Research suggests that between 50 and 74 percent of the U.S. population is made up of extroverts.
If you’re not in the majority and consider yourself to be an introverted person, certain things may feel more challenging for you. For example, business promotion, sales, and marketing might seem like Herculean tasks.
You can certainly be a marketing pro and run a successful business as an introvert, though.
Listed below are 12 small business marketing ideas that will help introverts to grow their business and break through the barriers standing in their way.
What Is an Introvert?
A lot of people aren’t sure whether they’re introverts or extroverts. Before we dig into the specific marketing strategies that work best for introverts, it’s a good idea to be able to distinguish between the two.
Put simply, introverts are people who become energized when they spend time alone. However, extroverts are people who become energized when they spend time with others.
Introverts often feel drained after spending long periods of time with others — such as at networking events, parties, or conferences. This doesn’t mean they can’t participate in these kinds of events. They just require some alone time to recharge afterward.
It’s important to note, too, that there’s a difference between being introverted and being shy.
Someone could be shy but still derive energy from spending time with others. An introvert could also be perfectly comfortable talking to and spending time with someone as long as they have some time alone later on to relax.
Benefits of Introversion in Business
Many people assume that, in order to succeed in business, you must be extroverted. Extroversion can be a helpful trait in business owners, especially when it comes to networking and marketing. It’s not the end-all be-all, though.
Introverts bring a lot to the table as business owners. The following are some of the greatest benefits that come with being an introverted leader:
- Introverts take longer to build relationships, but their relationships are deeper and last longer as a result
- Introverts are great listeners, which customers love
- Introverts can provide a different perspective and ensure all people are represented
- Introverts often spend less time socializing and more time working
This last point is especially noteworthy. Introverts are often more likely to focus and get things done, whereas extroverts might have a harder time buckling down, especially when they have to work by themselves.
Best Small Business Marketing Ideas for Introverts
You definitely don’t have to be an extrovert to be a successful business owner. You may need to change your marketing and promotional approach to better fit your personality, though.
The following are some great small business marketing ideas that every introvert ought to try:
1. Get Straight to the Point
As an extrovert, small talk and fluff likely aren’t your strong suits.
There’s nothing wrong with this. In fact, when you’re engaging with a particularly busy individual, they’ll appreciate your no-nonsense attitude and willingness to get right to work.
Don’t force yourself to make endless amounts of small talk. Instead, lean into your need for meaningful conversation and leverage it to be more efficient and productive.
This doesn’t mean being cold or aloof, of course. You can still be warm and friendly while talking about what matters most.
2. Avoid Networking Events
Okay, you don’t necessarily have to avoid networking events altogether. They probably shouldn’t be your main marketing platform if you’re an introvert, though.
After all, if you’re feeling exhausted and drained by the number of people in the room, you’re going to have a hard time putting your best foot forward and selling your company.
If you can’t avoid a particular networking event, at least set yourself up for success by scheduling some alone time before and after. That way, you’ll be more energized and will have something to look forward to when the event ends.
3. Instead, Schedule One-on-One Meetings
Instead of attending tons of big networking events, reach out to people and ask if you can meet with them one-on-one.
There are a lot of benefits that come with this approach.
First, you get to have their undivided (or, at least, mostly undivided) attention. You also send a message that you value their input and are willing to go out of your way to meet them.
4. Take Advantage of Tech
There are a lot of ways to connect with people and promote your business without having to attend crowded conferences, conventions, or other networking events.
Utilize technology and social media to reach out and market your business while enjoying some seclusion.
Tech helps to even the playing field in business, and it’s especially useful to introverts living in an extroverted world.
5. Delegate Social Tasks
You might not enjoy social events, but that doesn’t mean your entire business has to skip out on them altogether.
If you want your business to be represented at a particular event but you have no interest in being a part of it, delegate and send someone else to handle it for you.
Send your most extroverted employee to get people excited about your business and handle the networking while you stay back and do what you do best.
6. Practice Your Elevator Pitch
You’ll feel more comfortable in situations where you have to promote your business if you’ve worked on your elevator pitch ahead of time.
Spend time drafting and practicing a pitch that sums up what your business is all about and why people should be interested in it.
This will minimize your discomfort and give you something to say when you’re part of a big group and start feeling a little overwhelmed.
7. Write Great Email Newsletters
You can communicate with potential customers and get them excited about your business without having to talk to them face to face or in a big social setting.
Work on honing your email newsletter writing skills so you can send out top-notch newsletters to people on your mailing list. This helps you to connect with your audience and provide them with tons of value.
8. Craft Killer Blog Posts
Having a blog is another way to provide value and communicate with your customers (many of whom are probably introverts themselves).
Post on your business’s blog on a regular basis to educate people about your products and services, tell them about yourself and your teammates, and get them interested in buying what you’re selling.
9. Contribute to Causes You Care About
You might be more willing to socialize and market your business in ways that can be energetically draining if you know they’re for a good cause.
If you’re going to market your business in a more social way, try to find a way to give back to something you care about, too. This will give you more motivation to stick the event out, even if it’s tiring for you.
10. Schedule Your Discomfort
Sometimes, you have to step out of your comfort zone as an introverted business owner.
In order to minimize the fatigue that socialization can cause, it’s best to schedule these uncomfortable things at times when you know you’re most energized.
For many people, this means first thing in the morning. That way, you can get the challenging task out of the way and finish up the rest of your work (and recharge) alone.
11. Be Authentic
You don’t have to apologize for being an introvert. You also don’t have to try and cover it up by pretending to be something you’re not.
Introverts might be in the minority, but there are still plenty of them in all fields, including business.
Acknowledging the fact that you’re an introvert and sometimes struggle in social situations might even make you and your business more appealing to some people.
Remember, it’s okay to be vulnerable and own your introversion.
12. Never Stop Learning
It’s important to continue learning if you want to be a successful business owner. This includes learning new sales development strategies and techniques you can utilize to leverage your introversion.
Make sure you’re always working on developing yourself and your marketing skills.
Acknowledge your weaknesses and look for ways that will allow you to strengthen them while still feeling like you’re being true to your roots. It takes a lot of work, of course, but it’ll be worth it in the end.
Try These Small Business Marketing Ideas Today
As you can see, there are lots of ways that you can succeed in business and promote your products and services as an introvert. You have to be willing to get creative, though.
Give one (or more) of these small business marketing ideas a try today and see which ones work best for you.
Remember, it may take some experimentation to find the best marketing approach for your specific business goals and personality. The more you try, though, the easier it will be for you to figure out what works.
Do you want to learn more about small business marketing? If so, check out the Marketing and Promotion section of our blog today. It’s full of great advice for both introverts and extroverts.