Establish an Author Platform and Build a Base for Lasting Success
Dear beta readers, I announced my new book A Powerful Toolkit for Advanced Substack Newsletter Mastery, two weeks ago. I invited around 30000 freelance writers, and 7% (2000) of readers are interested in joining the beta reading process, which I will offer to my subscribers on Substack to help me refine it and make a valuable resource to the community.
Unlike the previous Substack Mastery book, I decided not to publish full chapters publicly as this one might confuse new writers and can cause unnecessary workload for me. This is not a textbook, but it is a knowledge transfer tool reflecting my experiences and observations.
This chapter covers the importance and common features of successful author platforms, what a typical author platform should include, trends in author platforms, frequently asked questions, the importance of landing pages with a checklist, and key takeaways. The book will be published on 30 November 2024, but I asked for an additional two weeks to improve it with beta reader feedback, so your input will be valuable.
If you missed Chapter 1 summary, you can read it from the below link:
Chapter 1 Summary: Why Advanced Writers Must Be Leaders in Their Fields
How to be an excellent leader to build a large audience and scale your writing businessmedium.com
The Importance of an Author Platform for Substack Writers
You can think of your author platform as the digital equivalent of an author’s storefront. Social media algorithms and publishing trends may change, but your platform remains a stable space under your control. It is where readers can always find you, collaborators can reach you, and media can connect with your work. It is like an extended intelligence for authors.
Although it is not critical for beginners, creating a solid author platform, an attractive and functional website, is one of the smartest moves you can make as an advanced writer. I regret not doing it earlier, but unfortunately, I grew up in an era without the internet, PCs, or even color TVs. So, the new generation is lucky, as anyone who can afford Netflix can afford to build a website.
With a dedicated online presence, you give yourself a hub to connect with readers, present your work, and build credibility that extends beyond one publication or platform. For any writer on Substack, Medium, or beyond, an author platform is like setting down the first solid brick for a durable foundation.
Author platforms are more than passive websites, though. They allow you to take ownership of your audience. Instead of relying on algorithms or social media trends to reach readers, you can directly engage with people who genuinely care about your work.
Ben Goldacre, a writer who challenged fraudulent science and built a loyal audience through his blog — demonstrated how a robust author platform can turn readers into supporters. Goldacre used his blog as a megaphone for truth, connecting with readers who shared his values. When his book was published, he brought his engaged audience along, transforming his platform into a launchpad for a successful writing career.
Your author platform can serve as your anchor. Here, you create and control your content, branding, and updates. The professional “home base” remains reliable regardless of changes on other platforms, giving you peace of mind that readers have a place to find you.
Adam Grant, a bestselling author and organizational psychologist, speaks about building influence by staying consistent and grounded in your values. He encourages authors to treat platforms as spaces to create trust. Just as Grant uses his social presence to reinforce credibility and trust, your platform can be a reliable, welcoming destination for readers.
When I started building my platform, I kept it straightforward. I set up a clean layout with an archive of my best work and a simple “About” section to share my story. Though I did not initially create the site for my newsletter, it soon became a vital tool to expand my reach. Readers found me through search engines and referrals, and many of them became newsletter subscribers, showing the power of a cohesive online presence.
A “Collaborations” page helped highlight my professional work, allowing potential partners to see my contributions easily. Sharing the website link across LinkedIn, Substack, and other networks drove traffic back to my site, increasing visibility without relying on constant social media posts.
Having a dedicated author page lets new readers see where you worked, where you wrote, or where you engaged, like which communities. Even a single article in a known publication might add credibility, making it clear that your work has been recognized.
Simon Sinek, known for his focus on leadership and purpose, emphasizes consistency and builds trust. When you have a reliable platform, you consistently reinforce your mission and purpose, making it easier for readers to connect with your work.
An author platform is for building lasting connections and creating a space that consistently reflects your work and values. By providing a dependable, engaging place for readers to find you, you create an anchor for your writing journey and a foundation that supports your long-term success.
Welcome to Chapter 2. I look forward to your feedback, which will refine this book and make it a valuable resource for the community. I shared it on Substack with an opportunity for a preview.
Chapter 2: A Powerful Toolkit for Advanced Substack Newsletter Mastery
Establish an Author Platform and Build a Base for Lasting Successopen.substack.com
Chapter 1: Why Advanced Substack Writers Must Be Leaders in Their Fields
How to be an excellent leader to build a large audience and scale your writing businessopen.substack.com
Related to this chapter, in one of the chapters of this book, I covered the importance of blogging and guest blogging. To support the community, I opened my website to guest bloggers to benefit from the SEO features to attract traffic and create visibility for newsletters, stories, books, or blogs.
To inspire aspiring writers and book authors I posted a story earlier which you may enjoy and benefit from.
Inspiration: 61 New Paid Subscribers on Substack in 10 Days & Sold A$8K Value of Books with ZERO…
I explain why freelance writers should become book authors on Substack and how authors can successfully sell their…medium.com
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