In the 1800’s, circuit riders and town criers would speak to crowds gathered in the streets. When the towns were newly-settled, the messengers stood on the ground, and the sparse crowds gathered around them. As the towns and crowds grew, it was necessary to build a structure for the messenger to stand on. Over time, the height of the platform increased to accommodate the growth of the congregation. The speaker didn’t have a microphone to amplify his voice back then, so he was elevated to ensure his voice traveled to the back of the crowd.
The platform was never about the person speaking, but to allow the people in the back to hear.
Many writers who hope to publish a book inwardly cringe at the thought of building a social media platform or marketing themselves and their message, yet it is a necessary component of the publishing industry. Every messenger—in this case authors—needs an audience to receive her message.
For Christian writers, this feeling is compounded by the values that we hold dear as believers: humility, putting others first, and service to our neighbors. The thought of elevating ourselves on a platform is counter-intuitive and uncomfortable. Many Christians have a message to share or a book to write but shrink back because self-promotion or putting ourselves on a pedestal feels distasteful. Stewarding a growing platform well is a huge responsibility. Many feel pressured to avoid making the mistakes that others have made and, therefore, succumb to the pressure of certain religious groups, communities and subcultures to diminish themselves under the guise of false humility. This cripples their ability to grow their audience so that more can hear their message.
Striving to build a platform to advance our own agenda is one thing, but if we truly believe that God has placed a unique message in our hearts that we are to share with the world, building a platform extends our reach in spreading God’s love to a broken world.
John 3:30 reminds us, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (ESV). This doesn’t mean we need to hide ourselves from the world at large. By allowing God to increase his work on earth through us, we also allow him to build a platform from which we can be heard. I know it’s hard to believe, but God’s entire plan, since the dawn of time, has been to work through people to accomplish his Kingdom work here on earth. We receive his message, contain it within ourselves for a time, and then broadcast it to those within hearing distance.
Today, the location of our platforms is just as important. Platform is to the publishing industry what location is to the real estate industry. Whereas the townspeople in the olden days only had the option of physical platform on an actual plot of land, we have the benefit of an online, social media presence that reaches far beyond our hometowns.
2018 is the best time in the history of ever to publish a book, write a blog, and get your message out. No one else has had such widespread access to diverse avenues of broadcasting. 1 Corinthians 11:1 essentially says, “follow me, as I follow Christ.” Look at that! Even Paul had “Followers!” Social media wasn’t even invented yet, but Paul was already on board with it! Obviously, I’m joking about this to make my point. Social media provides a way to increase the message of God’s character to a broader audience.
There’s a difference between remaining humble in the presence of Christ and making yourself small so that others don’t get tripped up. When you play small, it doesn’t serve others. Instead, find your authentic voice, tap into the message the Holy Spirit wants to present through you, and broadcast it clearly, loudly, and boldly.
Just as the circuit rider needed to stand on an elevated structure so he could be heard in the back of the crowd, we must be willing to build a platform that will allow people in the next city, or state, or country to hear our voices.
Build that platform and stand on it so your message can be heard. Then, when you are finished speaking, step down and walk around on God’s green earth, rejoining those you have been called to serve, right where they are. Mingle amongst those whom you have been called to serve.
The platform was never about the person speaking.
The platform was to serve the person in the back.
If this post resonated with you, check out our upcoming Declare Equip Class with Instructor Anna LeBaron:
Build (or Borrow) Your Platform. Amplify Your Message. Launch Books.
An in-depth look at a unique marketing philosophy that will help you grow an audience-focused platform rather than one that is all about you. We’ll also discuss how to assemble and maintain an engaged book launch team and get the most from it in terms of reviews, preorders, and social media exposure—whether it’s your own launch team or a fellow author’s launch team, or one you are participating in.
In this class, participants will:
- Gain a fresh perspective on reaching the person who most needs to hear your message.
- Learn how to harness the power of a borrowed platform to spread your message on social media.
- Discover how to utilize an engaged book launch team to maximize the number of preorders and reviews for new releases as well as social media exposure.
You belong here! Our heart is to equip you to be an effective Christian communicator.