Today's guest blogger is author. Laurie Neumann. If you want some help discovering methods of marketing that you are comfortable with and that are effective, this article will ignite your confidence.
For me a take away is:
Introvert-itude©: Extroverts have their style and introverts have theirs. Plan and act on different marketing tactics that you are comfortable with allowing at least 90 days to measure results.
Marketing While Introverted by Laurie Neumann:
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About fifteen years ago, my husband and I took a marriage class at our church and they had us take a Meyers-Briggs personality test. We talked about introverts and extroverts and the difference between them. We learned then, that 75% of the world is extroverted, leaving us introverts not only "feeling" like we are in the minority, but in reality, that's where we are.
Being an introvert may make marketing your business seem like climbing a mountain with your ankles tied together. In other words, IMPOSSIBLE! In fact, your business may be suffering right now because you put off marketing, which, we all know, cannot be done if we want to succeed in our business.
So, how can you handle marketing your business if you have an introvert personality? The first thing you have to realize is that marketing is not a "one size fits all" kind of thing. There are many ways to market a business, and you need to find methods that you are comfortable with and that are effective.
Marketing your business can include anything from choosing an effective name for your business to writing articles to speaking to groups of people (with lots in between.) You need to determine what your strengths are and incorporate them into your marketing.
Having an introvert personality sometimes can make it difficult to get up in front of a group of people and speak. Other times, it gives you sweaty palms to talk one-on-one with someone new. You need to know who you are and what you can do comfortably, as these are the activities that will be effective for you. If you are extremely nervous when you get up to address a room full of people, you will most likely not come across confidently. And people buy from people that are confident in what they have to offer.
I was so relieved when I realized that I didn't have to fit into the mold of standard marketing, as I thought it to be - being pushy or talking to everyone I meet about my business. I found there were ways to market that I actually enjoy! And I have discovered some things that have really boosted my business and sales. One of the most effective methods I use is done without ever leaving my computer!
What about you? Do you like marketing? If not, how can you change the strategies you use so that you will like it and find it effective? You owe it to your business!
Sign up for Laurie's twelve week marketing course at http://www.christianhomebusinessconnection.com/home-business-marketing.html
The 75% of the population being extroverts are older statistics. The Center for Applications of Psychological Type (CAPT), MBTI researchers, most recent study in 1998 showed introverts are – 51% of the population. Today though, with the internet, introverts have a decided advantage because it's more - our style!
What do you think about Laurie's comments?
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Pat,
Thanks for the updated statistics. That should make us introverts feel a little better!
I appreciate the opportunity to do this post.
Thank you!
Thank you Laurie. I firmly believe if we can help introverts FEEL better about themselves instead of believing some long lasting myths, that if they are in marketing, it will make all the most positive difference.
I'm definitely an introvert who learned long ago how to network successfully. One tip that I learned early on was not to hand out my business card at networking events. Instead, I'd wait until I was asked. Sure, I wasn't always asked but if I had just thrust it into someone's hand, it would have probably ended up in the trash anyways. Good to see your mention of the Meyers-Briggs personality test. That's old school to some but as effective today as years ago.
Why hand them out when you can control the ones you collect?! I'm right with you Sherryl because I know I certainly toss more than my fair share.
Thanks so much!
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