Michael Hyatt is a man who has inspired many — including my husband and me. His posts have provided a lot of fodder for discussions between the two of us, and it’s not unusual for my husband to email me a link to one of Michael Hyatt’s post — even though he knows I already subscribe to his blog! (One of our favorite posts is A Tale of Two Leaders. It’s a must-read.)
I was excited to read his book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, as I’d heard great things about it. It’s packed with a lot of fantastic information for anyone who is interested in setting up a blog and it totally lived up to my expectations of it.
In Platform, Michael Hyatt doesn’t just give you the nuts and bolts on how to start a blog, he also shares how blogging can help you build a platform to launch a book, product, or business. I’ve truly seen this to be true in my own life. I would never have been approached with book deals or speaking engagements and other opportunities were it not for the platform that blogging has given me.
And as I’ve seen in my own life, while blogging requires a lot of work and dedication, it’s also much, much easier to build a platform in the age of social technology than it ever would have been before the internet existed.
I appreciated Michael Hyatt’s careful attention to detail and all of the well-thought-out and proven advice he shares. He truly strives for excellence in everything — and I’ve learned a lot from his example.
Now, while I thought the book was well-written, I will say that I would have loved for the book to be less of a collection of blog posts and more of Michael Hyatt’s story. He talked some about his story, but the book is mainly comprised of short, bullet-point chapters — many of which read more like blog posts than in-depth book chapters.
In addition, he has some great information on how to effectively use Twitter, but I think he under-estimated the value of Facebook. I’ve made some good relationships on Twitter and I get some traffic from Twitter, but I get a much more significant amount of traffic from Facebook. So I personally think that Facebook deserved more attention in Platform than it received. However, since Michael blogs for a different audience than I do, it’s very possible that he may get a lot more traffic from Twitter than I do.
Despite these critiques, I enjoyed Platform, have tremendous respect for Michael Hyatt, and would highly recommend everyone who is considering starting a blog or currently blogging read his book. No matter your level of experience as a blogger, I think you’ll glean some invaluable insights from Platform.
Have you read any good reads in the past few weeks? Tell us about them in the comments!
See the full list of books I’ve read so far in 2013 here. See my list of 48 Books I Plan to Read in 2013 here.
Jill says
I read the devil in pew number seven which was recommned by one of your readers and was an excellent book.
Laura Jane @ Super Sweet Life says
I’m adding the book to my list. It sounds like a good read. I do think Facebook and Twitter are dependent a lot on your target audience. I have had much better results (more sales) from Facebook over Twitter.
Michael Hyatt says
Thanks for this review. I appreciate it!
The criticism about Facebook is valid. The challenge in writing about Facebook is that it seems to be forever changing. When I was writing the book, the service and gone through a blizzard of changes, and I just didn’t have the confidence that what I said would be valid when the book was published.
However, I have worked through that now. I think there’s a way to write about what doesn’t change, so the content is a little more evergreen. I hope to do that in Platform 2.0.
Thanks again!
Crystal says
I totally agree with you that Facebook is such a constantly-changing medium and tackling it at all is a challenge since whatever works today might be completely different in six months from now.
By the way, I’m looking forward to meeting you & hearing you speak at the BEECH Retreat later this week!
Maryalene, Social Media Angel for SavingsAngel says
Thanks for the review!
Right now, I am reading 7 by Jen Hatmaker which was suggested by one of your readers in the comments of a previous post. I am really liking it and thinking I may use some of her ideas for my Lenten sacrifices this year.
Crystal says
I read that last year and was really inspired/challenged by it!
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
I really enjoyed Platform too. As a new blogger, I need all the tips I can get and I felt like his tips were each small enough to handle, and would make a big difference collectively. I’m not sure what to do about the Facebook thing. I really want to reserve Facebook for my personal friends, but I am getting a large percentage of my traffic from FB and don’t know how to expand that while still keeping it personal. A separate business page, perhaps? Anyway, I really enjoyed Platform and just signed up for the Platform University program that Michael Hyatt released a few days ago. I’m super excited about it and hoping that it will help me learn faster. 🙂
Crystal says
Yes, you definitely need a separate Facebook Page for your blog… that way, you can freely share blog posts and links, anyone can join it, and you don’t have to worry about your friends on your personal account feeling like you’re constantly linking to your blog!
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
Thanks! I’ll have to get that going. I appreciate the tip. 🙂
Melissa says
I have read Eat, Pray, Love which I already read and several work at home mom books that I will review shortly. I am surprised how much more I am reading once I made reading a priority. The only problem is that I am short changing my sleep. 😉
Chris Jeub says
I couldn’t agree more. I’m now going through my second read of Michael’s book.
Kacy says
It is fun to hear your review on this. My husband read this about a year ago when he was first launching his speaking and training business and it really gave him some god tips and ideas. I think he mentioned that personal element was missing for him too, but overall he was able to implement some ideas into the structure of his website/blog.
Keep reading and reviewing girl! We obviously love and respect your opinion 🙂
Michelle Murphy says
I read Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half, America’s Cheapest Family, and Pocketful of Pinecones. I am working on writing up the reviews for them. I am so glad I decided to do goals along with you this year. I am certainly accomplished more this last month than I have in years. Platform sounds like a great book I should put on my list.
Linda says
I loved this post! It made me realize I need to be more intentional in reading various books to get out of my “reading rut” which is quite deep! I choose what book to read next in the same way I choose what to make for dinner…what I feel like cooking or reading. (Thus, I also have a hard time doing menus for any length of time). I definitely like the list of books you hope to read & I hope to make one for myself ASAP. One question: How do you hear about or discover the books in various categories? I know of lots of fiction I want to read, because I follow favorite authors on FB & receive a fiction catalog from CBD. But as for good nonfiction… For the most part, I’m not interested in reading books from the NY Times Bestsellers list because often, they are not my cup of tea. Would love to expand my horizons!
Heather @ My Kansas Life says
I read “Create Your Own Blog: 6 Easy Blogging Projects to Start Blogging Like a Pro” by Tris Hussey. It was my library’s only book on blogging, so I checked it out even though I was looking for a how-to on blogging rather than some kind of project book. The book was a nice surprise to me, since it actually is more of a how-to, or at least gives all the how-to essentials in easy-to-read language. I’d recommend it to someone new to blogging.
Stephanie Kandray says
Thanks for sharing! I got in line to borrow this book from the library!
Stephanie Kandray says
And, I am reading Desperate… by Sarah Mae, The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson and going to be starting your 21 Days book soon 🙂
Mel says
I am just finishing “Crazy Love”
Very good book, I recommend it.
Elizabeth @ DogFurandDandelions says
Funny. I just finished Platform too, but I enjoyed the blog-post-style chapters. Smaller bites to digest, and easier to work on one thing at a time. Though I do agree with you that he could have spent more time on Facebook.
Emily says
In January, I read “You Lost Me,” “I’m More than the Pastor’s Wife,” “Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska” (by Tricia Goyer!), and I’m almost done with Natural Hospital Birth (hope to finish it before Baby Girl decided to come, lol!).
Megan H. says
I just finished The Fitting Room by Kelly Minter. What a great, and challenging, book! I did her Nehemiah study with my small group this summer, and was so impressed by her insight into the Bible. Now, on to the next book…
Victoria says
I just finished reading Platform this week as well. I have already put into action a few points that I read in his book on my blog, and plan to do more soon. I too was surprised how he barely touched the topic of Facebook. I just got started with Twitter this month so I don’t know which one will truly drive more traffic to my blog yet, but I would be surprised if Twitter beat out Facebook, of course hands down it is Pinterest that drives the most traffic to my blog than either Twitter or Facebook.
Trish says
I totally agree.
I was looking for a little more personal story too but that was because of my personal familiarity with his history as well. But I still found a ton of useful reminders and things that spurred me to act.
The twitter/facebook debate I am finding is VERY niche specific and even post specific….
Milk Allergy Mom says
Thanks for the recommendation. I think I need this right now. 🙂