A Christian Writer’s Guide to Building a Loyal Community

Can 1,000 Loyal Followers Change Your Creative Life?

Recently, I got into an online discussion with an experienced Christian writer. I won’t mention his name out of courtesy, but he was saying things I believe to be highly questionable. Let me paraphrase:

“Cream rises to the top.” Mediocre books will fail.
Those who poorly market their book will fail.

In both cases, excellence is required, he said.

These ideas may be conventional wisdom, but they do not touch reality. We all know mediocre books often get a huge readership, and brilliantly written books fail.

And if we have been in the publishing industry for a very long time, we know that even skilled book promoters dump thousands of dollars into a specific book promotion and reap no return on their investment. Book promoters do not work on commission; they expect an upfront fee and do not guarantee sales.

So, is my friend correct that Excellence = Success? Not at all. Many thousands of Christian authors are licking their wounds over that kind of advice.

There is another dynamic in action, and it was postulated by Kevin Kelly in a blog post and endorsed by the well-known marketing genius Seth Godin. As we shall see, Kelly’s idea is important to Christian writers who wish to gain wide distribution for their self and indie-published books.

Can You Guarantee Book Success?

Let me say it clearly: It is impossible to guarantee the sales success of any book. You can do certain things to improve your chances of a successful launch, but there are no guarantees.

Define Success

Of course, it depends on your definition of success. Many Christian writers say, “It will all be worth it if just one life is changed.”

My friends joke about this topic because I keep repeating myself ad nauseam. I say, “If changing one life is enough for you, walk across the street and speak to your neighbor. Writing a book is a waste of time for you.” These people usually can’t get anyone to buy their book, so they end up giving it away, especially ebooks, and still no one reads it.

The meaning of success will be different for individual Christian writers, but there should be some reasonable benchmark. Numbers, like sales numbers and profits, should play a role in that. Why not aspire to change 10,000 lives by selling 10,000 books and making a $10,000 net profit after costs? Don’t need the money? Earn it, then donate it to your church or favorite ministry organization.

There are several interpretations of Jesus’ Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). However, Christian writers would gain from reading it with an eye to the meaning of success both financially and spiritually.

Know What You Are Selling

Most Christian authors fail to gain the success of wide distribution because they don’t know what they’re selling. They mistakenly think they are selling a book with a pretty cover with, what they’d like to think, has interesting writing inside.

Wrong.

You are not selling books. You are selling YOURSELF (intellect, spirituality, personality, unique perspectives), not parts of a dead tree or dancing ebook electrons. YOU are the product!

Like you, I have had favorite authors and discovered their work was uneven. Some were great, others were so-so. But I always bought their new book because I felt I knew them and appreciated their work. I was a true fan.

Here is how Kevin Kelly frames the entire issue:

“A true fan is defined as a fan that will buy anything you produce. These diehard fans will drive 200 miles to see you sing; they will buy the hardback and paperback and audible versions of your book; they will purchase your next figurine sight unseen; they will pay for the “best-of” DVD version of your free YouTube channel; they will come to your chef’s table once a month. If you have roughly a thousand true fans like this (also known as super fans), you can make a living — if you are content to make a living but not a fortune.”

So, you need a strategy to sell yourself, and your fans will buy all your books. Many writers will be too shy to do that. Or fear they will become egomaniacs. They will likely fail by their inaction.

This may be an extreme thing to say, but I think it is disingenuous, maybe even cowardly, to try to be a change agent in print but refuse to sell your authentic persona to a real world of fans. This situation is a practical application of Matthew 5:14-15 for Christian writers. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

All authors need a strategy to build a base of 1,000 fans. Here are some ideas you can implement to do that.

A Strategy that Makes Sense

Discovering and connecting with a devoted following, especially as a creative individual rooted in the values of the Christian perspective, involves building authentic, meaningful relationships. Here are strategies that may help you cultivate a community of faithful supporters:

Create Value-Driven Content

Consistently produce content that resonates with your core values and the practical aspects of the Christian faith. This could be through books, blog posts, podcasts, or videos. Ensure that each piece provides real value, whether educational, inspirational or simply offering a new perspective on everyday life. Your genuine desire to enrich the lives of your audience will shine through and attract those who share your values.

Engage in Meaningful Interactions

Beyond just posting content, engage with your audience. Respond to comments, ask for their opinions, and create interactive content such as Q&A sessions or live webinars. Show that you value their input and are interested in a two-way conversation. This builds a sense of community and belonging among your followers. Sadly, in the Christian world, comments often become doctrinal battlegrounds, and you want to avoid that. Nobody wins those fruitless wars.

Leverage Personal Stories and Testimonies

I could have started this article talking abstractly about the 1,000-fan philosophy. But I wanted to frame it with a real encounter I had with another Christian writer so readers had some context and could hopefully make a more personal connection. We all share Christ’s story in our lives in different ways, and that is the starting point for Christians.

Share your journey, the ups and downs, and how your faith has shaped your path. Personal stories resonate deeply and can create a solid emotional connection with your readers. Encourage your followers to share their stories too. This provides relatable content and strengthens the bond within your community.

Collaborate with Like-Minded Individuals

Collaborate with other authors, bloggers, or influencers who share your values. This allows you to cross-promote content and helps you reach a broader audience already interested in your niche.

Most authors don’t do this because they fear rejection. I urge you to reframe rejection. Each one brings you closer to your goal.

Utilize Email Marketing Thoughtfully

Build an email list and use it to send out newsletters, book releases, or personal reflections. Make sure each email provides value and is not just a sales pitch. Personalize your emails as much as possible to create a more intimate connection with your readers.

I must admit I failed at this. I had a website with about 45,000 monthly visitors for many years and did not collect a single email address. It was a bad move on my part back then. As you note, I want you to subscribe to FaithBiscuit.org so I can mail you my newsletter and keep in touch. You cannot collect email addresses on places like Facebook; you must have an author website.org

Host or Attend Events

Participate in or host events such as book signings, workshops, or conferences related to your niche. This provides a face-to-face platform to connect with your audience, making the relationship more personal and memorable.

Years ago, I gave up on bookstore signings. Unless people are your fans already, or you or the bookstore spend more in promotion than profit from sales, you will likely find book signings disheartening. I started offering a 45-minute seminar on my topic in the bookstore and asked people to RSVP. People attend because they want to learn something, and you have the opportunity to turn them into a fans. Also, I loved foyer sales when I spoke at churches. But that topic deserves a blog article of its own.

From Insight to Impact

In my decades of helping aspiring writers, I have found that most love to write but strongly dislike promoting their books. Some are shy, and some think such work is beneath them.

All who dislike promoting their books share one fantasy; they believe they will be the outlier and their book will sell without any effort on their part. Books sell that way sometimes, and I think it is a tragedy. Why? Because it gives other authors false hope. We know that a book occasionally “goes viral” because someone will write an article about the extraordinary phenomenon. It is so rare it becomes newsworthy.

Christian writers expect miracles. But the miracle should come from your Spirit-empowered effort, not magical thinking. Building a devoted following of 1,000 true fans is more about depth than breadth. It’s about creating genuine connections and providing consistent value that aligns with the rich perspective of your faith and work.

Each interaction is an opportunity to deepen a relationship; every piece of content is a chance to resonate with someone’s heart and mind. Patience, authenticity, and passion are your best allies in this journey.