Ever felt like the business world is just too… loud? Like you need to be a social butterfly to make it big?
Well, I’ve got news for you: You Don’t.
This is the most comprehensive list of business ideas for introverts that actually work in 2023.
Quick rundown:
- Low-Cost: Start without breaking the bank. đź’°
- Anonymous: Maintain your privacy. đźŽ
- Online & Remote-friendly: No awkward networking. 🏖️
And guess what? I’ve tested several of these ideas myself (marked 🌟). So you’re getting proven strategies, plus lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
What Kind of Business is Best Fit for Introverts?
Here’s the deal: Introverts thrive in environments that let them focus without the constant buzz of social interaction. It’s not about being shy; it’s about where you draw your energy from.
Introverts do better in businesses where:
Introverts should avoid businesses where:
That’s why online businesses or solo small businesses are best suited for introverts. Because they let you focus and deliver—no social fatigue involved.
1. Sell Personalized Jewelry 🌟
Let’s kick things off with an unconventional idea—selling personalized jewelry. Before you dismiss it as just another jewelry business, hear me out.
We’re not talking about fancy gold necklaces. Think handcrafted necklaces, pendants, and keychains, beautifully packaged with heartfelt messages. These make great, affordable gifts for occasions like Mother’s Day.
The best part? You don’t need to be a jewelry pro. Meet Shine On, a Print On Demand service that creates these pieces in the US.
What’s unique? Not many people know about this opportunity, which means less competition and higher profit margins.
You can design graphics using CANVA for free. Shine On has ready-made templates for occasions like anniversaries and Mother’s Day, reducing design costs.
Investment? Begin with Facebook and Instagram ads to target potential customers effectively. You can learn ad strategies from YouTube.
In a nutshell, dive into this now for high earnings and little competition.
2. Selling Art Online 🌟
Introverts spend a lot of time by themselves in calm places. Is it a surprise that most of them have a creative streak?
Do you like making art as a way to wind down? Why not put it on Etsy or Amazon?
You can try selling:
It does expose your art to potential trolls but with comment moderation, you can control what to see. Besides, 99% of the comments are always supportive. You can choose to focus on your fans!
You can run ads on Instagram. But, the strategy I used was to simply upload my artwork on a page and build an organic following. You earn money through art commissions. There are also websites where you can upload your art and people can buy printed versions of your art (like Print-on-demand).
3. Online Bakery
During the pandemic, a lot of businesses moved online. Bakeries were one of them. Starting an online Bakery can be quite profitable because you can sell to customers all over the country. You don’t have to be limited to your town or city.
(I did freelance writing for one such online business, during the pandemic. They were making $2000-$3000/month selling cookies and cakes!)
Here are a few tips to succeed as an online baker:
Baked items which have good margins:
4. Blogging 🌟
This is the path I am following. Although my primary goal is to talk about things that excite me, blogging can be a good way to make a decent income online. If you establish yourself as an authority in your niche, you can make some really good money.
How can you make money blogging?
Some famous bloggers have shared income reports with millions of dollars yearly in revenue. Subtract the hosting costs and content writing costs (most big blogs have a team of writers), you will be left with incredible profit margins!
But it is better to keep expectations realistic. Median income from blogging is typically in the range of $1000-5,000 monthly for small blogs (roughly 10k visitors per month). It is highly dependent on the niche you choose.
However, once you rank on Google’s first page for any topic and start getting traffic, it is pretty much exponential growth from there on. $10k has the potential to become $100k monthly if you get the niche right.
Unique niche Ideas with good earning potential and low competition:
You really have to be patient with this and choose the right niche before you see profits. The upside is that the investment required is equivalent to a few Starbucks. A 200-300% return on average is a pretty good deal. Compare that to real estate!
5. Online Woodworking Business
In an online woodworking business, you’re taking your woodworking skills and bringing them to a wider audience via the internet.
Online Woodworking Product Ideas
- Woodworking Plans and Templates: Offer a library of downloadable plans for various projects. Users can buy individual plans or get access to all with a subscription.
- Online Classes and Workshops: Include a section for video tutorials and live workshops. Users can learn new skills or refine existing ones.
- Custom Orders: Have a feature where users can request custom woodworking projects. You make them at home and ship them out.
- Kits and Supplies: Sell curated woodworking kits for specific projects, as well as general tools and supplies.
- Consultation and Support: Offer virtual consultations for project planning, wood sourcing, and restoration. This could be done through video calls or a chat feature.
- Community and Blog: Create a community forum and blog section where users can share their own projects, ask questions, and get tips from you and other experienced woodworkers.
- Monetization: Besides selling products and services, you can monetize through ads, sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing for woodworking tools.
How to Get Started
- Create Plans: Start by selling downloadable project plans.
- Record Tutorials: Film yourself building projects. Stay anonymous if you prefer.
- Offer Kits: Assemble and sell project kits.
- Host Workshops: Use platforms like Zoom for live sessions.
- Build a Community: Create a forum for woodworkers to connect.
Examples: Woodworkers Guild of America offers online classes and a community forum. A great model for your hub.
6. Copywriting Agency
Do you love writing? Are you blessed with empathy? (Most introverts are!) You can identify customers’ pain points and write stellar sales copy for products that solve those problems.
Copywriting is perfect for introverts because:
7. Ghostwriting Agency
Another business choice for those of us who love writing can be ghostwriting. Every business needs content but the founders might not have the time to produce it themselves. A lot of authors also need help with their books. You can provide such services if you don’t mind being anonymous.
On the plus side, the money is extremely lucrative. Ghostwriters can demand high prices as they are not being credited as authors anywhere.
You can do ghostwriting for:
8. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a business model where a customer orders on your website and a third-party service ships the product directly to them. This is an extremely lucrative but also quite saturated field.
You do not have to maintain any inventory of products yourself at any point. You only have to create an online store where customers can place orders. Third parties will fulfill these orders.
You can use Shopify to create a dropshipping store. It also allows you to directly integrate with a third-party supplier. You do not have to talk to a real person at any time. Everything happens from your Shopify dashboard. Orders come in, you approve them, and make a payment to your supplier app (from Shopify itself). The supplier fulfills the order.
Hottest dropshipping items right now:
You can hunt for profitable dropshipping products at sites like Alibaba, Tiktok, and Instagram. Also, keep an eye on Google trends to capitalize on hot trends.Here, again the bulk of your investment will go towards advertising online.
9. Print On Demand 🌟
Print On Demand is like dropshipping but for clothes, pillows, carpets, cups, etc. Print on Demand websites allow you to upload designs or art that they will print on their products like cups, wall art, t-shirts, etc, and ship to your customers. Nothing is printed until an order is placed. That’s why it is called Print on Demand.
You can make a design in Canva and upload it to sites like Red Bubble. Both are completely free.
You can also use Printful (a POD service) which integrates with Shopify stores (paid).
If someone likes a product with your design and places an order, you will receive the profit margin in your account.
Best selling Print On Demand products:
If you sell on Redbubble or Teespring, you only need to upload the design on their site. There are no hosting or store opening costs involved. They take a commission from each sale. That’s it.Cost: $0
10. Web Development 🌟
(I have done this. It has the quickest ROI and you can charge high rates like $50 per hour)
Every business is going online. In fact, you are reading an article about starting an online business. Why not start a business of taking others online?
Web development is a technical skill that requires self-study. Once you master it, you can create a portfolio of websites to show clients. Once you get a few clients, you can ask them to refer more people, thus bringing you business.
Admittedly, this involves talking to people 1-1 but it is still not very “sales” oriented. If you can make beautiful-looking websites, your portfolio is all you need. There is not much convincing left to do. If you do not like the approach of finding clients locally, run Google ads targeting brick-and-mortar businesses looking for a web presence.
You can also grow your business by learning:
A lot of businesses need these kinds of services which you can provide. Often the requirements are fixed and these tools have a standard way of doing things. Most communication can be done via e-mails.
Suggested reading: If you’re also into tech and automation, you might like our post on AI business ideas.
11. Develop Mobile Apps
(White label apps i.e custom apps can sell for $70k-$100k)
Similar to website development, mobile apps can also have a high return on investment.
Firstly, you can create mobile apps for others. Almost every business needs one to grow. Here are a few potential businesses you can approach to get the initial clients:
Even if you score can one or two such clients, you will be set for several months. Moreover, like with web development, your code can be reused by you in several projects. So, you don’t have to put in the same effort as you had to do at the start.
Most clients will only need small cosmetic changes (a taxicab service app in Montana is not going to be very different from the one in Brooklyn).
You can also provide consulting services to help local businesses get online. For example, you could show small shops how to accept payments digitally just like KFC does with their mobile payment options. It’s all about making it easier for their customers to buy from them.
Good app development agencies are hard to find, so if you build a good reputation, money will keep rolling in!
12. Crypto Trading Bot Service
A crypto trading bot is a software program that trades cryptocurrency for you. It follows the trading strategy you set, making it possible to trade 24/7 without constantly monitoring the markets.
How to Get Started
- Choose a Trading Strategy: Decide what kind of trading you want the bot to do. For example, arbitrage or market making.
- Pick a Programming Language: Python is a good choice for beginners. It’s easy to learn and widely used in trading bot development.
- Select a Crypto Exchange: Go for well-known exchanges like Coinbase or Binance. You’ll need to integrate their API into your bot.
- Test the Bot: Always test your bot with a paper trading account before going live. This way, you can iron out any kinks without risking real money.
- Go Live: Once you’re confident, deploy your bot. You can use a cloud service to keep it running 24/7.
Example: ZenLedger offers a comprehensive roadmap for building a crypto trading bot.
13. Graphic Design Agency
If you are a highly visual person, you can do graphic designing for other companies. Good logos can be extremely valuable and with any creative work, there is no limit on how much you can charge.
Tips for getting started with graphic design:
14. Sell Online Courses
If you are good at something, why not teach it? Learners are increasingly preferring online courses to pick up in-demand skills and are ready to pay big sums for one on one tutoring. Classroom teaching might be on the decline but online teaching is a market ripe for taking.
Why teach online?
If you choose to sell online courses instead of teaching live, it can also become a great passive income stream. You do have to put in a lot of work and research in making the course but once it is finished you can reap the benefits for a long time.
What can you teach?
15. Online Music Lessons
Online music lessons are all about teaching people how to play an instrument via the internet. You create lesson plans, record videos, and provide feedback to help your students improve.
- Low Startup Costs: Got an instrument and a camera? You’re good to go.
- Fully Online: Teach from the comfort of your own home.
- Anonymous: You can teach without showing your face, although it might be a bit tricky.
How to Get Started
- Pick Your Instrument: Whether it’s the guitar, piano, or flute, focus on what you know best.
- Record Lessons: Use a good quality camera and microphone to record lessons. Edit them to make them easy to follow.
- Set Up a Platform: Use Teachable or WordPress to host your lessons.
- Offer Freebies: Give away some lessons for free to attract students.
- Interactive Sessions: Host live Q&A sessions or mini-lessons to engage with your students.
16. Podcast Hosting
Podcast Hosting is a booming industry, and you can be a part of it without ever revealing your identity. All you need is a quality microphone, some editing software, and a passion for your chosen topic.
- Low Startup Costs: A good mic and software won’t break the bank.
- Niche Appeal: Focus on a specific topic to attract a dedicated audience.
- Monetization: Earn through sponsorships, ads, or subscriber-only content.
- Global Reach: Your voice can be heard worldwide, all from the comfort of your home.
With podcast hosting, you can become an anonymous influencer in your field. It’s like being a radio host, but with the freedom to talk about anything you want.
17. Voiceover Services
Voiceover Services offer a unique opportunity to be heard but not seen. From commercials to audiobooks, your voice could be the one everyone recognizes.
- Work from Home: All you need is a quiet space and quality equipment.
- Diverse Opportunities: Voiceover gigs range from ads to animated shows.
- Skill-Based: The better you are, the more you earn.
- Anonymity: Your voice is famous, but you can walk down the street unrecognized.
Voiceover work can be highly lucrative, especially as you build your portfolio and client base.
18. Translation Services
Translation Services are in high demand as businesses go global. If you’re fluent in more than one language, this could be your ticket to a faceless career.
- Remote Work: Translate from anywhere, anytime.
- High Demand: Businesses always need translation services.
- Skill-Based Pay: The more languages you know, the more you can earn.
- Client Confidentiality: Your clients don’t need to know who’s translating.
Whether it’s legal documents or website content, your skills can help bridge language gaps without ever revealing who you are.
19. SEO Help
Ready to be the invisible force that propels websites to Google’s first page? Welcome to the world of SEO Help, where you can make a big impact without making a public appearance.
Quick Wins:
- Low Barrier to Entry: Just a laptop and SEO know-how.
- High Demand: Every website needs SEO.
- Remote Work: Optimize from anywhere.
- Anonymity: Your results speak for you.
The Deep Dive:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the magic wand that makes websites appear in Google’s top results. But here’s the kicker: you can be the wizard behind the curtain without ever showing your face. All you need is a laptop and a knack for understanding Google’s algorithms.
You can offer services like keyword research, on-page optimization, and backlink strategies.
Pro Tip 1: Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to give your clients data-driven results. Gain an edge over competitors by doing advanced keyword analysis using unconventional tools like ChatGPT-4.
Pro Tip 2: Specialize in a niche like “Local SEO” to stand out and charge premium rates.
20. Data Analysis Service
A data analysis service helps businesses make sense of their data. You’ll be turning raw numbers into actionable insights that companies can use to make informed decisions.
- Minimal Costs: You’ll need data analysis software like Excel or R, which can be free.
- Fully Online: All you need is a computer and an internet connection.
- Anonymous: You can offer your services without revealing who you are.
How to get started
- Identify Your Niche: Focus on a specific industry like healthcare, finance, or marketing. Specialization can make you more attractive to clients.
- Learn the Tools: Get comfortable with data analysis tools like Excel, R, or Python libraries like Pandas.
- Build a Portfolio: Create some sample projects to show potential clients. You can use publicly available data sets for this.
- Set Up a Website: Use platforms like WordPress to set up a simple website where clients can find you and see your work.
- Start Small: Offer your services on freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to build a client base.
21. Virtual Assistant
Imagine being the backbone of someone’s business without ever stepping into the spotlight. As a Virtual Assistant, you can do just that.
Quick Wins:
- Many Jobs: From sorting emails to setting up meetings.
- Flexible Hours: Work when you want.
- No Video Calls: Help through emails or chat.
- Cheap to Start: A computer and internet is all you need.
The Deep Dive:
As a Virtual Assistant (VA), you’re the unsung hero in someone else’s success story. You handle the nitty-gritty details so they can focus on the big picture. Tasks can range from managing emails to scheduling social media posts.
The beauty of this job is its flexibility. You can work during the hours that suit you best, and you don’t even have to turn on your webcam. Just make sure you’re organized and reliable, and you’ll be a VA that’s in high demand.
Besides, you will also learn a lot about other businesses.
Pro Tip: Use tools like Asana to keep track of tasks and impress your clients with your organizational skills.
22. Social Media Management
Want to be the creative genius behind a brand’s online persona without ever revealing your own? Dive into Social Media Management.
Quick Wins:
- Be Creative: Unleash your creativity in posts.
- High Demand: Every brand needs a social media presence.
- Remote Work: Operate from anywhere.
- Anonymity Guaranteed: You’re the genius behind the brand.
The Deep Dive:
Social media is where brands come to life, and you can be the puppet master. You’ll create engaging posts, run ads, and interact with followers—all behind the scenes. You can specialize in one platform like Instagram or offer a package deal for multiple platforms. Tools like Buffer or Hootsuite can help you schedule posts and track engagement, making your job easier and more efficient.
Pro Tip: Create a portfolio showcasing different types of posts to attract a variety of clients.
23. Affiliate Marketing
How about earning commissions without customer interactions or revealing your identity? Affiliate Marketing lets you do just that.
Quick Wins:
- Passive Income: Money comes in even when you’re not working.
- Zero Customer Interaction: You’re the middleman, not the seller.
- Location Independent: All you need is internet access.
- Complete Anonymity: Your identity stays hidden.
The Deep Dive:
Affiliate marketing is the epitome of earning while staying invisible. You promote products through unique affiliate links. When someone makes a purchase using your link, you get a commission. It’s that simple. You can promote these products through a blog, social media, or even an email newsletter. The key is to choose products that align with your audience’s interests. Use analytics to track which products are getting the most clicks and double down on what’s working.
Pro Tip: Use a tool like Pretty Links to make your affiliate links look clean and clickable.
24. Stock Photography
Ever thought you could make money from those amazing photos sitting idle in your gallery? With Stock Photography, you can capture moments, without attention.
Businesses are always on the lookout for high-quality images, and you could be their go-to source. Plus, it’s a one-time effort for recurring revenue.
Upload your photos to stock websites, and let them do the selling for you. No need to interact with buyers or even reveal your identity. Just sit back, relax, and watch the royalties roll in.
25. Anonymous E-book Publishing
Ever wanted to be an author without the book tours and interviews? E-Book Publishing lets you do just that. Write once, publish, and let your words earn for you while you stay in the shadows.
Whether it’s fiction, how-to guides, or educational content, the digital world is your oyster. Self-publish your e-books on platforms like Amazon Kindle, and you don’t even have to reveal your real name. Just focus on delivering value, and your work could become a passive income stream.
In case, you do decide to reveal your name or identity to make a special connection with readers, follow this guide to craft an irrestible author bio as a first time author.
What Next?
So, you’ve just scrolled through the ultimate list of business ideas for introverts. What’s next? Simple: Do your homework.
Dive deep into your competition and find that unique angle that sets you apart. In a crowded market, being “good” isn’t good enough. You’ve got to be exceptional.
But here’s the kicker: If you obsess over solving your customer’s problems, you’re already ahead of the game. Leverage your introverted superpowers—like laser focus, deep empathy, and killer creativity—to crush it.
To all my fellow introverts out there: Your path to entrepreneurial stardom starts now. Go get it. 🚀
FURTHER READING: 21 Original AI Business Ideas You Can Actually Launch Right Now & These 5 Freelance Writing Niches Pay The Highest!
FAQs
What business can I start with no experience?
Starting a business with no skills can be daunting, but there are many options available. One of the most popular is to become a virtual assistant (you will be able to work from home). This involves providing administrative and organizational services to clients remotely. You don’t need any special qualifications or experience to get started, just basic computer skills and an understanding of how to use the internet.
Another option is to become a freelance writer or editor. You can write articles for websites, magazines, or blogs, or even edit existing content for clients. Again, you don’t need any special qualifications or experience; all you need is good writing skills and the ability to research topics quickly and accurately.
If you have good listening skills and fast typing speed, you can start to provide transcription services. A lot of YouTubers need captioning for their videos which is accurate.
Finally, if you have some creative flair, you could consider starting your own online store selling handmade items such as jewelry or clothing. All you need is an eye for design and the ability to market your products effectively on social media platforms like Instagram or Pinterest. With no skills required, these are just a few of the many business opportunities available to those looking to start their own venture without any prior knowledge or experience.
Can introverts do well in business?
Yes, an introvert can be good at business. Introverts tend to be more analytical and detail-oriented, which can be beneficial in the business world. They are also often excellent problem solvers and can think of creative solutions to difficult problems. Additionally, introverts are often very independent and self-motivated, which is a great asset when it comes to running a successful business. They may not be as outgoing as extroverts, but they can still make strong connections with customers and colleagues through their thoughtful communication skills. With their focus on quality over quantity, introverts can make a positive impact on any business venture they choose to pursue.
Several introverts are billionaires. Businessmen like Larry Page, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg are popular examples. Introverts thrive in technical businesses where they can work behind the scenes.
Should an introvert start a business?
Starting a business can be a great way for an introvert to express their creativity and make money, but it can also be quite daunting. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get a business off the ground, and introverts may find that the process of networking and marketing their product or service is difficult. However, with careful planning and research into what kind of business would best suit their skillset, an introvert can find success in starting their own business. They should also consider taking advantage of online resources such as social media platforms to reach potential customers without having to leave the comfort of their own homes. With enough determination and perseverance, an introvert can make their dream of owning a successful business come true.
If you are passionate about a business idea, don’t give up on your dreams just because you are an introvert. You can find methods to balance networking and “extroverted activities” while taking time to recharge. If there are deeper issues of social anxiety, you could try therapy.
What are some offline business ideas for introverts?
You could open a print shop, florist shop, or an antique shop, etc. These are somewhat laid back and relaxing. An introverted businessman on Reddit shared that he has found good success with a parking lot litter cleanup business. He likes working in the peaceful morning hours.
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