Are you a holistic health professional who is tired of being seen as "calm", "shy", gold "slow"? Like you’re less desirable or less valued than extroverts? Perhaps you are someone who contemplates things before saying them. You don’t like to say much unless you have something really important to say. To recharge, enjoy spending time alone rather than with crowds of people. You are most likely introverted.

As an introverted and holistic physician, have you ever wondered if these qualities keep you from doing business? Extroverts love to socialize in large groups and draw attention to themselves. They find it easier to talk to a bunch of new people and be the life of a party than introverts. In our society, an extraverted nature is often viewed as more favored as an introverted nature (although introverts are just as smart). As a result, they can attract customers more easily than introverts.

Another reason for this is that much of the training available to market a holistic business focuses on learning to "be out there" and make yourself known, so that business comes to you. You are taught to go to events / conferences and expose yourself. It is suggested that you talk to people you do not know about your business. Give them free stuff and they will eventually become customers.

The problem is, most of these marketing strategies are taught by extroverts. However, between 30 and 50% of the population are introverts. And they are overlooked. It is never considered that the strategies taught by extroverts may not work for introverts because they go against the natural style of introverts.

When introverted holistic healthcare professionals hear what they should or should not do when learning to market their practice, they 1) get excited about the possibilities and then take no action, 2) feel like it’s not for them and I don’t do anything .

The key is to use your introverted nature to your advantage. Introverts are creative, introspective, and can assert presence when they speak. Because they are more likely to have fewer friends and deeper relationships, they can use that natural style when developing relationships with potential clients.

If you have found that you are procrastinating, consider that you may be procrastinating because you are not using your natural style to determine which marketing strategies to use. Determine your natural style, create a strategy that works, and get it right. Do it consistently. You will get even more business than extroverts.