How to overcome the early hurdles of building an online platform

Starting to build an online platform can feel both exciting and intimidating. On one hand, you’re stepping into a world of possibilities—sharing your message, helping people, and creating opportunities you’ve dreamed about. On the other hand, the early stages can feel like walking into a crowded stadium and realizing no one has noticed you’re there yet.

If you’ve felt that way, you’re not alone. Every successful author, coach, content creator, or entrepreneur has been in the same position. The difference between those who succeed and those who give up isn’t talent—it’s perseverance, focus, and a willingness to grow through the early challenges.

Here are some of the most common early-stage hurdles you might face—and the solutions that will help you not just survive this phase, but thrive in it.

1. Finding Clarity of Focus

The challenge:
When you’re just starting out, it’s tempting to talk to everyone about everything. You might cover ten different topics, try to appeal to every age group, and switch directions every few weeks. The result? Your audience doesn’t know exactly who you’re for or what to expect.

The solution:
Get crystal clear on three things:

1. Your audience – Who are you trying to help? Be specific. Think about their age, challenges, goals, and values.
2. Your mission – Why does your platform exist? What transformation or benefit will you help people experience?
3. Your core topics – Choose two or three main themes and stick with them. This helps people associate your name with something specific.

You don’t have to get this perfect from day one. You’ll refine as you go. But starting with a clear focus helps you connect faster and build trust more quickly.

2. Creating Content Consistently

The challenge:
When your audience is small, it’s easy to feel like your content isn’t making an impact. Without immediate feedback, motivation can dip, and posting consistently becomes difficult.

The solution:
Shift your focus from outcome to process. Commit to a realistic publishing schedule—maybe once a week for blog posts, three times a week for social media, or once every two weeks for a podcast. Treat it like a non-negotiable appointment.

Here’s the secret: consistency compounds. Every piece of content you publish is like planting a seed. Over time, those seeds grow into a library of value that draws people in. A small audience today doesn’t mean a small impact tomorrow.

3. Building an Audience from Scratch

The challenge:
In the beginning, you may feel like you’re speaking into the void. Algorithms don’t favor new accounts, and without trust or name recognition, it’s hard to get traction.

The solution:
Instead of trying to “go viral,” focus on connecting deeply with the people you already reach. Reply to every comment. Answer messages. Ask questions. Share stories. The early audience you build will become your most loyal supporters—and they’ll tell others about you.

Also, borrow audiences. This doesn’t mean stealing followers—it means collaborating with people who already have a platform. Guest posts, podcast interviews, and joint webinars can expose you to people who might never have found you otherwise.

4. Tackling Technical Hurdles

The challenge:
The online world comes with a steep learning curve. Websites, email marketing tools, podcast equipment, editing software—it can feel overwhelming.

The solution:
Start simple. You don’t need the perfect camera, the most advanced website, or expensive software to begin. Use what you have, and upgrade later. Many creators start with a smartphone, free design tools like Canva, and a basic website platform.

Focus on learning one tool at a time. For example, master your email list before diving into video editing. This way, you’ll make steady progress without drowning in tech tutorials.

5. Knowing What’s Working

The challenge:
In the early stages, you may feel unsure about what’s resonating with your audience. Without data, it’s easy to guess wrong.

The solution:
Pay attention to both numbers and feedback. Track simple metrics—such as views, shares, and email sign-ups—but also listen to what people say in comments, emails, and conversations.

If a certain post gets more engagement, do more like it. If your audience consistently asks the same question, create content that answers it. The key is to let your audience’s response shape your direction.

6. Managing Mindset and Motivation

The challenge:
This is where many people quit—not because they lack skill, but because they lose heart. It’s easy to compare yourself to established creators and feel like you’re falling behind.

The solution:
Remember: every big platform you admire was once small. Growth takes time, and the early stages are an investment, not a waste.

Three mindset practices that help:

1. Celebrate small wins – Reached 50 followers? Published 10 posts? Mark it down and be encouraged.
2. Limit comparisons – Learn from others, but don’t measure your chapter one against their chapter twenty.
3. Keep your “why” in front of you – Write down why you started and read it on the days you feel like quitting.

A Final Word of Encouragement

The beginning of your online platform journey is like the foundation stage of a building. It’s slow, it’s not glamorous, and most of the work is invisible to outsiders. But without a strong foundation, no structure can stand for long.

Yes, you’ll face obstacles—uncertainty, low visibility, and technical frustrations—but you’ll also experience breakthroughs. Your first comment from a stranger who says, “This helped me so much.” Your first collaboration. Your first hundred subscribers.

Don’t despise small beginnings. Every post you share, every person you help, every step you take is moving you closer to the platform you envision. And when you look back a year from now, you’ll realize you’ve built something real, valuable, and worth the effort.

So, keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep planting seeds. The audience you’re meant to serve is out there—and they need what only you can offer.

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Online Platform Quick-Start Plan

A 90-day action framework for early-stage growth

Step 1: Define Your Foundation (Days 1–7)

• Audience: Write a clear description of who you’re serving (age, challenges, goals, values).
• Mission: One sentence that explains the change you help people achieve.
• Core Topics: Pick 2–3 areas you’ll consistently create content about.

📌 Tip: If you feel unsure, choose your best guess now—you can refine later.

Step 2: Commit to a Content Rhythm (Days 8–14)

• Choose 1–2 main formats (blog, podcast, video, social media posts).
• Set a realistic schedule:
• Example: 1 blog per week, 3 short-form posts per week.
• Batch content when possible to stay ahead.

📌 Tip: Quality matters, but consistency matters more at this stage.

Step 3: Build & Nurture Your Audience (Weeks 3–6)

• Reply to every comment, DM, or email.
• Ask questions to invite engagement.
• Identify 3–5 people in your niche you can collaborate with (guest post, podcast interview, joint livestream).

📌 Tip: People support what they help create—make your audience feel involved.

Step 4: Keep Tech Simple (Ongoing)

• Start with minimal tools:
• Email list (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or similar).
• Basic website or landing page (SquareSpace, Kajabi, etc.).
• Free design tools (Canva).
• Learn one new tool at a time.

📌 Tip: Don’t stall waiting for perfection—upgrade later.

Step 5: Track & Adjust (Weeks 7–12)

• Track 3 metrics:
1. Audience growth (followers/subscribers).
2. Engagement (comments, likes, shares).
3. Email sign-ups.
• Identify which topics or formats get the best response—and do more of them.

📌 Tip: Let your audience’s reactions shape your next moves.

Step 6: Strengthen Your Mindset (Ongoing)

• Celebrate small wins weekly.
• Limit comparison—your journey is unique.
• Keep your “why” visible where you work.

📌 Tip: Success in platform building is more about staying in the game than speed.

90-Day Goal:
By the end of three months, you should have:

• A clearly defined audience and mission.
• At least 12 pieces of core content published.
• An email list started and growing.
• A handful of meaningful audience connections.

© John Stange, 2025