Many authors hear the same advice: “You need to build an author platform.”

But instead of clarity, it often creates confusion.

Where do you start?
What actually matters?
And do you really need to be everywhere?

Here’s the truth: You don’t need more noise—you need direction.

What an Author Platform Really Is

An author platform is not about:

• Going viral

• Having thousands of followers

• Being on every social media channel

It’s about three simple things:

Visibility – people can find you
Connection – people relate to you
Trust – people believe your message matters

When those three things work together, your platform becomes a natural extension of your writing.

Where Should You Show Up?

Instead of trying to be everywhere, choose one primary place to start:

• Facebook → great for community, conversation, and relationship-building

• LinkedIn → ideal for professionals, speakers, and authority-based authors

• Pinterest → strong for visual discovery, blog traffic, and long-term reach

• Email → your most valuable connection (you own it—not an algorithm)

If you missed it, I walk through this more in: Do Authors Really Need a Newsletter?

The goal isn’t to master everything. It’s to show up consistently in one place.

What You Actually Need (Keep It Simple)

1. A Clear Message

Who are you writing for?
What do they need?

This connects directly to your purpose.
Writing with Purpose: Trusting God with Your Story

2. A Simple Website

You don’t need anything complicated. A simple author website should include:

• A short bio

• A blog or content hub

• Contact information

• A way to collect emails

• A place to showcase or sell your books

If you're just starting, a simple Square store site can function as your website.

Here are a couple of simple author site examples:

• https://janefriedman.com (clean, content-focused)

• https://sethgodin.com (minimal, blog-first approach)

Notice:

• Clear message

• Easy navigation

• No overwhelm

3. A Way to Stay Connected

Your email list is one of your greatest assets.

Social media can change. Platforms can disappear,

But your email list? That’s yours.

4. A Repeatable Plan (This Is the Game-Changer)

Instead of chasing everything, build a rhythm. A simple, repeatable plan might look like this:

Prayer. Invite God into your writing and direction

Learning. Study your craft and the publishing industry

Connection. Build relationships with:

• other authors

• speakers

• your ideal readers

Continued Growth. Invest in:

• conferences

• critique groups

• online classes

Writing. Show up and write—even when it’s not perfect

Editing. Refine your message.

Submitting / Sharing. Get your work into the world

Know Your Reader

Continue learning:

• what they need

• what they’re walking through

• how your message serves them

This isn’t complicated. It’s consistent. And consistency builds confidence.

What NOT to Do

❌ Try to be everywhere
❌ Compare your beginning to someone else’s middle
❌ Wait until everything is perfect

Your platform grows as you go.

Final Thought

You don’t need to build everything at once.

Start with:

• One message

• One place

• One step forward

And trust that God will use your obedience.

"For such a time as this." Esther 4:14

Waypoint Challenge

Choose ONE step this week:

• Define your reader

• Choose your primary platform

• Update your website

• Reach out to another author

Then take action.

Which part of building your author platform feels most overwhelming right now?

Coming Next on the Authorpreneur Compass

Let’s keep moving forward:

• What to Do When You Feel Stuck as a Writer

• Simple Book Marketing Strategies That Actually Work for New Authors

• How to Build Your Author Platform from Scratch (Step-by-Step)

And don’t miss the Authorpreneur Compass Map—your guide to navigating the business side of writing step-by-step.

Explore More Author Business Guides

• How to Start an Author Business (Not Just Write a Book)

• Where Should You Promote Your Book First as a New Author?

• How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Book?

• How Authors Actually Make Money (And What Most Writers Earn)

• 7 Things Every Author Needs Before Publishing a Book