Debbie Clarke: 40 Digital Women to Watch 2020: Where Are They Now?
Great news: the annual Digital Women Awards are back for 2021! After an unpredictable year for all of us in the Digital Women community and beyond, we knew how important it was to bring this much anticipated event back for its second year. After all, when has there been a better time to celebrate the extraordinary adaptability and achievements of women in digital than right now?
At the start of 2020, we were lucky enough to celebrate some of the most talented and inspirational women in digital at a fantastic in-person event. To recognise the ongoing outstanding achievements of our winners, we compiled Digital Women’s 40 Digital Women to Watch list. Among the list: Business Coach, event speaker and all-round inspiration Debbie Clarke, also known as debbiedooodah.
Debbie won the Digital Woman of the Year award in 2020 and is actively involved in the Digital Women community, most recently sharing her story and expert insights in her session ‘Mind Your Mindset – The Sky’s the Limit!’ at Digital Growth Live. We’ve brought her back for this ‘40 Digital Women To Watch 2020: Where Are They Now?’ blog series to share her incredible insights and hear how being among Digital Women’s 40 Digital Women to Watch has impacted her over the last year. Hopefully, we’ll also inspire you to enter yourself or nominate a fellow incredible woman for the Digital Women Awards this year!
Hey Debbie! First off, as the winner of Digital Woman of the Year 2020 and one of our 40 Digital Women to Watch, did you share the great news with your community?
Yes! Definitely, I was so excited to be named as a Top 40 Woman to Watch in 2020. It was featured up there for a while – but when I won the Digital Woman of the Year for 2020, that became my pinned post and still is!
We love to hear that! So how has being featured as a Digital Woman to Watch and award winner improved your business?
Winning an award does a few things. One it makes you feel great, that people recognise the hard work you put into your business, but it also makes other people take you more seriously. It opens doors to talk at conferences, on podcasts, get invited to networking events and guest blogging. It really helps to elevate your brand and improve your visibility.
As we’re talking business, how has the sudden shift towards digital and the increased reliance on it in 2020 affected you and your business?
Well, I was already working online with some clients, so I knew it could work. Obviously, with the pandemic, it meant 100% of my work is now online. And actually, it has its advantages. I’ve found a way of working with people that really suits me. Community became even more important because no-one wants to feel lonely, and it helped grow my connections. Whenever there are challenges, there are always opportunities, you just need to find the silver lining.
With the 2021 Digital Women Awards quickly approaching, do you have any advice for women who are considering entering themselves or nominating others?
Yes! Go for it! Apply yourself, blow your own trumpet, and if you see someone out there who doesn’t quite realise how amazing she is – nominate her. The Digital Women community is so supportive, it’s like a little family online and the connections you make are priceless.
Are there any names you think we should be watching out for 2021?
Goodness – Lucy Hall who runs Digital Women is incredible! I’ve been loving watching Sarah Clay’s rise to fame on LinkedIn – she’s fabulous to watch and a lovely lady. Emmie Faust who runs the Growth Collab for women in business is also one of my favourites – in fact give me a nudge, I’d love to nominate them all!
And finally, you’ve been so involved with Digital Women over the last year. So, for those reading who may be less familiar with us, what is your favourite thing about the Digital Women community?
It’s super friendly, non-judgemental, not up it’s own arse. There can be some people in this [industry] who are a little prickly and hard to get near, but all the women in Digital Women that I’ve met are super wonderful, supportive and fab!
If you’d like to find out more about Debbie, you can find her on social media at:
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/debbiedooodah/
https://twitter.com/debbiedooodah
https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiedooodah/
https://www.instagram.com/debbiedooodah/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/debbiedooodah/
Or visit debbiedooodah’s website at:
Nominations for the Digital Women Awards 2021 are now open. Here are a couple of key dates for your diary:
8th February: The deadline for award nominations. Don’t wait for a nomination; we encourage you to recognise your own excellence and put yourself forward for the awards!
15th February: Entry deadline for all.
8th March (International Women’s Day): We’ll be announcing the shortlist (decided by our expert judging panel).
Get your applications at the ready! Enter the Digital Women Awards 2021 here: https://digitalwomenawards.com/categories-and-enter
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