Completely agree with you, and the article you linked to. However, I think social media can definitely be more helpful to those who are introverted, shy in real life, and may have more issues networking (calling potential contacts, introducing themselves to people). Social media takes the awkwardness out of first time meetings and you can choose your words more carefully, be more prepared. Yet at the same time, if you seem really chatty and outgoing online, you should try and make your offline brand comparable.

I am very extroverted in real life (aka offline), excel in any social situation. However, online have this inane fear of 'bothering' people. Oh the joys and inconsistencies of social media...

I'm very strongly introverted and can certainly identify with introverts who envy the ease with which extroverts seem to handle social situations. I guess there are benefits and drawbacks to both inroversion and extroversion, but I still think being extroverted would make a lot of things much easier. But maybe it's just a case of "the grass is always greener on the other side."

Thanks for all your comments everybody!

@Allison: I definitely agree, I think social media is inherently more extroverted (as it is based around getting energy from people) and so it will help introverted people become more extroverted, if they so choose.

@Mehnaz: Yeah I'd say it goes both ways for sure. Introverts may fear being around people, extroverts may fear really looking at the details of things, for fear of getting too involved.

@Evan and @Tim: You both bring up kind of the same good point, which is that American society has come to reward extroverted people more. Or at least that's what we think, but intrinsically extroverted people will want others to know about their successes and so they broadcast them. I wouldn't say it's a handicap at all to be introverted if you're a surgeon, lawyer, filmmaker, etc. as you really need to bury yourself in the details and figure out how things work. Just my opinion though :)

Thanks again for your comments!

@Janna: Couldn't have said it better myself :) You nailed it, in every category.

A lot of people actually exhibit different personality types (specifically being introverted or extroverted) depending on if they are in the mindset of being at work or relaxing at home.

I'm an introvert, and my problem with networking is that I don't know how to sustain a conversation. I usually can't think of follow-up questions or information on the spot. I suspect that I sometimes come across as awkward and sometimes as blank.

@Eileen: Sorry to hear that, but every step brings us closer to our goals, right? You certainly don't come across as awkward here! So maybe this social media interaction can help you :) A lot of times, coming up with quick reactions and knowing what to say in a conversation is more easily done only when we've heard others say them in the first place, and have practiced quite a bit. I know that I'm only 23, and as such don't have a lot of experience. So many conversations I have with business owners & older entrepreneurs can be quite awkward sometimes ;) Keep up with the good work!

@Ryan: I'm glad you spoke up. We've got plenty of introverts & extroverts alike speaking up here, but I'm glad you added the point about public speaking.

I, too, would encourage just about anyone to read a Myers-Briggs book, or even just some blog posts about personality types at any number of psych professionals' blogs. It's really too bad our education system doesn't offer more education in this area; though, I think that over the next 30-50 years we'll see psychology slowly ease its way into the more primary curricula.

I'm introverted and I'm glad. I am okay with that; I'm not okay with being introverted as well as shy.
I envy the introverts who are not shy.

Life would be easier if I weren't shy.

I couldn't imagine being extroverted. Extroverts are pessty, they talk too much, too loudly, and they seem to need constant approval and stimulation.

I can happily go about by myself doing whatever and not need company for days or weeks. That means I don't hang around with people I hate socially or need feedback on every life decision.

Instead I have people telling me I'm too quiet, and underestimating me because of it. I feel weird in social situations a lot and frequently can't think of things to say or stutter, which makes me seem and feel lame and ineffectual. It's gotten better over the years, but my self-esteem has already been scarred.

To become better I need to socialize more, but I realy don't like socializing too much because I'm introverted. It's a vicious cycle...