What makes a happy introvert?
Lots of things, but there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to make every introvert unhappy and that’s an open-plan office. If that’s you and you’re looking for a way to escape open office hell, we have perfect jobs & business ideas for you. Read on…
Introverts are not the shy, withdrawn creatures they’re (we’re) made out to be.
According to the Myers Briggs definition, an introvert is someone who prefers to direct their energy inward.
In practical terms, that means an environment in which an introvert is always ‘on’ and always focusing their energy and attention outward is incredibly draining.
We can do it for a while, but we need sufficient time away from people to properly recharge our batteries.
And, stay sane.
All that means, that if you’re an introvert, the best jobs for you are ones that allow you plenty of solo time.
Not sure if you’re an introvert? Check with this free online test. And, check out this popular TED talk.
The Power of Introverts – Susan Cain {19:04}
If your open plan office is making you crazy, it might be time to consider starting your own business. And, the best way to start your own business is as a side hustle while your day job pays the bills. However, many of these ideas also make perfect jobs for introverts.
Here are some introvert-friendly business ideas you can start with the equipment you probably already own, so they’re cheap to start, too.
Remember: Check your legal responsibilities before starting your business. If you’re not sure what your responsibilities are, ask your accountant or your local business advisory council.
11 Perfect Careers & Business Ideas for Introverts
- Graphic Designer
- Website Designer
- Social Media Consultant/Manager
- Photographer
- Writer
- Blogger
- Technical / Business Writer
- Online Retail
- Business / Life Coach
- Music Teacher
- Tutor
Table of Contents
Graphic Designer
Freelance graphic design is a great way for creative introverts to either make extra money or make their full-time living.
The growth in digital everything means there’s increasing demand for good graphic designers.
Graphic design covers a wide range of potential services, from logos to marketing materials to complete branding packages. And, don’t forget infographics!
Budding graphic design business owners probably already have everything they need to start their business; a computer and access to design software like Adobe Creative Suite.
Website Designer
If you’re skilled in web development you could build websites from the ground up. Even if you’re not, you can specialise in a particular Wordpress theme or framework, like Genesis. You can then offer services to apply themes and personalise sites.
If you are clever with design and coding, you could build a website designer business creating Wordpress themes specifically for a framework like Genesis.
Lots of people and businesses who need websites are not knowledgeable enough, or confident enough, to do the fine tuning of the look and feel of a site themselves. That’s an opportunity.
Remember, the key to any successful business is solving a problem. Lots of people view this aspect of getting their website up and a running a problem. If you can help them, you can make good money. Simple.
Social Media Consultant
True, introverts are not generally known for being social butterflies but that doesn’t mean they can’t rock a social media account.
For businesses, social media is about marketing a brand not sharing your life story. That’s why social media management is an excellent business idea or freelance side hustle for introverts. It’s about creating a plan and putting it into action.
Businesses are always looking for ways to get their product or service in front of more people and therefore more traffic to their website or into their stores, social media is an awesome way to do this.
Most of us feel more of an affinity with one particular platform, so choose the one with which you’re most comfortable and go for it. You can offer your services as a Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram or twitter manager.
Remember to set up your own social media channels for promoting your business.
Photographer
Photographer covers a whole raft of potential business ideas; from wedding photographer to selling digital desktop flat-lay photographs via your own Etsy store.
And, unless you don’t already have one, the only specialised equipment you’ll need is a high quality digital camera.
Depending on the type of photography you’re interested in pursuing, you can sell your images via your own site, via Etsy or through a number of online photography catalogues. If you’re looking to provide a personal service, like wedding photography, creating a strong presence on social media will help get you noticed by potential clients in your location.
Writer
Creating a business and earning a living from writing isn’t just about your typical freelance lifestyle, you can also write your own books or eBooks. There’s money to be made from self-publishing and Mark Dawson has done it.
So, if the idea of always chasing the next gig doesn’t grab you, you could try your hand at writing either fiction or non-fiction and self-publishing via Amazon or your own website 404.
A published book can also lead to on-going passive income which is the best type of additional income stream you can get.
Freelancing is still one of those business ideas that introverts love because it enables them to work where and when they choose. So if a book seems a bit out of your league – for the moment – try freelance writing.
The digital universe is in a state of constant expansion and all those websites need content. You can use job boards like ProBlogger or pitch directly to sites you want to write for.
Having your on website to showcase your skills is incredibly valuable so consider setting up either a blog or online portfolio. With the right hosting 404, they are cheap to start and can help make you extra money, too. See how easy it is to start one here.
Blogger
Have a specific interest or story to tell but don’t know how to make money from it? Start a blog!
The things you can blog about are limited only by your imagination and your passion.
Blogging takes time and effort and building a successful blog also requires passion. Without that, you’ll soon lose enthusiasm for the task.
To create a profitable blog you’ll need to pick your niche, do your research, write engaging content and have a plan for monetising your blog. There are more and more successful bloggers out there who make tens of thousands of dollars a month – sometimes hundreds of thousands! And, most of them started the same way you will, with their first published post.
It can be done. Check out our list of blogging resources to help get you started.
Technical / Business Writer
Technical writers are responsible for creating everything from the content for software user guides to online help, FAQ’s, job aids, and instructional designs.
To be a technical writer, you need to be able to translate industry jargon into the language your audience will understand. This is especially true in the software industry.
Technical, and business, writers also put together annual reports and other business related publications so you’ll need to be a dab hand at desktop publishing, too.
Lots of small businesses don’t have the volume of work to keep a full-time writer on their team so this can be an excellent freelance or contract based business.
Online Retail
Online retailing comes in many shapes and forms, from selling your clutter (or someone else’s) on eBay to building a fulfilment business on Amazon. How you sell and what you sell is entirely up to you.
I’ve been selling online since 2003 and have used a variety of platforms to do it. Initially, I started on eBay. I owned a retail store at the time so I experimented with selling items from my store. I’ve also used Etsy and hosted solutions like BigCommerce. I’ve sold everything from gifts to old toys. Some things worked great, others…? Not so much.
If you’re serious about building an online retail business I strongly suggest you build it via your own site. It takes time, money and effort to buy stock and build your store so make sure you’re building it on ‘land you own’. Your eBay or Etsy store might be doing a roaring trade but a change in policy or search algorithm can undo all your hard work with the click of a button. And there’ll be nothing you can do about it.
I still run an online business on Etsy as a side hustle. I’ve been testing a niche before kicking off a new self-hosted site for my business. That’s where platforms like Etsy and eBay can be very useful, they give you an opportunity to test your potential market for very little cost in either stock or set up.
You can learn more about starting an Etsy store here.
Business / Life Coach
Introverts often possess a strong empathy trait. This can be very valuable when it comes to understanding the needs of others and creating a supportive environment.
Yes, becoming a business or life coach means being out and about with people and not tucked away in your own little world but, you’ll usually be in a one-on-one situation. Just the way introverts like their conversations. Another plus is that coaches often work with their clients via the phone or online.
Good coaches are born not made. If you think you’ve got what it takes, and you have strong business knowledge and experience, consider taking a course to hone your training skills and go for it.
Music Teacher
Turn your passion for music and skills as a musician into a business.
True, being a skilled musician doesn’t necessarily translate into being a great music teacher but as an introvert, you’re probably more comfortable in the more intimate teaching setting than in performance.
Accomplished musicians looking for business ideas that will provide introvert heaven need look no further than becoming a music teacher.
Plus, you probably already have everything you need to get started. You can either teach in your student’s home, your own or online. Yes, online.
Another string to your music teaching bow could include a youtube channel where you show people how to play your instrument of choice. All you’ll need is a good digital camera and a computer.
Tutor
There are a number of different ways to build a tutoring business. You can either tutor in person, one on one with your students or you can tutor face to face via skype.
If you want to be able to leverage your specialist knowledge and tutoring skills you can create online courses and sell them via your own website.
Other online tutoring options include sites like Udemy. Do your due diligence, though, as there are some ‘scammy’ sites out there, too.
If you have the skills, concentrate on a niche market, like college entry exams and essays or, reviewing and editing doctoral theses. The more niche your market, the more you can charge.
More Business Ideas…
These business ideas for happy introverts are just the tip of the iceberg.
There are plenty more business ideas, both online and off, that can help you fulfil your business ambitions and financial goals, and maintain your introvert sanity.
We’ll be sharing more introvert-friendly business ideas in the future but in the meantime, it’s…
Your turn…
What business ideas or jobs can you suggest that will keep a smile on an introvert’s face? Let us know in the comments.
Source: Photos