The 18 Point Platform Checklist

A Platform makes you “THE CHOICE”.
Not only “one” of the choices—but “THE CHOICE”.

What is a Platform?
A Platform is everything that you bring to the table such as accomplishments, education, businesses awards and successes, your reputation, your contribution to your industry and what you stand for, that is, your mission statement and lots more. A Platform is similar to branding but it is a step beyond traditional branding. A Platform showcases you and allows people to understand who you are and how you can help them. A Platform is similar to the spokes in a wheel, each spoke is separate yet each one is important to the whole. The more powerful the spokes, the more powerful the wheel – the more powerful your Platform.

A Platform is what makes the difference between getting the “six-figure advance” or getting the “account” or “closing the deal”.

How will our 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, and/or the book deal. It’s about creating certainty that you are indeed the best possible choice — supported by evidence. This evidence is what we call your Platform that is, the spokes in your wheel and the evidence speaks for itself.

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 makes you THE CHOICE. Not only “one” of the choices—but THE CHOICE.

WHY? Because You Deserve It!

How can I build my Platform:
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. Below is a checklist for you to follow.

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 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? Are you mentioned in any national magazines or industry trade magazines as the commenting expert (just a quote will do!). When the media thinks of your area of expertise, do they think of you?

3. Have you developed any products such as CD’s, video series, internet courses or any innovative products that has helped inform and educate your industry?

4. Are your books and articles appearing in other countries, translated to different languages?

5. 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? The more well-known and influential your speaking engagements – the more powerful your Platform. However, even if you are not at the top national you can speak to other groups to help you build up in this area. We all have to start somewhere!

6. 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? Have you built a better mousetrap (example: Annie Jennings PR’s Pay For Placement Publicity Program or HOT 25! HOT 35! Or HOT50! National Radio Campaign – these programs have helped the PR industry greatly)?

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 radio or local TV 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 bestsellers lists? Did it receive any awards?

11. Are any companies offering your book or products to their staff? Or is your work distributed throughout any organizations? And if so, how many companies, employees and people did you reach?

12. Was your book featured in any magazines? Or excerpted for any periodicals? Did you write any professional articles that appeared in important industry journals?

13. Do you have an ezine community? How many subscribers?

14. Do you lead a discussion group via your ezine or on the web? Do you have a source of dedicated “listeners or subscribers”?

15. Do you blog on socially relevant issues of the day? Do you podcast?

16. Are you conducting teleseminars or webinars for your industry? How many callers do you have? Who have you interviewed? What topics did you cover?

17. What are your credentials? If you have them, they are part of your Platform however, notice this is the last question I am asking you. This is because in certain areas and of course, this is not medicine etc., professional experience and accomplishments give you lots of “credentials”. However, if you can get your credentials – go for it as they only add to your Platform!

18. Do you have a Mission Statement? This is very important! What is it that you stand for? What is your message to the world?

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, writing your own web friendly material, search engine placement, 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 (show a visual if you can) and you understand what the expert can deliver. Always choose an expert with a strong history of achieving results. Do not work with start-ups as this will cost you time and money plus you do not have “certainty” that they can finish the job or provide the outcome you desire (start-ups need to develop their own platform so you will want to choose them later in their development and not as they are learning their skill set).

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.