Why Substack Can Be Your Author Platform

I’m finding myself coming back to Substack over and over again, here’s why.

Jan 18, 2025

Hey there, authors!

Building an author platform can feel overwhelming. Social media, email lists, content creation, reviews… where do you start? The good news is that Substack can help you tackle these challenges — all in one place.

Here are 5 ways you can build author platform on Substack. This can be your solution for growing your audience, building trust, and increasing book sales.

Your Audience Comes First

Find your audience on Substack and point them here from your books.

A successful platform starts with knowing who you’re writing for. Substack makes it easy to attract readers interested in your specific niche by tailoring your content to meet their needs.

Then, as you sell or give away books, put your Substack newsletter link in the beginning of your books so people can sign up. Offer a freebie in with that page and sign up and watch your audience grow.

Tip: Write a quick profile of your ideal reader and keep them in mind when creating each post and considering what to give away to encourage sign ups.

Simplified Content Creation Strategy

With Substack you write weekly posts, daily notes, and create chats on one to two times a week and it’s all in one place for better consistency.

Consistency is key, but it’s hard to stay on track without a plan. Substack helps by providing tools to schedule posts in advance, create both free and paid content, and build a habit of regular publishing.

Tip: Choose a realistic posting schedule (weekly or biweekly) and stick to it. Use themes to make planning easier.

Building Engagement with Your Audience

Your community on Substack has a variety of ways to connect with you and it’s all in one platform for you to manage.

Social media can feel like shouting into the void and there are so many platforms to try and cover. Instead, use Substack Notes to interact directly with your readers. Ask questions, respond to comments, and create a two-way conversation. Plus, there is the DM feature and group chat too!

Tip: Post a question on Notes this week to start a conversation with your readers.

Growing Your Email List

Instead of having a different platform to grow your email list, your Substack newsletter is your email list.

Every subscriber is someone you can engage with directly, and Substack’s recommendation system helps you grow that list. Plus, you can monetize your platform with paid subscriptions, exclusive content, or digital products.

Tip: Create a free lead magnet (like a checklist or guide) to encourage more subscribers, and consider offering a low-cost paid tier for bonus content.

Promoting Your Books, Products, and Paid Subscription

I have found that Substack makes promotion feel natural.

Promotion doesn’t have to be salesy or uncomfortable. On Substack, you’re building a relationship with your readers. When you share your book, it feels more like offering value to friends than pushing a product.

Because I believe in my books and products, and I know they can be helpful to others, it is easy to recommend them to people reading. And because we are already establishing connections on the platform, people know that I am going to share things I am creating.

Tip: End every post with a soft call-to-action that links to your book, digital product, or paid content.

Next Steps: Let Substack Be Your Platform Hub

You don’t need to be everywhere at once to grow your platform. Substack is a one-stop shop that can help you:

• Build your email list

• Engage your audience

• Share valuable content

• Monetize your work

Start with one problem from this list. Take action today by posting on Substack or engaging with your readers through Notes. Small, consistent actions will grow your author platform — and Substack can be your secret weapon for success.