God’s given you a message, and you want to steward it well. Which means that you need to get people’s attention. But the very idea of self-promotion makes you gag. How can you pitch your concept without seeming self-serving? Great question! A Tale of Two Pitches Grit ‘n’ Grace, the podcast Amy Carroll and I co-host, receives unsolicited pitches every week. The vast majority fall squarely into the self-serving category … and trash folder. But every now and then, a … [Read more...]

In this final portion of our interview, Amy Carroll and I discuss building a platform with heart — the best things you can do, the worst mistakes you can make, and how building an online community, with heart, can actually be fun!                                                                       Cheri: What’s been the best thing you’ve done to build your platform? Amy: Last summer, I did an online book study of Breaking Up With Perfect: Kiss Perfection Good-Bye and Embrace the Joy … [Read more...]

Continuation of my interview with Amy Carroll on building a successful platform.  Cheri: So, the secret to building a successful platform is becoming a speaker for Proverbs 31 or another major ministry. Right? Amy: Well, I can’t deny that being a speaker for Proverbs 31 grew my platform exponentially without me doing anything. That’s just the reality. However, as I found when I released my own book it’s not really enough, because the market is so flooded with books and … [Read more...]

I sat down with my speaking coach Amy Carroll to talk platform. In the first part of our interview, we tackle the subject of creating a platform that doesn't seem "all about me" or self-serving. If you are are wrestling with platform or why your platform isn’t about you, read Amy’s wise words! Cheri: Amy, what does “platform” mean to you? Amy: The idea of platform made me break out into hives from the very beginning. It felt so self-serving. My lightbulb moment came when I heard a … [Read more...]

It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? Create a fabulous freebie. When someone gives you their email address, you give them your fabulous freebie. Everyone lives happily ever after. Sadly, there are many ways this process can go south. (I know because I’ve made pretty much every mistake possible.) Do any of these feel familiar? Which of these common lead magnet* issues feel familiar for you? ___          I don’t really understand what a lead magnet is. ___          I feel … [Read more...]