Tag Archives: introverts

The Secret to Easier Marketing for Self-employed Introverts

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Marketing Head Spin!

Marketing Head Spin!

Marketing angst is probably the most common concern I hear from people who are self-employed or considering self-employment, so I want to bring some hope to the cause right now.

I’ve been writing a business and career advice column for introverts that appears on Quiet Revolution and Huffington Post, and most of the letters I get from self-employed people are about some kind of dislike of marketing.

Here’s a question from a self-employed service provider that captures it well. I’ll give you an excerpt from that column plus a link to read the whole answer.  Continue reading →

How Do I Answer “What Do You Do?” When It’s… Complicated?

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“What do you do?” seems to be one of the most dreaded questions. Especially for people in transition or who feel like what they’re doing might be judged. It makes us squirm a little…. or a lot.

It can be especially hard for introverts and perfectionists who like to think before talking and then speak in a thorough way. It’s hard to find a good simple answer!

And yet, we are faced with this question so often. It might sound like this in your head when you get that question:

  • “I better have something good to say, Now!”
  • “They’ll think I’m a freak if I tell the truth!”
  • “They’ll think I’m a loser if I don’t have a ‘legitimate’ answer.”
  • “I feel like I have no clear identity like other people have.”
  • “I don’t want them to know I have family money to support me.”
  • “Staying at home with kids doesn’t seem like a real answer. Maybe I should do more.”
  • “I have tons of ideas but they’re still messy and I hate talking about it at this stage.”
  • “I don’t want to tell them I’ve been sick for a year. Ugh.”

Can you relate? It’s… Complicated.

Even people who know what they do for work can get nervous with this question. It almost feels like the asker wants us to define ourselves, right now, in one sentence. It’s just impossible to summarize ourselves like that.

Since I talk to so many people in transition, I get this question about how to answer “What do you do?” all the time. I want to share some things I’ve found helpful. Continue reading →

Self-employment Ideas for Introverts

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Is this you?

  1. You’re thinking maybe you just need to find the right path that fits your introverted style (and/or high sensitivity needs).
  2. And you think self-employment might give you the freedom to create work the way you want it. (Yes!)
  3. But, you’re nervous about what self-employment avenues will work for you as an introvert. (“I don’t know which direction is right?” and “Ack, what about marketing?!”)

Sound familiar? You’re definitely not alone.

Brainstorming self-employment ideas for introverts

That self-employment excitement combined with worry is common for introverts. And yet there are plenty of introverts making self-employment work. Without wearing an extrovert mask.

Personally, I love the freedom of self-employment, and it’s working for me in my own introverted way, even during economic ups and downs.

But I was originally very nervous to take the leap because some part of me thought that was extrovert territory. Both introverts and extroverts can make self-employment work, if you find your unique path.

In this post, I’ll explain why and how self-employment can work well for introverts, including a few specific ideas for you. 

Continue reading →

4 Tips to Break the Overthinking Loop

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[Image: The classic cat in the doorway indecision = Analysis Paralysis.]Can you relate to getting stuck in overthinking, rethinking, and… thinking again, until you’re getting less clear?! I call it Analysis Paralysis.

I was part of a discussion online, in my group for introverts, about the overthinking loop. In that thread, my friend, Alison, offered these fantastic tips.

These tips are tried-and-true and easy-to-do. (There’s brain research to back this up.)

Since introverts tend to be especially prone to the challenge of overthinking, I knew I had to get her tips out to you too. I invited her to write a guest post, and here it is!

Continue reading →