Do you have a message that is burning inside of you that you want to share with more people?
Do you have a remarkable company, product or service that you want to have more impact?
Do you want to have more influence on your career trajectory than you currently have?
Are you somebody that is constantly asked for advice on a specific topic?
Do you currently mentor a few people but would like to have a greater impact on a greater number?
Do you have a vision to bring about a change or start a movement?
Throughout my adult life, all of the above questions have resonated with me at some point or another and I have tried to find a coherent model through which I can build something consistently that would help me to be more successful. After observing how others have done this and reading extensively in a wide are of topics about technology, finance, marketing, personal development and success, the model that I believe is the most organic way to increase the impact of your unique contribution to this world is by building a platform.
I am primarily influenced by the writings of Seth Godin on this topic, but I have also observed first hand both at my job and in my personal life how people have taken the concepts he writes about and made them real. I invite you on a journey with me where I will explore platforms, both in my writing and by practicing things in my own life. I would also like to help you to move forward in building your own platform because whatever God has uniquely put in you to share with the world is for the world’s benefit and whatever is holding you back from sharing it can be overcome.
For the purposes of this exploration, a platform is:
- a homebase from which you can rally supporters (a tribe) for your cause
- a place for you to both demonstrate and increase your credibility in your area of expertise by teaching, mentoring and/or entertaining your tribe
- a watering hole for you to build lasting relationships with your tribe that over time can help you increase your influence to a larger group
A platform is not:
- a soapbox
- a 24/7 marketing pitch
- a vanity publication to boost your ego
I do not have all the answers so I invite your feedback and dialog as we go on this adventure together.