How to build a personal brand as an introvert

From one introvert to another, let me be the first person to say, I see you.

I see your struggle in wanting to be out there, even though the thought of being the center of attention scares you. I see how nervous you get about posting a picture of yourself, much less your latest achievement on social media (imposter syndrome na your mate. lol). I see how you rather spend your time listening than talking when you are surrounded by outspoken humans. I see how you must rehearse your words over and over in your head before you speak them out loud. And when you get a speaking engagement? I see how you come up with 10 excuses to cancel. You’re constantly being plagued with questions such as ‘why are you shy?’, and ‘why can’t you play along like everyone else?’. You are talented and brilliant but there is a constant dilemma on how to synchronize your talents and capabilities in an extroverted world that celebrates you only if can you make noise about who you are before you are seen.

You are not alone. You have me and about 40 percent of the population sharing this struggle with you. However, the truth is, if you don’t blow your trumpet and step out of your comfort zone to have footprints everywhere, people are not going to find you, and this is critical to your growth in a fast-paced world. Here are quick steps to help you build a personal brand as an introvert:

1. Play on your strengths

If you think an introvert is a quiet person, get them talking about something they’re passionate about and they will never shut up. As an introvert, discover what your unique selling point (USP) is. If you are analytical, use your observation skills to carefully identify problems in your environment and proffer creative solutions to them. Use your qualities as an introvert to see how you can fit into your industry.

2. Be valuable

Value is the new currency that will buy your way into people’s hearts and anywhere in the world. Now that you know your USP, build your brand around that and make it valuable. Then proceed to create content, your experience and value will shine through it.

3. Find your platform

For a long time, I never liked LinkedIn, I found it intimidating and overly serious for the kind of introvert I am. I enjoy sharing my thoughts on Twitter and snippets of my life on Instagram. These are platforms I am comfortable with enough to come out of my shell. In other words, choose one platform you are comfortable with and grow your brand from there. The point is to create a strategy that works for you. However, remember to take it one post, day, meeting, at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed. It’s ok if you want to take time off as well, we all understand you need to recharge.

4. Build relationships

Dear introvert, you are not an island, you can’t function alone all the time, create small meaningful relationships. Having an active small social group hands you an opportunity to have ambassadors that would speak for you in rooms that are not present, motivate you when you don’t have the ginger, and also share your work when you don’t have the liver. Your circle will be your biggest fan group, so chose the right ones.

5. Own it

Yes, own your personality type. You are an introvert, so what? Besides being quiet, shy, and sometimes anti-social, you are thoughtful, analytical, eloquent, and the list continues. Embrace it and you’ll have the ability to shake rooms in your own quiet way.

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