5 Ways to Build Your Platform with a Purpose

If having a good day is what it takes for me to talk about what matters, I don’t know if I’d ever talk—because every day is a mix of good and hard. But I keep showing up because teachers matter, and our voices matter.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve learned that building a platform isn’t about fame—it’s about faithfulness. It’s about showing up, telling the truth, and serving others even when the spotlight doesn’t shine or the algorithm doesn’t favor you.

I’m doing this series because I believe more educators, especially those grounded in purpose and values, need to be visible and vocal in today’s world.

This show is deeply personal to me. It’s part of the legacy I want to leave—not just tips on how to blog or speak, but guidance on building something meaningful, sustainable, and true to who you are.

This is the second episode in the series I’m creating on building a personal brand, I talk about:

• How your purpose fuels consistency
• Why knowing your strengths and weaknesses matters
• How to identify and serve your audience
• And the importance of being consistently helpful, even when things are hard

You can find all episodes and resources from the full Personal Branding for Educators series at:
👉 https://www.coolcatteacher.com/brandtips/

🎥 Watch the Episode on YouTube

🎧 Listen to the Podcast

Podcast Title: Building Your Platform with a Purpose
Podcast Series: Cool Cat Teacher Talk – Personal Branding Part 2
📢 Listen & Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Audible | iHeart Radio | Deezer

🔑 Key Takeaways from This Episode

• Platform Principle #1: Authentic Purpose and Principles Create Sustainability
  Your purpose will keep you going when the path gets hard—and people follow passion rooted in values.
• Platform Principle #2: Know Your Strengths and Leverage Them
  What makes you unique? Your gifts leave clues in the moments that energize you.
• Platform Principle #3: Understand Your Weaknesses and Build Systems
  Don’t power through your limitations—build workflows, trust your inner circle, and let others help you shine.
• Platform Principle #4: Be Clear on Your Audience
  The more you know who you’re helping, the more powerful your content becomes.
• Platform Principle #5: Be Consistently Helpful
  You don’t have to be perfect—just consistently useful to the people you’re called to serve.

✨ Quotes to Remember

“Consistency builds trust, not perfection.”

“You don’t have to be famous to be faithful.”

“My platform is about helping teachers love and serve every child who walks into their classroom.”

🙌 Let’s Build Something That Lasts

Your story, your journey, and your voice matter. Whether you’re blogging, speaking, creating videos, or simply encouraging a fellow teacher—you’re already influencing others. My hope is that this series helps you do it with more clarity, confidence, and purpose.

👉 Visit the full series archive here:
https://www.coolcatteacher.com/brandtips/

Let me know in the comments: Which principle resonated with you most?
And if you’re building your platform, tag me @coolcatteacher—I’d love to see what you’re creating!

7 Principles of Personal Branding

Here are principles I believe that underpin a lasting, helpful personal brand as you’re working to share and help people online.