Does self-promotion feel as appealing as a root canal? Are you sick of the content creation hamster wheel that is social media? Feeling lonely in this business journey?
Well it might be time to make a few new influential friends who can help grow your audience. Who are these new friends you ask?
They're the podcast hosts, blog editors, membership and online community founders, and event organisers who already have the attention of your ideal clients.
By leveraging their platforms instead of constantly building your own, you can reach more people without the exhausting "look at me" energy that makes most introverts want to hide.
In this article you'll find a few ideas for getting in front of other people's audiences, with a few examples from my own business.
Understanding the ROI of Platform Leveraging
Let's talk about why borrowing someone else's spotlight makes business sense, especially for us quieter types:
Faster audience growth: Skip the slow build and tap into established communities
Shared credibility: Borrow trust from respected platform owners
Inherited authority: Get automatic credibility without endless self-promotion
Complementary relationships: Create win-win scenarios with platform hosts
Strategic collaborations: Form partnerships that serve everyone involved
The beauty of these relationships is that everyone wins. The platform owner gets fresh content, you get exposure to potential clients, and the audience gets valuable insights. It's business symbiosis at its finest!
Podcast Guest Appearances
For introverts, podcasts offer the ideal marketing channel. Share your expertise from home, prepare thoroughly, and connect with listeners without exhausting small talk.
How to make podcast guesting work for you:
Research NZ podcasts that your ideal clients might listen to
Create a preparation document with key talking points and stories
Focus on delivering value rather than self-promotion
Follow up with a thank you note to the host
Be patient—podcast leads often come weeks or months later
This approach plays to introvert strengths: preparation, thoughtful insights, and meaningful connection without the drain of constant visibility.
Below you can listen to my first podcast guest appearance with Amy McLean founder of Te Kāinga Wāhine. I was so nervous but it ended up being a great opportunity to practice telling my story.
Guest Blogging: Writing Your Way to Visibility
If writing feels more comfortable than talking, guest blogging might be your platform-leveraging sweet spot. It allows careful crafting of your message without real-time interaction pressure.
Finding guest blogging opportunities in NZ:
Industry newsletters and publications
Complementary service providers' blogs
Professional association websites
Regional business sites
Business.govt.nz and similar authoritative platforms
When crafting content, go deep on a specific problem your ideal clients face. A detailed, solution-focused post provides immediate value while subtly demonstrating your expertise.
Your pitch doesn't need to be elaborate—a simple email stating what problem you'll address, why it matters, and a brief outline is usually sufficient. No excessive self-promotion required!
Is it really a surprise that writing blogs is one of my favourite marketing activities? I wrote this article on automation for NZ Businesswomen (previously known as Venus Business Network. It had a great response at the time but continues to generate traffic to my website.
Public Speaking as an Introvert: Controlled Visibility
Before you skip this section thinking "No way am I getting on a stage!"—consider these introvert-friendly speaking formats:
Virtual workshops: Share expertise from your controlled environment
Panel discussions: Divide attention among several speakers
Small roundtables: Focus on meaningful exchange rather than performance
Q&A sessions: Let questions guide your expertise-sharing
The introvert advantages in speaking include thorough preparation, depth of insight, and authentic connection. These qualities often resonate more with audiences than flashy performances, especially in New Zealand's down-to-earth business culture.
Photo taken at Force Femme event about networking. I teamed up with my extrovert coach Nat Tolhopf to bring an introvert spin to the topic. Photography by Loren Taylor
Expert Training in Others' Memberships
This underutilised collaboration approach might be perfect for introvert service providers. Being a guest expert in someone else's membership or program lets you reach people already primed to invest in solutions.
The introvert benefits:
Time-bounded commitment
Focused delivery of prepared material
Pre-qualified audience already interested in your topic
No ongoing content creation required
Built-in social proof from the platform owner
When creating your training, make it practical enough for immediate value, while revealing the depth of transformation possible through your services.
Below is an example of a training session I delivered both online and in-person for EmpowerHer Community.
Creating Your Platform Leverage Strategy
How do you create a strategy that works for your introvert nature?
Assess which communication methods energize (or least drain) you
Create a sustainable outreach calendar with recovery time built in
Track where your best clients discover you
Focus your limited energy on high-return platforms
Consider eventually creating your own platform—but on introvert-friendly terms
Remember that quality always trumps quantity, especially for introvert marketing strategies.
A Quiet Path to Business Growth
For introverted service providers in New Zealand, leveraging other people's platforms isn't just marketing—it's permission to grow your business in alignment with who you truly are.
By focusing on collaborations with established platforms, you can:
Reach ideal clients without constant self-promotion
Showcase your expertise in thoughtful, prepared ways
Build meaningful connections that lead to business growth
Honour your introvert needs while expanding your reach
The next time you feel pressured to be everywhere creating content constantly, remember there's a quieter path. Partner with others who already have audiences, show up authentically, share your wisdom, and then retreat to recharge.
What platform will you leverage first?
Choose one that aligns with your communication style and take a small step this week. Your future clients are waiting to discover you—on someone else's platform.
