Challenges of the Introverted Blogger
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When I was a regular contributor to Introvert Retreat, I’d often do a Google search on ‘introvert’ to see if I could find something to blog about. One day my search led me to A Guide For The Introverted Blogger.
In his fascinating article, Micah Sparacio explained that introverts are often sensitive to criticism, which may cause us to hold back from blogging and to avoid controversial subjects when we do blog.
He then went on to discuss the positive attributes of introverts in terms of blogging:
Introverts usually bring a long term vision to their blogging. They tend to plan things out meticulously and speak only when they have something important to say.
Introverts tend to think twice before blogging an idea, and this can be a filter against junk.
Introverts also tend to offer positive feedback to other bloggers, something our community certainly needs more of.
I agree with all of these statements. I also think we have the advantage of enjoying writing and other tasks that allow us to work alone for chunks of time. I fell in love with blogging the first time I tried it.
Sparacio promised to devote future articles to overcoming introvert-specific roadblocks to blogging, but unfortunately, they don’t appear to have been published. Which got me thinking…
What introvert-specific roadblock to blogging have I run into?
My biggest obstacle is my reluctance to self-promote, which is surely an introvert thing. I always feel pushy if I share a new blog post several times, even though I know that not everyone will see it the first time. And for the longest time, I was so afraid of sounding salesy, that many of my regular readers didn’t even know that I offer Website Care Plans and Web Design!
Am I still struggling with this? If not, what did I do to overcome it?
I’m still hesitant when it comes to self-promotion, but I write much more about my business than I did in the past. Here are a few posts where my main goal was clearly to promote my services, but I did it in a way that was comfortable for me.
- Do you need a Website Care Plan?
- Is it time to break up with your hosting service?
- A Website Makeover for one of Canada’s Top Resume Writers
I tried to get on board with sharing my blog posts multiple times on social media, but I realized that very little of my traffic comes from social media, regardless of the amount of effort I put into it. I’d rather use my social media time to engage with other users than fill up their feeds with links they won’t click on. In other words, I just don’t sweat it anymore.
Are you an introverted blogger?
Please help me make up for Micah Sparacio’s missing follow-up articles by answering these questions in the comments:
What introvert-specific roadblock to blogging have you run into?
Are you still struggling with this? If not, what did you do to overcome it?
Your comments may help other introverted bloggers to get better results and enjoy the process more.
The Introvert Retreat blog is no longer online, but if you’d like to network with other introverts, join us in The Original Introvert Retreat Group!
Photo by photography33 / DepositPhotos
Janet Barclay
I eliminate stress for my clients by hosting, monitoring, and maintaining their WordPress sites so they don’t have to worry about security, downtime or performance issues. When I’m away from my desk, I enjoy reading, photography, cooking, watching movies, drinking tea, and spending time with my family.
I’ll tell you what introverted-specific issue that blogging HELPS me with: Speaking up. Often, in a group, I find I have trouble getting a word in edgewise. I have things to say, but it just seems like too much trouble. And if I do speak up, yes, I risk being criticized. Or, later I think of what I SHOULD have said besides what I DID say. It’s hard to sum up a situation, or a position, in a soundbite! Often, even when someone hears what I say, they take it as a springboard for assuming other things I did not say (not always in a critical way, mostly just an inaccurate way). I don’t blog about (very many) controversial topics, but writing gives me the chance to really say what I want to say without interruption. It also helps me to get something off my mind if I find keep thinking about it (and think others might benefit from it). Or, if I keep getting asked the same organizing- or genealogy- or introversion-related question it gives me the chance to say it all once and then share it again when the opportunity arises.
Hazel, thank you so much for your comment!
My experience in group discussions is similar. Often, by the time there’s a lull, everyone has moved on to a different topic so it seems pointless to throw in my two cents worth. I’d never thought of this as one of the benefits of blogging! This has me wondering if that’s why I enjoy public speaking, even though I’m introverted. I always thought it was because I never feel like I’m intruding if people are coming to me, but maybe it’s simply the fact that I can talk without interruptions!
Yes, many famous speakers, it turns out, are quite introverted. The idea is that, in addition to being able to say your piece uninterrupted, and the fact that they are predisposed to like you because they came to see you, is that also it seems (somewhat counterintuitively) less like you are in a crowd of many, and more like it’s just you and one other entity — the audience.
Ooh, that’s an interesting thought. Thanks for sharing it!
Hi Hazel-
An observation if helpful. In the groups I’ve been in with you, I’ve noticed you openly share your ideas. It never seems awkward from this end and you seem to do it with confidence. But what it looks like from this end and what it feels like on your end are two very different things.
I always appreciate what you have to say. Insightful.
Thanks, Linda! I guess I’m good at faking confidence. LOL! But also it depends a great deal on who I’m with and what the topic is at hand.
Such interesting ideas to consider, Janet. I’m not an introvert, perhaps more of an ambivert. So I can’t speak to the questions you posed.
However, as far as blogging goes, like you, I loved it from the first time I posted. And now, it’s become something I can’t imagine NOT doing. I look forward to my writing/posting day, which is usually Sunday. I love the quietness of the day and a dedicated time I set aside to think, reflect, and write.
You mentioned the marketing, promotional aspect of blogging. It’s true that if you don’t promote, it’s unlikely people will find your posts. There might be other reasons for writing, but drawing your ideal audience in is certainly one of them. I view social media as one piece of my marketing, which encompasses putting ideas out there and also sharing and engaging with others.
If you’re blogging to generate business, it’s essential to get eyes on your post! But even if you’re doing it mainly as a form of self-expression, you probably want others to read it, or why wouldn’t you just keep a private journal?
This is a very interesting perspective! I don’t really think of myself as an introvert, but I definitely share some of these roadblocks. Interesting as well that you don’t put as much into social media. This might be something that I need to consider moving forward. I have built an audience there, but I’m not sure if they are readers or just followers of pretty pictures. Thank you as always for your perspective.
I’m starting to question the value of posting links to blog posts on social media, as people rarely seem to click through (excluding blog shares, where they usually do). Of course, it’s important to keep our names in front of people so they remember us, but there are way more effective ways of doing that, such as posting photos and words without links. Then instead of saying, “Hey, see what I’ve done” you’re actually starting a conversation.
I don’t think I count as an introverted blogger, but I do resist self-promoting. I don’t push blog posts out multiple times, even though like you, I know many people don’t see them the first time around.
I also don’t reveal much about myself or my family on social media. I want to be positive and contribute, but there is a line for me.
I like interacting on social media. To me, that is easier than being in person. I’m probably just on the border of introversion, but I live with a family of introverts, so I have come to learn and understand it better.
Great post idea!
Thanks for your feedback, Seana. If you prefer interacting online to in person, that sounds pretty introverted to me, but of course there are probably a lot more factors than that.
I’m a massive extrovert; I don’t think there’s a moment of my life where I’ve been introverted. So I’m not sure what to add to this conversation. But I still experience that dread of having to promote what I write. My joy comes from the writing, not even the sharing, and yes, that sales-y aspect is a frustration. Promoting my business comes more easily, because I never think about what I do as being about me; it’s about the needs of the client and the benefits of organizing and productivity. But I think wherever we fall on the -vert scale, we all have doubts about whether what we have to say is worthy. The thing about being an extrovert is that it doesn’t matter if what I have to say is valuable; my need to say it (like my need to breathe) overpowers everything else. That’s why I blog; but once I’ve said it, I (and probably most extroverts) experience the same marketing antipathy you do.
Keep blogging, please. We ALL want to know what you have to say!
Thanks for your insight, Julie! A couple of your points really stand out for me:
“I never think about what I do as being about me; it’s about the needs of the client and the benefits of organizing and productivity.” <- Very important lesson here, especially for newer business owners who really NEED to land the sale.
"I think wherever we fall on the -vert scale, we all have doubts about whether what we have to say is worthy." <- Interesting to realize! Many extraverts come across as being so self-confident that this wouldn't have occurred to me.