Section 23: Establishing Your Author Platform for Lasting Success

Summary of my Udemy Course “From Zero to Substack Hero.”

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I also published this free summary on Medium and guest blogging site for more writers to enjoy it.

Image from the source of the video

Dear Freelance Writers, Book Authors, and Bloggers,

I hope this post finding you well. I couldn’t post on this publication for while due to my hectic schedule with lots of thing so I decided to re-initiate it as some writers found it helpful. Today we are starting advanced topics from the Advanced Substack Mastery book of Dr Yildiz. I haven’t published Level 4 on Udemy yet so you are getting exclusive content today.

The good news since I wrote the previous section, I earned the bestseller badge with 192,000 subscribers on Substack this month. That was a joyful surprise, and one I am grateful for. I hardly got 200 subscribers and 20K followers on Medium in the last three years despite working so hard as a writer, editor, pub owner, and content curator. That’s why I pay more attention to Substack strategically without burning ou with support from my caring mentors. I was burned before when I was an ambitious YouTuber. I am still a hard worker but very careful for my health and well-being.

Despite all terrible situation on Medium, I even created a personal publication for my course on that platform. You can follow it if you are interested in this training course for Substack success. With this inspiration let me explain the purpose of this series for new writers and readers.

If you are following this series, you can skip the following intro and start from the next section. I have to introduce it to new readers as otherwise it will not make sense to them.

Purpose of this Series for New Readers

This is a new series upon request from my readers. I developed a course titled “From Zero to Substack Hero” and published it on Udemy and shared it on Content Marketing Strategy Insights owned by

Dr Mehmet Yildiz

who kindly allowed me to use his Substack Mastery book to design the curriculum.

Some writers and editor colleagues asked me whether I can share summaries for those who can’t purchase the course and have no access to Substack yet.

For those who don’t know me yet, I works as a media consultant, filmmaker, YouTuber, writer, editor, and content curator on Medium. I started using Substack after reading Dr. Mehmet Yildiz’s book, Substack Mastery: Insider Guides, from a Seasoned Content Strategist and Author. Dr. Yildiz is not just the author of this amazing book but also my mentor and teacher.

I’ve read and listened to this book multiple times, and with his permission, I decided to create this course as a way to give back to the freelance writing community on Medium and Substack.

What’s more, the income generated by this course will go toward the Substack Mastery Boost Pilot Program, which supports freelance writers in building their audiences with community collaboration and helping them gain more visibility to increase their earnings.

I introduced the course briefly on YouTube:

From Zero to Substack Hero Videos Now On Substack
Those who can’t afford Udemy courses now can access my videos via Substack on subscriptionmedium.com

Links to Previous Sections on Medium

Section 1: What is Substack and Why It Matters — Course Scripts

Section 2: Using Substack Notes for Audience Growth

Section 3: Growing on Substack with Peer Recommendations

Section 4: Crafting a Growth Strategy

Section 5: The Importance of Editorial Excellence and Self-Editing for Growing Our Audience

Section 6: Maintaining Privacy on Substack to Prevent Undesirable Situations

Section 7: Using LinkedIn to Grow Your Substack Publications

Section 8: What Makes Readers Pay for Newsletters

Section 9: Substack Boost Options

Section 10: Marketing and Sales Strategies for Substack

Section 11: Integrating Blogging with Your Substack Publications for Audience Growth and More Income

Section 12: The Ultimate Guide to Substack Discounts and Founding Memberships

Section 13: Essential Principles for Freelance Writers Beyond Substack

Section 14: Adding Interactive Educational Programs to Your Substack Newsletters

Section 15: Integrating Substack with Patreon for Growth and Engagement

Section 16: Effective Use of Polls in Substack Newsletters

Section 17: Why and How to Add Surveys to Substack

Section 18: How Substack Writers Can Leverage Reedsy to Become Published Authors

Section 19: 14 Powerful Tools and Strategies to Elevate Your Substack

Section 20: Sustaining Your Substack for Long-Term Success

Section 21: Mastery and Beyond

Section 22: Why Advanced Substack Writers Must Be Leaders in Their Fields

Below is the video script today:

Today’s session is on one of the most important steps in any writer’s journey: building your author platform. Think of it as setting up a home base — not the kind with brick and mortar, but one that’s digital, engaging, and entirely yours.

Before starting, don’t be an idiot like me. I built a great author platform and lost it when I was in an extended overseas trip causing my domain to be expired and scammer taking the opportunity asking a lot of money for it I couldn’t afford to take back.

Why Do You Need an Author Platform?

Now, you might be asking, “Aiden, do I really need one? Can’t I just stick with Substack?” Sure, you could, but here’s the thing: platforms like Substack are amazing for connecting with readers, but they’re rented land. Your author platform? That’s home ownership.

It’s your dependable corner of the internet where readers can always find you — no matter what’s trending, what algorithm changes hit, or what new shiny platform comes along.

Take Ben Goldacre, for example. This guy turned his blog into a megaphone for challenging bad science. His platform wasn’t just a website; it became a movement. And when his book launched, guess what? His loyal readers followed him. That’s the power of a solid author platform.

What Makes a Great Author Platform?

Let’s break it down. A great author platform isn’t about bells and whistles. It’s about simplicity, credibility, and engagement. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. A Homepage with a Clear Message:
   Tell visitors who you are and what you’re about — quickly. No one’s sticking around for a treasure hunt.

2. An About Page:
   Share your story. Make it personal and authentic. Readers want to know the person behind the words.

3. A Portfolio or “Best Of” Section:
   Showcase your top work. Think of this as your greatest hits album — it’s what hooks new readers.

4. Newsletter Signup:
   Make it easy for readers to subscribe. Bonus points if you offer a freebie like a sample chapter or exclusive tips.

5. Contact Page:
   Provide a direct way for readers, collaborators, and media to reach you. No smoke signals required.

6. Media Mentions and Collaborations:
   Have you been featured somewhere cool? Add a section to show it off — it builds trust and credibility.

7. Clear Navigation:
   Organize your site so visitors can find what they need without getting lost. Marie Kondo would be proud.

How to Make It Engaging

Okay, so you’ve got the structure. Now, how do you make it pop? Here’s the secret: interactivity.

• Add a newsletter signup form.

• Include links to your social media.

• Offer resources, tools, your blog, or even a guest blogging section.

Your platform is a landing page offering your experience. Think about it like this: your author platform is the warm, cozy café where readers want to hang out — not just the bulletin board where they grab a flyer and leave.

Common Questions and Solutions

• “What if I don’t have time to maintain a platform?”
  Start small. Focus on the essentials and grow as you go.

• “How do I get people to visit my site?”
  Share the link in your newsletters, on social media, and in guest posts. Backlinks to high-authority sites also help.

• “What if I don’t know what to include?”
  Keep it simple: About, Contact, Best Of, and Newsletter Signup. You can always add more later.

Conclusions and Takeaways

Once more don’t be silly like me to lose your valuable author platform.

Building an author platform is about creating a reliable, engaging space that reflects your work and values. It’s your digital home base, your storefront, and your stage all rolled into one.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll know:

• How to structure your platform for simplicity and engagement.

• Why features like media mentions and newsletters build trust.

• How to attract and connect with readers beyond algorithms.

So, what are you waiting for? Start building your digital legacy today. Your readers — and your future self — will thank you.

Now you can listen to the audio version to get insights of Dr Mehmet Yildiz, author of A Powerful Toolkit for Advanced Substack Newsletter Mastery: How to Scale Your Newsletters and Reach Thousands for a Successful Writing Business

See you in the next section! Bye for now.

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If you prefer to become a student on Udemy, I have provided significant discounts. Here are the links to vouchers for the three levels I created.

From Zero to Substack Hero — Level 1

From Zero to Substack Hero — Level 2

From Zero to Substack Hero — Level 3 NEW

I will publish level 4 soon. Here is what Level 4 is about:

If you want some inspiration for Substack especially if you are a YouTuber, TikToker, or Podcasters, you may check out this story.

I will soon start a series of blog posts and TikTok videos to give bite size insights from these videos for education and inspiration purposes as give back to the community.

Celebrating My First 50 Students on Udemy and First 500 Subscribers on Substack
As an appreciation, I offer a 33% discount (max I can do) to my Medium and Substack Friends, and I also donated my…medium.com

I am also owner of the Illumination Videos/Podcasts publication so you are welcome to share links to your YouTube/TikTok videos and podcasts from Substack. Here is the link to the submission guidelines to get you started.

ILLUMINATION Videos and Podcasts: Submission Guidelines 2023
Guidance to writers, podcasters, and YouTubers to write better stories on Mediummedium.com

Here is an inspiring story for YouTubers, TikTokers, and Podcasters.

If You Are a YouTuber, TikToker, or Podcaster, You Might Do Well on Substack
A TikToker recently joined Substack gained thousands of paid subscribersmedium.com

Thanks for reading my story and celebrating my first 50 students and 500 subscribers on Substack. I wish you the best as well.

Now we have several story sharing opportunities for our community. Dr Yildiz created them on his digitalmehmet content ecosystem for free. You can find the links in his new story:

5 Quick Content Sharing Forms Any Writers Can Use Without Registration or Even with Pen Names
The best way to grow our subscriber base and gain authority from search engines is to leave a substantial digital trace…

Mike Broadly, DHSc explained the value of the Substack Mastery Boost Pilot in a recent story. I am also member of this community and enjoy the benefits.

We Are Building a Creative Support Path for Freelance Writers in 2025
We will offer customized services based on the needs of creators, freelancers, and content entrepreneurs with…

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All funds earned from these courses and books will go to the Substack Mastery Boost Pilot program which we initiated in November 2024 which is planned to take until December 2025. Then in 2026 it will be a low cost education and marketing service for freelance writers.

If you are a new reader, check out some of my most loved stories from different topics in my writing collection on this platform.

Gaming, Fun, and Humor: The Lifelines That Rescued Me From Social Media’s Grip on My Life

What Car Shows Mean to Me and How They Enriched My Life

A Movie Makers Oscar Predictions

AI Can Now Create Photorealistic Videos From Just a Text Prompt

Meet Top Writers of Medium on YouTube

Finding Comfort in Blocks: How Minecraft Eased My First Time Loneliness and Intense Grief at 17

Get an email whenever Aiden (Illumination Gaming) publishes.

Technology, Gaming, Movies, and Social Media | Aiden MC | Substack
This newsletter is to inform and inspire my readers. Click to read Technology, Gaming, Movies, and Social Media, by…aidenmc.substack.com

You can find many stories like this on ILLUMINATION-Gaming. If you are a writer, you are welcome to join us by sending your Medium Id via our writer registration portal here.