Things are usually more nerve-racking the first time you do them. After you do something a few times, you get past your fear and it feels normal.
Think about the first time you kissed your spouse or the first time you drove a car. The first blog post you published. The first time you had a pap smear {you probably don’t want to be reminded of that, huh?}.
Before I met my husband, I wasn’t into trying new foods. I know it’s silly to be afraid of food, but I kinda was. He somehow convinced me that I was missing out, and now I eat lots of foods I never would have tried like mushrooms, tofu, stir fry with peanut sauce, and tempeh. I was nervous the first time, but now it’s normal.
Marketing is like that, especially for introverts.
The first time you do something like submit a pitch for a blog post or get asked to do an interview, it’s kinda scary. After you do it a couple times, it’s not so bad. Eventually, it’ll even feel normal.
In today’s video, I’m giving the best advice I could find and think of to help you market your business if you’re shy.
Ready for your challenge?
Get a little out of your comfort zone and do one thing to promote your business this week. Come on–I know you can do it! Let me know in the comments below what that one thing will be. Need more help with this? Check out this video on the basic steps of putting together a marketing plan.
If you’re an introvert and you have tips for getting over those marketing fears, please share them in the comments below.
Hi there!
(I’m terrified of public presentations, etc.) I overcome my fear pretending (just for myself) for that while that I’m someone else (e.g. my fellow student who was excellent at public speaking, I imitate her gestures and even use her expressions).
Or I pretend that my children are among the audience (I want to give them a good example. Actually, they don’t need it, they have used to public performances at school. But I need it.).
GREAT background + dress!!
Whatever makes it easier, right? That’s great that you’ve learned how to deal with the nervousness.
I’m totally an introvert and marketing scares the bejeezus out of me, both from a comfort zone standpoint and a “I don’t want come across as a slimy salesperson” standpoint. I guess one good think about starting a business that’s mostly online: less people to interact with face to face. I’m running a giveaway this week, which totally makes me nervous: what if no one enters? what if the person who wins turns out to be a nightmare? Ack! But it’s all way less scary than networking with real, live people! Baby steps, I guess 😛
The “I don’t want to come across as a slimy salesperson” fear is something that plagues extroverts, too. You’re not alone.
That’s great that you’re hosting a giveaway even though it scares you! Baby steps are good.
Thanks for addressing this topic! I love The Firestarter Sessions as well.
I suppose it’s all about baby steps. I agree with Stephanie that no one wants to seem slimey salesy… or always doing self-promotion. But I think we always have this perception that others are thinking the worst – when really they are barely even paying attention 🙂
Ha! I never thought of that way before, Linda, that people are probably barely paying attention. And yes, I automatically think people are thinking the worst about me/my business venture/etc, even though it’s probably not really true. Thanks for bring up both of those points – definitely something for me to keep in mind 🙂
Yes, great point Linda!
I actually love public speaking, but I only recently started recording videos for my blog. I’m not an introvert, but I still get a bit nervous when I’m putting myself out there. Your advice is spot on–sometimes you just have to get over yourself and do it.
Thanks Sage! I don’t consider myself an introvert and I’m with you on loving public speaking, but I still get those butterflies every once in a while.
I just went to a seminar given by business coach Brad Sugars, and he gave some really great advice: Reframe fear as excitement. So that fear that you feel when you’re in a room filled with new people can be reframed as excitement to meet all these new business prospects. It’s similar hormones–adrenaline–that you feel when faced with fear or excitement. All you have to change is your frame of mind.
I’m TERRIBLE at promoting myself. I love building relationships, but a room full of strangers makes me feel nauseous. Each time I’m faced with my fear, I tell myself I’ll just walk up and talk to ONE stranger. I feel so proud of myself once I do it, and it gives me practice so it gets easier every time.
That’s a great tip Gaby–thanks for sharing it! Trying to just shove away the fear doesn’t work, so reframing it or just letting yourself feel it usually helps much more.
I am okay with e-mail/web marketing, but in-person marketing scares me!
Thanks for addressing this topic. I think there are a lot of creatives who are shy.
(I even it put in in the name of my business! – catshy crafts).
p.s. Love the sticker background! (And your hair looks great 🙂
Thanks Cathy!
Being an introvert, your advice is going to help me a great deal especially now that I am venturing into internet business that will need a lot of those marketing skills. Fire-starter sessions will be of great importance.
I’m so glad. 🙂
I love building relationships, but a room full of strangers makes me feel nauseous. Thanks for wonderful topic.
You’re so welcome!
As an introvert who has worked in sales (lol) if you write down your speech and learn it – you don’t hear the many (omg, omg, omg) running through your head as much. If you are talking in person- pick a spot to look at in the other person’s eyebrow. Talk to that spot. You are still talking to them but it’s not as intimidating. Breathe – a lot. 🙂 it becomes easier and easier – really it does.
Thanks for adding those tips Kristin!