Why Author Platform Matters Before You Submit to Book Awards
Most authors chase book awards hoping the win will build their platform. That's backwards.
Here's what actually happens: You win an award, you get a shiny badge and a certificate—and then what? If you don't have an email list, social media presence, or author website, that award sits in a vacuum. A handful of friends see it, and the momentum dies.
The authors who truly benefit from awards are the ones who already have an audience waiting to hear about the win. They have a newsletter to announce it to. They have social followers to tag in a celebration post. They have a website where the badge actually drives traffic and credibility.
Building author platform before you submit to awards—or at least in parallel—is one of the smartest moves you can make. It transforms an award from a nice-to-have into a real business asset.
What "Author Platform" Actually Means
Author platform isn't a mysterious thing. It's simply the channels and audience you own or control:
- Email list: Readers who've opted in to hear from you directly. This is your most valuable asset.
- Website or blog: A home base where potential readers can learn about you and your work.
- Social media presence: An active, engaged following on platforms where your readers hang out (often Facebook groups, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn depending on your genre).
- Speaking or event presence: Conferences, book clubs, podcasts, or local events where you're known as an author.
- Community involvement: Being recognized in writing groups, reader communities, or industry circles.
You don't need all of these. But you need some of them, and they need to be genuine—built on real engagement, not vanity metrics.
Start With Your Email List (It's the Foundation)
If you only have time to build one platform element before submitting to awards, make it your email list.
Why? Because email is the only channel you truly control. Social media algorithms change. Websites get hacked. But your email list is yours—and it's where your most engaged readers live.
How to start:
- Choose an email service (ConvertKit, Substack, Mailchimp, or similar).
- Create a simple signup form on your website or use a landing page builder.
- Offer something readers want: a free chapter, a short story, a reading guide, or a character interview related to your book.
- Start building your list now, even if you're months away from award submissions.
By the time you win an award, aim for at least 100–200 subscribers. That's a real audience you can reach immediately with your win announcement.
Create a Simple Author Website (Don't Overthink It)
Your website doesn't need to be fancy. It needs to exist and answer three questions:
- Who are you?
- What books have you written?
- How can readers connect with you?
A one-page site built on Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress is enough. Include:
- A professional author photo.
- A short bio (2–3 sentences).
- Your book covers with links to where readers can buy them.
- An email signup form (same one from your list above).
- Links to your social profiles.
- A simple contact form or email address.
Once you win an award, add the badge to your website. Update your bio to mention it. This is where award credibility becomes visible to potential readers.
Build a Real Social Media Presence (Quality Over Follower Count)
You don't need 10,000 followers. You need followers who actually care about your work.
Pick one platform where your readers already are:
- Romance authors: Instagram and TikTok are strong; Facebook reader groups are huge.
- Literary fiction: Twitter/X, literary communities, and Substack newsletters.
- Self-help/business: LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
- Young adult: TikTok and Instagram.
Post consistently (2–4 times per week) about your writing process, book updates, writing tips, or behind-the-scenes content. Engage with other authors and readers. Build genuine relationships.
When you win an award, your followers will see it, share it, and amplify it. That's when the platform becomes valuable.
Join Writing and Reader Communities
Platform isn't just about broadcasting—it's about belonging.
Join:
- Genre-specific Facebook groups for authors and readers.
- Writing organizations (SCBWI for children's authors, Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, etc.).
- Online writing communities (Critique Circle, Scribophile, local writing groups).
- Reader communities related to your genre (Goodreads groups, Reddit communities, Discord servers).
Participate authentically. Help other writers. Recommend books you love. Build relationships with readers and fellow authors. When you win an award, these communities will celebrate with you and help spread the word.
Prepare Your Award Announcement Strategy
Before you even submit to awards, plan how you'll announce a win. This is part of platform building too.
Have these assets ready:
- A pre-written social media post template (fill in the details after you win).
- A press release template or outline.
- Award badge graphics saved and ready to add to your website.
- An email announcement ready to send to your list.
When you win (and you will), you can announce it within hours, not days. That momentum matters.
Time Your Platform Building With Your Award Submissions
You don't need a massive platform before you submit. But you should be actively building it.
A realistic timeline:
- Month 1–2: Set up email list, simple website, pick one social platform.
- Month 2–3: Build email list to 50–100 subscribers. Post 2–3 times per week on social media.
- Month 3–4: Join 2–3 writing/reader communities. Start engaging consistently.
- Month 4+: Submit to awards while continuing to build. By the time results come back, your platform is stronger.
This doesn't require a full-time job. It's 5–10 hours per week of intentional effort.
Use Tools to Streamline Platform Building
You don't need to reinvent the wheel. There are tools designed to help authors build and manage their platform:
- Email: ConvertKit (author-friendly) or Substack (simple and free).
- Website: Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress with Elementor.
- Social scheduling: Buffer or Later to batch-create posts.
- Community management: Linktree to centralize all your links.
When you submit to awards, platforms like BookyAwards make the submission process simple, so you can focus on platform building instead of wrestling with submission forms.
How Platform Amplifies Your Award Wins
Once you've built even a modest platform, an award win becomes a real business event:
- You announce it to your email list → clicks to your book on Amazon or your website.
- You post about it on social → your followers share it, extending your reach.
- You add the badge to your website → new visitors see you as credible and award-winning.
- You mention it in community spaces → people remember you won.
- You use it in future marketing → it becomes part of your author story.
Without a platform, the award sits on a shelf. With one, it works for you.
Start Today—You Don't Need Permission
The best time to build author platform was a year ago. The second-best time is today.
You don't need a publishing deal. You don't need permission from anyone. You don't need to be famous yet. You just need to show up consistently and build genuine relationships with readers and fellow writers.
Start with your email list. Add a simple website. Pick one social platform and post regularly. Join communities where your readers already are. By the time you submit your book to awards, you'll have a foundation that makes any win count.
And when you win—and the statistics show that many award-winning fiction submissions do—you'll be ready to make that win matter.
