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Read The Introvert Entrepreneur by Beth L. Buelow.
It’s a good start.
People know you as somewhat of a loner. You don’t mind going
solo, in fact, you rather prefer it but you can’t: you have
a business to run, which creates its own challenges. Crowds
are “draining,” but networking is essential. Self-promotion
seems like bragging. You like to think things through
carefully, but your business needs quick answers.
Yep, like Bill Gates, Michael Jordan and Warren Buffet,
you’re an introvert. The good news is that, also like them,
your strengths as an introvert can actually enhance your
entrepreneurship, while the obstacles you perceive could,
with a little proper effort, become assets.
To begin, understand the “true definition” of introvert,
and know where you stand within it. You may be surprised to
see that you have attributes that lie on the extroverted
side of “the spectrum,” which is normal, says Buelow. The
thing to remember is that “slapping a label on you” isn’t
what it’s all about.
Open up when communicating by knowing your strengths
(introverts are wonderful listeners) and recognizing your
challenges (we’re not always good at self-promotion).
Embrace fear and remember that it “serves a purpose”; trying
to be fearless teaches us nothing and besides, it’s
“Hogwash!”
Know your FUDs (“fear, uncertainty, and doubt”) because they
represent “something that wants attention.” Learn to
determine what is a true fear, and what’s just a discomfort;
one is “unalterable,” while the other can be worked through.
Understand that selling is not incompatible with
introversion. Embrace social media; it may be an introvert’s
best tool. And finally, learn to network.
“If you have to [do it] anyway, you might as well find a way
to make it less painful and more profitable.”
As an introvert entrepreneur (note to my editors: Yes.
Me!), I was eager to read this book. How can I change my
stick-close-to-home tendencies in order to grow my business?
The answer was in The Introvert Entrepreneur, but it
took some digging.
There’s a lot of common knowledge in author Beth L. Buelow’s
words, and it’s mixed in with advice from other
entrepreneurs, as well as from Buelow herself. If you’ve
been around the business block a time or two, that
found-in-every-entrepreneurial-book-ever-printed information
won’t help you much.
The good stuff comes when Buelow goes past the superficial
and into the real work of doing business as an introvert.
There – especially in the chapters on fear and
networking – are the reasons why I think this book is worth
having.
In the end, I found what I truly needed here and,
particularly if you’re an introverted business newbie, I
think you will, too. For you, The Introvert Entrepreneur
is a home run.
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