Who is a better marketer? An introvert or an extrovert? Business owners come in all personality types, and, at the end of the day, you have to tell the world about your business somehow if you want to generate sales. So, no matter how you classify yourself, marketing is about tapping into communication in the way that works best for you. Let’s talk about the marketing strengths of introverts AND extroverts!
I often find that clients consider their limitations more than they consider their strengths. They focus on what is stopping them from marketing the way they think they are supposed to be marketing. It makes them doubt themselves and their businesses. It makes them feel bad. And the cycle continues.
Yet, marketing is limitless! Your objective as a business owner is to make sure to tell your ideal audience that your business, products, or services exist. If you can tell them and build trust with them, one day those people can enter your sales pipeline and you can generate revenue.
How you market your business is not mandated. It can and should be different for different businesses. If we all marketed the same way, we would saturate that marketing tool and need to find another one!
How you market your business is not mandated. It can and should be different for different businesses. #marketing #business #smallbusiness #smallbiz #smb #biztips #entrepreneur Share on XSuccessful marketing is ultimately a nexus of 1) reaching your target market 2) in a way that represents your brand well and 3) by a means that is palatable and that you will execute consistently. If I am working with a client on a tactic in their marketing strategy, and I see that all three of those factors are present, I will be confident that we can add that approach to their marketing strategy and test it out. The same goes for you. Your marketing plan can be customized for your business.
To me, all this means that different personality types and comfort zones are a valuable component of what can make you stand out as a marketer.
Different personality types and comfort zones are a valuable component of what can make you stand out as a marketer. #marketing #business #smallbusiness #smallbiz #smb #biztips #entrepreneur Share on XFor the introverts out there: Your strength is the depth of your relationships! Maybe you won’t start with as high a volume of contacts, but you can form great partnerships with other businesses, cultivate strong top clients to use as case studies, and be more likely to establish your business solidly in the long-term memory of the contacts you do make because of the depth of the conversations you have.
Being introverted – I believe – comes with a unique rule set for each person. Give some thought to what is inside and outside your comfort zone. For me, I am uncomfortable and less productive in a networking room in which I am a random attendee who doesn’t know anyone. One way I solved this was by becoming a speaker. Being a presenter allows me to give the attendees a number of entry points to a conversation with me and cuts out the awkward small talk! Perhaps most people would not prefer to do public speaking – this just happens to be an answer for me. What is yours?
Whether you are marketing online or offline, your ability to get to know and to follow up with a new contact deeply is your superpower. How can you lean into it?
For the extroverts out there: Your strength is the volume of your relationships! For you, marketing may well be a numbers game, and – although I do encourage you to follow up as much as you can with the contacts you make – you are likely energized by a volume of contacts that can bode well for your business.
Plus, you may feel more comfortable to pitch ideas to more people. What percentage of those pitches need to be received well for you to start making great strides with your business? Your ability to be natural in conversation may get you connected to the right people, especially if you are open to wooing the gatekeepers who hold the information you need.
If you thrive off the energy you get from interacting, how can you build that into every day or every week? By leaning in to the forums of interaction that work for you – online and offline – you can create momentum and opportunities for your business.
Next time you are thinking about what you don’t feel comfortable to do to market your business, try reframing it! What is another option available for you to get in front of your target market AND tap into your personal superpower?
Do you resonate with being an introvert or an extrovert? I’d love to hear from you. Comment below and share a tip that has worked for you!