MAL 16/17 MARKETING AFRICA ONLINE MAGAZINE | Page 27

‘‘ I ’ ll emphasize again that introverts are not smarter or more creative than extroverts but in most cases they ’ re more likely observers than participants . The more you take in obviously the more you put out . Thus if your marketing department is struggling with creating content it ’ s probably a good idea to get the quiet ones to share their ideas . Extroverts obviously can also benefit quite a bit from the habit of spending more time alone engaging in activities like reading .’’

Introverts Make Good Salespeople
A salesman helps people solve problems that his product ( s ) address ( es ). In order to do this one would need to have an in-depth understanding of the potential buyer ’ s pain points . Because introverts are generally less confident than extroverts they add the following elements to their sales process :
• Thorough research . To avoid embarrassing situations ( introverts are more likely to feel embarrassed ), they thoroughly research their products and their target markets before they try to make a sale .
• Prepare their presentations including answers to likely objections . Hardly ever will an introvert give a presentation extemporaneously even though the situation will be similar to many others they have dealt with .
• The fact that introverts have fewer close-tie relationships is a definite benefit to the after-sale . Introverts are very interested in helping customers over time and as such take the time to understand their customers . This is very beneficial to repeat sales ; we ’ re all aware that it ’ s always easier to retain a customer than to attain a new one .
• Introverts in most cases are more reticent than voluble . This is a definite plus when dealing with customers who want to be heard ( and don ’ t we all ). More so , when a customer speaks they ’ re likely to share their pains allowing the sales person the opportunity to offer much better solutions .
• Introverts are persistent . Introverts generally don ’ t give up that easy . They set high expectations on themselves and are likely to pursue until they are successful . This is an obvious advantage to selling because people generally take time before they finally decide to purchase .
Introverts Make Pretty Good Writers
Content is king ! Content is king ! Every single day I ’ ll receive at least one email about content : how to improve it , how to improve workflow , which channels to use , and blah . There ’ s no denying that the written word is a significant component of content . Introverts because of their natural affinity to reading and other forms of taking in information are likely to make pretty good writers .
I ’ ll emphasize again that introverts are not smarter or more creative than extroverts but in most cases they ’ re more likely observers than participants . The more you take in obviously the more you put out .
Thus if your marketing department is struggling with creating content it ’ s probably a good idea to get the quiet ones to share their ideas . Extroverts obviously can also benefit quite a bit from the habit of spending more time alone engaging in activities like reading .
For now , the points above are what I believe the introverted personality brings to the marketing profession . I ’ m sure as time goes by I ’ ll think of more points , but I ’ d like to encourage you introvert or not to consider more closely the introverts personality and what advantages they bring to the workplace not just necessarily in terms of the marketing profession .
And yes it ’ s true we can be weird ; I ’ ve found myself being fascinated by fish , butter knives , amongst others . Right now my thing is sewage . So , my recent google searches have included questions like , “ When I flash the toilet where does it go ?” And really , in all honesty where does it go ? Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company , please help a girl here !
Marion Wakahe is a Marketing Consultant with a knack for upcoming marketing trends . You can commune with her on this and related issues via mail on : MWakahe @ gmail . com