by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed.D. @khutch0767

One of my many jobs during college was selling ads for a local magazine. My work was straightforward—motivating people to purchase space in a medium they believed would get more return on their investment. Because of our vast circulation, most businesses did benefit from showcasing their products. I was good at selling ads because I believed in the magazine’s concept, the message, and the power of advertising. Yet, many years later, when I shifted to working in the publishing industry, I struggled to promote my work. I was conflicted. As a Christ-follower, I wanted to be pleasing to God—to stay true to being humble. This approach seemed to conflict with the push to build my brand and platform. “Should I be talking about me this much,” I’d often ask myself. However, as I learned more about the industry, I also learned to apply my biblical knowledge. I did this to create a better approach to building a healthy platform while maintaining a Christian worldview. It’s not easy. It’s a continuous work in progress. But it’s worth it.

Nowadays, writers are increasingly encouraged to build platforms to share their work, grow their audience, and extend their influence. While this advice holds practical value, it raises a significant question for Christians: How can we align platform-building with biblical principles, especially the call to humility and serving others ratherthan seeking personal glory? This tension offers an opportunity to reframe the concept of a “platform” considering Scripture, shifting the focus from self-promotion to selfless service.

The Purpose of a Platform 

At its core, a platform is a means of amplifying a message. This message should reflect the gospel’s truth andvalues for Christian writers. Platforms provide opportunities to share hope, encouragement, and wisdom that glorify God and uplift others. The Apostle Paul modeled this when he used his voice and influence to spread the gospel—not for personal gain but to point people to Christ.

Building a platform isn’t inherently about shining a spotlight on ourselves; instead, it’s about stewarding our gifts and opportunities to serve others. Luke 12:48 reminds us, “To whom much is given, much will be required.” No matter how small, writers with an audience are entrusted with the privilege of using their influence to edify and build up the body of Christ.

Platform-Building as Service 

A Christ-centered platform prioritizes others. Philippians 2:3-4 directs us to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your interests but each of you to the interests of others.” For writers, this could mean:

• Encouraging Other Writers: Share resources, tips, or experiences that help others grow their craft. Celebrate their successes without envy.

• Spotlighting Others’ Work: Use our platform to recommend books, articles, or voices that align with our values and serve our audience well.

• Serving Our Audience: Create content that meets our readers’ needs—whether offering inspiration, education, or comfort—rather than writing solely to gain followers or approval.

When we shift the focus outward (making it about others), our platforms become less about (making it about us) self-promotion and more about becoming vessels through which God’s love and truth can flow.

Avoiding the Pitfall of Self-Glorification 

Building a platform comes with tons of risks, especially the temptation to make it about personal achievement. I really struggle with this area because social media and online spaces often reward attention-seeking behavior. This then creates pressure to pursue likes, shares, and followers as the best measures of success. However, Jesus warns against this mindset in Matthew 6:1: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.”

To guard against pride and self-glorification: 

1. Examine Our Motives: We should regularly ask why we’re building our platform. Is it to glorify God, serve others, or just to gain recognition for self-serving purposes? Honest self-reflection, guided by prayer, can keep our hearts aligned with biblical values and God’s will.

2. Practice Humility. Always remember that our platform, talents, and opportunities are gifts from God. 1 Corinthians 4:7 says, “What do you have that you did not receive?” Acknowledging this helps cultivate gratitude and dependence on Him.

3. Remain Accountable: Invite trusted friends or mentors to keep us grounded and provide honest feedback about our platform and its direction whenever possible.

Trusting God with the Outcome 

In a results-driven culture, success is easily measured by numbers—followers, page views, or book sales. However, Scripture teaches that faithfulness matters more than worldly success. Proverbs 16:3 advises, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

As writers, this means trusting God with the reach and impact of our platform. Whether our audience grows exponentially or remains modest, our goal should be obedience to His calling. We should focus on the quality of our service rather than the quantity of our following. 

A Platform Built on Love 

Jesus explained clearly that the greatest commandment—is to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-39). A platform prioritizing love will naturally reflect biblical values. For writers, this could mean writing with honesty and vulnerability, speaking truth in love, and using our influence to bring light into a very dark world.

In many ways, I’m still that college student selling ad space. I believe in promoting God’s message—knowing that I’m working from a Biblical perspective when I glorify Him above all else and serve others well. Building our platform as writers isn’t about elevating ourselves. It’s about elevating Christ and serving those He places in our influence. Keeping Him at the center can create platforms that glorify God, bless others, and testify to faithful stewardship.

Author, speaker, educational consultant, and editor–Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed. D. has had her hand in leadership for many years. She loves speaking to groups and delivering messages with a quick wit and real-life stories. Katherine is a freelance writer/content editor, a content editor/writing coach for Iron Stream Media, and a sensitivity reader for Sensitivity Between the Lines. She is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers), and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards, including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022). She was a finalist in the Genesis Contest ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers/Romantic Suspense 2022). She is a finalist for the Claymore Award 2022 (Thriller Division) for the best-unpublished manuscript. She is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the board of the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 and is an art instructor and virtual exhibition specialist for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine is the host of the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel and prequel to her first general market thriller novel, “A Fifth of the Story.”