The First Post

I wrote this post on an older blog about 18 months ago when I first conceived of the concept of a blog devoted to the introverted internet marketer. I’m reprinting it here as the first post because even now it sums up what I feel every time I sit down at the computer. …

That first post, the first touch of pen to blank page is always the hardest. Especially when you’re an introvert like me. There’s a million thoughts running through my head right this minute, none of them overly inspiring. In fact, this post was originally going to be titled, “How to Succeed at Internet Marketing even when your knees are shaking, and you just want to run for cover!”

And believe me, my knees are shaking right now even though I’m sitting down. I’m thinking maybe I should start dinner, … or maybe I should walk the dogs,… or… or… anything to postpone taking this inevitable first step, and marking up this wonderful blank canvas.

That’s not procrastination either. That is the self-sabotaging, fear of rejection, ridicule, shame, whatever name you want to give it, range of feelings and emotions that I go through every time single time I write something. I blame it totally on being an introvert.

And yet, it’s exciting in a way too. Because once that first blob of ink hits the blank page, screen, canvas, etc. then you’ve started. And introverted or not, there’s something thrilling about the first step on a journey.

Now your path is set before you, because you have had the courage to take that first step.

I call it stepping out of the shadows because essentially that’s what it amounts to for an introvert. As introverts we watch from the sidelines, wishing with all our hearts that we could join in the fun. We know we would have a good time. We know we have lots to contribute. And yet, there’s that thing in the back of our minds that stops us from just boldly marching forward and announcing, “Here I Am! Include Me!”

So that when we do come off the sidelines, and out of the shadows, it’s a great achievement for us, and one that requires a great deal of courage.

The cool thing is, that after you take that first step, the second one is easier. And then the third one is easier after that. And it continues to get easier as you practice taking steps. The trick is to find ways of making it more comfortable for you as an introvert to take those steps and enhance your own strengths at the same time.

That is what “Introverted Marketing” is all about — using the strengths you have as an introvert to create streams of income for yourself in a way that is uniquely you.