Our Process
Your platform should connect your message with the people you can help. I begin with your goals and your audience, then bring the writing, publishing and promotion work into one plan.
Custom Platform Building begins with Platform Uncovery. Platform in a Box provides a defined book-and-platform program. Both start with understanding what you want your message to do.
Writing
The 4 Pillars of Communication
Publisher Ray Bard of Bard Press studied successful nonfiction and identified a useful pattern. I built my outlining process around it: Big Idea, Story, Nuts & Bolts, and Hope. An outline gives those four jobs a place in your book. It also gives you useful topics for articles, conversations, and training.
The Big Idea
A Big Idea gives your reader something new, different, or surprising that matters to their life.
Story
A Story shows that idea working in a real situation. It helps your reader see what the idea means in practice.
Nuts & Bolts
Nuts & Bolts explain what to do. Give your reader the details and steps they need to use the idea.
Hope
Hope helps the reader see that they can use it themselves. It connects the idea, the story, and the practical steps to a change they can make.
Start Writing
Outlining
Your book deserves a plan built around the person who will read it. I would begin with their situation, the change you can help them make, and the evidence you have. Then we can give your ideas a shape you can actually write.
An outline gives your ideas a place before you write or record. Early clarity is possible; a finished, edited book still requires work.
Explore Book Planning
Editing
I want your reader to hear you clearly. Editing protects that connection. We work on the meaning and structure first, then the sentences, then the final details. A polished sentence cannot rescue a chapter that leaves your reader behind.
Explore Book Editing
Book Promotion
Our Proven Approach to
Profiting from Your Book
I start with genuine reader interest and a clear next step. Your book, useful public teaching, and an accompanying paid program should belong to the same relationship. Reverse opt-in lets people receive useful value before asking them to choose an ongoing relationship. Platform in a Box builds that foundation; a paid bestseller campaign, PR campaign, or distribution engagement needs its own written scope.
Before asking someone to act, I want to understand what matters to them. Who is your reader? What are they trying to change? What makes them trust you, and what makes them hesitate?
Those questions guide your website, content, and follow-up. They help us build a platform around your reader’s decisions, rather than a collection of disconnected promotional assets.
Start Promoting
Book Marketing Uncovery
Before we choose promotional tactics, I want to understand the reader you can help, what they need from you, and how your book leads to that help. Your answers guide the website, reverse opt-in, and paid program we build together. A separate book-marketing campaign needs its own agreed objectives, budget, and scope.
Explore Book Promotion
Bestseller
Uncovery
Before considering a bestseller campaign, I want us to agree on what that result would help you accomplish. A list position and a lasting relationship with your readers are different goals. We can discuss the lists, eligibility, timing, and costs so you understand the decision. Platform in a Box does not include a paid bestseller campaign or a guaranteed list placement.
Explore Bestseller Lists
Publishing
Get Published With
An Eye Towards
Reaching Your Goals
I want you to choose a publishing arrangement with your eyes open. Traditional publishing, self-publishing and hybrid or co-publishing distribute control, costs and work differently. The label alone will never tell you whether the contract serves your book. We can explain the options; publishing and distribution engagements require their own agreed scope.
Explore Publishing
Let’s talk about your platform.
I’ll help you decide which approach fits your message, your audience, and your goals.
Talk with MichaelLet’s Build Your Platform
Start with Platform Uncovery, or choose Platform in a Box.
