On some level, when it comes to blogging for a living, anyone can do it. It doesn’t matter if you’re male, female or non-binary. It doesn’t matter if you’re black or white or purple or green, young or old, Canadian or Cambodian. So long as you have reliable access to the Internet, along with the initiative and dedication to see this venture through, you’ve got a shot at “making it.”
At the same time, we must recognize that this life isn’t for everyone. The same is true for just about every other profession. To this end, many people assume that the best and most successful bloggers are the ones that are the most sociable, the most articulate, with the most outspoken personalities, eager to shout at the top of their lungs to ensure that they are heard.
Because everyone has a voice on the Internet, many people assume that you need to be remarkably outgoing and extroverted if you’re going to make a go at this… but is that actually true?
Advantages of Extroversion
Let’s be honest. So much of modern society is set up to reward people with more extroverted tendencies.
Who do you think typically does better in a standard job interview? The extrovert is the kind of person who probably establishes rapport more easily, and they’re also the kind of the person who may exude more positive, enthusiastic energy.
The extrovert is also the one who is more likely to speak up in team meetings, attracting more attention to themselves and potentially putting them in a better position for promotions and raises.
And so, it probably won’t surprise too many of you to learn that there are advantages to extroversion for professional bloggers too. This is especially true when it comes to at least two situations.
First, when you attend conferences, trade shows, meetups and other such gatherings, the extrovert is the one who will want to be the life of the party. They’ll reach out and shake more hands and (try to) make more friends. Those relationships can lead to bigger and better business opportunities as a blogger.
Second, when it comes to building a brand or a presence on social media, extroverts can be more animated and personable. Just take a look at some of the top people on YouTube, TikTok and other platforms. As a vlogger, if you can exude that positive energy on camera, it could pay off in spades.
Let’s Hear It for the Introverts
But, not all bloggers are extroverts. Even though bloggers are “performers” in some ways, just like musicians and actors, they can still have more introverted personalities. And this can also be advantageous in different ways.
Whereas the extrovert is energized by social situations, the introvert is usually much more comfortable hunkering down on their own in front of the computer to pump out that quality content.
The overwhelming majority of your time as a blogger, influencer or Internet marketer will be spent alone, so you need to have the discipline and drive to stick with that. The introvert might not be as effective a networker with in-person gatherings, but they may be better at staying focused and energized by their solitary work.
It is absolutely true that blogging can be a very lonely and isolating experience. While this may be a challenge for an extrovert who thrives on social interaction, it can be a place of comfort for the introvert. Social media may reward a “look at me” mindset, but you can still take on that “look at me” approach from the quiet stability of your home office.
So, Which One Is Better?
No one is wholly an extrovert, just as no one is totally an introvert. It’s a spectrum and we all fall somewhere in between.
And while there are certainly advantages and disadvantages to both personality types, the character trait that will give you the biggest advantage in blogging (and any profession) is the ability to adapt quickly to any situation. Dial up the introverted side of yourself when you’ve got to write those blog posts, but let your extroverted side shine when you attend the media event. You need both to succeed.
Where do you fall on this spectrum? Do you find that your personality type has been helpful or a hindrance in your career as a blogger?