How to Build Your Author Platform Before Your Book Is Published

In today’s publishing landscape, your author platform — your online presence, your audience, your network — is almost as important as your manuscript. Publishers increasingly look at an author’s platform when evaluating submissions, and readers discover new authors through blogs, social media, and online communities long before a book ever reaches a shelf. At IS Publication, we encourage all our authors to start building their platform well before their book is published.

What Is an Author Platform?

An author platform is the sum of your visibility, authority, and reach as a writer. It encompasses your website or blog, your social media presence, your email subscriber list, your speaking engagements, your professional affiliations, and any media coverage or recognition you have received. In short, it is everything that helps readers find you and trust you before they have even read your book.

Start with a Professional Website

Every author needs a professional website. It is your home base online — the place where readers, journalists, and publishers go to learn about you and your work. Your author website should include a compelling bio that tells your story clearly and engagingly, a dedicated page for your book or books in progress, a blog where you share insights related to your subject or genre, a contact form or email for media and speaking enquiries, and links to your social media profiles.

Invest in a clean, professional design. Your website reflects your brand as an author, and first impressions matter.

Choose Your Social Media Channels Wisely

You do not need to be on every social media platform — you need to be on the right ones for your audience. Academic and professional authors often find LinkedIn and Twitter (now X) most valuable. Fiction authors tend to thrive on Instagram and TikTok’s BookTok community. Non-fiction writers covering specific topics often build strong followings on YouTube or through podcasting.

The key is consistency. Post regularly, engage with your community, and provide value rather than simply promoting your book. Share your expertise, recommend other books, and give readers a reason to follow you before your title is available.

Build an Email List

Of all the platform-building tools available to authors, an email list is the most powerful. Unlike social media, where algorithms control who sees your content, an email list gives you direct access to your most engaged readers. Begin building your list early by offering something valuable in exchange for sign-ups — a sample chapter, a resource guide related to your book’s topic, or exclusive insights from your writing process.

Engage with Your Writing Community

Platform building is not just about broadcasting — it is about belonging to a community. Join writing groups, participate in online forums, attend literary events, and connect with other authors in your genre or discipline. These connections are invaluable for mutual support, collaboration opportunities, and recommendations.

Start Early

The best time to build your author platform is long before your book is published. Even if you are still drafting your manuscript, you can begin blogging, posting, and connecting with your potential readers today. By the time your book is ready, you will have an audience waiting to receive it.

At IS Publication, we support our authors with guidance on platform building as part of our publishing process. To learn more, visit our About page or get in touch.