How introverts can gain visibility and assert themselves

We all need credibility and visibility, whether you're employed or actively searching for work.  Introverts have a particularly challenging time getting visibility. Webinars or speaking engagements fill them with dread.  Never fear, there are other ways introverts can showcase their skills.  You can even have fun in the process!

Here are a few ways introverts can gain visibility:

1.  Actively participate in an professional organization related to your industry.

Join a committee and show them what you can do.   You'll be expanding your network, learning something new and showing people firsthand what you can do.

Currently, I'm on the SEMPO Boston Advisory Board.  SEMPO Boston Working Group is the Search Engine Marketing Industry's source for education, community, and networking in the Massachusetts area.  It's a great way to learn more about Search Engine Marketing as well as work closely with industry leaders. 

2.  Comment on blogs.  Offer to be a guest blogger for a blog you like. 

You can showcase your knowledge and gain visibility.  You'll have an incentive to keep up with the latest trends in your industry.

The Downtown Women's Club blog is a great place to do this.  I've started my own blog on technology.  As a guest blogger for a new company, 4GoodMedia.  I'll be writing about marketing trends.  

3.  Ask questions or answer questions on LinkedIn Q & A.

By asking well-thought out questions, or answering questions in your expertise, you can demonstrate your expertise. 

A year or so ago, I posed a question on LinkedIn about what laptop to buy.  I learned a lot, and made some new connections in the process. These connections are now part of my virtual tech team and I frequently pick their brains on technical issues.

The naysayers argue that by volunteering like this, people will take advantage of you.  To avoid this and to gain practice being assertive, here are a few suggestions to help your case:

1.  Be very clear on what you're willing to do.

Offer what you can do in a positive light.  Let's say you're asked to handle all the marketing for an event and this isn't something you're willing to do.  You can turn this around by saying, "I'd love to help market the event and here's how I can do that."  This will be better received than, "No, I can't possibly do all the marketing tasks and here are all the reasons why I can't."

2.  Set time limits on your efforts.

Offer to spend a set amount of time per month on a task.  Or, be very specific on what you're willing to do. For example, as a guest blogger, offer to do 1 or 2 blog posts per month.  If you don't speak up, the other party may assume you'll be posting a lot more often.

It's never easy for an introvert to be assertive, but by taking these small steps, you can build your confidence.  The more you practice, the easier being assertive will become.  You may even find that you enjoy the give and take!

Nancy Loderick

Comments

[Ken]

I enjoyed this article. Nice examples on how to become more visible!

[Nancy Loderick]

Ken, thanks for your comments. These tips really do work, as I found out from experience.

Nancy

[Greta Mucho]

This is a great article and shows what someone can do in this difficult times and how people and it will be a great tool to use by marketing people in some companies that don' like marketing

[Nancy Loderick]

Greta, thanks for your comment. Good point about companies using these ideas for marketing as well.

Nancy