What is a Platform?
 
Platform is everything that you bring to the table.
A Platform, of course, is similar to branding but it is a step
beyond. A Platform is being developed and accomplished in many
areas. It is similar to the spokes in a wheel, each one is
separate yet each one is important to the whole. The more
powerful the spokes, the more powerful the wheel.
 
So if we think of a Platform as the entire wheel, we have many
spokes in the wheel that make a platform possible.
 
A Platform to me is what makes the difference between getting
the six-figure advance, or getting the "account" or "closing
the deal".
 
How will a Platform help us?
 
A Platform is a "convincer". It removes the doubt in anyone's
mind that you are the best choice for whatever it is — the
speaking event, the keynote address, the consulting gig, the
book deal. It's about creating certainty that you are indeed
the best possible choice — supported by evidence and this
evidence is what we call your Platform that is, the spokes in
your wheel.
 
- A Platform allows you to stand above the rest—to be seen
  above the crowd. It allows you to rise to the top.
 
- A Platform creates enhanced interest in you are and who
  your business is and what you do as a whole.
 
- A Platform makes you THE CHOICE.  Not only "one" of the
  choices—but THE CHOICE.
 
- A Platform is also a reward for years of hard work and
  dedication. Is it not easy to build an ezine list of 10,000+
  subscribers— it takes time and hard work to do this.  Was
  bringing your website to the level of receiving 25,000 hits
  per month easy?  No-- it took lots of development,
  dedication, and of course, investment dollars. A Platform is
  the reward for getting up early and working on articles or
  your website. A Platform is the reward for going the extra
  mile each and every day.
 
- A Platform is your business accomplishments on paper. If I
  did not call this a Platform, I would call it "Welcome To
  My World".
 
I think many people have certain basic elements of the
platform already and will need to build up in the other
"spokes" or areas of a Platform.
 
Do you need a team of professionals to build your Platform?
 
Of course! Always surround yourself with brilliance.  Plus,
learn all you can about your website, copyrighting, ezines
etc. so you know how to do these things yourself. And when
choosing an expert to help you always apply good judgment and
be sure you understand the agreement in advance, go over the
fees involved, be sure the expert understands your objectives
and you understand what the expert can deliver.
 
How long does it take to build a Platform?
 
Since a Platform is your accomplishments, it takes time to
create a powerful Platform.  However, NOW is an excellent time
to examine your Platform and learn, start and/or continue
building your Platform over time.
 
Platform Check List:
 
1.  Are you the author or co-author of books and articles?
    The more books and the more articles the better.  E-books
    count also and are relatively easy to create.
 
2.  Have you developed any products such as audiocassette or
    CD series, video series, internet courses, any innovative
    products that you have developed to help your industry?
 
3.  Are your books and articles appearing in other countries,
    translated to different languages?
 
4.  Do you have speaking engagements? Did you address large
    audience or companies with names people would recognize?
    Have you done an impressive number of speaking
    engagements? Have you spoken outside of the country? Were
    you a keynote presenter?
 
5.  Did you contribute your industry or achieve or
    breakthroughs?   Have you received awards or recognition.
    Did you develop new business processes that enhanced your
    industry?
 
6.  Have you achieved Expert Status in the media, including
    TV, radio and print? Have you appeared on national TV, had
    article written about you. Have you received media
    coverage in any other country?  A few major media
    placements builds up your BIO fast!
 
7.  Have you toured the country promoting your book? How many
    cities did you go through, how many interviews did you do,
    where did you speak, where did you hold book signings, did
    you sell an impressive amount of books?
 
8.  Have you hosted or co-hosted a radio show, or have been a
    regular guest?  Do you have your own show, internet shows
    are easy ways to get started!
 
9.  Do you have endorsements or testimonials from industry
    leaders?
 
10. Did your book make it to any best sellers lists? Did it
    receive any awards? 
 
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