Social Marketing for Introverts?
I got to thinking the other day re: social marketing as a business strategy. I know it’s a powerful tool for building a business, many folks are seeing great returns doing so… but as I shared a few weeks back I find that I get tired of social media.
And it occured to me – perhaps I find it tiring because I am an introvert?
See the thing is that I really get what social media is – I’ve invested in some pretty high end social media training, have been paying attention to how it all works and have even coached my clients on many of the strategies.
But for me personally, I haven’t been able to plug into a ‘flow’ if you will… I find that I go hot/cold – some weeks i’m really on, and others not so much – and I think it may have to do with being an introvert.
Now i’m no shrinking violet or anything, I’ve been told i’m quite outgoing and I daresay fun to be around (most of the time, hehe). But I do know that energetically I am an introvert – I ‘recharge’ more from solitary activities, getting away, reading, relaxing and such (as compared to extroverts who recharge in social situations, being out and about.)
When discussing social marketing with people i’ve always likened it to the world of ‘traditional networking’ – getting out and meeting people face-to-face at local networking groups, association meetings and the like. Some people really enjoy marketing this way, others not so much. I remember going to my very first professional coaches association meeting about 10 years ago in Calgary – I was so nervous the night before I barely slept! And it was just a breakfast meeting.
With the wide world of social media being online we aren’t meeting face-to-face of course, but the ‘energy’ of it is very much the same I would think? And so perhaps a bit more challenging for us introverted types?
I don’t have the answers here by any means… just struck me as interesting. I did a Google search on this and actually didn’t find much out there – would love to know if anyone has actually dug into this idea of social marketing for introverts a bit further.
I may put together a list of ’social media tips for introverts’, hmmm…
I know *exactly* what you mean about running hot/cold on social media, Twitter in particular. Some days I get on a roll that can last a couple of hours, chatting away with some of the wonderful folks I meet. And I do get energy from that, although when it is over, I sometimes feel drained. And then I’ll go several days when I don’t look at Twitter and almost feel guilty that I haven’t missed it!
I never thought of it in terms of being an introvert (which I am), but I do think you are onto something. I’d love a “social media tips for introverts” list!
Great post, Tina. I haven’t researched this but it’s good to hear the topic being discussed! Online is similar to a live networking event – what can you say that others want to hear? and you don’t want to be ’salesy’… Your tips idea is a good one. Perhaps a couple tips would be to write a string of things to say when you’re ‘on’ & save them for use on your ‘off’ days or share a favourite quote. A quote can express how you feel about something using someone else’s words. Quotes seem to generate interest from my experience.
Thanks for the insight! I like social media because it gives me time to think before I “speak.” But I agree about the energy flow, and like you, I go hot/cold on it. Janet Barclay of OrganizedAssistant explores social media and introversion a bit here: http://bit.ly/AeU0H She includes some links to more discussion, too.
Love that tip Jen! I totally need to do that… I do find that when i’m ‘on’ i’m full of ideas, almost too much at times, hehe. Make a list and save them for off times, great tip.
Now, to come up with a list of more tips… hmmm.
I agree Terri – I do find myself drained sometimes too! almost like a tweet hangover, LOL
Thanks for the link Marki – I will check out Janets post too.
Hi Tima
Thanks for this post> I was thinking about that just the other day. My thought as an introvert will I ever be successful in social marketing? Well I decided I will give it a try and will let you know. Andrea
Hi, Tina,
I’ve been reflecting this issue for a while (and even considered a blog post, but it is not yet written). I think that social media are relevant and that it could be dangerous to a business to ignore them.
But an introvert – and especially if he/she is a highly sensitive person – needs to take special care of herself. Sometimes chatting with others can be inspiring and at other times it can pull you down.
So for myself I have come up with:
* sensing the air, if you can say so, and leave a chat/forum or Twitter quickly when there is too much negativity
* limiting the time. 10 minutes can be fine for me but half an hour would be too much
* make sure that I find enough time and space for myself during the day/week
* following only people in twitter whom I enjoy rather than following for strategic reasons.
I’m still experimenting. So, these reflections not yet the final solutions. I just take them as a temporary frame until I have come up with better insights/solutions.
Thank you for initiating this discussion.
Love those tips Monika – especially re: following people you enjoy and not just for strategic reasons. I’ve seen a few people clearing out their twitter lists and starting from scratch for just that reason… no different that real life hey? If i don’t enjoy connecting with someone i’m not going to do it.
Hi Tina – I’ve been thinking about this alot in the past few months as I’ve tried to get into the “flow” of Twitter and Facebook as a social media strategy. Being new at it I’m still learning. I do believe Twitter is relevant for building a following of folks that are like-minded or just interested in discussing issues together. I haven’t quite figured out how to do it but from the stuff I’ve followed it seems good for that. Facebook, in my opinion, is full of self-absorbed people and I don’t see the relevance of it. What strikes me as part of the issue is like anything else, if you’re trying too hard and it doesn’t sit right with you, then perhaps it’s just not right for that moment or it’s just the wrong strategy. Alot of what I’ve seen on social media leads one to believe you should be doing it constantly to be “in” the crowd. Frankly, I don’t think there’s any substitute for providing just plain good value and substance. In the end, a good product keeps folks coming back, not glitzy marketing.
Hi Tina -
First time on your blog and I’m so happy to find someone talking about this issue. I’ve been dragging my feet to even “take the plunge” (or “get my toes wet” more like it) because of being an introvert (and a “highly sensitive person”). I hate networking and parties filled with strangers, although I’m fine with intimate groups as probably we all are. But I’m determined to learn how to do this as I see it’s essential to building my business. I have decided to use both Twitter and Facebook strategically, not for chatting. To search for those on my wave length and provide value, and limit my time to 15 minutes at a time (or should I say promise myself I don’t have to do it for more than that?) Quotes are great, and sending valuable links. What about Tweetlater, to keep some presence on those off-days? I know it will be good for me, to overcome this trepidation. But I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way.