For an introverted or shy entrepreneur, public relations may not be a favorite activity, but it is a necessary one. Without good PR, you can’t spread a positive message about your company or effectively connect with potential stakeholders, both of which are critical to growing your business.
If networking and talking about your business doesn’t come naturally to you, Young Entrepreneurs Council members have some tips that can help you make it better. Below, they discuss these tips and how they can help introverted or shy business owners successfully (and confidently) navigate any PR task they may need to participate in for the good of their business.
Members pictured from left to right.
Photo courtesy of individual members.
1. Reframe your mindset around PR
If in doubt, rephrase the problem. I’m shy too and PR was torture. It looked fake and inauthentic. In retrospect, I’ve underinvested in anything to do with talking to people, especially strangers and especially on a stage. Looking back now, it’s pretty clear to me that this isn’t shyness; it’s that I didn’t understand or appreciate the “why” behind all these things. It’s clear to me now that as the CEO of a tech startup, I’m ready to get our story out. I see exactly how important it is to our progress and also to the potential clients we can reach and help. What used to feel like “inauthentic communication” now feels like a narrative, and I’m in love with the story. It’s about framing. -Alex Furman, Performica
2. Focus on quality over quantity
I wouldn’t say I’m an introvert, but like many, I was afraid to approach new people at one point. However, to overcome it and build sustainable relationships, I developed a strategy that got me to the right people in many areas: I never go to an event trying to meet everyone in the building. For example, if I’m attending a conference, my job is to find out who is the most influential and well-connected person in the room. In this case, the organizer is. So instead of going person to person, I find a way to make friends with the organizer and they will usually introduce me to the most important people at the conference. To sum up, the best advice I can give is to do your homework and focus on quality over quantity. – Alexandru Stan, Tekpon
3. Overcome your fear (and your comfort zone)
Being a very introverted person by nature but being a PR professional, I’ve learned that to combat any feelings of shyness or introversion, it’s important for entrepreneurs to step out of their comfort zones, get involved in PR, and “do it anyway.” ” Entrepreneurs must overcome any fears they may have to get the job done. The more they do it, the easier it will get. – Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
4. Practice and prepare
My advice for an introverted or shy entrepreneur looking to be confidently successful in any PR business is to practice beforehand. It’s important to consider how to answer questions and talk about your business clearly and concisely. Having a few “go-to” statements prepared can help you feel more confident when it comes time to do any PR work. Also, practice with a friend or colleague beforehand to help you feel more comfortable and confident with your message. The practice also helps make sure you’re prepared beforehand. – Jay Dahal, Machnet
5. Start small and work your way up
One piece of advice I have is to start small. If you’re an introvert or shy, PR tasks can be daunting. But if you start small and gradually work your way up, you’ll gain confidence and eventually be able to handle anything that comes your way. For example, start by attending local networking events. These events are usually smaller and more intimate, so you have the opportunity to get to know people before you start pitching your business. Once you feel comfortable, you can start attending bigger events and even talking about engagements. It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to be the center of attention. You can still be successful in PR by being a behind-the-scenes player. Find the role that makes you feel most comfortable and run with it. – Andrew Munro, AffiliateWP
6. Look for individual settings
Reduce activities to one-on-one conversations whenever possible. If larger settings are difficult to manage, try reducing them to your comfort level, whether it’s 15 people, five people, or two. When you are in an environment that works for you, it will take a lot of the pressure off and allow you to play to your strengths. If the issue is talking to a large group in general, the same strategy applies. When you’re in a smaller setting, people will ask questions and you can then respond naturally in a way that builds the relationship and plays to your strengths. – Liam Leonard, LIONSCOVE
7. Focus on your business, not yourself
A helpful tip is to realize that other people aren’t judging or scrutinizing you as much as you think, which is the main fear an introverted person might have. When doing public relations work, try to remember that the focus is on your business, not on you as a person. Focus on sharing the story of your business and what it has to offer. This will help distract you from any anxiety or shyness you may be feeling. – Syed Balkhi, WP Beginner
8. Share through writing
If you’re shy, you don’t always have to do live webinars, talks, and in-person networking. Focus on becoming a good writer, create a profile on Medium or a social media platform and start conveying your ideas and vision through your writing. Many of history’s most influential people have defined their future and their success by sharing their ideas through the power of writing. The pen is always more powerful. – Andy Karuza, NachoNacho
9. Appoint someone to help
One of the best pieces of advice I would suggest is to appoint a representative to deal with social issues on your behalf. People who avoid networking have probably been introverts all their lives, so they can’t expect to go through this overnight. It’s part of a person’s personality, so even if they try to overcome it, the transformation can take months or even years. Throughout it all, there will be countless missed opportunities. So, it is better to appoint a specialist in networks and public relations. In the meantime, build your confidence and try to overcome your fears. We often hire people for their skills and this scenario is no exception. – Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms