Platform [Hardcover]

Given the blizzards of messages we receive electronically and the cacophony of voices competing for attention, it is much more difficult now than ever before to create or increase demand for a product or service. Michael Hyatt offers what he characterizes as a "step-by-step guide" to getting noticed. He agrees with Shakespeare: "All the world's a stage." Therefore, whatever we wish to communicate must have both a stage and an attentive audience. Extending his metaphor, Hyatt explains, "This book is all about attracting that audience, turning on the brightest lights you can find, and building passionate loyalty so your audience stays with you through every line, every scene, every act. It's not about ego or being the center of attention. It's about having something of value to others and finding the most powerful way of getting that message to others who can benefit from it."

What Hyatt proposes is a five-part process, with each Part consisting of specific action steps. This approach covers both the "what" and the "how" as he provides a combination of information, insights, and counsel. For example, "Part One: Start With WOW" has seven sequential action steps:

o Create a compelling product [or service]
o Bake in the WOW
o Exceed market expectations
o [Be aware and] beware of obstacles
o Don't settle for less than great
o Give your product [or service] a memorable name
o Wrap the WOW in style

Part One enables the reader to understand "how to create, name, and package a compelling product (the what). If you don't have that right, nothing else matters." Material in Parts Two-Five explain how to prepare to launch, build a home base, expand reach, and engage one's "tribe." Hyatt inserts dozens of checklists throughout the 60 brief but remarkably substantial chapters.

He concludes the book with an especially significant incident when he and his wife attended a Tony Robbins seminar and at one point, they and all others were invited to walk barefoot the length of one of twelve lanes of scorching hot (i.e. 1000º) coals, each lane about 20 feet long. That experience became "a powerful metaphor in our lives...What does this have to do with building a platform? Everything...Just like fire walking, [begin italics] the key is to start [end italics]."

Presumably Michael Hyatt agrees with me that it would be a fool's errand for anyone to attempt to apply immediately everything they learn from his book. Also, I think that modifications must be made with regard to how relevant strategies and tactics are executed. Moreover, the nature and extent of the platform will vary from a presentation to one person such as the CEO of a prospective client to an audience of 1,500 at a major professional meeting. However, whatever the given circumstances, the basics remain the same and they are covered thoroughly and eloquently in this book.

I've been reading Michael Hyatt's blog for a number of years, so I thought that I wouldn't get too much from the book. But it is definitely a fantastic read, whether you are a newbie online or someone who is more experienced. I have read many branding and marketing books and experimented with my own platform online but I wrote 10 pages of notes from this book and have a long To Do list of things I need to improve. This will help you audit where you are right now and target where you want to get to. Michael has done a great job of making the information accessible and the reasons behind the tools are also explained. Recommended for people who are serious about expanding their online platform.

"Platform - Get Noticed in a Noisy World" is written by Michael Hyatt, Chairman and former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. He writes from personal experience, sharing how he developed his blog which has become one of the most popular in the world.

The book is divided into five parts: Start with Wow; Prepare to Launch; Build Your Home Base; Expand Your Reach; and Engage Your Tribe

In addition to the easy to read 60 chapters, there are several pages of resources and a very useful Appendix of Blog Post Ideas.

I have read this book from cover to cover twice so far, on Kindle, in hard copy, and listened to the audio version several times too. And I keep going back to mine the generously seeded nuggets to implement in my business, and pass on to clients.

`Platform' is an excellent resource for small businesses, whether they make products or deliver services. The author's exploration of and success with social media is proof that it can be done, so long as the offering is of the highest quality.

The author's own experience of social networking seems mainly focused on Twitter, with only the briefest mention of Facebook. Therefore, this book is not a comprehensive guide to using all the currently popular social networks, but then it doesn't pretend to be. What it shows is how effective it can be to concentrate your efforts on one network.

This book is encouraging and full of useful ideas that are easy to implement. It is suitable for both experienced and novice bloggers. I recommend it to coaches, trainers, authors and speakers who want to stand out from the crowd.