Last December I come to that point in my blogging career where I don’t know what to blog about anymore. Maybe it is because of who I am, or maybe I burned myself out after 7 years of constantly blogging. Either way, my lack ideas gave me a way out reason to take an extended vacation from blogging…and social media…and basically everything online except lurking on blogs and reading articles. During those four months I realized something. Actually I realized a bunch of somethings about myself, but I want to focus one of those here.

The Introverted Writer. 

This lead to thinking about the Extroverted-Introverted Writer and the Introverted-Extroverted Writer (Yes. There is such writers out there.) and how their marketing and promoting techniques would be different.

Every author/writer, just like every person, is different. Some of us aren’t made to interact in the world, at least not well and no amount of training help will change that. It’s not only uncomfortable for us, but it’s awkward and weird for others, and possibly detrimental to our careers. There are others out there, of which I’m not one, who are perfectly suited to be salespeople and interact with the populace at large just fine (Amanda Hocking?).

As self-published writers we are told that we need to market and promote our books through blogging, social media, guest posting, etc., etc., etc. Some articles tell us we have to do it, but give no directions on how to do it. And, yes, some of us need instructions on how to deal with the outside world. Others give directions on how they did it and why their method would work for you. Um…Usually it doesn’t help. While others tell you to do it, give directions and disclaimers, and unleash us on the world. I cringe at the idea.

Introverts and Extroverts

Writers for the most part are considered pure introverts. But that isn’t always the case. There are different levels of Introversion and Extroversion. You can be both an extrovert and an introvert.

Introverts are more likely to:

• Be absorbed by their thoughts and ideas
• Seek quiet and calm
• Think before speaking and even over-think and not speaking
• Draw energy from their inner world (ideas, emotions, and impressions), the external world drains them
• Proceed carefully when meeting people and avoid crowds
• Lose sight of what others are doing
• Participate in selected activities
• Not offer ideas freely and wait to be asked their opinions
• Reflect and act cautiously

Extroverts are more likely to:

• Talk out their ideas and thoughts
• Energized by the external world
• Seek out others to energize themselves
• Love to meet and talk to people
• Participate in the activities that offer
• Rash and sometimes reckless (don’t always think through thought or actions)
• Offer ideas and advice freely, without being asked

I’m sure some of you are looking at the lists and thinking, I do this and this but not that. This will help you figure what kind of writer you are, your strengths and weakness, and where your efforts would best serve you.

The Extroverted-Introverted Writer

This might seem contrary to what many people think when they think of a writer, but there are a few out there. My uncle just happens to be one of them. Rather be hanging out and doing things then writing, although he has his bouts of writing. The Extroverted-Introverted Writer has more extroverted traits than introverted ones.

If this is you, congratulations, the whole entrepreneur thing won’t be so hard for you. The business world of promotion will probably be easier for you to navigate and enjoy because you like to talk to other writers and readers about writing, publishing, books, and anything else on your mind. You’ll probably see the rewards of your efforts quicker. However, be wary of too much promoting and not enough writing. The next book is important. So balance your marketing efforts with your writing efforts.

The Introverted-Extroverted Writer

This type, like the one above, can be a great combination of writer and entrepreneur. Their list of traits are based more on the introverted side which can be a benefit with their extroverted traits. If this is you, you’ll probably be active on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, blogging, trading emails, etc. Many of these writers are prolific writers and make money from their efforts because they balance the promotion with the writing. Long term they do better because they have the backlist to back up their promoting efforts.

The Introverted Writer

Most or all the listed traits on the Introverted list above and very few to none of the extroverted list apply to the Introverted Writer,  You might find little value or desire to blog or be active on social media, you might even be forcing yourself to do it. Promoting yourself is like pulling teeth and you tire of it easily. Being online is a drain of energy.

If this is you then a better use of you time and efforts might be directed toward writing the next books, with occasional updates to your blog and social networks. It’s a slower process, but one that might be more beneficial to you since the more books you have out the greater chance of being discovered by readers. You might also have greater success with website pages that show an inside look into your books rather than a blog.

As always, I love to hear from you. If you want to add to the discussion, comment below, and if you liked this post, please share with others.