Shy? Introverted? Here’s How You Can Promote Your Work Online
Photo by Samson Katt from Pexels: Woman covering her eyes with her hands
Recently, leads for my ghostwriting business came to a grinding halt.
I expressed my frustrations about finding clients to a friend who knows that I am both shy and introverted, and she told me, “I hate to say it, but you might have to put on a smile and become one of those people who never shuts up about their work to get people to notice you.” I groaned in response.
Promoting my work and networking with others are not my strong suits. Like 57% of people in the world, I prefer to retreat into myself and avoid the spotlight in my day-to-day interactions with others. Still, as a writer and performer, I have to engage in some types of self-promotion to keep the bills paid.
Surely, I thought after that conversation with my friend, there must be another way to do so than to approach strangers at the park.
The internet seems like it should be a haven for introverts. In some ways, it is. But when it comes to online self-promotion tactics, the usual advice (“just put yourself out there!”) still poses a challenge.
Introverts like myself tend to avoid pedestals, and creating newsletters and social media blasts can feel self-aggrandizing in the worst way. Not to mention, participating in live videos and replying to endless messages is still socializing.
Fortunately, I’ve found a few tactics that work for me. These methods allow me to save my social energy and feel less self-conscious while still letting others know what I do.
Create a detailed website
Some people have said that writing is easier than speaking for many introverts. This is definitely true for me. For that reason, I put a good bit of information on my website so that people are clear on what I do and what I offer. A detailed site works for three reasons:
You can brag about yourself without feeling weird about it.
It builds trust between you and the other person without you having to say anything.
People can find the answers to all of their questions without having to contact you.
These days, we come to many conclusions about a business based on how their website looks and functions. Personal sites are no different. You can use a mix of writing, images, and design to make your website reflect your personality. For those moments when you don’t have the energy for small talk about yourself, direct people to your website to show them who you are instead.
Additionally, the information on your site tells people how to interact with you. After reading through your content online, people are less likely to email you asking, “So, what do you do, and how can I work with you?” Instead, they can say, “I noticed you do XYZ. I’d love to talk more about something I had in mind.” Now, the initial conversation is richer, and you can skip all the introductory talk.
Pre-record your content
Many people on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram use live videos to engage with their audience and promote their work. Live videos aren’t my favorite for many reasons, but the main reason is the amount of real-time social energy they require. If you want to premiere some work, you can instead show something pre-recorded and interact with viewers in the comments.
Both Facebook and YouTube have options where creators can set a video to “premiere” at a certain time. You can use this feature to give the live video effect without going live. Promote the content drop as though it’s an event, and encourage other people to participate during the premiere time. While they’re watching, you can answer questions or post more information in the comments so that the experience still feels personal.
Ask for interview questions in advance
Like Susan Cain mentions in her Ted Talk on introverts, “There’s zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.” She mentions that taking time to think does wonders for the merits of any conversation. Whether an interview is live or recorded, it takes a lot of pressure off of me when I feel like I can prepare. I can then better articulate my thoughts and provide a richer experience for the interviewer and audience members.
So, if someone wants to talk to you about your work, you don’t have to pass on that opportunity (unless you just don’t want to). Instead, ask them for the discussion topics ahead of time so you can bring your best self to the interview.
Be authentic
I know, I know. People say “be authentic” a lot. But that’s because pretending to be someone you aren’t will only backfire in the future. A lot of the typical self-promotion advice requires introverts to try to act more extroverted. Sure, there are moments when you need to push yourself and adapt to a situation, but if you are always uncomfortable, then it’s likely because you aren’t true to yourself.
When it comes to self-promotion, there’s no one way to do it. I’ve had to accept that I’m not going to be the person who has three to five social media updates every day about what I’m doing. I’m also not going to post my phone number and tell people to call me any time. These approaches might work in general, but they don’t work for me. Instead, I prefer to post occasional, more detailed updates. And I’d like to email first before getting on a phone call with someone. It’s important to find what works and what is most sustainable for you.
Of course, not all introverts operate the same way. And there comes a time when you might need to get on a live video or do a spontaneous interview. However, taking advantage of your options when you can make the moments when you have no choice less taxing.
Author Matthew Pollard has said, “There’s a step-by-step process [introverts] can follow that will allow them to remain their authentic selves while leading them to powerful connections, both in the room and virtually.” So, though it may seem contradictory, we introverts can put ourselves out there while still playing to our strengths.
Jae Nichelle is a ghostwriter, editor, and book coach here to help you tell your story. For more information