How Can You Start A Successful Business as an Introvert?

By: The Visual Collective

How can you start a successful business as an INTROVERT? 

So, I can be quite shy and I feel pretty awkward putting myself in front of the camera. It’s taken me years to be able to upload a photo of myself even though this is my business... so if you're an introvert I FEEL YOU!

But, how did I manage to build a successful business & a strong online presence with my introverted tendencies? ​​​​​​​​

Firstly, let’s unpack what typically is an INTROVERT?

An introvert is a personality trait characterised by a focus on internal feelings rather than on external sources of energy. Generally an introvert is someone who tends to gain their positive energy from being in their own company, in their own space and doing things that don’t involve too many people . . . is this sounding familiar?!

A few signs that you are more INTRO than EXTRO . . .

Your energy feels zapped and drained by being around too many people?

You have small groups of close friends rather than lots of friends from large friendship groups?

You enjoy being in your own company and are very self-aware?

People may think you’re quiet and shy?
Some people find it hard to get to know you and form a connection straight away?

These aren’t ‘bad’ things by any means they are just simply different to the way extroverts typically behave and that’s ok! I actually LOVE being an introvert and now that I know how to best manage it and I no longer fight it, I actually love this personality trait about me and don’t shy away from it!

Here are 5 tips that have helped me in my personal life and in business . . . 

1. Separate your brand identity from your personal identity

This is SO important. Your brand is its own entity.​​​​​​​​ Separating the two will alleviate the anxiety associated with being the centre of your brand's identity.

Have you heard of Sasha Fierce? Sasha Fierce is Beyonce Knowles’ alter ego. Beyonce created an alter ego to keep her persona separate from who she really is. By going on stage and being able to tap into this different persona, a persona that is bold, fierce and confident Beyonce is ready to take the stage and perform in front of thousands of people.
As much as it’s important to show the ‘real’ you and let people know the face behind the brand it’s harmless to think of an alter ego that can help you to feel more confident when talking on stories or filming a REEL.

At the end of the day if that just isn’t for you, don’t force it. You do you and the rest will fall into place!

2. Say NO

You don't have to say yes to every coffee date, meeting or even every client opportunity.

These constant catch ups are draining for introverts -- so make sure you are honouring yourself and outsource where you can.

You may have seen recently I employed a client liaison, besides saving me SO much time its a task that I stressed over, I worry i'll say the wrong thing, or talk myself out of a job!​​​​​​​​

3. Choose ONE platform

Just like saying no, you need to find one platform and stick to it. You don't need to try & please everyone across all social platforms.

Create meaningful relationships on a platform that YOUR brand's audience lives on. ​​​​​​​​

4. Pull out your introvert superpowers

Most of the time, we are so analytical, big-picture visionaries and have a deeper connection with fewer people - not a base connection with ALL the people. ​​​​​​​​
Use this as a strength and play into these roles more in your business.

5. Be AUTHENTIC to yourself

You won't see me lip syncing to reels or dancing in videos because it's just not me. If I have to start doing that to beat the algorithm then maybe instagram isn't for me and that's ok!​​​​​​​​

People are drawn to me for who I am and perhaps we form a deeper connection as they can relate and have similar introvert tendencies. It’s important to be true to yourself and the right people for you will love that about you.

​​​​Focus on these 5 tips and I promise the overwhelm & anxiety around being a business owner as an introvert will start to fall away…​​​​​​​​

Feel free to reach out with any questions, I love sharing my tips on this!​​​​​​​​