Your Blogger is an Introvert: What Happens Now?

The phone is ringing. What do I do? I don’t recognize the number, but I know the city and that probably means it’s a client. Conventional wisdom would tell you to pick it up, but my brain offers a different solution – avoidance. 

I’m a writer, and I am socially awkward. And the phone terrifies me in the same way a vacuum terrifies a corgi. 

I always respond to the client after they leave a voice mail. I may call them back when I am prepared to talk or I may send an email, if that is an option, letting them know I was sorry I missed their call and answer their questions in a written format. That’s my medium, I am far more comfortable writing than I am speaking to a relative stranger. 

The very personality traits that make me an introvert are also what make me an excellent blogger. I listen well, I observe details, and I can organize my time effectively. I love to research new topics and share what I’ve learned with others. 

On the other hand, many small business owners or marketing companies fall on the complete opposite end of the personality spectrum. You may be outgoing, love personal interaction, and prefer the phone over email or texting.

The Care and Feeding of Your Introvert Blogger

If you’re satisfied with the work and content being produced by your blogger, how can you move forward with the very different styles of communication? Here are some tips to get you started.

• Meet in person. If you're in the same city as your blogger, consider face-to-face meetings. Reading visual cues during communication can help.  
•  Allow scheduled calls. Rather than picking up the phone, email your blogger and ask to set up a time to talk.
• Read emails carefully before responding. Everything moves so fast in the business world, but missing important details can start a snowball effect. 
• Give clear instructions and expectations. Your blogger wants to do the best job for you, so be sure you're specific about what you want. 
• Provide prompt feedback. If you don't like something, don't wait to say anything. If a problem isn't discovered for weeks or months, it could be impossible to fix retroactively. 

Red Flags

Of course, while introversion and social awkwardness are legitimate behavioral traits, they shouldn’t be used as an excuse for poor behavior. While preferring email over phone calls isn’t a red flag in and of itself, there are some things to watch out for such as: 

• Unable to pay attention to details.
• Unsatisfactory work after multiple communications attempts.
• Regularly missing deadlines or continually asking for extensions. 

In fact, most true introverts who decide to get into contract work do so because they are reliable and can manage their time well. So, if you're having these challenges, it may be time to part ways and find a new contractor.

You don’t have to start over if you find your communication style and that of your blogger aren’t an exact match. With these tips, you can establish a solid working relationship based on mutual trust, understanding, and feedback.

Do you need blogging for your small business? Contact Laura M. LaVoie today.