Start Building Your Platform

by Kathy Collard Miller

Kathy Collard Miller

In 1978, I wrote my first article before I ever knew I would write best-selling books or give speaking engagements all over the world. At my first writers conference in 1980, no one told us, “You need to build your platform.” My first book was published because I sent a completed manuscript in the mail to someone I’d never met. Today, it’s a different world. And it’s never going to return to “the good old days.”

I can’t identify when I first heard the word “Platform,” but of course now we know it’s required for “success” in publishing. Of course, we know God can do anything he wants with or without a platform but it would seem at this time he is working through this method. The challenge is we often define “success” differently than God.

What I appreciate about Deb is her willingness to be led by God about the projects for Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. and the willingness to see the possibilities, not always the Platform. But of course, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t seek to build and enlarge our platform because through it we will reach more people with the important message God has given us.

The challenge is believing building a platform is “all or nothing.” As a recovering perfectionist who was held in bondage by “all or nothing” thinking, I can relate. If I’m not participating in every social media vehicle there is, there’s no hope. If I’m not doing all of them, then there’s no reason to do any of them.

But God delights in proving himself faithful through the little things. God can take whatever efforts he guides us to do and complete his plan for our book. We do not need to think we’re in bondage to our little or big platforms. But we are responsible to obey God’s leading and trust in him for his results.

In the time of Zechariah the prophet, the Temple was being rebuilt but the older folks who had seen the “old” (now destroyed) Temple were complaining. “Today’s version isn’t like the old one. It’s small and not as grand. It is worthless.”

But God corrects the people through Zechariah:

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” Zechariah 4:8-10

God is saying, “Even you who are criticizing my seemingly ‘small’ work shall one day rejoice because you’ll know I have empowered Zerubbabel to complete the Temple the way I want.”

Not surprisingly, a verse we all can quote is only a few verses before that: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of host (4:6).

If God is building our “house,” our Platform, and we are being empowered by his Spirit, even if it seems small, he will complete all he intends to do. And if we’re obeying and being led by his Spirit, there’s most likely no perfect way to work in each aspect of our Platform. You will read some expert who says “do it this way,” and the next day you’ll hear someone saying it should be done differently. This is where we must research all we can, gather expertise from others, and then sift to see what works for each of us. Feeling overwhelmed thinking we must work a certain way or to someone else’s level, only brings discouragement and paralysis. If we believe God is in charge bringing results from “small things,” then we will be more effective and efficient.

Such a perspective will also prevent us from comparing ourselves to others. I’m convinced some people do not sleep because of all that they are doing. If I’m comparing myself then I’ll give up my “small” efforts. If we give up the idea we must do everything or do what everyone else is doing in order for God to work, we are trying to control the results. God is not given credit.

To know God’s guidance, we must know the possibilities we have available for us.


  1. Speaking. The personal connection is powerful. Most speakers have their first speaking engagement at their own church and are referred to other churches by those attending. Rarely does a mass mailing to churches bring results. Give a workshop for an all-church conference like CMTA. which gives exposure to lots of different churches.

  2. Facebook. This is the means I use most often. Through Deb’s alert, I learned about Facebook Live. I plan to do that. It sounds like a simple way to make videos on Facebook. Have a Facebook book release party. In your posts, don’t just sell; offer things of interest and value. I love to pass along recipes and post sunset and sunrise photos.

  3. Blog. Post 2-4 times a week. Build readership by offering a book drawing of other author’s new releases. The author will then direct their readers to your blog. Also, blog tours involving other authors are powerful.

  4. Twitter. Spread out your tweets wisely and again, offer value. Set up through something like FeedBlitz for having your blog posts mentioned on your Facebook and Twitter accounts automatically.

  5. Tools. Hootsuite, SocialOomph and other systems give us the ability to set up posts and tweets beforehand.

  6. Instagram. Photo options like Instagram are very popular.

I could go on and on. As Deb advised, I recently read Michael Hyatt’s book, Platform, and it has inspired me to use my efforts more wisely. After reading a book like his or another, determine what avenues you are excited about. Pray for God’s guidance and obey his leading. If you are faithful in the “little” things, operating in his power, he will be faithful to complete the work he has determined to bring himself glory (Philippians 1:6).

Kathy Collard Miller is the author of over 50 books and has spoken in over 30 US states and 8 foreign countries. She has appeared on many radio and television programs including The 700 Club. She lives in Southern California with her husband, Larry, with whom she often co-writes, and is the mom to two grown children and two grandchildren. Visit her Website. Facebook: Kathy Collard Miller Author. Twitter: @KathyCMiller

Start Building Your Platform

by Kathy Collard Miller

Kathy Collard Miller

In 1978, I wrote my first article before I ever knew I would write best-selling books or give speaking engagements all over the world. At my first writers conference in 1980, no one told us, “You need to build your platform.” My first book was published because I sent a completed manuscript in the mail to someone I’d never met. Today, it’s a different world. And it’s never going to return to “the good old days.”

I can’t identify when I first heard the word “Platform,” but of course now we know it’s required for “success” in publishing. Of course, we know God can do anything he wants with or without a platform but it would seem at this time he is working through this method. The challenge is we often define “success” differently than God.

What I appreciate about Deb is her willingness to be led by God about the projects for Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. and is willing to see the possibilities, not always the Platform. But of course, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t seek to build and enlarge our platform because through it we will reach more people with the important message God has given us.

The challenge is believing building a platform is “all or nothing.” As a recovering perfectionist who was held in bondage by “all or nothing” thinking, I can relate. If I’m not participating in every social media vehicle there is, there’s no hope. If I’m not doing all of them, then there’s no reason to do any of them.

But God delights in proving himself faithful through the little things. God can take whatever efforts he guides us to do and complete his plan for our book. We do not need to think we’re in bondage to our little or big platforms. But we are responsible to obey God’s leading and trust in him for his results.

In the time of Zechariah the prophet, the Temple was being rebuilt but the older folks who had seen the “old” (now destroyed) Temple were complaining. “Today’s version isn’t like the old one. It’s small and not as grand. It is worthless.”

But God corrects the people through Zechariah:

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” Zechariah 4:8-10

God is saying, “Even you who are criticizing my seemingly ‘small’ work shall one day rejoice because you’ll know I have empowered Zerubbabel to complete the Temple the way I want.”

Not surprisingly, a verse we all can quote is only a few verses before that: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of host (4:6).

If God is building our “house,” our Platform, and we are being empowered by his Spirit, even if it seems small, he will complete all he intends to do. And if we’re obeying and being led by his Spirit, there’s most likely no perfect way to work in each aspect of our Platform. You will read some expert who says “do it this way,” and the next day you’ll hear someone saying it should be done differently. This is where we must research all we can, gather expertise from others, and then sift to see what works for each of us. Feeling overwhelmed thinking we must work a certain way or to someone else’s level, only brings discouragement and paralysis. If we believe God is in charge bringing results from “small things,” then we will be more effective and efficient.

Such a perspective will also prevent us from comparing ourselves to others. I’m convinced some people do not sleep because of all that they are doing. If I’m comparing myself then I’ll give up my “small” efforts. If we give up the idea we must do everything or do what everyone else is doing in order for God to work, we are trying to control the results. God is not given credit.

To know God’s guidance, we must know the possibilities we have available for us.


  1. Speaking. The personal connection is powerful. Most speakers have their first speaking engagement at their own church and are referred to other churches by those attending. Rarely does a mass mailing to churches bring results. Give a workshop for an all-church conference like CMTA. which gives exposure to lots of different churches.

  2. Facebook. This is the means I use most often. Through Deb’s alert, I learned about Facebook Live. I plan to do that. It sounds like a simple way to make videos on Facebook. Have a Facebook book release party. In your posts, don’t just sell; offer things of interest and value. I love to pass along recipes and post sunset and sunrise photos.

  3. Blog. Post 2-4 times a week. Build readership by offering a book drawing of other author’s new releases. The author will then direct their readers to your blog. Also, blog tours involving other authors are powerful.

  4. Twitter. Spread out your tweets wisely and again, offer value. Set up through something like FeedBlitz for having your blog posts mentioned on your Facebook and Twitter accounts automatically.

  5. Tools. Hootsuite, SocialOomph and other systems give us the ability to set up posts and tweets beforehand.

  6. Instagram. Photo options like Instagram are very popular.

I could go on and on. As Deb advised, I recently read Michael Hyatt’s book, Platform, and it has inspired me to use my efforts more wisely. After reading a book like his or another, determine what avenues you are excited about. Pray for God’s guidance and obey his leading. If you are faithful in the “little” things, operating in his power, he will be faithful to complete the work he has determined to bring himself glory (Philippians 1:6).

Kathy Collard Miller is the author of over 50 books and has spoken in over 30 US states and 8 foreign countries. She has appeared on many radio and television programs including The 700 Club. She lives in Southern California with her husband, Larry, with whom she often co-writes, and is the mom to two grown children and two grandchildren. Visit her Website. Facebook: Kathy Collard Miller Author. Twitter: @KathyCMiller