The other day, I told you about one particular book.
It’s called Platform, and I love it.
It’s all about how to create a dedicated network to help support your aims and you can read more about what I thought of the book here.
Today, I’m doing an interview with Michael Hyatt about the book. However, since life is short (and books are long), I have condensed my interview to the three most important questions I could come up with. If these are not the three most important questions you would have asked, I’m sorry.
I’ll do better next time.
Question (Claire): If someone only had the time to implement only one tip from “Platform” about building their presence — what would it be? Getting on Twitter? Creating a FB “fan” page (I know you don’t like that term!)? Starting a blog and blogging regularly? Having an online media kit?
Answer (Michael):
First things first, you must make sure that your product is compelling. A compelling product is still a critical part of the success equation. It doesn’t matter how big your platform is—if your product isn’t truly wowing, it is not going to sell well. Like David Ogilvy wrote, “Great marketing only makes a bad product fail faster.” Though the platform may have become queen, it remains true that content is king.
When it comes to the platform building phase, there is no one thing. It’s the sum of several things done well that matter most. The key is in leveraging the best tools such as a website/blog, social media, and more to elevate your voice so that you can be heard.
Question (Claire): What was the turning point in building your own platform where it became *easier* and wasn’t such an uphill battle?
Answer (Michael):
I wish I could say there was one thing that changed it all but there really wasn’t. No Oprah appearance or massive media hit, just a consistent increase that has compounded in growth every year. (see my blog growth chart http://michaelhyatt.com/10-ways-to-generate-more-blog-traffic.html ) It’s a cumulative process of learning what works, avoiding what doesn’t, and capitalizing on every opportunity you can. Yes, there are many tips, tricks, and lessons I have learned along the way to help save time and money as well as propel things forward at a more rapid pace but all that is what I outline in Platform.
People should be weary of chasing the silver bullet of success. My success, and the success of many others, is mostly the result of having a product or service that others benefit from plus hard work and dedication. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is a platform. It takes doing several things right—and doing them over a period of time. The real problem is that most people don’t start soon enough. They need to START NOW.
Question (Claire): What are three books that have influenced you greatly in the strategy of Platform creation (aside from your own!)?
Answer (Michael):
- Advertising Headlines That Make You Rich by David Garfinkel
- Tribes by Seth Godin
- Do the Work by Steven Pressfield
Smart stuff, no?
(And I’m talking about his answers, not my questions.)
Want to Buy the Book?
I wish I could say there was one thing that changed it all but there really wasn’t. No Oprah appearance or massive media hit, just a consistent increase that has compounded in growth every year. (see my blog growth chart