The Basics of Building a Platform

Sitting in my first publisher appointment at the conference, my sweaty palms revealed the imposter syndrome surging through my brain that was chipping away at my confidence. 

Back then I just had my blog and a couple of my devotionals that had been published in The Upper Room, but I really had virtually no publishing experience. And let’s be honest: My blog post was “read” by my mom and my husband, who “liked” my post, but I am not really sure they really read it. So how could I answer that infamous question about the size of my platform when I did not have scores of raving fans?! Honesty is the best policy.

The Bible has examples of characters who needed to build — a temple or a tower — and the principles that equipped them for these tasks apply to building our platform.

1. Start small.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lᴏʀᴅ rejoices to see the work begin …” (Zechariah 4:10, NLT).

Trying to make more of our work than what is actually there does not build our platform. But letting the Lord take our work and do what He wants with it is honorable. Do what God has placed in your heart to do. It might be writing for your church’s newsletter or writing for your own blog. Build your skill in your sphere first before sharing it with the world. 

Comparison to other people’s platforms is not an indicator of your success or the plan God has for you. Ultimately, our platform is not ours, after all. It is all about God’s glory, so there is no shame in the size of our platform as we do God’s work, whether it is deemed large or small in man’s eyes.

2. Start strong.

“It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lᴏʀᴅ of Heaven’s Armies” (Zechariah 4:6b, NLT).

The strongest start we can have for building a platform is studying the Word of God for a framework for our writing and following God’s lead as we write all for God’s glory in the strength God provides.

Examining our motivations before we begin to build a platform will help us to not build our platform on a faulty foundation. Asking God who He has asked us to reach helps us to not just build a platform for the sake of numbers but to be intentional with how we build. 

3. Start smart.

“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28, ESV).

Study the industry to see what is typical to start your platform-building strategy. Count the costs too. Building a platform can become costly! Here are a few tips that are essential in platform building:

• Be prepared. Don’t start building until you have explored what it is you want to build and how you will build it. Find a mentor and study so you can develop your message and bring value to your readers.
• Be present. Have a consistent plan for communicating your message. Take breaks when you need to, but when you come back to building your platform again, don’t be sporadic. Use tools like social media schedulers to help you be consistent.
• Be purposeful. Share your message on platforms that will reach the audience you seek to cultivate. Have a purpose in the messaging and in the platforms you post on. 

We cannot do everything, but we can do some things. Pick one thing you want to do to build your platform today and seek to do that well. Building a platform is a continual process that will also occasionally require pruning to be more effective. 

All for Jesus,

Denise

What is your primary goal in building your platform? Use your goal to fuel your plan and strategy.