In my experience I have seen many levels of introvert and 
extrovert.  Let me share some of my own. 

* Invite me to a party -- I'd rather have a root canal
* Have me speak about something I'm passionate about in front 
  of a group of people -- I shine.
* Put me in a "casual" networking group -- root canal please. 
* Put me in a "structured" networking group where I can ask for 
  what I need and help others at the same time -- I'm in heaven. 

We all have our levels of how we interact, the environments where 
we thrive and the environments where we are extremely 
uncomfortable.   I have seen many people go into business for 
themselves, myself included, that would rather give up their 
dream than to market their business and themselves.  I was almost 
one of those statistics.  I almost QUIT my dream until I 
discovered the secret. 

I'm sure you've heard the phrases for successful marketing, Find 
Your Passion; Market from your Passion; Marketing from Within, 
etc.  This is actually correct, but there are a few more steps. 
Too many times we focus on things we can't do (weakness) versus 
the things we can do (strength).  The most common phrase I've 
heard is "I don't want to feel like I'm selling." Then we have 
this belief we're supposed to market from the standard marketing 
box; cold calls, networking groups, speaking, knocking on doors, 
etc.  NO!  You don't need to jump directly into the marketing box 
first.  Get out of the should(s) and the can't(s).  Step into 
what you do well and what you enjoy first, then, open the 
marketing door. 

The Secret 

1. Give yourself permission to redefine marketing to fit your 
   style. 

Example #1

A program participant was very good at her profession as a lawyer 
but was very uncomfortable with marketing.  I have clients 
brainstorm and write down their strengths and passions.  She 
expressed she had very few on her list.  It doesn't matter how 
many are on your list as long as you pay attention to what's 
there.  Some people have 30-40, others have 5-10.   She chose her 
top 3.  

Out of her 3 the main passion and strength on her list was one-
on-one conversations.  We then began thinking of who might be 
good strategic partnerships for her business.   She was thrilled 
she could not only market from her favorite and most comfortable 
approach, but also choose her favorite environment, which 
happened to be in a cozy coffee shop.   However, that wasn't all 
that was holding her back.  She had never given herself 
permission to call one-on-one conversations marketing.  Once she 
redefined marketing to One-On-One Conversations, she left saying, 
"I feel like I've had a black cloud lifted off my head." 

2. Give yourself permission to market from your comfort zone. 

When she gave herself permission to market from her comfort zone 
she began taking more steps naturally.  Two weeks later I turned 
around at my networking group and there she was.  She was 
enjoying herself because she gave herself permission to redefine 
marketing to fit her passions and strengths AND she allowed 
herself to market from her comfort zone.   I have seen this so 
many times.  Once you give yourself permission to stand in your 
comfort zone, it's amazing how you will naturally evolve towards 
expanding your marketing.  It becomes FUN and Exciting! 

Example #2

Look at what you already have.  All you need to market may be 
right in front of you with your most comfortable group of 
prospective clients.

A Life Coach I met had a horrible fear of marketing but really 
believed in his chosen profession and didn't want to give it up. 
Through the process described above most of his fears 
disappeared.  But he still found himself hesitating. He had 
identified his best client but that first step of where to begin 
seemed too big.  In asking Bob about his past profession and 
contacts he realized not only would they be a perfect client but 
he knew a large number of people he could comfortably approach. 
Bob did several things.

1) Gave himself permission to redefine marketing to fit his 
   style.
2) Gave himself permission to market from his comfort zone. 
3) Identified a market he had come from and was comfortable.
4) He became so energized with his approach he is making cold 
   calls speaking from the passion of his business. 

Sometimes we are so close to things we can't see them.  Look 
right in front of you -- your perfect client and ease of approach 
might be within reach. 

However you approach your marketing, you get to choose how you do 
it.  If need be, ditch the word marketing and insert ___________ 
(the words that fit YOU).
 

Beth Woodward, CPCC, is the creator of the popular Marketing On 
The Playground Program, and the "My Way" Marketing Plan. Find 
out more about how to market "your way" and sign up for monthly 
Marketing Tidbits at http://www.marketingontheplayground.com