Introverts: How and Why You Can Uncover Your Hidden Talents
- ARTICLES |
Introverts: How and Why You Can Uncover Hidden Talents for Your Marketing
by Marcia Yudkin
In 1928, a Russian newspaper editor reprimanded a new reporter who had been sitting through morning meetings of the editorial staff without taking any notes. After listening to his editor’s scolding that he’d have no future in journalism without paying attention, the young reporter matter-of-factly repeated every sentence from that morning’s meeting, word for word.
Astonished, the editor sent the reporter to be tested by psychologist Aleksandr Luria. The reporter retained everything that ever happened to him in memory – and he had had no idea this ability distinguished him from others. He assumed everyone could remember everything the way he could. Luria studied the man’s gift for remembering for decades and eventually wrote up the case in his book, The Mind of a Mnemonist.
Like “S.,” Luria’s code name for the Russian journalist, you may be oblivious to a talent that sets you apart from others. If you’re an introvert in business for yourself, it’s especially helpful to identify and describe your unique talents so perfect clients can choose you for the personality and skills you offer that others don’t.
How do you put your finger on what, like S., you might be taking for granted, though?
Top 7 Ways to Identify Hidden Talents
1. “Doesn’t everyone?” A real estate attorney once told me she felt uncomfortable charging people for the information she gave out at consultations. “It’s just common sense,” she said. No, it certainly wasn’t, I explained – it was what she knew from her long years of experience with real estate transactions. When you think or say that anyone can do what you do, that’s usually a sign of a hidden talent or uncommon knowledge.
2. What gets you into trouble? Something you do that annoys family members or those in authority often indicates a talent that can be turned to positive effect in business. My siblings couldn’t stand it when I corrected their spoken English – but that corresponded to a love of the details of language that enables me to write well for clients. Likewise, kids who were constantly getting into trouble for clowning around in school often grow up to have a sense of humor that smooths the way with customers.
3. Study your testimonials. Written and verbal praise about how people felt you helped them may reveal common themes, such as your empathy for heartbreak, your passion for getting the numbers right or your intuitive grasp of color.
4. “You should…” You may pooh-pooh or laugh at suggestions from others like “You should sell your recipes!” or “We should hire YOU as the condo fix-it person,” but they indicate ways in which you stand out above others to those around you.
5. What about your hobbies? In many instances, what you most enjoy in your hobby also shows up in how you do your work. For example, your dogged curiosity when you’re out hiking correlates to relentless detective work on consulting assignments.
6. What can’t you stand? Something that you just can’t bear to put up with, that’s vital for you to fix or correct, may indicate a valuable business asset. Maybe this is your strong sense of justice about exposing wrongdoers or determination to solve a stubborn computer glitch even if it takes all night.
7. Go for the flow. What are you doing when you lose track of time? What do you hate being interrupted at? Your sense of being lost in the moment strongly indicates what comes naturally to you.
After taking inventory in the above ways, you have a solid basis for portraying what you are uniquely good at, how you habitually execute tasks and what clients can expect when working with you. You can outline these straightforwardly on your web site on a “What to Expect,” “How We Work With Clients” or “How We’re Different” page, or you can incorporate the relevant points into your bio. You can also work them into bold branding devices that dramatize your personality and talents in the very name, graphics or headline for your offerings.
Always keep in mind that perfect clients are out there, dissatisfied with your competitors and searching for the strengths you provide!
A bookworm as a child, Marcia Yudkin grew up to discover she had a surprising talent for creative marketing. She’s the author of more than a dozen books, including 6 Steps to Free Publicity, now in its third edition, and Persuading People to Buy. She also mentors introverts so they discover their uniquely powerful branding and most comfortable marketing strategies.
To learn more about the strengths and preferences of introverts, download her free Marketing for Introverts audio manifesto: http://www.yudkin.com/introverts.htm
by Marcia Yudkin
In 1928, a Russian newspaper editor reprimanded a new reporter who had been sitting through morning meetings of the editorial staff without taking any notes. After listening to his editor’s scolding that he’d have no future in journalism without paying attention, the young reporter matter-of-factly repeated every sentence from that morning’s meeting, word for word.
Astonished, the editor sent the reporter to be tested by psychologist Aleksandr Luria. The reporter retained everything that ever happened to him in memory – and he had had no idea this ability distinguished him from others. He assumed everyone could remember everything the way he could. Luria studied the man’s gift for remembering for decades and eventually wrote up the case in his book, The Mind of a Mnemonist.
Like “S.,” Luria’s code name for the Russian journalist, you may be oblivious to a talent that sets you apart from others. If you’re an introvert in business for yourself, it’s especially helpful to identify and describe your unique talents so perfect clients can choose you for the personality and skills you offer that others don’t.
How do you put your finger on what, like S., you might be taking for granted, though?
Top 7 Ways to Identify Hidden Talents
1. “Doesn’t everyone?” A real estate attorney once told me she felt uncomfortable charging people for the information she gave out at consultations. “It’s just common sense,” she said. No, it certainly wasn’t, I explained – it was what she knew from her long years of experience with real estate transactions. When you think or say that anyone can do what you do, that’s usually a sign of a hidden talent or uncommon knowledge.
2. What gets you into trouble? Something you do that annoys family members or those in authority often indicates a talent that can be turned to positive effect in business. My siblings couldn’t stand it when I corrected their spoken English – but that corresponded to a love of the details of language that enables me to write well for clients. Likewise, kids who were constantly getting into trouble for clowning around in school often grow up to have a sense of humor that smooths the way with customers.
3. Study your testimonials. Written and verbal praise about how people felt you helped them may reveal common themes, such as your empathy for heartbreak, your passion for getting the numbers right or your intuitive grasp of color.
4. “You should…” You may pooh-pooh or laugh at suggestions from others like “You should sell your recipes!” or “We should hire YOU as the condo fix-it person,” but they indicate ways in which you stand out above others to those around you.
5. What about your hobbies? In many instances, what you most enjoy in your hobby also shows up in how you do your work. For example, your dogged curiosity when you’re out hiking correlates to relentless detective work on consulting assignments.
6. What can’t you stand? Something that you just can’t bear to put up with, that’s vital for you to fix or correct, may indicate a valuable business asset. Maybe this is your strong sense of justice about exposing wrongdoers or determination to solve a stubborn computer glitch even if it takes all night.
7. Go for the flow. What are you doing when you lose track of time? What do you hate being interrupted at? Your sense of being lost in the moment strongly indicates what comes naturally to you.
After taking inventory in the above ways, you have a solid basis for portraying what you are uniquely good at, how you habitually execute tasks and what clients can expect when working with you. You can outline these straightforwardly on your web site on a “What to Expect,” “How We Work With Clients” or “How We’re Different” page, or you can incorporate the relevant points into your bio. You can also work them into bold branding devices that dramatize your personality and talents in the very name, graphics or headline for your offerings.
Always keep in mind that perfect clients are out there, dissatisfied with your competitors and searching for the strengths you provide!
A bookworm as a child, Marcia Yudkin grew up to discover she had a surprising talent for creative marketing. She’s the author of more than a dozen books, including 6 Steps to Free Publicity, now in its third edition, and Persuading People to Buy. She also mentors introverts so they discover their uniquely powerful branding and most comfortable marketing strategies.
To learn more about the strengths and preferences of introverts, download her free Marketing for Introverts audio manifesto: http://www.yudkin.com/introverts.htm
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gabbydeb -
Thanks
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