Self promotion introverts

Self-Promotion for Introverts: The Quiet Guide to Getting Ahead by Nancy Ancowitz

Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

Leo .

Author 3 books380 followers

August 22, 2018

How does an author get somebody to buy their book?

After the long and arduous task it took

To get published and noticed, hope for a sale

Get the ball rolling, break from this spell

Pass on to their friends, promotion is exasperating

Waiting for units to begin accumulating

Just three pounds and four pence, not a lot of loot

The process can be frustrating, exciting, a hoot

The price of a cup of coffee, one would think

Half of which, maybe poured down the sink

Not a great loss but, money down the drain

Coffee has gone, never seen again

Yet a book lasts forever, it will always be

To glance upon, lend to friends, and family

Shared with reading buddies, and book clubs, Twitter, the Web, it takes time

Plugged on YouTube, blogs, and Facebook, and Amazon Prime

Striving to reach, the next step in recognition, popular, new

Hoping to reach readers, and get a decent review😰😌😕😱😪😤😅😂😧😷😰😱

By Leo. 🐯👍

I am losing the will to live

And I have so much more to give

A year has pass

I am exhausted, running out of gas

Emotional turmoil, never ending hill

Rattling with medication, and a happy pill

A handful of book sales, hardly any pay

Demoralised, wasting away

Have two more books to publish, but no money in the bank

Readers who have given reviews, I wish to thank

This self promotion, is a chore

Trying to get recognition, more

Will I ever get some uplifting news? A review? A sale maybe?

Enough to boost my self esteem, something to make me happy👍💓🐯

Res

486 reviews55 followers

I don't know; maybe this got very impressive after I dropped it. Problems:

- It conflates introversion with social anxiety. I mean, it claims it doesn't -- it describes the difference -- but all the tips for introverts are really about dealing with fear.

- It spends an awful lot of time defining "introvert" and giving lots of advice about determining whether you are one. Um, I picked up a book called "Self-Promotion For Introverts"; pretty sure I've already answered this question.

- It was very heavy on inspirational quotes from famous and non-famous people, page after page of them, sometimes with one paragraph of introduction to the quote or elaboration on it. Very light on any sort of details. Like a magazine article grotesquely swollen to book length.

didnt-finish nonfiction

My two initial impressions of this book were not good: the cover has glasses on it for some reason (does that mean only introverts wear glasses or if you're introverted you wear glasses?) and the first chapter implied, to me, if you're an introvert you have low self-esteem. Not true.

The rest of the book reminded me of "What Color Is Your Parachute?", but written with specific attention on how introverts can do those activities.

I'm still slightly unclear on exactly what networking is - it seems some people assume that every time you contact another human being that's an opportunity to promote yourself, career-wise. Which is just oogy to me.

non-fiction

First of all, a really effective way to make me hate your book is to mention right off the bat how difficult you find the process of writing to be, and how the only thing that motivated you to start writing the book was that signed contract. (My doctor said it was the worst eye-roll sprain he’d ever seen, but I’ll be fine.)

I was just looking for a way to raise my profile a hair at work. But the author of this book, while careful to include self-employed individuals (probably because she is a self-employed individual), seems blissfully unaware that not everyone works for ABC Widgets, Inc. All the tips are geared to the corporate world, and trust me, what might work to impress the CEO of a Fortune 500 company is liable to translate as sheer lunacy in the public sector.

It was also disheartening that the advice for introverts could mostly be described as “Be more like an extrovert!” Gee, thanks.

There were suggestions to take classes, or hire a coach, or spend every waking moment networking (oh, BOY, does this woman love networking). The very first thing she recommends is assembling what she calls a Dream Team. You’re supposed to ask a dozen people to write down really nice things about you so you can have a file of nice things to read when… I dunno, when people ignore you because you’re an introvert? If I knew a dozen people that I was comfortable asking for paragraphs of praise, could I honestly call myself an introvert? Also, if you have to ask people to say nice things, do they count?

The author also allies herself with the positivity movement, which by itself would be reason enough for me to one-star it.

So, if you a) live in New York City, b) work for a profit-seeking corporation (or are self-employed), and you actually like public speaking, parties, schmoozing, and Linked In, this is the best book about being an introvert you’ll ever read. Everyone else, never mind.

Full disclosure: there were 6 disks in the audio book, and I made it to the end of disc 3. I couldn’t take any more.

non-fiction

Author Ancowitz provides a self help book that talks to the introverted reader, making suggestions and providing encouragement. This is very much like other career minded self help books I've read, but it does focus on issues that "introverts" may have. That made this book more than just an OK book. The author is a character in her own book, which is common in self-help books - using herself as an example. The ending is an overt suggestion that coaching may help, and surprise - the author is also a coach! Make your own conclusions here.

I listened to this on audio. As is common with self-help books, I wouldn't recommend the audio version if you value viewing or using the tables and tools referenced. The audio was fine for presenting the concepts, but it isn't all that helpful in doing the work to create new personal habits. I think the physical book would have been a better choice.

audiobook business

C. Clark

Author 26 books559 followers

I've done a lot of studying about promotion for introverts since I'm a writer by profession and speak on the subject. I read this book to seek new angles for my presentations, but found little I didn't already know. A major rub for me was the author's repetitive mention of the fact writing a book was new to her, and she wasn't really a writer. Once was enough. She means well and covers a lot of ground, and for someone who's never thought about promotion as a withdrawn individual, it would offer some good advice.

I find that self-help books usually fall into one of two categories: helpful and appropriate or wildly irrelevant to my own personal situation. Self-promotion for Introverts is one of the former. I am a lifelong introvert, writer, and IT professional who has struggled with putting myself out in front. I found Nancy Ancowitz's descriptions of her encounters with celebrities while writing this book particularly familiar in terms of the thought processes she went through before approaching each one of them.

The book is insightful and a good slice of the life of an introvert who is just trying to make her way in a world that seems wholly designed for the upward mobility of the extravert: the noise, the persistent distractions, the value placed on "multi-tasking" (which I've always felt was simply a euphemism for "distracted" as far as human beings are concerned).

One minor failure in the eBook edition of this title is the fact that the average eBook reader is not going to be able to make use of the nice tables and forms Ancowitz creates to help guide the introvert toward his or her own best potential. Unless you copy the forms and tables to paper, which would of course break your concentration on the task, you won't be able to put these tools to adequate use. This is not a failing of the author; it is more an appeal to publishers to consider the format of the book when you include tools like that. Ereader devices do not always support HTML forms (yet), so perhaps readers can use other innovative means of implementing such tools in the meantime (the Nook allows you to take notes, for example).

Like any good introvert, now that I've finished the book I'm going to take some time to chew on its information before deciding how to best use what I've learned. It is truly nice to see books about self-promotion geared toward the introverted in the marketplace.

Gwen

1,030 reviews33 followers

This felt like the workbook accompaniment to Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, although it seemed that Ancowitz often confused "shy" with "introverted"--the terms are not synonyms.

Ancowitz relied too heavily on a small number of people (if I saw one more quote from Cathie Black, I was very tempted to throw the book across the room), but overall, she's brought a solid book to market.

A good tip: Advocate for yourself like you would advocate for a friend. (5)

career

Stacy

231 reviews4 followers

Quite a bit of this book had nothing to do with being introverted... it was either how to self-promote or the author self-promoting her conversations with "famous" people. (I don't how you got the quote or what you were wearing - just share the quote!)

I did enjoy the parts of the book that had to do with introvert vs. extrovert and how to work better together. The Lexicon table in chapter 8 is fantastic, and would benefit extroverts as well.

Kristen

129 reviews5 followers

Good information but slightly exhausting to read more than a chapter at a time. The author's personal experiences/anecdotes start to grate after a while, too.

This book isn’t what I’d consider an Arsenal in my self-help library, as I don’t work in a job that requires tons of draining interactions with others or I have to do tons of self-promotion. I think this book would be helpful to an introvert working in the corporate world, or in any job that they feel they have to do a lot of pushing themselves outside their introvert bubble.

Here are some tips:

Be proud of yourself as an introvert. You have many strengths that can be very valuable in the job market, not to mention as a good friend, family member, etc. we are very good listeners, researchers, writers and good friends.

Choose friends who understand your introversion.

Balance thinking with talking. As introverts we sometimes get lost in our thoughts. Try to find a balance of thinking before you speak but also not remaining completely silent.

Take stock of your accomplishments/good traits when negative self talk creeps in.

SHOW UP. This is often the hardest part. Show up to meetings for work, family events, etc. just being there is good for your relationships. If you find something particularly draining and are dreading it, try to schedule alone/grounding time for yourself first so your introvert battery is fully charged.

Stay in touch with colleagues. Emails, texts, whatever works for you.

Promoting others is a sneaky way to promote yourself as well. When you speak positively of others, it shows you are a good listener who notices the goodness in others.

Know if you’re a highly sensitive person. Definition: nervous system is sensitive to subtleties, and your brain processes information & reflects on to more deeply. Web resource: hsperson.com

Make networking situations more bearable: choose events where you’re likely to feel welcome, do something that makes you feel grounded beforehand, scope out a comfortable place (just not the wall!), remember all eyes aren’t on you, learn about other people, drink lots of water.

Remember an 80% solution that you are able to implement is better than a 100% solution that you don’t. Speak & act, don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

“Introverts get overwhelmed by a lot of choices. Just write it down, make it smaller. It becomes more doable and feels more attainable.

“Focus on small things that allow you to feel good about yourself.”

“If you work best under a deadline, get or make up a deadline. Get support rather than fighting what you know you need. Don’t waste your energy comparing yourself to all the self-motivated.”

Build your confidence with little wins.

Remember there’s a difference between giving up and changing direction.

Just the act of setting small goals can get your brain thinking in the right direction.

Don’t plan lots of social activities back to back.

Avoid comparing yourself to extroverts, they manage their time and energy differently than you.

Easy ways to self-promote that are introvert friendly: network through the internet! Emails, LinkedIn, write for blogs or start your own. Write articles for magazines, journals, etc. talk on a podcast about something your passionate about or start your own.

Have answers to common small talk questions prepared ahead of time so you don’t freeze up and forget everything about yourself. “So tell me about yourself” “what do you do for a living?” etc. you could even write it down and keep it in your wallet.

Public speaking: practice lots! Research & know your stuff. Have notes & take notes.

Remember interviews give you a good upper-hand: introverts are best one-one. Use your introvert skills & research, prepare, write! Research about the company, have your outfit picked out, know where you’re going and who you’ll meet with.

Manage your negative self-talk. The more confident you are (or pretend to be), the better you’ll come across at appearing like you have your shit together and are enthusiastic.

Promote yourself in the spirit of helping others. Ask what you can do, and follow through. Figure out how to deliver on your job as much as you can, go above & beyond.

2018-reads life-knowledge-about-it nonfiction

Joy

1,038 reviews

It took me about 3.5 years to finish this book! There are reasons for that. It was a really good book, and I wish I had read it in my late 20s. It would have been so helpful to me then! As it happened, this book came to me after I had already learned some of its lessons (the hard way). Reading this book also made me realize what a good fit my current job is for me, because so many of the possible introvert challenges do not exist for me in my current role. (This is another illustration of me, figuring out the hard way, that a more extrovert-oriented job that I previously had really was not a great fit for me.) But even though the timing of when I read this was off for me, personally, I still appreciated this book and would recommend it to other introverts—especially those at the start of their careers. The best tip, IMO, was: before you go to a social event, think in advance what some things are that people there will want to talk with you about (and start thinking about what you’ll say about those topics).

on-psych-or-self-help

I think I would have gotten more out of this book if I had my own copy. Instead, I had it checked out from the library on interlibrary loan, so I couldn't even renew it ... which meant I had to sort of zip through it, even though there are a bunch of exercises you're supposed to do, which I didn't do (although I tried to do a few of them mentally). The author is a career coach, so I think she tried to translate a lot of the exercises she does with clients to the pages of this book. And while I think they'd work better in a coaching context where you could get feedback, this is a decent alternative for those who can't afford or don't have access to coaching.

What I really wanted from this book was some guidance on promoting myself as a writer, and "Hungering and Thirsting for Justice." There was a lot that was relevant, but the way it was written just had me thinking more about career development than book promotion. And I actually already do pretty well in the career development area; I'm a decent public speaker, I interview well, etc. I'm the kind of introvert that does well in social situations if the roles are really clearly defined -- as they often are in work situations -- but I really despise "in-person" networking. And reading this book doesn't make me inclined to like it any more, although it does help me remember that there are a lot of alternatives to that that I can excel at as an introvert, like social networking.

So, I'm glad this book exists, even if I didn't really get what I wanted out of it. I still wouldn't mind getting my own copy someday so that I'd have time to work through some of the exercises as they relate to the marketing side of my writing career.

non-fiction self-help

Emma Sea

2,175 reviews1,040 followers

I did not find this a useful book.

Partly this is for the same reasons that Res outlines in their review: Ancowitz assumes introverts have trouble with public speaking etc, which isn't necessarily so. But the big thing for me is that the focus is heavily on promoting yourself within a corporate structure; how to take more of the credit for what you did in a team, rules for job interviews, how to negotiate with your boss for a promotion etc. I was more looking for self-promotion for introverts who are entrepreneurs. While some of the tips do apply to those self-employed, I found a lot of the advice so general and broad that it wasn't super-useful.

There's a section called "Position Yourself as a Valued Expert" which I agree is a really good idea. My last workplace used to do a lot of this, encouraging employees to end up as the go-to for media soundbites and quotes. But in this book it's about 3/4 of a single page, which basically only says, "join organisations, volunteer your time." For an introvert, this in itself isn't useful advice. You only end up as the volunteer who does a shitload of work but gets no credit because you're not promoting yourself within the volunteer organisation. Hooray, now you have double the problems.

So, maybe a good book for others, not so good for me.

Sarah

214 reviews2 followers

Ancowitz has really great ideas for self-promotion in this book. As an introvert, I have a very hard time getting myself noticed at work and putting my ideas out there. I have been trying to move into a different position where I work and so far have been unsuccessful. Prior to reading this book I started taking steps such as volunteering with an employee club at work and volunteering to do other job duties outside of my regular job duties. Now I am going to put the ideas Ancowitz mentions in this book into action. I like her idea of hiring a career coach. I am definitely going to do that because I need help preparing for interviews since that is the area I believe I am struggling with the most. The chapter on turning off the negative self-talk was very helpful. I do that all the time and now I am more conscious of when I start doing it and I stop myself. This is a very helpful and encouraging book for introverts looking to promote themselves for whatever reason.

I picked this up as research for the upcoming training call I'm doing for introverts who want to promote themselves online - but it actually ended up teaching me a lot about managing my energy levels and generally staying sane as an introvert, completely independent of any promotion.

It's easy to read with no shortage of useful, practical tips for introverts trying to get comfortable with being visible in a highly extroverted world.

My only criticism is the assumption that all introverts are readers, and all extroverts aren't (or, in another place, that extroverts don't understand or use the Internet)

It's a pretty mild criticism though, especially when everything else in there works so well.

And yay, it gets me a tick towards both my business book and my self-development book goals for 2013 too!

8-5-10 business non-fiction

It was okay. Didn't really find it worthwhile, but that is perhaps because of the field I work in - I felt like I knew all of this already due to my knowledge of career development and MBTI. But despite that, I found the overall style and tone of the book dull. She made introverts out to be complete wallflowers who are incapable of any social interaction. Granted I am an extreme introvert and I struggle with this too, I think it was the use of all the imagery and "use your gifts!" language, along with all the reflective activities, that was unappealing to me. Just seemed really cheesy. My favorite part however was the chapter on opposites - which gives some tangible examples of how to deal with extraverts in the workplace and other situations.

career psychology self-help

The recent proliferation of work about the unique contributions and needs of introverts has been a welcome addition for those of us who need our quota of quiet time to be happy and productive. I was honored that Nancy asked me if I'd be willing to be interviewed for this book. I already knew her to be an articulate professional with something important to say. Self-Promotion for Introverts is a valuable resource not just for introverts but for anyone who doesn't want to come across as "me-me-me!" but who may be passed up for credit where credit is due because they hesitate to put themselves out there. Nancy has practical, thoughtful suggestions on how to get recognized without feeling like a squeaky wheel.

books-by-my-friends

I enjoyed this one, as sort of half introvert/extrovert myself I found some things to think about and pay attention in future. Is this book "meant" for introverts only? No, almost everything whats written in this book you can relate to self promotion in general, how you should behave, talk etc.
I liked that book encourages to pay more attention to everyday things. It gives you ideas for what to look for, where to look - how to observe people, communication and eventually how to use these observations in your own interests.

Also there was a lot of good excersises which sadly I didnt take, they will help to think and analyze about yourself

This book was well-written and easy to read. I enjoyed all of the personal stories that were included from many of the different successful people that Nancy Ancowitz included within the pages. I think her ideas are spot on, and I can see how she has been a big help to other introverts as they built a better career for themselves.

If you're an artist, this book can be a big help for how you approach the public relations aspect of your career.

business

Emily

50 reviews4 followers

I appreciated Ancowitz understanding of her audience and the way she did not encourage introverts to try to be more extroverted, while dispensing practical advice and wisdom throughout her book. I started off expecting to skip around throughout the book (and it could certainly be read and utilized well in this way) but kept finding myself settling in to read, not wanting to miss nuggets of information.

I wasn't a big fan of this book. It the layout was great and there was a handful of helpful tips in there. But I felt that though it claimed to be written by an introvert, that many of the suggestions were not in fact sensitive to the particular terrors of introverts trying to self promote. Maybe I'm nitpicking the book seems to be a nice introduction to self promoting just not specifically for introverts as it claims on the cover.

business

Notes of Interest:

I selected this book because (surprise!) as a writer and artist, I am an introvert. Most writers and artists are introverts because the jobs lend themselves well to working alone in a distraction-free zone. Which is also why a lot of writers and artists have a lot of trouble promoting themselves. It feels awkward, loud, and pushy for people who would rather not be in the spotlight. So, it is often viewed as a necessary evil when it comes to doing business. If that description resonates with you, you might be an introvert. And this book is here to help.

What could have made it better for me:

Nothing pulled me out of this book as I was reading. I did zone out a few times and have to stop mid-chapter and put it down, but I attribute that more to the fact that business and marketing are among my least favorite things to read about, rather than the author’s writing style or information. There’s no helping the topic when in need of marketing advice. But I think this book tackled the topic better than anything I’ve read so far on it because the author speaks precisely to introverts on a level we all understand.

At one point in the book, she compares being an introvert in the world of business to being left-handed in a world built for right-handed people. I felt that was a good analogy. The social world often frowns on introversion as a deficiency, and competitive free markets certainly weren’t created for quiet people who would rather not draw attention to themselves. But this book helps the introvert understand where her strengths lie and how to use those quiet skills to her advantage by finding a marketing strategy that applies to personal preferences. The book is well-organized with no distracting errors and is comprehensive, so I have no criticism toward improvements.

What I liked about it:

For starters, I like the way the book is organized to flow from discussing qualities of introversion, through the process of self-assessment (which is an introvert specialty) and working through ways to apply introvert strengths to various marketing strategies, into how to conduct networking, interviews, and public speaking engagements. It exceeded my expectations in terms of details and ground covered.

It also exceeded by expectations in terms of how much work it coaxes from the reader in order to apply what’s been learned. There are several lists, charts, and questions to reflect on and answer throughout the book and at the end of each chapter. It was designed like a workbook. The reader practices by doing, … which, of course, makes the information read stick better, as well as making it more meaningful when applied to personal situations. I read with a notebook and pen in-hand, so that I could take notes and do the exercises, and I think that made a real difference in my takeaway. In that sense, it’s the kind of book that you get out of it what you’re willing to put into it.

The main premise of the book is to teach introverts how to lead with their strengths, rather than focusing on their weaknesses. So, after listing my strengths and accomplishments, I had to rank some marketing tactics according to which ones I was most likely to actually do. The first half of the book focuses on the internal work of pairing personality and achievements with actionable goals. It came as no surprise to me that managing a website, blogging, and micro-blogging were my top choices. But I ended up with six other possibilities in second place that I’m also more likely to succeed at than some more common tactics I would hiss at and run away from.

The second half of the book focuses on advice from celebrities and experts and the author’s own experiences as a business coach and introvert herself to deploy those actionable goals as individual tasks. So, things like doing research, writing resumes, conducting interviews, networking, knowing your target audience and sphere of influence, elevator pitches, business cards, public speaking, and much more are covered in detail.

One thing I probably never would have done before reading this book is to consider who I admire for their authenticity in self-promotion and why. One of the exercises is to pick three people who are authentic and three people who are unauthentic and compare my reasoning as to why I am drawn to one set and repelled by the other. Then I’m asked to consider how being authentic or inauthentic applies to me. That was a bit of an eye-opener because it not only revealed the qualities I admire and need to nurture in myself, but it also revealed the biases that make me shut down in the presence of certain personality types. I need to be aware of how that affects my own authenticity when it comes to self-promotion, or how I receive it from others. The sweet spot lies in presenting authenticity to the target audience and putting yourself in their shoes asking, “What’s in it for me?”

Recommendation:

If you are an introvert and would like to learn about self-promotion in a way that suits your personality, I highly recommend this book. It is not only inspiring, but practical on both a big and small scale. When you finish reading, if you worked through the exercises, you will come away with a doable plan and actionable steps that won’t feel as overwhelming as most marketing advice. It will be tailored to you and your strengths. And that in itself is empowering.

This is a great book for introverts. There is much in it that I will continue to use. I decided that I need to put them together in a binder so that I can make all these great insights more effective.

leadership

"Great marketing tips, self-promotion ideas, self reflection, great resources, and inspirational."

Some useful tips here but it seems to me that American introverts must be a lot more extroverted than Australian ones.

Janne

Author 3 books5 followers

Practical and inspiring ideas to create more fulfilling life and career through marketing your efforts.

Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

More reviews and ratings

An introvert's guide to self promotion | Courier

Make great work and the rest will take care of itself, right? Not quite. If you want people to see what you're doing, you need to put it in front of them – and that means embracing something with occasionally ugly connotations: self-promotion. We spoke to Stef Sword-Williams, founder and author of F*ck Being Humble, to get her advice on how creatives that are naturally less vocal can talk about themselves in a way that feels right.

Follow the three Gs

‘One of the models I encourage people to use is the three Gs: to be gracious, genuine and a giver. Being gracious is acknowledging the people you may have worked with, or having self-awareness of how and when to self-promote. Being genuine is being honest, open and vulnerable – and leaning into that insecurity. And being a giver is to try to frame self-promotion with advice – something that you learnt from that project that you could give to somebody else. That's a way to reposition self-promotion so you feel more comfortable doing it. It also helps elevate you as somebody that has expertise that should be listened to. ’

Reframe it as storytelling

‘If you reframe self-promotion as a form of storytelling, it's much easier. When you look at Nike, it's not self-promoting, it's storytelling. Write down what your bio is in three different ways. Each time you write it, you'll unearth different things that you can use to describe yourself. Maybe speaking about yourself in the third person or from behind a brand name feels more comfortable. What do you want people to feel when you share your work? What story do you want your content to tell about yourself? Create two separate lists of what you do – and don't – want your content to be like. Then refer back to it.’

Do your research

‘Look at other people, platforms or businesses that resonate and that you connect with. Think: if I were to do something similar, what would it be? For example, the Instagram of graphic designer Elliott Ulm is basically him designing graphics, using insights of his own. He uses the same format – a really formulaic approach. Sometimes having a structure helps to reduce the decision-making [fatigue] of what to do.’

Don't ignore LinkedIn

‘I would encourage everybody to be on LinkedIn. Everybody has a profile on there and it's a place where you can unapologetically self-promote. For creatives in particular, it has the most potential to be disrupted because it's usually quite text heavy, business-y and straight. If I was a creative, I would set myself the brief to say: how could I disrupt those slightly more traditional platforms and gain attention?’

Utilize scheduling apps

‘Each week, think about two to three things you might be able to post. A scheduling tool takes away the opportunity for you to say: oh, I can't be bothered, or to forget about it. Whatever you plan to do, don't beat yourself up or feel guilty if you struggle to maintain it. Having the realization that you control how frequently you post and who sees it helps to give yourself permission to take a break when you need to. ’

Don't just focus on the finished product

‘It doesn't always have to be this finished perfect piece – people like seeing the evolution of it. What went wrong? What went well? What are the things I should avoid? Who are the people that are inspiring to you? What are the books that you've read? Where do you get your inspiration from? There are so many different elements that can help position you as an expert in your field; as somebody who really cares about their industry. People like to see the unpolished version and the development of your growth.’

What works for me

Two solo creatives give us the lowdown on what's worked for them.

Avery Williamson is a US-based multidisciplinary artist and makes, among other things, clay earrings and hand-dyed sweatshirts.

• ‘Even though I had a smaller following before I switched to running my own business, I felt like I had built a really nice relationship with people who are interested in my work. Just focusing on putting things out that excited me and generated conversation felt like the best way to go. ’

• ‘Instagram is pretty much the main platform that I use. The ability to show images, video and time lapses allows me to share my making process. People like the process – to see what it looks like to make and be a part of it. There's been a shift towards providing more copy; I just have to continually assert and say: I'm a visual artist – that's my media.’

• ‘I try to be responsive to my space and my mood. When I feel like the light is really nice in my studio, I carve out time to make some videos. I might do a cluster of time-lapse pieces if I've got a couple of hours and I need to decompress. It gets fun when I'm not thinking about it as structured schedule time, but letting things flow. I'm always experimenting – I'm not keeping a running list of what has failed. I try to be kind to myself and just make sure I learn from everything.’

• ‘I've never set goals around wanting a certain number of followers. I just want people that are excited and inspired by the work. It's nice to remember that I can pause, think about other ways in which I can build and grow my business and strengthen relationships so that they are not solely based on self-promotion in one particular way.’

Ashton Attzs is an illustrator and painter based in the UK.

• ‘It's always just been me, so I've always understood the importance of self-promotion. I have one active Instagram account, which is my professional account. I've always made sure that I've kept my professional stuff completely exclusive and not to mix personal life with my art. It's mostly for aesthetic reasons – my visual identity is quite distinctive.’

• ‘Most of my posts are final pieces. That's a personality trait of mine – to just show people the final product. I've always had this pride around showing the best of my work, so I'd rather not show the process in between. Because the aesthetic is quite important, I try to keep my grid reflective of that.’

• ‘I always try to keep it real and authentic and make sure that my personality comes through. There's a level of honesty: this is what I've done, and let people interpret it how they like. If I've worked hard on a job and I've created a piece that I'm proud of, I think I should be quite confident in sharing that.’

• ‘If you'd asked me if I wanted to grow my following this time last year, I'd have said it was a big priority for me. It can be easy for creatives to compare and think: I'm doing all this work, why isn't it being seen? I felt like I deserved more people to see my work. I've come to realize that it's the quality of people who follow you – I'm blessed to have a platform where I have really lovely supportive people that do interact with my work and share my work. You could have just 100 followers and they could all be great clients.’

This article was first published in Courier issue 43, October/November 2021. To purchase the issue or become a subscriber, head to our webshop.

Introverts. How to use the features of your character :: RBC Pro

Pro Project partner*

TV channel

Pro

Investments

Events

RBC+

New economy

Trends

Real estate

Sport

Style

National projects

City

Crypto

Debating club

Research

Credit ratings

Franchises

Newspaper

Special projects St. Petersburg

Conferences St. Petersburg

Special projects

Checking counterparties

RBC Library

Podcasts

ESG index

Policy

Economy

Business

Technology and media

Finance

RBC CompanyRBC Life

Section 9 Material0067 Library

31 minutes

Self-development · Flexible Skills Mindfulness

Summary Smart Reading

Summary of the book in audio available by subscription only

About the book

Susan Cain's book “Introverts. How to use the features of your character "launched a" quiet revolution. The author has been writing it for more than seven years and considers the book her mission: the struggle for the rights of a minority ignored in Western culture - introverts. This category includes about a third of the people in the world. They prefer to listen rather than talk. They prefer to work alone rather than in a team. And if they invent something, they diligently avoid self-promotion. Their life in a society where extroverts are recognized as a cultural ideal is an ongoing stress. The book contains many useful tips on how to live as an introvert without breaking yourself. It's also filled with inspiring stories of "quiet people" who succeeded by relying on their strengths and finding their passion.

Why read

Rethink the use of space in the workplace for the benefit of extroverts and introverts.
Consider using co-working spaces and other non-traditional workspaces where it would be easier for talented, capable introverts.
Overcome the fear of judgment and act in accordance with your own interests and common sense.

Read and listen The Best Books for Development in Brief - Only Valuable Ideas in a Reasonable Time

How to promote yourself if you hate self-promotion - Ideonomics - Smart about the main thing

Psychologist Carl Jung introduced the concepts of "introvert" and "extrovert" back in 1921, but he did not believe that each person belongs to only one category. “There is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert,” he wrote, but almost a hundred years later, we use these terms with great pleasure to explain our behavior.

This simple contrast can be useful because categorizing people helps us navigate the world quickly. It also allows you to speak your mind quickly, as Susan Cain demonstrated in her study of the benefits of introversion in the Western world. Kane talks a lot about internet culture, which is noisy, crowded and interactive. It requires constant self-promotion, inspires the sharing of life events, and rewards those who speak the loudest.

Internet culture shapes our ideas of diversity, expression and empowerment. For a woman to win, she needs to "stand out", act fearless, be "superwoman" and "boss girl". Courage, firmness of voice and cruelty are required.

Today this culture is at its peak. But there is also a downside: Millennials are increasingly talking about burnout, warning that attention spans are constantly shortening, and talking about the benefits of going offline. Everyone needs some quiet time.

This emerging cultural shift has its own nuances. We may question accepted norms when it comes to professional growth and desirable work practices, including building a personal brand. We have the opportunity to explore stereotypes and reject old attitudes.

The first step in this process is to recognize that the desire for constant social interaction is a personal trend, but also the currently dominant social, organizational and business ideology. Just as we have pushed ourselves to constantly be “there”, we can change the script and turn the “offline” lifestyle into a collective endeavor.

We can all set ourselves the goal of communicating less but more deeply and consciously, listening and observing instead of talking, and focusing on self-expression instead of self-promotion. In this noisy era, the ability to focus, work autonomously, spend time alone, and develop an independent mindset is worth a lot.

Enjoying solitude and having a personal brand was once considered a contradiction. Today, this may be a winning approach. In practice, this means taking advantage of the recharge alone, regardless of your position on the introversion-extroversion continuum. It also implies the separation of social interaction and social networks. If you're energized by spending time alone, one or more of these personal branding styles might resonate with you. And if you're fueled by social interaction, you can use these methodologies to bring more nuance to your personal brand.

Leader

We thought of leaders as fast-recharging energetic talkers, but according to research by psychologist Adam Grant, introverted leaders perform better than extroverted leaders.

"I know it's trendy to call yourself an introvert these days," says R/GA executive creative director Chapin Clark, who runs the popular @RGA Twitter account.

“I'm uncomfortable with being too visible, too open,” he adds, explaining that he tries to be receptive to other people's ideas, motivating them. “When I work with young creatives, I step back and give them more space to bring their ideas to life. This also applies to the idea of work. I like to make it a shared responsibility. "

According to a study published in Harvard Business Review, when leaders show openness and support, employees become more active, knowing that their ideas will be heard and implemented. The success of startups like Glossier, Tracksmith or Outdoor Voices is exemplary, and today's entrepreneurship emphasizes crowdsourcing, inviting customers into the brand, and fostering a sense of togetherness and community. Introverted leaders have proven that they go beyond their egos and their need for attention and work towards a bigger goal. This focused approach gives them strength and sincerity to inspire followers—and a personal brand worth building.

Curator

Introverts devote a lot of time to an area or activity that interests them. They develop specific knowledge, are willing to travel the world to get a desired item or experience, and talk passionately about their latest acquisitions. Vancouver native Kevin Ma says he grew up far away from the centers of youth culture. He launched the Hypebeast sneaker blog from his bedroom in 2005. In 2019, the company, which is now publicly traded and has diversified sources of income, has become a global center for streetwear, fashion and culture.

Hypebeast has 46 million monthly views, over 660 thousand Twitter followers and 7.9 million Instagram fans, but Ma deliberately stays out of the public eye. “Curators often play with an eye to the future, slowly building up knowledge, sharing it, improving it,” says Colin Nagy, director of strategy at advertising agency Fred & Fari. Because curators can focus and dig deep, and are highly selective in how they communicate, they regularly create influential cultural niches around them—be it sneakers, jeans, or food—and often become inspirations for broader trends. Their identity is often tied to a specific theme, which sets them apart in a swirl of speed, superficiality and novelty.

Observer

Introverts tend to listen more than talk. They are sensitive to the nuances and complexities of life situations, and this gives them time to think and process details that extroverts might overlook. Their comfort zone is writing rather than speaking, and social media offers them a platform to build a personal brand around their insightful and often witty observations. This is how they communicate with others on their own terms—for example, in the solitude of their office—without having to be physically present and actively working in large social groups.

“The advent of social media, Twitter in particular, has been a blessing to me. I've always found it easier to express myself in writing, and Twitter was created specifically for me, says Clarke. “He allows me to express myself in public… and at the same time feel safe. Because I can create a person who is me, but not me ... There is a distance, a buffer that allows me to write what I would not say out loud.

Expert

Kawhi Leonard is a 3-time All-Star and 2-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He is also known for his reclusive demeanor, monosyllabic replies at press conferences, and avoidance of social media.