I am always telling my clients they must have a platform in order to “brand like a superstar.” It’s just the reality of the digital world we live in today. Maybe that’s a fact you’ve accepted. But when it comes to how to build your social media platform, you’re not sure where to start.
In this post, we’re going to break down the five stages of growing your platform you can’t skip on your path to success.
You know how to write, and you have an important message to share. But as far as the technology you need to share that message? That’s where things get more complicated.
If the thought of “building your fan base” or “growing your audience” overwhelms you, you’re certainly not alone. Creating an online platform isn’t a one-click task. But there ARE ways to maneuver the often confusing road to successfully building your online reach. And I’m going to tell you five of them today.
(Speaking of how to build your platform, hiring a PR coach is one of the best ways to do this. See why you might need a PR coach in this post)
First, let’s look at how Michael Hyatt defines the five major stages of the journey to grow your platform: Definition, Activation, Attraction, Monetization, and Optimization.
I’ve adapted his five stages and action steps to best serve partner-published and self-published spiritual authors for our purposes today.
Build Your Social Media Platform with These Five Steps
So, if you’re tired of feeling like you’re writing to nobody and posting for no one to see but yourself? Keep reading. I will not only outline the stages of growing your platform, but you’ll get action steps for each one too.
Definition – Gain clarity
As you find your voice and create a brand for yourself, you are considering the unique, God-given message you have to share. How will it impact the people that receive it? Determine exactly what your message is going to be.
Action steps:
- Survey your readers
- Write a core value proposition
- Create a brand slogan
- Develop your brand components, including your logo, photos, etc. (For more on how to brand like a superstar, check out this post next)
Activation – Create content
Whether it’s a blog, vlog, podcast, or website, you’re launching your home base that will be the source of your main content. You’re beginning to work on gaining your first followers and learning how to serve them through great content in a consistent fashion.
Action steps:
- Establish your home base
- Select your primary content categories
- Determine your voice
- Commit to a publication schedule
Attraction – Attract customers
Your content is being created and published, but now you want to share it with as many people as possible. This is done by developing your social media presence (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.), building an email list, and increasing your home base traffic.
Action steps:
- Install an email collection form
- Create a compelling email incentive
- Choose a primary social media channel
- Develop a social media strategy
Monetization – Generate cash
Once you have a solidified subscriber list and following, you want to serve them even better by increasing your income through online revenue. It’s time to explore affiliate links, selling ads, and creating original products (think eBooks, webinars, workbooks, conferences, etc.).
Action steps:
- Understand your relationship with money
- Consider advertising income
- Maximize affiliate opportunities
- Develop your products
I talk a lot more about this stage in my book, Synergy Energy: How to Use the Power of Partnerships to Market Your Book, Grow Your Business, and Brand Your Ministry. Grab your copy here!
Optimization – Build a company
Finally freed from the demands of a day job, you can work on maximizing your impact and optimizing your results. By building infrastructure, developing workflows, and hiring a team, you can learn to empower others to spread the message that started this whole process.
Action steps:
- Learn how to delegate
- Establish a hiring process
- Identify and define key workflows
- Pay attention to the numbers
So don’t be overwhelmed! Follow these five steps at your own pace and reap the rewards.
Want some help along the way? If you’re an author or speaker ready to get to take things to the next level, we should talk. Let’s get you unstuck and help you move forward with my coaching and consulting services. Click here to read about the coaching packages I offer. Or, if you’re just getting started and want to learn the basics of making a name for yourself, take a look at my Ready Set Go! Speak Community right here.
Watch this video interview Pam Perry did on Platform building with Tyora Moody.
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