frequent female reader feedback could change techcrunch’s staff writer gender hiring practices — and dramatically reshape the role of women in technology. another suggestion? sending home-baked cookies to Mike Arrington’s house.

congrats to damsels for a decent write up.

kindly,
kirsten

Like Dianne of DTWC, I’ve found that women in their 30’s and 20’s love my book’s controversial title, amBITCHous, while most women my age and older (40’s and above) cringe; then again, that’s what I’m writing about–women’s love hate relationship with owning up to our most ambitious dreams, and fearing what doing so might cost us in our personal lives.

Re: Diane’s comment (hi, Dianne!): “Totally intrigued by this discussion and the focus on names from a marketing perspective. I’m actually an occasional writer for PINK magazine and as an elder Gen X’er I didn’t personally mind the title (maybe it’s that gen-x apathy?), but thought it was inviting potentially unnecessary controversy. Although, as someone pointed out in this thread – controversy and discussion can be good publicity.”

“Ironically, in my two years of writing for them, I found that most women my age or senior who work for corporate America or in academia cringe or even express extreme disgust at the PINK name; but on the whole younger women, and most entrepreneurs (of all ages) may not love the name, yet, are more neutral about it. Then again, the latter run their own businesses and don’t have to worry about what the boss would think if he – or she – caught them reading it!.”

Ironically, in my two years of writing for them, I found that most women my age or senior who work for corporate America or in academia cringe or even express extreme disgust at the PINK name; but on the whole younger women, and most entrepreneurs (of all ages) may not love the name, yet, are more neutral about it. Then again, the latter run their own businesses and don’t have to worry about what the boss would think if he – or she – caught them reading it!.

But the name thing is interesting when it comes to marketing women-centric businesses, especially online. On the whole, I like the “witty”-ness of the DIS and LWL names. Both are much easier to remember than the acronyms many of their predecessors were saddled with.

Disclosure: I run a professional networking site with a name that sometimes I wish I could change (http://www.down...nwomensclub.com). But we started in 1998 and back then the name didn’t trigger spam filters and unwanted visits via google by men looking for “women’s clubs.” I wonder if http://www.womenforhire.com (another very good women’s career site) has a similar problem?!

Good Question. I am a member of Ladies Who Launch and blog on their site as well. I also produce Chicks and Giggles, an all female stand-up comedy show in New York City. I have gotten flack from women who don’t like the name because it may be considered girly. Honestly I love it mainly because it is funny and it simply defines what the show is –women and laughter.

“Last woman standing” doesn’t seem like a lofty goal. I’m tempted to reach back and yell “Tune in, turn on, drop out, damsels! Feed your heads!”

So this seems more like a post-college sorority. Shrug.

@VS don’t you mean b*tches and ‘ho’s?

You guys write about all sorts of companies that are outside of your expertise (treehugger?) I don’t see why all of a sudden, with damsels in success, you need to be an expert on the topic of the site in order to write about the site.

This reminds me, sadly, of the time you reviewed a knitting site and made fun of the topic. The reason you need a woman on staff is not just to review women’s businesses, it’s to help you guys see the world differently. Really. You will all be better writers if you have a more diverse team of writers.

I am just looking for an equal…

As far as women at TechCrunch, I think Heather (CEO) certainly qualifies. Sure, the editors are all men but I’m sure she exerts a little influence from time to time.

As far as a general techcrunch comment, thanks for continuing to bring so many different stories to readers. Reading about porn, facebook, and DIS in one day is an interesting ride.

I just want to network, man or woman. If women can gather and build something beneficial then great. I just think that having a “Big Burly Man Networking Group” or “Cutthroat Backdating Male Executive Group” name is not necessary.