DIGITAL STARTUP SOCIETY BLOG — Important Social Skills for Introverted Business Owners

Introverts are just as committed to the success of their businesses as extroverts, they just need a bit more creativity when it comes to networking and interacting with their customers. That’s where social media can be a game changer. Social media is an excellent way to be social without the drain on an introvert’s comfort zone or energy.    Here are some great ways for introverts to use their social media in business.  Choose the right platform for your business and personality- There are nearly 100 social media platforms available. The average user has close to 8 accounts. Every platform...

Introverts tend to have a love/hate relationship with networking. Since being an introvert has very little to do with being shy, introverts enjoy meeting new people and making important business connections…to a point. While extroverts find networking exhilarating and energy boosting, introverts generally have the opposite experience. The longer introverts mix and mingle, the more energy they lose. This can make networking somewhat of a dreadful experience without a good plan.  Introverted business owners need to network as much as their extroverted counterparts, they just need to do it in a different way. Networking doesn’t require being the center of...

Living in a digital age, it’s easy to bypass face-to-face meetings in favor of emails, voice mail and other automation. For an introvert, this feels like heaven. Being able to avoid groups, small talk, and people is generally preferable, but it doesn’t make for good business. While introverts may resist the idea of meetings, they do have an important role.    The Problem with Meetings There’s a reason meetings get a bad rap. Poorly run meetings are the bane of business. It doesn’t matter if you’re an intro or extrovert, a bad meeting is a waste of time, energy, and...

Introverts and extroverts are polar opposites when it comes to relating to others. Extroverts are energized by groups while introverts are drained by crowds. Each process information in unique ways, extroverts are external processors while introverts are internal. If you tend to lean towards an introverted communication style you are not alone, one in three people are most likely introverted by nature.  While introverts would likely never gravitate to extrovert-type activities on their own, there are certain traits extroverts have that introverts should consider for success in business. Introverts needn’t become social butterflies and throw large conferences to be a...

When it comes to business owners, you likely imagine a charismatic leader blazing a trail to the marketplace. A larger-than-life, socially-savvy extrovert who can sell popsicles to Alaskans in February. An owner who lives to network and gets their energy from customer-facing engagement. It might seem like introverts could never be business owners since stereotypes indicate they are Shy Socially awkward Anti-social Poor public speakers Here’s the thing, the stereotypes are false. Introverts can thrive as business owners. As a matter of fact, some of the most recognizable companies were founded by introverts, including Google Facebook Microsoft Pay Pal   ...