I am an ambivert i.e. I have both an introvert and extrovert side to me based on the situation. But, in this blog, I will talk only about personal branding for introverts. Before diving into the challenges faced regarding personal branding for introverts, benefits, tips etc., here is an interesting anecdote about how I lived all my life with an introvert i.e., my dad.
Without even knowing the meaning of the word “introvert” I was intrigued in my childhood by two extreme introverts I ever met in my life. My dad and his friend Subba Rao. He used to come to meet my dad and he and my dad used to sit for hours together without uttering a single word.
My brother, sister and I used to ask my mom jokingly, why does Subba Rao uncle come to meet dad when they don’t talk. My mom would serve lunch or snacks and he used to eat them quietly. We used to giggle inside. My mom who is an extrovert used to say it out aloud to the dismay of my dad, why do you need a friend when he doesn’t open his mouth.
As I grew up, I realised why they never used to talk. They used to enjoy each other’s company without talking because they were introverts.
But in India, if you don’t talk people think you are either snobbish or shy. Most people don’t understand that the person is an introvert and enjoys the company only of people who are on his/her wavelength.
Both in my personal and professional life, I have met many introverts and I analysed their thought patterns, behaviours, interaction styles, etc. So, I thought, why not create a neat little practical guide that can help other introverts as well as extroverts on how to deal with introverts around without getting bogged down. This guide is structured from a professional perspective so that introverts can learn how to do personal branding and not be side-lined by the extroverts around.
Here is an interesting statistic by the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) global sample – 56.8 percent of the world’s population is introverted. And there is even a day to celebrate introverts, January 2. And what a coincidence that my dad was born on January 3, just a day later. So, when more than 50% of the world comes under the introvert category, the other half (or should we say less than 50%) should pay attention to the world of introverts around.
This article is one single piece that will talk about multiple aspects of introvert branding – in terms of challenges faced, actionable tips, benefits, secret sauce of introverts and more importantly, highlight successful introverts from history and contemporary world.
But Can Introverts Build a Successful Brand?
Absolutely. Introverts can build successful personal brands by leveraging their unique strengths and focusing on authenticity. It’s about finding a branding strategy that works for you and feels natural. Introverts excel in building deep, meaningful connections and can use their reflective nature to offer valuable insights.
Building a personal brand as an introvert is entirely possible and can be incredibly rewarding. By focusing on your strengths, staying authentic, and networking in ways that suit you, you can create a powerful and influential personal brand.
Why does branding feel like a challenge for introverts?
Introverts often face unique challenges in the realm of personal branding. The modern business world tends to favor extroverted behaviors: networking events, public speaking, and constant social media engagement. For introverts, these activities can feel draining and unnatural. The pressure to constantly put oneself out there can lead to stress and burnout. Additionally, introverts may struggle with self-promotion, feeling uncomfortable with touting their own achievements.
Here are some common challenges faced by introverts.
Self-promotion is a BIG NO
Introverts are comfortable being behind the scene and let others revel in the limelight. They are uncomfortable bragging about their achievements. They do not like to tom-tom or boast about their success and this becomes a major hurdle when it comes to personal branding.
Avoid social interactions
Introverts are usually drained out with networking and socialising. Small talks and large crowds especially overwhelm them. Networking is key to building relationships and this is the very aspect that introverts avoid, making personal branding very tricky for them.
Prefer written communication
Introverts are not good at impromptu talk and prefer well-thought-out written communication. This limits their ability to make an elevator pitch or they lack public speaking skills.
Fear being judged
Introverts are prone to social anxiety which makes them susceptible to fear of being judged. As a result, they may hesitate to share their expertise openly which can be a hindrance to building influence which is important for personal branding.
Find difficulty building rapport
Introverts thrive on 1:1 deeper conversation. But when it comes to personal branding, especially at networking events, building rapport in a shorter time frame with unknown people is crucial. Such short conversations may make them feel that they are lacking in authentic communication.
Invisible in gatherings
While extroverts excel in large gatherings, introverts find it difficult to make their voices heard. This can lead to their skills and expertise being overlooked.
While there are many more challenges, this guide highlights the prominent ones.
Now, let’s see how introverts can leverage personal branding to their advantage.
What are the benefits of personal branding for introverts?
Despite the multiple challenges encountered, personal branding offers introverts a wealth of benefits:
Better visibility: Introverts can strategically build their online presence thereby allowing their expertise to reach a wider audience without doing the traditional networking against their wishes.
Build authority and credibility: Introverts can showcase their skills and knowledge, thereby establishing themselves as a trusted thought leader in their field.
Newer opportunities: By establishing credibility and authority, introverts can attract potential employers and clients to their expertise.
Building in-depth connections: As introverts spend more time with like-minded people in 1:1 interaction, they can build deeper relationships and attract people who truly value their authenticity.
Quiet leadership: Introverts can become one of the most successful leaders in their career owing to their unique style – listening patiently to team members, being in the background while letting the team take credit, offering in-depth expertise and being truly authentic in dealing with people.
8 Actionable Tips for Introverted Brand Builders
Tip 1 – Focus on your niche: Introverts always believe in depth and hence they should focus on a specific area of expertise. This targeted approach allows them to connect with like-minded audiences and build authentic connections.
Tip 2 – Remember content is king: Introverts should utilise their strength in written communication by creating insightful blog posts, articles, or ebooks showcasing their knowledge and expertise.
Tip 3 – Online platforms the saviour: Introverts can be more active digitally as they do not have to network in person which is not their forte. Digitally, they can network at their own pace and comfort level. Introverts can use social media strategically, to engage in focused discussions on various platforms based on their expertise and work towards building influence in their domain.
Tip 4 – Embrace the power of storytelling: As introverts believe in depth of a conversation, they can weave very captivating narratives into their content. They can share personal anecdotes that illustrate their expertise and connect with their audience at a deeper emotional level.
Tip 5 – Quality over quantity: It’s well-known that introverts have the same set of friends throughout their lives or at least for many, many years. This way they always focus on building high-quality connections over large, shallow networks. They can participate in online communities and/or attend smaller networking events where they can thrive in having in-depth conversations. Nowadays there are exclusive “networking for introverts” events too.
Tip 6 – Master the power of public speaking (when required): Public speaking is the biggest fear of most people globally and for introverts, they can’t talk even if it means their life is at stake. But public speaking can be a secret weapon for introverts who want to take their personal branding to the next level. Introverts should definitely take public speaking courses and practise with small, supportive groups. With everything digital now, even virtual presentations can be powerful.
Tip 7 – Collaborate with extroverts: If introverts can find extroverted colleagues or collaborators who can complement their strengths, there is nothing like it. Extroverts’ social ease can help amplify the messaging of introverts while they provide the content and expertise.
Tip 8 – Embrace authenticity: For introverts, being authentic is the foremost criteria so they can’t try to be someone they are not. Their genuine personality will resonate with those who appreciate thoughtful communication and depth.
How Authenticity Can Be THE Secret Weapon of Introverts?
Authenticity is crucial in personal branding. People are drawn to genuine connections and can often sense when someone is being inauthentic. For introverts, this is an advantage. Introverts tend to be more introspective and thoughtful, which can translate into more authentic communication. Share your true thoughts, values, and experiences. This authenticity helps build trust and credibility with your audience.
Introvert Powerhouses: You’re in Good Company
Not all hope is lost. Here are some of the most successful introverts from history and of our current times.
Albert Einstein – World’s most celebrated Physicist who used to say “The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.”
Bill Gates – Founder of Microsoft and world-renowned Philanthropist when asked how to succeed in a predominantly extroverted world, he said he teamed up with his extrovert co-founder Steve Ballmer.
Steven Spielberg – One might assume to be a super famous director; one needs to be extroverted.
Sir Isaac Newton – We may say that he discovered the “law of gravity” while quietly sitting under the apple tree and not while chit-chatting with friends.
Mark Zuckerberg – How can the man who single handedly created the social media universe be an introvert?
And the list of world-famous introverts is endless. To read about more successful introverts, you can visit: 23 of the Most Amazingly Successful Introverts in History | Inc.com
Bonus: TED Talk Inspiration for Introverts
For further inspiration, consider watching these TED Talks by and about introverts:
- “The Power of Introverts” by Susan Cain: Explores the strengths and contributions of introverts in a world that often values extroversion.
- “Quiet Leadership” by Angela Hucles: Discusses how introverted qualities can make for effective leadership.
- “Why You Should Talk to Strangers” by Kio Stark: While not exclusively for introverts, this talk offers valuable insights on meaningful conversations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, personal branding is for everyone introverts, extroverts and ambiverts. Each one can leverage their strengths to build a strong brand. There are certain qualities that only introverts have and they can leverage these unique strengths to build a powerful and authentic personal brand.
Introverts should remember that what others may think of as their limitations such as quiet observation, reserved thinking, can in fact be their biggest strength. Use these secret tricks in your arsenal to surprise others and yourself.
Check out another branding related article by the same author: Personal Branding for Introverts: A Practical Guide