by Angela Enos
I attended my first Writing for Your Life conference in June 2019. In addition to making new friends, I was inspired by other writers and taught by knowledgeable speakers. My weekend also included an encouraging one-on-one with a literary agent that left me dancing in the streets. And now…nothing left but to build a platform. My head was spinning with a tidal wave of ideas during my three-hour drive home.
The next morning as I sat at my home computer, those ideas began to overwhelm me. I quickly realized that this was going to be work, hard work. Hard work, yes; impossible, no.
If you have attended a writer’s conference, I am rather confident that you have experienced some of the same highs and lows that I have described above. Now, what is your next step?
The conference left me with a treasure chest full of information, newly formed ideas and, the challenge of building a platform. I decided to accept the task at hand. Now, how do I create and build a platform?
Allow me to offer the following springboard.
It is time to contemplate what you might have to offer on social media. What will be your specific platform and how will you take that first plunge? Time to grab a pencil with a large eraser or, sit at your computer, willing to cut and paste, and answer the following questions.
- This is, perhaps, the same first question you asked yourself before writing a manuscript. What information do I have to share? In what area(s) am I knowledgeable? In what arena can I be accepted as skilled and proficient? What am I passionate about?
- What are your talents? What are your strengths? Are you a good speaker? Are you comfortable on camera? Perhaps a vlog? Or, are you more of an introvert, no crowds or camera for you? A blog is more your style.
- What are people looking for on social media? Where is there an open niche, a need? Write some questions that you believe are most commonly Googled in your area of expertise and experience.
- Lastly, how can I combine my knowledge and talent to produce something that meets that need, something that encourages people to tune in because they are receiving the desired information they have been looking for?
For the next few days I sat at my computer, typed feverously; cut, pasted, and deleted. After days of brainstorming, I birthed my platform, Prayers for Life, a free online prayer school. You see, I love being in front of people, I am comfortable teaching God’s Word, and people are always coming to me for prayer, even asking me to write them a prayer. My platform: videography, teaching, and prayer.
What’s yours? Commence the brainstorming and take the plunge.
Angela Enos is a retired youth pastor and children’s pastor; now author, speaker, and the founder of Prayers for Life, an innovative online prayer school designed to bring power and victory to God’s people. Angela produces a weekly 10-minute teaching video, a bi-weekly electronic Newsletter, and supplemental videos and inspirational postings. Check out Angela’s website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page for further details and to view her life-changing videos.
Website: www.angelaenoslive.com
