Don't Worry About Your "Platform"

You need to have a podcast!

You need to be on Snapchat!

You need a Youtube channel!

You need a newsletter!

Why?

Fame? Money?

I know plenty of famous people (even rock stars) who have less in the bank, fewer prospects and less time for family and friends than people I know in cubicles.

One of my favorite singers, who enjoys #1 albums in his genre (metal) and huge concerts around the world, recently complained about having to tour to make ends meet.

A quick search reveals he has about $15 million in the bank (if you believe the journalists keeping track of such things), so he’s not talking about being homeless. He’s talking about making his monthly nut for employees, equipment and studio time.

There are people I work with who have just as much, if not more, in the bank and no one has ever heard of them. They play with their kids and grandkids on the weekends. The do what they want day-to-day.

Fame does not equal money (or freedom), even at the extremes, let alone in our tiny corner of the internet.

Stop buying into the fame = money industry.

Relationships are the only thing that’s important. Relationships are the only thing worth the effort of creating a blog, newsletter, Youtube channel, etc. Relationships could bring you money, but they’re best for creating a better life.

Relationships can be formed almost anywhere. Platform doesn’t matter as much as we think it does.

Find a platform that feels good and focus on it. If it’s a platform you own, you’ll be in a much better place.

How do you find that platform? You try everything. It’s a numbers game. I chose my newsletter as my primary platform decade ago and I love it. Newsletters go in and out of style, but it’s something I own and it’s created a lot of good in my life.

How will you know what your reader likes?

Sometimes the reader doesn’t even know yet, so try whatever you like. Your audience will let you know what’s working.