PureBlogging

There are basically two types of people in the world: introverts and extroverts. Introverted people tend to be quiet and although they may not be shy, they are usually the listeners in the group and not the ones at the center of a crowd. Extroverts are the chatty ones who are more likely to be the first to strike up conversations and share their opinions. Most people think that bloggers are all introverts – people who prefer to be at home with their computers – but that’s not necessarily true. There are a lot of extroverted bloggers out there. Introverted bloggers can learn something from their extroverted counterparts and vice versa.

Here are some of the basic differences between introverted and extroverted bloggers:

• Listening and talking. The introvert tends to be the listener in a conversation whereas the extrovert tends to be the talker. What the introvert benefits from is that he gathers a lot of information which he can then use to create blog topics. The extrovert is often so focused on his own words that he misses out on the learning opportunities around him. However, the extrovert may have more blog readers because he’s out there promoting his work. That’s something the introvert could benefit from learning how to do.

• Deriving energy from within or without. If you are someone who feels physically exhausted after spending a lot of time with people then you are an introvert. If your energy level peaks around others, you’re an extrovert. In blogging, this can impact where you do your best work. The introvert will benefit from staying at home while the extrovert can do better work at (or just after leaving) a coffee shop or bar.

• Conveying enthusiasm. The introvert generally doesn’t sound super-enthusiastic when he’s describing something. The extrovert is hyper-enthusiastic. Both can be either a benefit or a drawback in blogging if they spill over from verbal communication into your blog. On the one hand, you want to sound excited about your topic so your readers will be as well. On the other, being hyper-excited can come off as a sales pitch. Balance one out with the other to create a happy medium.

• Period of reflection. Introverts tend to take time to think over what they want to say in response to someone whereas extroverts will blurt out an immediate reply. In blogging, this means that the introvert is better served by doing a blog that has only daily – or less than daily – posts. In contrast an extrovert may write a series of posts throughout the day in response to the things he’s reading and hearing. Another area this impacts is blog comments; the extrovert may be more likely to blurt out an offensive comment online and could learn a little from the introvert who holds back until he’s thought it through. The introvert may, however, find himself falling behind in responding to comments because he’s taking too much time to think them over.

• Consistency. It’s easier for the introvert to stick to a ritual and be consistent. This can be a benefit because he’s more likely to stick to writing a certain number of posts around the same time each day. However it can be a drawback because it might lead to boring material. The extroverted blogger is more likely to bring a whole lot of topics to the table and keep the blog interesting but may be too flighty to gain loyal readership.

• Being in crowds. Introverts like to be off on their own; extroverts like to be in crowds. That means that the extrovert is more likely to take advantage of blog conventions and other events for meeting bloggers. The introvert prefers one-on-one conversation and so may need to adapt by trying to meet up with other bloggers in a more intimate space, such as a coffee shop.

• Materials for blogging. Introverts are likely to daydream, to muse about the world around them and to ponder the things in their own head. Extroverts are more likely to turn to the world around them and to react to what is there. As a result, introverts are more likely to have blogs of the “I feel this because” nature and extroverts are more likely to have blogs driven by “This is happening in the world and here’s what I think about it”. Both have their benefits and each could learn to incorporate a little of the other.

There’s nothing inherently right or wrong with being an introvert or an extrovert – whether in blogging or just in general. However, it’s important to know what kind of blogger you are so that you can maximize those traits that will assist your blogging and minimize those which may detract from it. Learn a few tips from the people who have the opposite traits as you in order to be a more well-rounded blogger.

Question of the Day: Do you think it’s easier to be an introverted blogger or an extroverted blogger?