Marketing for Introverts
By Pia Jaaskelainen
There are many misconceptions about what makes an introvert and an extrovert. Unlike general belief, an introvert is not just a shy person who dislikes the company of others, but simply a person who recharges their energy levels by being alone. An extrovert, on the other hand, recharges from the company of others.
For someone who considers themselves an introvert, marketing your business services may seem a daunting and scary task. The thought of talking to large groups of people and doing presentations is just not something you feel comfortable doing and fills you with fear!
If this sounds familiar to you, there are a couple of things you should know…
The first official random sample by the Myers-Briggs organization (personality test developer) showed introverts made up 50.7% and extroverts 49.3% of the United States general population. (We could assume that this would apply for the rest of the worlds’ population as well.)
There are in fact 4 main types of introverts, as well as combinations of these main types, all characterised by slightly different traits
So instead of feeling guilty for not being the extrovert business whizz, you can learn to become more aware of your own personality style and develop a marketing plan that works for you. A few ideas to consider are;
If 50% of your clients are introverts, perhaps they feel more comfortable purchasing services from a person with a similar characteristics and communication style?
Be yourself. Do not try being someone you are not, as people will notice this
If writing feels more natural to you than speaking in front of groups, use the platforms and opportunities available to publish articles and news
Social Media and Newsletters are your friends! If you would like to know more about using Social Media or developing a Newsletter, contact myself or Ingrid.
Network in small groups where you practise speaking in front of others at your own pace
Focus on customer referrals to build your business
What people foremost want from any business interaction today, is authenticity. They want to deal with real people whom they can relate to. The best thing you can do is to make sure that your business communication reflects who you are.
I challenge you to spend some time learning more about yourself and your personality type, and reviewing your marketing plan to fit around your personality and unique strengths. Once you find your personal voice and communication style, be confident in portraying your authentic self and personal story to connect with clients.