What is a Book Platform?

If you are an author, you will need an author platform. Your author platform refers to your ability to sell books. I like to think of it as a virtual stage that you build from which you sell your books. People will come to listen if you have something to say that they are interested in. 

When you build your platform, think of a small viable audience, not everyone, think of who would become raving fans of your work. Build your stage for them, they will bring friends.

Your stage is full of your ideas, thoughts, words, opinions so the right people get to know you and want to engage with you. The better your platform, the more books you will sell.

Platform Components

Here are four platform components that will get you started and likely keep you busy for a long time.

1.Your website

The key component of your platform is probably a website, which you own. Think of your website as property you buy and rule over. No one can tell you what to do or say in your own castle. (As long as it’s legal, of course.) I think every author should have a website, rather than relying on social media. You don’t own your social media profiles.

2. Blog or online articles

Attached to your website, you can have a blog with your written work so people can see what you write about, your attitude toward your subject matter, your writing style, and so forth. Or you can have articles on other websites that people can access. Your blog you own. Articles on other websites, you don’t own. If you have a choice, choose online real estate that you own rather than helping others drive traffic to their websites. Unless you are linking from their site to yours and hence borrowing their traffic and hopefully converting it to your traffic.

3.YouTube/Podcasts and other shows

To get your ideas out, you can start your own YouTube channel or podcast. Alternately you can be a guest on other people’s channels and podcast. Like blogs or online articles, there are pros and cons to starting your own vs. being a guest. It comes down to how much control you have over content – and you only have control over content on your website, blog, podcast or channel.

4. Events

Whether you are hosting the event or you are a speaker, an event gathers people together to listen to ideas, hopefully, your ideas. This includes online events and offline events. Events need a link of some sort back to your website. Think about how you can start a relationship with readers at an event and how you can continue to build that relationship after the event.


Your platform is the stage you speak from to connect with the right people, and to let them get to know you. You start by meeting them and then work at building a relationship with them. Done well, they will become cheerleaders and refer others to your books and business.

Once you have your stage built, you can think of all the ways you can invite the right people. That can be through SEO, networking, social media or many more. But that would be another blog post. If you are a published author or plan to be a published author, build yourself a platform and invite others to join you there.

Let me know what you thought of the book in the comments! – Keep writing Melody Ann

Author Nation is your go-to resource for becoming a successful nonfiction author, from planning to promotion and everything in between. Download the resource for the stage you are in.

Disclaimer: This blog may contain affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, we will earn a small commission. Please understand that we have experience with these products, and we recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make.

Leave a Comment

Before you Go...