If I had a dollar for every time somebody asked, “How can I build an online platform?” I’d probably have more money than Oprah. Okay. Maybe not that much money, but I’d definitely be a little better off.
With social media being the giant that it is today, every artist is attempting to discover how they can build a larger online audience. Many people think that’s the missing ingredient from their big break, and so they pour a ton of energy into creating a platform.
To begin, I think the idea of building a platform is bogus. Instead, I think there are three other ways we can intentionally spend our efforts into creating movement behind a message. And that’s what we’re going to discuss a little this week.
Effort #1
Instead of focusing on building your platform, build your character.
A platform is what other people see and hear you speak from. It’s what you’ve decided to allow to be public. It’s the mouth of your message.
But what’s behind that mouth? If you’ve spent all your time and energy dressing up the platform, but you haven’t spent any time building your character and integrity, your message won’t have two legs to stand on. It may look pretty from the outside. It may even look perfect from the outside, but when push comes to shove, your platform is built on sand and will easily crash down when the first wave hits. It won’t matter how flawless your platform appeared to be. Your message will be lost.
Spending time building the inside before you spend time building the outside is time well spent.
Comments
31 responses to “Don’t Build Your Platform, Build Your Character”
Great advice. I can’t think of one I’ve seen collapse. Maybe the sports stars who build an image of purity and faithfulness and then get caught doping or having an affair!
Peter P?s last blog post..Becoming a Missionary – part 4
Very true. I was just writing today about how in recent weeks I’ve focussed on more character based issues and the number of hits to those posts has dropped significantly. We’re more interested in developing outer, how to, qualities than inner, character, qualities.
Sam.?s last blog post..A holistic approach to success that doesn?t trample on others in that pursuit
This is good. My mom keeps asking me how to get a bigger readership for my blog, which, you know, being a human and with flesh and all, I would like, too, but I don’t want to be fake or fluffy. I want people to read my blog because they enjoy it- not because I’m putting myself out there or giving crap away constantly. I started it for me, as a place to get to know myself and express my feelings and thoughts, and if I’m the only one reading it 5 years from now, it will still have done what I originally wanted it to do- remind me of great things and sad things- my things, in my life!
Great post here Anne, thanks for the reminder.
I often find myself building up my outer shell and just assuming that my inner self will be ok and can handle it.
I often focus more on my web presence than the presence of God.
Great advise for a guy trying to “make it” in the blog world.
*Kyle
Kyle Reed?s last blog post..MTV Movie Awards
great advice! i think a great example (well a few examples actually) is the recent families that have let tv cameras into their homes. they seem so focuses on creating the platform of a perfect family that gets them the money and fame but it seems like the lack of character always comes back to bite them. most recent would be jon & kate, but the problem goes all the way back to nick & jessica. it is sad for me to see families break up like that, no matter whether i like the people or not.
Excellent.
hmmmmm…. i will say that i have seen my character collapse becasue i was too busy building my platform
and, ouch, it really hurt – not only me but others as well……lesson learned
Yep! As indirect as it may seem our platform/ influence should be an outflow of who we are. If we are focused on polishing the outside of the cup instead of the inside eventually that will show itself. Maybe we need to back up and ask the question; why do I want a greater platform anyway. If it is for me, for my benefit, so I can gain something? then who cares? If it is to help others; character has to be a key ingredient in my life.
Great post & reminder!
Anne
You are ruthless in the bombs you drop on us. Just RUTHLESS.
Well said… I want to make sure I’m hearing you right, though:
You’re saying don’t worry about building a platform because, when the time is right and your character is dependable, the platform will build itself?
It’s the Isaac principle: We don’t want an Ishmael (something birthed out of our own striving), we want an Isaac (something birthed out of a divine promise … God’s timing rather than our own.)
SPIT IT girl!
You just hit me between the eyes with the Isaac thing.
…
Wow, thank you.
@justin – you got it!
@art – great questions….
good word Anne! can’t wait to read your upcoming posts on this!
guy chmieleski?s last blog post..my friend keith
Thank you for being a generous mind. This is a great way to communicate a real challenge. Our culture is pushing us to market all the time but isn’t giving us time to develop what is underneath. But when we do, that is when the quality of our content stands out and get’s accepted for what it is – a valuable voice.
Great post. Found it through Michael Hyatt (!). Thank you!
Amy Sorrells?s last blog post..I?m taking a . . .
I couldn’t agree with you more. One of the hardest things about the path to publication is the insistance that an author have or develop a platform. The very nature of being on a platform necessitates that your feet leave the ground, which certainly increases the odds of a crash. And it’s very true that the higher the platform, the bigger the crash.
Shhh…don’t tell anyone in the publishing or promotions biz, but when I was just starting to be published, God and I made an agreement. I wouldn’t put my face and speaking topics on brochures and such, but I would accept opportunities as He brought them. It’s worked great for us. There’s been a natural ebb and flow that I could never have manipulated or planned that has taken into account moves, babies, even periodic homefront maintenance.
Publication, platform and prestige mean nothing if you lose the very thing (the very important thing) that brought it into existence.
And yeah, tonight on TV all of America has the opportunity to watch a crumbling platform live-on-tape. It’s a sad, deafening sound. Perhaps the only sadder would be the sound of the fabric of a family being torn.
“It?s the Isaac principle: We don?t want an Ishmael, something birthed out of our own striving; we want an Isaac, something birthed out of a divine promise…”
Holy cow. Your post followed up by this comment by @justin pulled the rug right out from under me.
Michele?s last blog post..Hanging Out in the Tension
I absolutely agree, yet it does not explain the many publishers who told me that my writing was very strong… “but you are a nobody, build your platform.” That coming from the Christian publishers and agents. And I know that our fatherless nation is in need of a book about the parallel of growing up without a dad and the wild journey to finding the Father. I know God desires to father us into being a new kind of kid, yet I have been told that “unless your John Eldredge or Don Miller, it’s not getting published.” Prayerfully someone will take a chance on a fresh, new writer!
Wally Harrison?s last blog post..The importance of Living
@wally – keep on writing. know that your message will reach who it is intended to reach. someone took a chance on me…and continues to…it takes a lot of courage and faith to write. keep pressing forward!
@refresh – god and i made a similar deal :)
I always do two things when I mentor future writers and speakers. I tell them to (1) worry about going deep with God and let God worry about how broad to make your platform/ministry. (2) Remember the turtle on the fence post. If you see a turtle on a post what should you ask? “How did it get there?” Answer, “Someone placed it there– turles don’t climb.” God places us in our ministries and he can “unplace” us just as quickly if we don’t monitor our integrity. I give turles to each person I mentor. One woman carries a picture of that tutle in her cell phone to remind herself that God placed her where she is.
Great post.
I’d add that a platform is only as strong as the FOUNDATION it is built upon.
A person must be very self aware and know the WHY behind their platform. Why do they want one? The why tells a lot if someone is really honest with themselves and will help them stay focused / grounded along the way.
Failure wise… there are plenty of examples in our society today. Tons of CEO’s, pastors, seemingly successful people, etc… many whom start out on the right path but then their “platform” does them in. The lure and temptations that come with increased visibility can easily cause someone to impload. Ego gets in the way (if that foundation isn’t strong and reflected on constantly).
Totally….my own platform collapsed once. God used a brown Recluse spider bite and the red streak of death to make me realize I was focused on the message more than Him!
Rick Apperson?s last blog post..Theology Made Easy – Just A Thought #34
Anne, great topic. The example of a collapsing platform that jumped out at me is just every politician.
Amen and Amen. Every time I work on my platform, it grows and grows, but my heart gets lost. It doesn’t take long to lose my heart to my fame, even if it is only in 15 minute doses.
Amber@theRunaMuck?s last blog post..ART and more on not being dead on the inside
Excellent post, Anne.
When I was in Seminary finishing my program in pastoral care to women, the professors made the same point: build godly character first, then don’t neglect your spiritual connection with God while ministering to others.
Always character first, for you are your platform; then your ministry.
Hugs, Lucy
Anne – you always make me think. I spent a year worrying about my platform for my book. The book was cancelled. No need to worry about that platform any longer.
God was real clear with me, He will provide the way. Not my efforts but His. He will create the path. Not my efforts, but His.
It’s been an amazing 6 months since the book cancelled. God is in control and I’m just enjoying the adventure.
Platform? I don’t worry about that any longer.
I trust God has it all sorted out and that He will place my feet on the path He has for me.
He has called me to relationships, not to platforms. I’m focusing first on my relationship with Him and then on the reaching out to the people He places in my life. What a joy it is to not worry about a platform.
Mary?s last blog post..Living Life Outside of the Lines
Why did they cancel the book? Do you know? This is news to me, I thought the book was out in stores Anne.
I’m sorry, I guess that was Mary who’s book was canceled. My mistake.
This great advice Anne. The simple but huge principle ‘promotion comes to those who are faithful in the little’. Its the small whole that will sink a big ship over time. Its the stuff that we don’t see that are vitally important. Its the ‘off stage’ stuff that makes a great on stage performance. keep the ‘building’ series coming..
Lui Ponifasio?s last blog post..SWITCH Leadership Boot Camp
Completely agree… i have once heard the statement “your gift can get you where your character cannot keep you.” The last 10 years of my life have been character-building-intensive :)
So, that being assumed, and knowing that character development is ongoing… when you really feel like it is “time” to expand the platform… how do you do it?
I have had some tremendous things happen this year @ my blog, as I’ve risked being intentional and more authentic and I’m realizing what a ministry it can actually be. So… what practical things do I need to think about w/my blogging and writing as I move forward?
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..The Chicken Truck =-.
I think the key to success is to find the right balance between building your platform and focusing on your character – while it’s important to build your character, having your audience in mind when focusing on your platform is essential as well…