Building an Author Platform from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide

For many new writers, the phrase building an author platform from scratch sounds overwhelming. How do you put yourself out there, grow a readership, and establish authority when you’re just starting? The good news is that you don’t need a publishing contract, a marketing degree, or thousands of dollars to begin. What you do need is persistence, authenticity, and a clear strategy.

In this post, we’ll walk through the steps to build your author platform from the ground up. Whether you’re working on your first novel, planning to self-publish, or dreaming of landing an agent, these practical steps will help you grow your presence and connect with readers.

What Is an Author Platform?

An author platform is essentially your ability to reach and engage readers. Think of it as your ecosystem: your website, blog, social media channels, newsletter, speaking engagements, and the relationships you cultivate in the writing community.

When you’re building an author platform from scratch, you’re creating visibility, credibility, and community. Publishers and agents consider platform when evaluating new authors, and self-published authors rely on it heavily to sell books. The stronger your platform, the greater your opportunities.

Step 1: Define Your Brand

Before setting up websites or posting on social media, clarify who you are as a writer. Ask:

• What genres do I write?
• What themes run through my work?
• What do I want readers to feel when they think of me?

Your brand should be authentic to you. If you write uplifting content, your tone should radiate hope. If you write thrillers, you might lean darker and edgier. Building an author platform from scratch is much easier when your voice is crystal clear.

Internal link idea: explore my writing reflections and behind-the-scenes posts for a consistent voice across articles.

Step 2: Create a Professional Website

Your website is your digital home base. Social media trends change, but your site stays under your control.

• About page: Share your story and what inspires your writing. (See my About page.)
• Blog: Post updates, essays, and sneak peeks. (Browse the blog.)
• Books/Projects: Even pre-publication, list works-in-progress with short summaries.
• Contact: Make it easy for readers and media to reach you (Contact).

Use WordPress with a visual builder like Elementor for clean, mobile-friendly design. Remember: building an author platform from scratch starts with a foundation you own.

Step 3: Grow Your Mailing List

An email list is one of the most powerful tools for authors. Unlike social media, email lands directly in your readers’ inboxes.

1. Add signup forms in your header, footer, and at the end of posts.
2. Offer an incentive (short story, sample chapter, or checklist).
3. Email consistently—even once a month builds trust.

Share updates, book recommendations, and personal reflections that deepen the relationship. Over time, this turns casual visitors into true fans.

Step 4: Use Social Media Wisely

Social media can amplify your voice—but you don’t need to be everywhere. Choose one or two platforms you enjoy and where your readers spend time.

• Instagram: visual storytelling, reels, and behind-the-scenes.
• Facebook: groups and longer discussions.
• X (Twitter): industry convos and writer chats.
• TikTok (BookTok): strong discovery for YA/romance/fantasy.

When building an author platform from scratch, consistency beats saturation. Show up regularly, be helpful, and keep self-promotion to a small percentage of posts.

Step 5: Network and Collaborate

Writing is solitary; growth is communal. Join online writing communities, comment on peers’ posts, and attend local events or critique groups. Collaboration opens new audiences: guest posts, podcast interviews, and co-hosted webinars are powerful platform builders.

Step 6: Share Your Expertise

You don’t need a launch date to be valuable. Share what you know, writing routines, research methods, or balancing creativity with teaching (I write about these on TracieJoy.com).

Formats that work well:

• How-to blog posts and downloadable templates
• Behind-the-scenes videos or Q&A livestreams
• Reading guides, book club questions, or world-building notes

Over time, this builds trust and positions you as a go-to voice in your niche.

Step 7: Leverage SEO for Long-Term Growth

Search engine optimization helps new readers discover your work. When building an author platform from scratch, you can’t rely only on word-of-mouth.

• Use your focus keyword (e.g., building an author platform from scratch) naturally in the title, first 100 words, a subheading, and the conclusion.
• Write comprehensive posts that answer common search questions.
• Add internal links (e.g., to your blog and About page).
• Link to a trusted authority resource like Jane Friedman’s guide to author platforms.
• Prioritize mobile-friendly, fast loading pages; compress images before uploading.

Step 8: Be Patient and Persistent

It’s easy to feel discouraged early on. Some months you’ll gain ten subscribers, others none. Some posts take off; others don’t. Keep going. Building an author platform from scratch is a marathon. The relationships you’re cultivating now often become your biggest advocates later.

Quick FAQs

How long does it take to see results?

Most authors notice meaningful traction within 3–6 months of consistent effort. SEO and newsletters compound over time—think months and years, not days.

Do I need to be on every social platform?

No. Pick one or two where your readers hang out and where you can show up sustainably. Quality beats quantity.

What should I send to my email list?

Updates on works-in-progress, behind-the-scenes notes, book recs, and helpful resources. Keep it personal and useful, not salesy.

Final Thoughts

Every successful author started at zero. By defining your brand, creating a professional website, growing an email list, showing up on social media, networking, sharing expertise, and leveraging SEO, you’ll build a durable platform that supports your writing dreams.

The journey of building an author platform from scratch isn’t just marketing—it’s about forming authentic connections with readers who will walk beside you for years to come.

Building an author platform of your own may seem overwhelming, but it’s really not. Just take it one step at a time, and don’t forget to download your handy dandy checklist to start developing your own site.