If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the indie publishing world, you’ve probably heard this advice:
“You need to build your author platform.”
But what does that really mean?
Is it a website?
A newsletter?
A massive TikTok following?
A literal platform made of wood?
Let’s break it down in plain English, so you can stop guessing and start building something that actually helps you reach readers.
First: What Is an Author Platform?
At its simplest, your platform is how readers can find you, connect with you, and follow your work. It’s the ecosystem you create around your writing. That might include social media, a website, an email list, or even in-person events.
Your platform doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be real.
And just like an outline gives your book structure before the story can unfold, your platform gives your author career a framework before it grows. (See: Do You Need an Outline?)
The goal isn’t to become famous. The goal is to make it easy for people who love your work to discover it, stay connected, and support it when the time comes.
The Core Pieces of a Platform
Let’s clear something up right away: you do not need to be everywhere, do everything, or launch your own personal media empire to be a successful author.
What you do need is a solid, manageable foundation. Something you can build on over time without burning out or feeling like you accidentally started a second career as a social media manager.
That foundation is your author platform—the tools and spaces that help readers find you, connect with you, and stick around for whatever you publish next.
Here are the three core pieces most indie authors benefit from. No overwhelm required.
1. A Website: Your Home on the Internet
Think of your website as your digital front porch. It doesn’t have to be fancy, high-traffic, or packed with features. But it should be clean, current, and clearly about you.
At minimum, include:
- A bio and author photo. Give readers a sense of who you are. Keep it short, warm, and in your voice. This helps people connect with you beyond just your books.
- A list of your books. Even if you’ve only got one work-in-progress, say something about it. This shows you’re serious, and it gives future fans something to look forward to.
- A way to follow or contact you. This might be social links, a contact form, or a simple email address. Make it easy for people to stay in touch.
- A newsletter signup form. This is your most important feature, even if you haven’t sent your first email yet.
Your website doesn’t need blog posts, a store, or flashy design.
Make sure it works on mobile and loads quickly. Keep it simple and reflect your personality and genre. You want it to feel like a cozy place to land, not a confusing maze of tabs.
2. An Email List: Your Direct Line to Readers
If your website is your front porch, your email list is your kitchen table. This is where real conversations happen. It’s quiet, personal, and yours to manage.
Social media algorithms can change tomorrow. Platforms can crash or disappear. But your email list? That’s yours forever.
What to do with it:
- Share updates. Let people know what you’re working on, when your next release is coming, or how your editing spiral is going.
- Offer exclusive content. Sneak peeks, deleted scenes, bonus chapters, early cover reveals—this stuff makes readers feel special.
- Announce launches and sales. When it’s time to celebrate, your email list is your launch team.
- Build a relationship. This isn’t about blasting promotions. It’s about connection. Think of it as writing to a small group of readers who actually care.
Do you need thousands of subscribers? Nope. Even 20 engaged readers is a great start. Over time, however, it will grow if you make sign-up simple and give people a good reason to stay.
You can use simple tools like MailerLite, ConvertKit, or even Substack to get started. Most of them have free tiers and beginner-friendly templates.
3. Pick One Social Platform
Let’s be honest. Social media can be energizing, exhausting, or both. The trick is to treat it like a bonus, not a requirement.
You don’t have to go viral or post every day. Skip social media if it drains you. If you like it, choose one platform that fits your style.
Some options:
- TikTok if you love short videos, humor, or behind-the-scenes vibes
- Instagram if you like visuals, cozy captions, and bookish aesthetic
- Threads or Substack Notes if you’re more comfortable with words and conversations
- Facebook if you’re writing for an older or more niche audience
- YouTube if you’re camera-friendly and like long-form content
- Pinterest if you enjoy visuals and evergreen discovery
The key is to choose one platform and use it with intention. Don’t try to copy what’s trending. Don’t try to sound like someone else. Just show up consistently, be yourself, and offer content that aligns with your writing style and values.
You might share snippets of your work, talk about your writing process, or recommend books you love. You don’t need to “sell” constantly. Just connect.
And if you’re not into social media at all? That’s okay. A great website and email list can carry you further than you think.
Your author platform should support your writing—not compete with it. Think long-term, but start small. You’re building a space where readers can find you, trust you, and cheer you on.
Start with:
- One clear, simple website
- One growing email list
- Maybe one social platform that feels fun (or at least manageable)
And that’s it. You don’t need to master everything right away.
Focus on connection. Let your personality come through. And remember that the best platform in the world is worthless without the writing that brings readers to it.
So keep showing up. Keep writing.
The rest will grow from there.
What a Platform Is Not
Let’s clear up a few myths:
- It’s not about having a massive following.
- It’s not about being “good at marketing.”
- It’s not about making yourself post content you hate.
Your platform is just the way you show up for your readers. That can look a thousand different ways. There’s no single formula, and there’s no gold star for doing it all.
How to Start (Without Overwhelm)
So you’re just starting out. You might not have a book published yet, or you could be halfway through a messy draft and wondering if it even counts. The whole idea of “building a platform” can feel like something only full-time authors or social media wizards do.
Take a deep breath. You are exactly where you need to be.
The best platforms don’t start with a marketing plan or a giant audience. They start with small, intentional steps taken by someone who actually cares about writing. You’re not behind. You’re building.
Here’s how to begin—without getting overwhelmed, burnt out, or lost in the weeds.
Claim Your Domain Name
Even if you’re not ready to build a full website yet, go ahead and buy your domain name now. It’s your piece of online real estate. It’s cheap, it’s simple, and it saves you from discovering later that someone else has already claimed your name with a dot com attached.
Use something easy to remember and spell. Your author name is usually the best bet. If it’s taken, try a variation like:
- yournamebooks.com
- yournameauthor.com
- writesbyyourname.com
Once you have it, you can let it sit for now or set up a simple landing page that says “Coming Soon” and links to your email list. That’s more than enough to start.
Set Up a Free Email List
This is the one tool that’s worth starting as early as possible—even before you have something to promote.
Why? Because your email list is where you start building relationships. It’s where people who like your voice and your vibe can raise their hand and say, “Yes, I want to hear more from you.”
Use a free service like MailerLite, ConvertKit, or Substack. They’re built with writers in mind, and they don’t require tech skills or design experience.
You don’t need a big welcome sequence or fancy automation. Just set up a basic form, write a warm introduction email, and invite people in.
You can say things like:
- “Hey, I’m writing my first novel. Want to follow along?”
- “I send monthly updates about my writing process and what I’m learning.”
- “You’ll be the first to hear when I share new stories or have something to celebrate.”
That’s it. Keep it simple. Keep it personal. You’re not collecting emails. You’re building a reader family.
Pick One Social Platform You Actually Like
Social media is not a requirement. But if you enjoy being online and want a space to connect more casually, choose one platform that fits your energy and interests.
This part is key: do not pick the platform you think you’re “supposed” to be on. Pick the one you’ll actually use.
- If you like short videos and creative trends, try TikTok.
- If you enjoy cozy visuals and low-stress captions, try Instagram.
- If you want to write without worrying about visuals, try Threads or Substack Notes.
- If you love bookish community, try Bookstagram or BookTok.
- If you’re more long-form and thoughtful, a blog or newsletter might be your jam.
Once you’ve picked one, start small. Share things you enjoy: writing updates, book recommendations, creative thoughts, reader questions, or tips.Once you’ve picked one, start small. Share things you genuinely enjoy. Writing updates. Book recommendations. Creative thoughts. Reader questions. Writing tips. Real moments.
You don’t need a strategy right away. You just need a voice—and that’s something you already have.
Be Consistent (Not Constant)
This is where a lot of new authors get stuck. They think “building a platform” means being online every day, posting constantly, and burning themselves out before the book is even done.
Nope.
You don’t need to be constant. You just need to be consistent.
That might mean:
- One newsletter a month
- One social media post a week
- One blog post every quarter
- One honest check-in whenever you can manage it
Consistency builds trust. It shows readers that you’re real and reliable, even if you’re not flashy or viral. Over time, that quiet presence adds up.
You don’t need to flood the internet. You just need to keep showing up.
Let the Rest Build Itself
You don’t need a full author brand, a giant email list, five social platforms, a polished website, a street team, or a launch plan.
All of that can come later.
Right now, your job is to:
- Claim your space
- Start your list
- Pick your platform
- And keep writing
Everything else is bonus. Every step you take from here is a seed that will grow.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Build what you need, little by little.
You’re not late and you’re not behind. You’re building something real, and that takes time — the kind of time that grows into something lasting.
Final Thoughts
“Build your platform” sounds intimidating. But really, it just means creating a few ways for readers to find you and stay in touch.
You don’t need to go viral or be everywhere. You just need to be findable.
Start simple. Be yourself. Keep showing up.
And when your book is ready? You’ll already have people waiting to cheer you on.
You might also enjoy:
Easy ways to start an author newsletter (even with no audience)
Do you really need social media? (And which one?)