Part 1 – Platform Building
Engagement
Typical platform building is about trying to get an audience—to get attention and make people buy something or subscribe in some way.
However, I turn this around to a goal of channeling, or sending out, love.
So, engaging your audience is about giving. We already have everything we need within, so why not own that and serve it up on a platter to our audience.
How do you do it?
- Images
- Quotes
- Your own images and quotes
- Videos
You can practice sending love on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus, YouTube and LinkedIn—and any other if you choose.
You can also ask for engagement. The optimum length for your post is up to three lines on FaceBook and Google+, and you have 140 characters on Twitter. In that space you may say something inspiring and ask your friends what they think—all in line with your brand.
It’s best if you make it so your audience can answer in just a few words.
You can also show the inspiration or your message. Post a brief testimonial by someone who likes what you do or an image of you traveling or making art or at a conference.
Social media can and will change, and the platform may disappear altogether.
That’s why it is best to build an email list of people who enjoy what you’re doing.
Offer a gift on your website. If you don’t yet have a website, put this on your list of goals.
Your Website
A website used to be a business card. Today it is a tool of engagement.
Have a focused purpose – asking for just one thing.
On my site, you see that there’s really just one action I’m asking for. You can find more to do, but the focus is on one thing.
- Ideally I make contact on social media or in person.
- They come here, sign up, and then we can continue our conversation.
- When I publish a book or teach a course they might want to buy or join.
If you are blogging, then you are already giving a gift, and that is your posts. You turn on the “follow” option so that you can begin engaging with your audience.
Part 2 – Writing
Sensory Details
The more specific something is, the more universal meaning it shines outward.
Your senses are: seeing, hearing, touching, tasting and smelling.
Be as specific as possible, by using proper names. Note that rather than saying splintery wood, I said the type of wood—pine.
Part 3 – Troubleshooting
What challenges are you facing with your creation?
Conclusion
Goals for the Week
- Read through and find places where you can add and refine sensory details and specifics.
- Rewrite, adding those details
- Start a conversation: Ask a question on social media, or post on your blog and publish the post on social media.
No ideas but in things.—William Carlos Williams
When you focus on the specific, the universal shines through.
This has great spiritual resonance because the mind wants to go straight to the Divine life, but really we have to put our whole hearts into our daily lives in order to transcend them. Life truly is love and love is life.
So I’ll modify William’s quote by saying:
No divinity but in things.