In practically every profession, marketing is a necessity. However, when you are introverted, all of this can seem very stressful.

Being introverted is not necessarily a handicap when it comes to prospecting. It simply means that you will stand out from more extroverted people by finding a way to attract and connect with clients. You will likely gravitate towards marketing techniques that feel more natural to you and that will help you feel more at ease.

New marketing methods increasingly push marketers to be authentic, helpful, and engaging. Clients want to deal with real people.

Marketing for introverts

Choose your approach to marketing

Think about what you enjoy

What do you enjoy about your work and your audience? Make a list. Your list should be at the heart of your marketing.

You may find that the responsibilities you enjoy are directly linked to your goal — the idea, the thought, or the passion that led you into your career in the first place.

Get comfortable with social media

Don't let the "social" part put you off — social media can be an excellent communication tool for introverts. The primary goal of social media is to build brand awareness and nurture relationships, not to sell. You therefore have time to get comfortable with your audience.

The most effective marketing is that which connects with people, generously shares your expertise, and helps them solve the problems that matter most to them.

There is a great deal of flexibility with social media. You can automate much of it — publishing, scheduling, and limiting the hours at which you log in and check notifications.

Choose the best channels

Your brand and/or profession will determine which communication channels suit you best. If you are a professional offering B2B services, you should be on LinkedIn, but you may be able to ignore the rest. If you have an online business, you might be able to do all your marketing via Pinterest.

Also, be honest about what each platform requires. How does the audience like to interact? How often should you post? For example, if you post engaging Tweets, your audience will expect to have a conversation with you. If you cannot keep up, then this is not the right method for you. Think about what you can manage and whether it matches the platform and its users.

Prioritise email marketing

A well-crafted email each month is a great way to stay close to your audience. Get to know your market and ask yourself how best to communicate with it.

Start slowly

There are so many different media to communicate on that it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Start with one social network, which you feed regularly, and then gradually multiply your distribution channels.

Make sure you have perfected the channel you have launched before adding another — your business will only benefit from it.

Manage your time and energy

Choose your preferred modes of communication

You need to stay in touch with your prospects as best you can, but direct communication is not essential. You can therefore rely on emails, chat, and so on. As long as your clients get what they need within a reasonable timeframe, you are free to define your own communication methods. Having so many means of contact is also for your own comfort, not just the client's.

Define and clarify your availability

People are accustomed to instant responses; however, rather than giving in to their demands, manage their expectations by making it very clear when you are available and when you are not. Post your opening hours on your website, on social media, and in your email signature. Set up auto-replies so that people know you have received their message and when they can expect a response. For emergencies, set up a communication channel that makes it easy to reach you and communicate strict guidelines on what constitutes an emergency.

Although your communication will be primarily remote, do not hesitate to make clients feel close to you: use their first name, let your sincerity come through in your responses. If a client asks a question and has to wait two days for an answer, at least give them a complete, detailed response that addresses all their concerns. Compliment your clients and thank them for the trust they place in you or your brand.

Start slowly

Since you will be limiting the number of interactions with your audience, make sure all the information they need is somewhere they can easily find it. Your website and social media profiles should be as complete as possible. Also automate everything you can so that your business can keep running even when you take a break behind the scenes. Here are some ideas:

• Display contact details and availability information wherever you can
• Add email sign-up forms and a freebie that will be automatically delivered on your website and social media accounts
• Create a webpage with pricing information
• Set up automated processes for buying online, checking account status, etc.
• Use online appointment booking that syncs with your calendar
• Direct people to other ways of finding your content, such as your blog or social media profiles
• FAQ
• Give your clients and prospects as much information as possible so that they can help themselves and feel connected to your brand even when you are not available to them.

Prepare your meetings in advance

It is sometimes easier to be creative when you are alone, but working in a team allows for brainstorming sessions. You can brainstorm alone and arrive at the meeting with a few ready-made ideas. This will help you feel more at ease before the meeting begins.

In brief

It is not always easy to do your marketing as an introvert. Find marketing methods that match your energy and that you feel enthusiastic about. It will be much easier to put yourself forward and interact with others while still giving yourself time to recharge.