James Doan - Just Minding My Own Business

You might feel networking is ridiculously outdated. Put that prejudice aside for a moment. Try interacting face to face with potential clients and referral sources. This remains a powerful way to create connections. You also build rapport and lay the groundwork for keen opportunities. At first glance, extroverts feel more comfortable networking. There are ways introverts can also use this marketing technique. Mostly, extroverts have no problem at an unstructured event. They have no difficulty chatting up a storm with strangers and near-strangers. For an introvert, though, that can feel like a nightmare scenario. The introvert’s best bets are to get themselves a recognized role. They can be a “greeter,” which gives them an excuse for starting a conversation. They could even find common cause with someone who looks uncomfortable at the edge of the crowd.

I hear from those who wonder how in the world they can build a following without, as they think of it, turning into a blabbermouth who has no shame or sense of reserve. From what I've observed, extroverts feel right at home with top-of-the-head and highly interactive social media, such as Facebook or Twitter interchanges, live videos, spontaneous Instagram shots, conversational blog posts or responses and casual "Hey you" emails to customers. Introverts prefer to craft, plan and edit their words and pictures before sending, and there's no reason you can't use the same social media in that way.  You can post nicely structured blog pieces, eloquent tweets, carefully argued Facebook ripostes, scripted videos and artfully staged Instagram photos.

Most of us can tell the difference when someone mentions an amount of money earned. They can either be informative or  bragging. There is a similar distinction in mentioning something praiseworthy that you've done.  When someone talks about a good deed, a donation or a commitment they made, it can come off as a kind of moral preening. The name for this is "virtue signalling." Why would onlookers put a negative interpretation to a positive gesture?  This has implications for how we convey information in a bio or a blog post.

In a consumer survey reported in AdWeek, the top reason for repeat purchases was "it's worth the price."  Respondents' felt there was a decent match between the cost and the value received. You might think the calculation of cost versus benefit is beyond your control as a marketer.  Actually there is much you can do to influence that assessment by shoppers and customers. First, understand that people may not know or remember what competitors charge.  If this comparison puts you in a good light, let people know before they buy. As they continue to do business with you, show how you stack up pricewise.

I have had many conversations about sourcing information. I'm amazed at how quick some folks are to trust random strangers' uninformed advice. It's as if they're willing to type a question into Google and accept whatever the link they happen to click on says. Remember also that if 20 unreliable people recommend something, it still may not be valid.