Confessions of an Introverted Marketer
July 16, 2025
I have a confession to make.
I am an introvert in a marketing company – my marketing company. Think about it… an introverted marketer. It’s almost an oxymoron, right? Sort of like an albino tiger. They have the potential to exist, and do, but they’re extremely rare, and usually natural selection takes care of them sooner or later.
Think of the visual that pops into your head when you hear the word “marketer.” You probably conjure up the image of a hyperkinetic individual with an unbridled passion for a message or idea that absolutely must get into the marketplace and get noticed. An extrovert, right? They are comfortable in their own skin, shouting from the rooftops about them, their idea, and getting people to take notice. Richard Branson, Oprah Winfrey, Mark Cuban, and Seth Godin all come to mind. These people are bold, loud, and boisterous. All marketing people must be like this, right?
Wrong. I am not like this at all. And sometimes, when it’s just me alone with my thoughts late at night, it’s the one thing I wish I could change about myself. Trust me, I know this is a disadvantage in my line of work. Over the years, I have worked hard at trying to learn extroverted behaviors. But I must admit, as determined as I am, my natural state still reverts to introvert. It’s frustrating for sure, but it’s also what makes me who I am. I don’t think I will ever slay this demon, and modern theory dictates that maybe I shouldn’t even try.
Being introverted is not all bad; it’s just different.
There have been volumes written about this topic, but a personal favorite is the book entitled The Introvert Advantage: How Quiet People Can Thrive in an Extrovert World by Marti Olsen Laney. Introverts are characteristically good at listening, processing information, and analyzing problems. These are all skills that are valuable to a marketing company. Being an introvert does not necessarily mean you are shy; rather, it just means you draw energy from being introspective and reflective. The world needs introverts just as much as the world needs extroverts. But can a successful marketer also be introverted? My short answer is yes, but it takes extra work. The marketing activities that come naturally to extroverts are challenging and sometimes painful for introverts.
Here’s a trick you can play on your introverted self to shapeshift you into a temporary extrovert. It’s a learned coping mechanism that teaches people to separate identity from role. Identity is your sense of self, your value system, and your place in the world. Most people, at least happy, successful people, have very strong identities that make them comfortable in their own skin. Role, on the other hand, is an external, socially defined expectation or behavior associated with a particular position or status. A person can have hundreds of roles in their lifetime – parent, sibling, mentor, coach, friend, co-worker, boss, etc. Introverts can easily get spooked in their everyday roles that thrust them out of their comfort zones.
Here’s the trick.
Before embarking on a role that is uncomfortable, get centered by quietly telling yourself you’re a 10/10 in your identity. No matter what this role is going to demand of you, it will not ever dent your personal identity. If things go south and you get threatened or challenged, it’s your role that is being attacked, not your identity. Whatever happens, life is going to continue, and you will remain steadfast in your self-worth. Then just go for it! What’s the worst that can happen? And if the worst happens, won’t life continue to move right along? Of course it will.
For introverted marketers to succeed, it helps to recognize our weaknesses and surround ourselves with people and resources that can make up for our introverted shortcomings. In short, we must learn how to work with what God gave us. Maybe pitching business to a room full of people is not our thing. Instead, lean on extroverts who thrive in that situation to do it for you. Meanwhile, you can concentrate instead on one-to-one marketing situations that can allow your introverted qualities to excel. If there’s one thing I’ve learned running a marketing company, the business world could certainly use more introverted people who are good at listening, processing, and analyzing before acting.
To be an introvert in an industry perceived as an extrovert’s industry requires effort. But it takes all kinds to run a successful marketing business, and smart leaders know this. Embrace your introverted qualities and traits, but also work hard to grow your confidence in extroverted situations. Hopefully, in time, you can strike a balance that suits your roles in your own company and allows you to develop a very successful career. Marketing needs introverts to complement the extroverts, even if we’re too reserved to shout that message from the mountaintops. It’s the age-old yin and yang philosophy. Now go out into the world and make all us introverts proud.
Scott King
Founding Partner, CFO
Kendal King Group