In today's podcast episode, I'm going to be answering the question:

“Is it really easier for extroverts to succeed at online business?”

This is a common reason people give for not growing their business as fast as other people or for struggling with some parts of online business and marketing.

I want to address this because I think it's a really important one to unpack, and I hope you'll find this really helpful.  Let's jump in!

This topic arises as a common reason why some people say they can't grow their business faster, and is also given as a reason for wanting slower growth or for not reaching goals as a business owner.

Many people I speak with say things like, “Well, that's all well and good for you Tash, you're an extrovert, you're a skilled speaker, but I'm an introvert so I can't do what you do.”

In other cases, they may say they can't do the specific things that are needed in order to be a successful entrepreneur online. As a result, they believe they just need to expect slower growth because of being an introvert.  So I think it's a really important conversation for us to have.

Yes, I am an extrovert and I'm wayyyy over in the extrovert side of being an extrovert. But I also know many of the things I do in my business are more suited to introverts than extroverts.

It's not that extroverts have different or better skills.

Instead it's about understanding what extraversion and introversion really mean, and whether it truly impacts your ability to grow an online business!

1. Let's get clear on what introversion is.

It's actually about energy. It's not about skills.

It’s not about speaking skills. It's not about social skills. It's not about being an exhibitionist or being on stage. I know a lot of exhibitionists that are also introverts.

Introversion versus extraversion is about your energy.

As an extrovert, I get energy from being around others, and I recharge by being around others. I get depleted when I'm on my own too long or spend too much time solo.  When I don't have other people around me, I can feel quite low on energy.

That's why I often say when I take a week off from my business, whether it be after conference or after a big launch, sometimes it feels like it's a punishment rather than a reward, because I actually do get depleted if I spend too much time solo without other people.

If we look at extraversion versus introversion based on energy, then extroverts want to be surrounded by people. That's what actually energises us.  But Introverts are energised by alone time and are depleted by time surrounded by lots of other people.

So that let's get clear on what introversion is, because a lot of people say they're an introvert, and therefore they can't be a public speaker. And those are actually two very different issues. By lumping them all in together, you're creating labels and boxes and pigeon holes for yourself that aren't helpful.

1. The internet was built by introverts for introverts.

A lot of the things I do online, like recording this podcast, are solo activities.  I'm here on my own.  I'm speaking into a little yellow light on my laptop.

For me, I actually need to visualise other people listening to this podcast when I'm putting together my structure for it, and I need to visualise people listening to my podcast before I record it, so that I'm nice and high energy.

I can't record too many of these things at once! If I were to spend a whole week just recording podcast episodes, it would feel really depleting