Picked this up from the Jollyblogger and from Introverted Church. An article has been written for marketers explaining how to market to introverts. It is a humorous article which nonetheless contains some insights into introverts. Being quite the introvert myself I thought it was a good read. Much better than the post by Anthony at The Institute saying introverts are “the sugar in the kingdom’s missional gas tank”. 

Anyway. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the marketing article:

Introverts don’t like interruptions, uninvited visits or phone calls.
If you want to come see me, please do! I enjoy having company. We love having people over for meals. But please let us know you are coming. Nothing throws off my day like unexpected company. As a pastor this is something I will just have to deal with, but if you are coming for a social visit, let us know first. And don’t be surprised if it is my wife who always answers the phone. I despise the things.

Introverts love to read.
Many non-introverts also enjoy reading, but I don’t think I’ve met an introvert who was not fond of books.

Please don’t be cute, peppy, positive, enthusiastic or motivating. Instead, be polite, know your stuff, get to the point, leave written material and invite a response at a later date.
I enjoy cheerful people. I am annoyed by peppy people. I do like to see enthusiastic and motivating people, however, provided they are that way as a natural part of their personality and not as something put on.

Introverts hate small talk. If you would like to make an excellent first impression, be polite and come quickly to the point.
For me it’s not so much that I hate small talk but I’m not very good at it. I don’t mind it, per se, if it is going somewhere. The article says to avoid personal details, but I like personal details. They help me get to know someone. But if a conversation is simply pointless then I quickly become bored. Don’t include every detail – I don’t need to know everything. Get to the point of what you want to say and we will have a good, constructive conversation.

Introverts hate phones and especially cell phones.
Don’t expect a return phone call. We figure, why bother someone when we can dash off a note, leave a message on an answering machine or click off an email. This is pretty accurate for me. I do not like phones. I cringe every time I hear the phone ring. If it is someone I know well, I might not mind so much. Still, I prefer to do all my communication face to face or via email. I am guilty of ignoring more than a few ringing phones and letting the answering machine get it. I am also bad about not actually returning phone calls. Try to catch me in person if you can, or just send me an email. And as I mentioned already, if you call, don’t be surprised if my wife always answers the phone.