Whether you’re an author or a speaker or the owner of a small business, you have something to say. That means you need a platform-a niche that showcases your expertise.

No one is born with a platform-but great ones can be built. Here are some tips to get you started.

• Define your target audience in detail. You can’t hit a target if you don’t know what it is. No product/service is perfect for everyone.
• Define your specific platform goals. Do you want to: 1) Drive traffic to a consulting business; 2) Drive sales of information products; 3) Create more lucrative speaking opportunities; 4) Establish yourself as a recognized expert/thought leader; 5) Be asked to create joint ventures and/or serve on advisory boards or leadership roles?
• Find places your audience is already congregating and go there first. It’s easier to go where they’re already meeting than to woo them to your new location. Start locally, grow to regional and Internet venues, and expand to national opportunities.
• Understand the need your presentation fills for your target audience. Go beyond the immediate problem to the pain and fear.
• Create a proprietary system to get repeatable results based on your body of knowledge. People want a system, not a general understanding.
• Look at logical spin-offs for greater revenue potential, such as information products, live or virtual classes, workshops and retreats, special coaching packages, product/service bundles and collaborations.
• Establish your voice. Think about how you want to be perceived and the impression you want to leave, then make sure that every form of communication reinforces that perception.
• Add value. How can you make it easier for your prospects/clients to succeed? What extras can you provide to create the perception of providing a great value?
• Remain visible. Commit to the time it takes to build and nurture a following. Go for qualified followers, not just numbers.
• Create a web presence that matches and reinforces your voice and platform. This includes your web site, blog, Twitter, social media sites and online forum participation.
• Reach out by offering yourself to speak and for media interviews. Compile your own list, and connect via Help Out A Reporter, National Speakers Association, eSpeaker.com, etc.
• Pioneer your own success with booking speaking engagements, then engage a booking agent or virtual assistant to help you go further.

Put these tips to work and start building a platform to make your voice heard!