1. March 11 & 12, 2013
Julie Kittredge
Business Services Advisor
jkittredge@ahml.info

2. What is a Platform?
 It’s your stage. It’s the thing you have to stand on to be
heard.
 It’s built of people. Contacts. Connections. Followers.
 It’s about building relationships.
 It’s about establishing yourself as an expert.
 It’s about using various tools to reach those who are
interested in what you have to offer. Could be a
message, a service, or a product.

3. Why do I need a Platform?
 Develops your “voice,” your platform will share your
personality. This is part of your brand.
 Gives you an opportunity to influence people. It’s what
gives you the authority to communicate to and serve
your followers.
 Helps establish a relationship with your tribe based on
trust. When they know you and like you they will want
to follow you.
 Gives you visibility.
 Establishes you as an expert in your field.

4. Elements of your Platform
 Website
 Blog
 Social Media
 Facebook
 Twitter
 LinkedIn
 Pinterest
 Etsy
 e-Newsletter
 Public Speaking/Teaching

5. Where Do I Begin?
 Decide what would best serve your business.
 A website or blog is a good place to start so you have a
home base to refer people to.
 Add the different elements gradually.
 Each tool works great alone, and even greater together.
 Use Social Media management tools to help.

6. Website
 This is where you house the core of your business.
 The branding/personality is a reflection of who you are
as a business and perhaps who you serve.
 Contact info will be easily found here.
 Information links. What do you offer? Categories of
services. Fee structure. Perhaps a storefront.
 All of the links to your social media will be found here.
This is home base.

7. Blog
 Wordpress and Blogger are both free and popular
 This is where you can share more of your personality
and develop your “voice.”
 Content might include industry tips, opinions, links to
resources and info that would be valuable to your
customers. Insight into your processes. How-to’s. Top
10 lists.
 Content will be relatable, reflect your personality &
branding, authentic, transparent, and professional.
 Frequency should be regular or people will stop
following your posts. No less than 2x/week.

8. Facebook
 Viral Marketing. This is where your friends are and
their friends are. Best word of mouth marketing ever.
 Frequency should be between once a day or 3-5
posts/week
 Build relationships by authentically liking and
commenting on other’s posts
 People respond to pictures.
 Share great links, coupon codes to your favorite
resources. Quick tips. People love when you’re not all
about self promotion.

9. Twitter
 Called micro-blogging. Short snippits of information
and links.
 Audience is global.
 Another opportunity to reach an audience with expert
advice and resources.
 Frequency might be several times a day.
 Content might include a link to an inspiring article, a
blog post, a witty comment regarding a current event.

10. Linked In
 Professional networking. This is a resource of
connections, and their connections. Suggestions of
who you might know based on who you’re linked to.
 You can post updates here just like facebook or twitter.
 Make sure your profile is complete.
 At the minimum, get connected with the people you
know who are on linked in as you never know what the
opportunities will be that come your way as a result.

11. Pinterest
 This is a public visual bookmarking resource
 Boards can be used for reference for your clients
 You can create a board that links back to your own
work
 Highlight articles, looks, or a passion
 Use this to inspire and teach your followers
 Continued reflection of your personality/brand
 All of these point back people getting to know you,
following you as a resource, and visibility

12. Etsy
 Creative Storefront
 Handmade marketplace, vintage, & supplies
 Personality is shown through your work
 Well crafted items and sales give exposure
 Can be linked to Pinterest for additional exposure and
traffic

13. E-Newsletter
 Constant Contact & Mailchimp are popular
 People have to opt-in to get on this list so you know you’re
reaching those who want to hear what you have to say.
 Content is less frequent. Maybe once a month, quarterly, or
as needed.
 Be brief and succient. Your followers don’t have time to
read long articles. Save those for the blog.
 Content might include expert tips, new resources,
highlights of one or two services. Think News not Spam.
 Speak to your audience. Make the content valuable.

14. Public Speaking
 Get out there and teach what you know
 Offer classes & workshops
 Target your audience
 Establishes you as an expert
 You gain visiblity.
 Your personality shines.

15. Link them up
 Choose one or two to start
 Gradually add platforms to increase your visibility
 Drive traffic to your website, blog, facebook, etc.
 Help people find you and create a following built on trust
and expertise.
 Be generous in sharing what you know, not just what you
sell.
 All of these points back to you being the expert in your
field. Builds your relationships. Creates a following by
becoming a trusted resource for what your people need.