Platform

About the Author

Michael Hyatt is a seasoned leader and an influential voice in the world of publishing and digital platforms. As the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers for eight years, he demonstrated his expertise in leadership and strategic growth. His transition to becoming a chairman further solidified his influence. Additionally, Michael Hyatt is a professional author, blogger, and speaker who has built a formidable online presence, attracting hundreds of thousands of followers through his insightful content and practical advice.

Main Idea

In "Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World," Michael Hyatt explores the concept of building a personal platform to stand out in a saturated market. He emphasizes the significance of creating a compelling product and developing a significant platform to gain attention and succeed. Hyatt provides step-by-step guidance on leveraging social media, blogs, and other digital tools to connect with a global audience without the need for traditional gatekeepers or massive fees.

Table of Contents

1. Start with Wow
2. Prepare to Launch
3. Build Your Home Base
4. Expand Your Reach
5. Engage Your Tribe

Start with Wow

Create a Compelling Product

Michael Hyatt begins by stressing the importance of creating a product that genuinely excites both the creator and the audience. This enthusiasm should be palpable and real, as it is essential for sharing a compelling experience rather than merely selling a product. He advises:

• Create products you would personally use: Your genuine enthusiasm will be evident and contagious.
• Solve problems in unexpected ways: Innovate and rethink solutions to stand out.
• Exceed customer expectations: Aim high and deliver even higher to create a lasting impact.

"Great marketing only makes a bad product fail faster." — David Ogilvy

To make your product memorable, Hyatt emphasizes giving it a strong, impactful name. He introduces the concept of PINC (Promise, Intrigue, Need, Content) for creating titles that grab attention and resonate with the audience. A great title can promise something valuable, intrigue the audience, identify a need, or simply state the content.

effective titles include:

• Make a promise: "POWER 90: Tony Horton's Total Body Transformation 90 Day Boot Camp Workout."
• Create intrigue: "Steve Jobs: One Last Thing."
• Identify a need: "Mommy I'm Here Child Locator."
• Simply state the content: "College Hunks Hauling Junk."

Provide a Wow Experience

Hyatt identifies ten elements that contribute to a "Wow" experience, which exceeds expectations and delights customers: