which hit the mark with their target audience …the goal. Specifically, The SCLC (in which Rosa was a member) replicated the bus incident after a much darker skinned, much younger (and, rumored to be pregnant) teenage black girl did the same thing and got no press. That is when the SCLC began playing it out..choosing the circumstances, inviting cameras to document it, etc. (Rosa had been a black freedom fighter decades before, she wasn’t just any “tired old lady.”)

That was a whole lot of work. Those people couldn’t avoid posting pictures. If Sandy posts her pic, she may have to some extra work too…i.e. she may want to couch her bio with a story about a strong father figure who got her interested in it all, or a self effacing story which makes fun of women who are sports commentators.. Eww.. (Do I recommend that? No. BUT, Those strategies are no less gross than nit picking skin color to garner sympathy in the 60’s.)

Some people have touched on the fact that Sandy could be successful with sports women, SO TRUE. That is the whole point of identifying your market, and knowing what resonates with them. But, I got the impression from her question that speaking “from a female/ mom perspective” is not her goal.

At the end of the day, if she wants traffic from folks with a record of not wanting to hear a woman, she may to have to put some effort into sizing them up, and acting from that perspective…Just like Rosa Parks.