If you’re an introvert, the idea of having to network or market your services can be an anxiety-inducing nightmare. The idea of having to put yourself out there in front of a crowd can be overwhelming but it’s not impossible. There are several ways to market yourself on social media and you don’t have to be an expert to do it.
Focus on Your Services or Product
Social media is a great way to stay connected with friends and family for introverts and extroverts alike. You can share pictures, exchange messages, and, in general, keep up with everyone’s lives without having to physically be present. But it’s also an excellent tool to use for marketing too. If you’re thinking you’re not experienced enough to know how to use it as a marketing tool, or if you’re afraid your introversion might be a problem, don’t be so sure.
If putting yourself out there online even makes you nervous, look at it as simply a marketing tool. You don’t need to use it for personal reasons if you don’t feel compelled to do so. Focusing on it as a tool gives you room to step back and talk about your product and services instead of yourself. This gives you the chance to interact with your customers, answer their questions and address any issues they may have. When brands personally respond to messages, it creates a deeper relationship with the customer.
Plus, this is a great way to get customers to focus on your brand instead of the person behind the brand. You can communicate with them through your organization’s account and allow them to see the benefits of your product or service. It also allows you to show off your customer service skills and make connections. Having a customer service strategy is crucial in this day and age where every customer has a virtual platform to talk about your company. When you up your customer service game, customers take notice and oftentimes, they brag about it on social media.
Protecting Your Content
When you use social media as a marketing tool for your organization, you’re more likely to put a lot of work and effort into the content you create and share. If sharing these messages with an audience is already stressing you out because you’re an introvert, don’t compound that stress by forgetting to protect your content. The content you create belongs solely to you, but the internet makes it very easy for others to copy it for their own use and that’s not fair to you.
Before you begin your social media marketing campaign, take a look at copyright laws. Make sure you know how to protect your messages and images from being stolen. This will head off any stressful situations that might occur if you find someone else infringing on your copyright or violating your trademark. Plus, you’ll know what is legally allowed and what isn’t, which will make you better prepared to handle the issue.
Don’t Let Social Media Be a Drain
There are plenty of studies showing that too much social media isn’t good for anyone. In fact, one of the biggest groups affected is teenagers, who are often the targets of social media marketing. With smartphones, social media is only a few scrolls away with pictures of everyone’s supposedly perfect life. It’s easy to forget that these pictures are curated so you’re only seeing the highlights of everyone’s day. If you’re having a bad day, that can make you feel inadequate or upset. If you find that social media is causing you to feel depressed or anxious, even if you are only using it as a marketing tool, it’s okay to take a step back.
Introverts often need a break from being around others so they can recharge their batteries and that includes social media. Know your limits and know it’s ok to take a few days off if social media is affecting your mental health. Your mental well being is more important than anything else. If you stay aware of how you’re feeling, the use of social media as a marketing tool will be even easier when you decide to make your comeback.
Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash
Indiana Lee is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest with a passion for covering business, social justice, environmental protection, and more. In her off time you can find her reading in her hammock or hiking with her dogs. You are welcome to follow her on Twitter or reach her at indianaleewrites@gmail.com.
If the thought of attending networking events make you physically sick to your stomach you will likely find any excuse to avoid them. It’s almost certain you will find yourself attending such a social event as you navigate your professional and personal life. Whether you are introverted or not, lots of people are not comfortable with public speaking but most do not suffer from the introvert’s level of social anxiety.
Milissa Harding is a Mindset Coach for Introverted Entrepreneurs and Aspiring Leaders. She supports introverted entrepreneurs and leaders through her step-by-step system which shows them exactly how to grow a business in a way that fully aligns with who they are, instead of what they’ve been taught that they “should” do. As a result, her clients experience the ease, joy and success in their business that they truly deserve. Request your FREE report, “10 Steps to Create an Energetically-Rich Business as an Introverted Entrepreneur” at 
Milissa Harding is a Mindset Coach for Introverted Entrepreneurs. She supports shy and introverted entrepreneurs through her step-by-step system which shows them exactly how to grow a business in a way that fully aligns with who they are, instead of what they’ve been taught that they “should” do. As a result, her clients experience the ease, joy and success in their business that they truly deserve. Learn more at 
