Are you an introvert trying to show up on social media but you’re terrified? Especially when social media is pushing video content more and more the pressure to put your introverted self on camera and be completely inauthentic has never felt higher. Whether you’re a seasonal/ situational introvert like I am or a hard-core introvert like Rahda is, then you know that getting in front of the camera and building a personal, authentic brand can be challenging. However, using the combined strategies that we shared in this podcast, you’ll learn that even introverts can build a successful business using social media- and you can do it in a way that feels authentic to you without the pressure to be an extrovert.
You can listen to the entire podcast here, or read the blog for the highlights and main takeaways.
Introducing Radha Maharlika
First off, allow me to introduce you to Radha. Radha Maharlika is an Instagram coach and strategist who coaches introverts on how to grow their pages on social media in a way that feels authentic to them so they can thrive and create a sustainable business without the pressure to be extroverted.
Even if you are not personally an introvert, it’s safe to say that you either know an introvert, do business with an introvert, or if you’re a coach, need to learn how to coach an introvert. So make sure to pin this post for future reference.
My experience as an introvert, from Radha
Not all introverts even realize that they are introverts, crazy, huh?
Believe it or not, I used to be a very introverted person and I totally relate to the fact that it is scary to show up and show your face on social media. There are so many ways that you can hide behind your account, but it’s so much better when that introvert bandaid is ripped off.
The turning point for me to finally stop letting my introvert side hold me back came as a combination of teaching fitness and working in a direct sales company. There’s nothing quite like being in front of a room full of people having to tell them what to do combined with being in a direct sales company that encouraged us to go live on Facebook every day. I had to come out of my introvert shell and turn it up just to survive! It was definitely uncomfortable and still makes me nervous sweat just thinking about it, lol. But getting more comfortable being in front of people and no longer just hiding behind a product or my advice, has allowed me to finally step into MY zone of genius as a business coach.
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Rahda’s journey as an introvert turned successful entrepreneur.
As Radha’s Instagram Coaching business grew, she wanted to really niche down and specialize in who she helped. She realized that the type of people she would feel most comfortable helping were those whose story was most like hers: other introverts.
Radha thinks back to when she was a teenager, she remembers feeling like no one wanted to talk to her and no one wanted to hear what she had to say. She struggled to even have a conversation as a teenager and hid behind her family members because she couldn’t speak to anyone. It was a rough road transitioning from that to now, but she did it and now loves to help other introverts build successful businesses on social media.
Problems that introverts face/Mindset shifts for introverts
Whether you are a hardcore introvert (like Radha) or just a seasonal/situational introvert(like me), it can be really easy to relegate your limitations to “it’s just the way I am.” Feeling like nobody cares what you have to say, being extremely nervous and rushing through your piece when you finally do talk, and feeling like you never come across clearly and confidently are pretty common to the introvert experience.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
In both my and Radhas experiences both as introverts ourselves and coaching other introverts, the things that are most likely holding you back are not personality but mindset issues. You do have something valuable to say. People do care what you think. And you don’t have to hide behind your family or your business. Your life and business are worth showing up for!
Also, btw: if you recognize that you have a hard time showing up as yourself on video or even just in your feed and you’re inadvertently hiding behind your product? You, like a lot of my coaching clients, might be an introvert and just not realize it.
Rhada had to realize that feeling like nobody wanted to hear what she had to say was a mindset block, that wasn’t actually true. More importantly, recognizing that you don’t have to change who you are, you can still be your authentic introverted self and be a successful business owner has been crucial to Radha’s growth.
Biggest challenges for introverts when navigating Instagram
Instagram is such a social platform and it can be so fun for some, but these are the most common challenges for introverts when it comes to showing up.
1.How do you show up as your authentic self when you just feel like hiding and it’s too scary?
2. How do you start to transition to show up on video and show off the personal sides of you?
Like a truly empathetic coach, Radha reminds us that it’s easy to get overwhelmed, but reassure yourself that:
- Everyone goes at their own pace.
- A lot of fears we have come from imposter syndrome- looking at someone else’s account who started at the same time as yours thinking that you have to grow and be comfortable as quickly as them. And that’s just not realistic.
- Forgive yourself and show yourself grace and kindness,
- Realize that you have your own timeline so allow yourself to move forward on your own timeline authentically.
- As long as you’re growing little by little on your own timeline is what’s important.
Syd Tip: Mute people who make you feel like you have to rush your timeline
You have to realize that people work with you because of you. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, being you is what’s going to make it for you on your page and in your business. That’s what will lead to beautiful growth and beautiful connection for you.
The biggest fast track to the know, like, trust factor is video content!
If you only post your product and memes and quotes, your audience never gets to know YOU and it feels like you are just hiding behind your products.
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Baby Steps for Introverts to Get More Comfortable on Video:
Don’t worry, you don’t have to jump into the deep end of the pool. Start to dip your toe into the pool with things that are part of your life but maybe not as intimidating to share. Radha likes to post pictures of her dog because it feels more comfortable! When you post these things and other parts of your life, you start to feel more comfortable letting people in. As you get more and more comfortable, maybe work in a selfie here and there and then start talking about how you’re feeling or what you’re working on. Add in that personal element so that people start to know who you are.
How to Start Sharing Personal Stories
Radha has an amazing journaling exercise that she leads clients through:
Sit down and come up with 2 or 3 topics that are part of your life story with a few stories about your transition into business and then talk about those things. The other things that you don’t want to talk about, you don’t ever have to talk about. How you show up, the frequency and the speed, that is determined by you!
You never know when people are going to feel encouraged to reply to your story. Even if it has nothing to do with what your grid is about, it gives your audience insight into what kind of person you are. Once you get a conversation going in the DMs it helps you engage with them and boosts the algorithm.
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How Can an Introvert Level Up and Show Up in Their Feed with Video?
Showing up on video is one of the most intimidating things ever for an introvert. Radha recommends doing these exercises to get more comfortable showing up on video.
- Record 3 practice videos with the intent of deleting them. They never have see the light of day. Have some talking points handy or an outline for what you want to say. That way if you feel like you don’t know what to say, you have something to refer to!
- Then think about doing a video on something that you are super confident in, something that you know like the back of your hand. For example, if you were a brand strategist, maybe talk about the three elements that are most important for someone’s brand. Something that you know right away, you know like the back of your hand because it’s your zone of genius.
- Picture yourself talking to only one person, your best friend, your mom, or even your dog and it will take a lot of pressure off
- Start small-even in stories. It feels much less daunting because they are short videos and you can just delete it if you don’t like it and you can do it in sections.
- Keep in mind that everyone is going to be awkward at first, it always sucks at first. We all go through that, it’s like a muscle, you have to work it out in order to get better. It takes time to find your voice and for your video content to feel like you.
Just like fitness, everybody starts somewhere. Just because they look like they are rocking it, doesn’t mean they didn’t feel some of the things you’re feeling right now.
Wherever you are in your journey as an introvert, remember, your business can be wildly you because nobody else is you. You have to step into yourself and what’s right for you. And that’s going to define your business and bring the people to you because that’s your authentic story and how you align with your brand. You don’t have to become an extrovert to be successful on Instagram, but you do have to overcome limiting mindsets.
Come connect with Radha if you are an introvert and you’re looking for help and support to show up authentically as your amazing introvert self. Radha has a lot of free resources and training out there. Radha also has generously provided this freebie on hashtags.
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