Ep27 | How to Sell Your Books Without Feeling Pushy or Guilty

That tight, sinking feeling in your gut when it's time to promote your book? I feel it too. Every time you try to share your work, you freeze—afraid of coming across as too salesy or just in it for the money.

What if this fear is actually keeping your God-given message from reaching the very people who need it most? Your reluctance to market isn't humility—it might be poor stewardship of the talents He's entrusted to you.

In this episode, I'm tackling the heart of this challenge: how to effectively promote and market your books without feeling pushy or salesy.

You'll discover how to market your books with both biblical integrity and business savvy—so you can reach more readers, make a greater impact, and yes, even earn from your calling without the guilt.

Join me to learn five scriptural principles that will transform how you promote your books and connect your message with the readers God intended it for.

🔥PLUS: The Ultimate Promo Kit for Christian Authors with email and social media swipe files, a 90-day plan, a comprehensive marketing channel guide, Book Launch Checklist and so much more!! (USE CODE: PODCAST27) to save $5! *This week only!

Transcript

You know, I still sometimes feel that tight sinking feeling in my gut when it's time to promote my books.

I know I should be sharing it, but instead I freeze.

Suddenly, questions flood my mind. What if I come off as salesy or too pushy? Will people think I'm just in it for the money?

Friend, if that's you too, I see you. I wrestle with this exact tension, the desire to honor God and serve readers while also needing to make a living from my writing.

And in that tug of war, I often push marketing aside or do it with guilt and hesitation.

But what if I told you that we can market our books with boldness and grace without selling our soul or message short?

Today, I'm tackling this head on. I'm sharing how I market my books with both ministry and money in mind. Because yes, we absolutely can do both without compromising our integrity or feeling like we are too pushy.

So grab your coffee, find a quiet spot and turn up the volume because I'm about to show you how to promote your books with purpose, peace, and biblical principles that actually work.

This isn't about manipulation or pushy tactics. It's about stewardship, service, and showing up authentically for the readers God has called us to reach.

This is episode 27.

I'm Urcelia Teixeira, ex real estate agent turned award winning Christian fiction authority. When I wrote my first novel on a bucket list whim, I had no idea it would spark a spiritual journey that would redefine my calling.

But you know what, friend? Self publishing wasn't easy. I got caught in the hustle, chasing rankings and sales while desperately trying to stay rooted in Christ.

Now, by God's grace, I'm building my author business his way. And now he's called me to help you do the same, saying,

welcome to the Anointed Scribe Podcast, where faith meets business for Christian writers. Let's write, publish and grow our author business God's way. Are you ready? Well then, let's get started.

Hey, it's your author friend, Urcelia. And welcome back to the Anointed Scribe Podcast where we build thriving author businesses God's way.

We're one week closer to the middle of the year, friend, and I don't know where the time goes, but I'm super grateful you've chosen to tune in and spend this time with me today.

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So today we are diving into what might be the most uncomfortable part of being an author for many of us.

Marketing and selling our books.

I want to start by naming what's really going on here.

Let's be honest about why promotion feels so awkward for most Christian writers.

For many of us, me included, there's this unspoken belief that somehow making money from our ministry is wrong, right?

That if we're truly serving God, we shouldn't be concerned with sales numbers or royalty checks.

We've internalized this false idea that being spread spiritual means or Christian means being broke, or that charging money for our God given gifts is somehow taking advantage of people.

And let me tell you friend, that's not biblical truth. That's a lie that keeps Christian authors struggling financially and keeps our books from reaching the people God intended them for.

In 1 Timothy 5:18, Scripture tells us the worker deserves his wages.

And in 1 Corinthians 9:14, Paul writes that the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the Gospel.

Yes, we are creating art and ministry through our books, but we are also creating value.

And it's not only okay to be compensated for that value, it's right and good stewardship.

The real issue isn't whether we should promote and sell our books. The issue is how we do it.

So let's talk about what promotion with integrity actually looks like.

I'm going to share five biblical principles that have completely transformed how I approach marketing my books and then give you practical strategies for each one.

Okay, are you ready?

Principle number one. We're just diving straight in today.

Principle number one,

serve first and sell second.

Now, in Matthew 20:28, Jesus tells us he did not come to be served, but to serve.

This is our model for everything in life, including book marketing.

When we approach promotion with a servant's heart, everything changes.

We are no longer focused on what we can get, but on what we can give, right?

And here's how this looks practically.

Strategy number one Create genuinely helpful free content that solves real problems.

Before you ever ask for a sale, give generously. My husband always says he quotes this thing.

Giving starts the receiving process and it's so true.

This might be blog posts, podcast episodes like this one, helpful emails or social media content that truly serves your audience.

For non fiction authors, this is fairly straightforward. You are teaching and helping, but even fiction authors can serve through encouraging posts, behind the scenes insights that inspire,

or short stories that entertain.

When I started viewing my email newsletter not as a marketing channel but as a ministry opportunity,

everything shifted.

Each email became a chance to encourage, inspire or help someone with or without a book promotion attached.

Strategy number two Ask yourself how does this book genuinely help my reader?

Before promoting anything, get crystal clear on the transformation your book offers for fiction. Maybe it's hope, escape or seeing God's redemption played out in the story.

For non fiction, it's the specific problem you solve or growth you facilitate.

When you promote from this place,

focusing on what your reader gets, not what you get what your reader gets. Your marketing feels authentic because it is authentic, right?

Principle number two truth in all things Ephesians 4:25 instructs us to put off falsehood and speak truthfully. As Christian authors, integrity in our marketing isn't optional, it's a necessity.

The strategy years Never exaggerate or make promises your book can't deliver.

This seems obvious, but in a world of best seller claims and hyperbolic marketing,

standing on truth matters.

For non fiction authors. Don't claim your book will completely transform someone's life overnight or solve every problem they have if it doesn't.

And for more fiction writers, this means being truthful about your genre,

content and themes. Make sure it matches with your content.

Don't market your cozy mystery as the most thrilling suspense of the year or promise readers a light hearted romance when your story deals with heavy topics like grief or trauma.

If your Christian fiction contains challenging content,

give readers proper content warnings rather than surprising them. I learned this the hard way.

Readers who feel misled by marketing rarely come back for your next book.

Instead, be specific and honest about what readers will experience.

Undersell slightly, then over deliver massively.

Your reviews will thank you.

Share genuine reader testimonials is the next strategy here.

One of the most powerful, non pushy ways to promote your book is to let satisfied readers do it for you.

Their authentic experiences speak volumes and remove the discomfort of self promotion and friend. When I say genuine, I mean it. There's a troubling trend I've noticed where some authors use fabricated reviews or in quotes, borrow testimonials from best selling books.

Others might share a glowing single line from a three star review that was actually quite mixed.

As Christians, we are called to a higher standard, right?

Only use real reviews from real readers on your pages.

Your Amazon pages who have actually read your specific book.

Don't edit reviews to make them more favorable, and don't create fake reviews even if your book is new and you're desperate for social proof.

Integrity in this area isn't just about following Amazon's terms of service.

It's about honoring God with your business practices.

Create ethical systems to collect these testimonials.

Follow up emails to customers,

review requests, don't be shy to ask,

or even direct messages to readers who've shared positive feedback. When somebody sends you an email to say, oh, I really like the book, go back and say, well, what did you like about the book?

Do you care to elaborate?

Yes, it takes longer this way, but you'll build your author business on a foundation that won't crumble when tested.

Principle Number three Stewardship of your message in the Parable of the talents, that's Matthew 25:14 30. If you want to go back and read it,

we see that God expects us to be good stewards of what he's entrusted to us. If he's given you a message to share through your writing,

being passive about getting it into readers hands isn't good stewardship. It's burying your talent. Sorry I couldn't read my own handwriting. It's burying sharing your talent.

Let that sink in for a moment, friend.

If he's giving you a message to share through your writing, being passive about getting it into reader's hands isn't good stewardship.

When we shy away from marketing our books because we are uncomfortable with promotion, we might actually be failing at stewardship.

The servant who buried his talent didn't lose it,

he just didn't maximize it. He returned exactly where he was given.

But his master expected multiplication.

Your book. That message God placed on your heart. Those words you labored over for months or even years.

They are not meant to sit hidden on Amazon page 20 or even worse,

where no one will discover them.

They are meant to be reaching. Hearts, change lives and bear fruit.

And here's the part that transformed my thinking.

If God has called you to write, then he's also called you to reach readers.

Marketing isn't separate from your ministry.

It's an essential part of it.

Without intentional promotion, Your words might never reach the very people God intended them for.

Strategy Number I think it's five. Now create a simple step Sustainable Marketing Plan Good stewardship means being intentional.

Choose two to three marketing channels you can consistently show up in rather than trying to be everywhere.

For me, that's my email list, my reader group on Facebook, and occasional cross promotions with aligned authors.

I don't try to maintain five social media platforms or run complex ad campaigns.

In fact, I'm really horrible at ad campaigns. I focus on what works for me and what I can sustain with excellence.

For you, it might be different.

Maybe you thrive on booktok, or perhaps you find book clubs to be your sweet spot.

The key is identifying where your specific readers gather and where your strengths align.

In fact, I've put together something I know will help you take action on what we're covering here today.

It's called the Ultimate Promo Kit for Christian Authors and it walks you through the best fit marketing channels for your specific strengths and genres. I go into pros and cons and all the goodies and it includes a 90 day action plan to help you stay consistent.

And I've even added a book promo swipe file where you can just copy and paste from the templates to use in your emails and social media when you launch your books.

Plus, I also included my book launch checklist,

a whole lot of stuff,

a bunch of printable planners and encouragement tools to keep you focused and rooted in purpose and not pressure.

I'll leave the link for you in the show Notes if you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to promote your books without compromising your values, I think you're going to appreciate this digital kit that will save you a bunch of time.

Okay, so moving on to strategy 6.

Set concrete goals for your book's reach.

Instead of vague hopes of selling more books, set specific goals.

Say I want to reach 100 new readers this quarter or I want my book to help 50 people struggling with anxiety.

When your goals are framed around impact rather than just income, marketing becomes an act of ministry.

The next principle is Build relationships, not just readership Throughout Scripture we see that God values relationship above all.

From the very beginning in Genesis, he walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, desiring communion with us.

Strategy number seven that falls under here is Engage authentically with your audience.

Don't just broadcast.

Build community.

Respond to comments and emails. Ask questions. Listen more than you speak.

When I started viewing my readers as friends rather than subscribers or customers,

my whole approach to marketing changed.

I found myself naturally sharing my books the way I'd recommend a great resource to a friend with enthusiasm,

never pushiness.

The next strategy we're digging into is create multiple touch points before asking for the sale.

In his ministry, Jesus often spent time with people, meeting needs and building trust. He created friendships. He made friendship. He built relationships before inviting them to follow Him.

We can follow this pattern.

Practically speaking, this means focusing on nurturing relationships with potential readers through valuable content,

meaningful interactions, and generosity before expecting them to purchase.

When a reader sends you an email, make sure you reply,

even if it takes a week. If they're going on about their cats and their dogs or their grandchildren,

you reply as a friend would.

It's very important you get to know your readers. That can also help you in your marketing when you know exactly who it is that you are serving.

The next principle is Pray for divine appointments.

In Acts 8, Philip was divinely led to the Ethiopian eunuch at exactly the right moment.

God cares about connecting your message with the people who need it.

Pray specifically over your marketing efforts. Sorry, I've lost my train of thought there for a bit. Pray specifically over your marketing efforts before sending that newsletter or posting that promotion.

Pray say Lord, guide this message to exactly who needs it today.

Close the doors where it's not meant to go and open doors to divine appointments.

God hears us. Be specific. It is okay to pray. You should be praying.

The next strategy is Listen for spirit led promotional opportunities.

Some of my best marketing in air quotes has come from unexpected conversations,

random connections. Not so random because I don't believe in coincidence, just God incidents or opportunities I never planned for but felt prompted to pursue.

Stay attuned to God's leading.

Sometimes that book fair you weren't planning to attend, or that reader group you were hesitant to join, or that newsletter swap with another author might be exactly exactly where your future readers are waiting.

What seems like a coincidence could be divine positioning. Be open to that.

Tune your ears to hearing God's instruction.

Now I want to make this super practical with a step by step action plan. How do we apply all these principles and strategies?

This week? This is what you do. You write down the top three ways your book genuinely helps or blesses readers. Pick one book. You don't have to pick all the books.

Pick your bestseller or the one that you the first in your series perhaps.

So write down the top three ways your book genuinely helps or blesses readers.

This becomes your promotional foundation.

What you'll focus on when talking about your book.

Then this month,

choose your two to three primary marketing Channels based on where you can most authentically connect with readers. In that kit I was talking about, I created this marketing channel guide that will.

Excuse me, that will help you pinpoint exactly which two to three primary marketing channels you should be focusing on.

Let go of any platforms that drain you or make you feel inauthentic.

You don't want to be wasting time with places where you don't actually want to show up.

Then, in the long term,

create a simple calendar of consistent touch points with your audience where you give value three to four times for every one time you promote your book.

So in the long term,

on the long term, create a simple calendar. Nothing fancy, just a simple calendar. One of these that stick on the walls. Print one out and just create consistent touch points with your audience where you give them value three to four times.

Four for every one time you promote a book. Okay,

today,

before your next promotional activity, pause and pray this simple prayer.

Say, lord, help me to promote this book as an act of ministry,

not just marketing.

Guide my words and help me focus on serving, not selling.

Friend. When our motivation shifts from how can I sell more books? To to how can I get this message to everyone who needs it, this discomfort with promotion begins to fade.

That doesn't mean you won't feel butterflies when hitting send on that launch email. I always do. But there'll be butterflies of excitement about the impact your words might have,

not knots of discomfort about being salesy. Right?

Let me share a quick story from my own journey. When I was preparing to launch my novel Jacob's well, I felt that familiar marketing dread creeping in. It was a new series,

it was a new character that I had going,

new genre that I was tapping into.

Still Christian suspense, but it had a detective police procedural feel to it.

So I was a little bit nervous. I had set ambitious sales goals and I was focused on hitting certain Amazon ranking numbers. Why wouldn't I? Goals are important.

But in prayer one morning,

I felt God gently shifting my perspective.

Instead of fixating on sales targets,

I felt prompted to pray for the specific readers who needed the message that I had woven into that story.

It was a very specific scripture and I asked God to actually, I felt God saying to me, I need to focus on that message and specific readers who needed to hear that message.

So I wrote down 10 names of people I knew who were struggling and committed to giving them each a copy.

I stopped looking at my launch as a sales campaign and I started seeing it as a hope campaign.

This didn't mean I abandoned strategic marketing.

I still sent emails, posted on social media and ran a few ads,

but my heart behind it completely transformed.

I found myself writing promotional copy that came from a place of genuine excitement about what this book offered and about how it could change lives.

Not anxious striving for sales.

And something incredible actually happened.

Not only did I enjoy the marketing process for the first time, but but the book actually reached more people than any of my previous launches. And you know what? That series and that book continues to sell really well.

The sales number exceeded my original goals. Not because I was focused on the on the sales numbers, but precisely because I wasn't Friend, if there's one thing I want you to take away today, it's this.

Promoting your books isn't at odds with your faith.

It can be a direct expression of it, an extension of it.

When you view marketing as ministry, as the essential bridge connecting your God given message with the people who need it,

everything shifts.

You don't have to choose between being successful and being faithful.

You don't have to choose between making money and making impact.

With the right heart and the right strategies, you can absolutely do both.

So this week I'm challenging you to reframe how you think about book promotion.

Instead of asking how can I sell more books without being pushy,

try asking how can I connect this message with everyone God wants to reach through it.

That shift in perspective will will change everything for you.

So friend,

I hope today's episode not only gave you some biblical food for thought, but also sparked a few ideas on how to promote and sell your books.

Don't forget to check out the ultimate promo kit for Christian authors. It's designed to help you market your books without feeling pushy or salesy. I know you're going to love it.

You'll discover your best fit marketing channels,

map out a 90 day plan and use the printable planners and affirmations. And I've even got a five day Bible study specifically tailored to marketing to stay encouraged and consistent.

Not to mention or mention all my swipe files, emails and posts that you can copy and paste and just change to your book's name. It's a game changer and it's waiting for you in the show notes.

And if you want to continue discussions on today's episode, or maybe you need help with any other issues you might be struggling struggling with in your writing life right now.

Please, please, please feel free to use the message link in the description to ask for help. It's anonymous unless you leave your name and so if you want me to reply to you.

You'd have to also include your emails in that message.

Or you could also sign up to my 5 Minute Manner newsletter and just reply to that welcome email.

I'm here for you, so lean on me friend.

I look forward to our next episode together.

Thank you for hanging out with me again today. And remember,

for such a time as this,

you have been called to thrive as God's Anointed Scribe Friend. Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of the Anointed Scribe podcast.

I would love, love, love to know what resonated most with you today. So do let me know by leaving a review in the show description please.

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So friend, I hope that you are leaving feeling inspired,

encouraged and on fire to step boldly into your calling as a writer chosen and set apart to fulfill a unique purpose in God's plan. I look forward to our next episode together and remember, for such a time as this,

you have been called to thrive as God's Anointed Scribe.