6 Strategies that show you how to function successfully in your calling as an author

"Many people dream about being an entrepreneur [or] starting their own business...very few, however, will actually take the plunge and put everything they've got into being their own boss." - Fabrizio Moreira

I must admit: I never wanted to own a business or start a ministry.

I had aspirations for excelling as a public school educator and rising to the top in that field. 

I was content being in a bubble and not making a profound mark in the world, because...well...too much "greatness" also results in too much negative attention.

As many people would say, while I had plans for my life, clearly my ways weren't as high as God's ways; and early in life, I determined to accomplish His will, no matter the cost.

For me, it took all of hell to break loose in my life before I became fully aware of the ministry and business God placed in my heart.

My years of turmoil pushed out of me a ministry designed to help people like you take your stories--no matter how scandalous or controversial--and turn them into ministries of deliverance.

Perhaps your story is a bit similar to mine.

Maybe you've been sitting on an idea for a while, but haven't considered nurturing it because the journey seems so tough.

Maybe you know you have a story that must be shared with others, because it contains the power to help them in some way.

If that's you, then this post will help you take that idea and transform it into a powerful book.

In this article, I want to teach about the role and position you have as one of God's anointed writers and speakers. While you may not see yourself as someone who can bring change (in a good way) to another person's life, that "thing" you've been wrestling with all these years must come forth.

In this teaching, you will learn about building a successful business or ministry using your authorship.

As an award-winning coach and minister to Christian Authors, Speakers, Ministry Leaders, and Entrepreneurs, I've shown them that when they employ certain principles and business strategies, they will excel in this particular venture.

Book publishing is simply the tip of the iceberg. It's the piece that screams to the world, "I am here!" 

But it's not the end-all.

In fact, your book (or future book) is a part of a local, national, or international ministry or business God wants to you to launch.

And with the proper training (and the right mentor and coach), you can see your vision realized. 

So, let's jump into this teaching. I know it will bless you!

Understanding Christian Writerpreneurship

Back in 2016, I found myself struggling to grow this tiny business and virtual ministry. I wanted to know how I could take my authorship to the next level so that I could provide a stable living environment for me and my mini-me (my daughter, Aaliyah Amore).

The problem I had was I didn't know a thing about business. 

I was a former English teacher with advanced skill sets in organizational leadership; but I wasn't a business woman.

In my mind, I assumed that if I wanted to write books, which I was skilled in doing, then by simply constructing them, they would sell.

I had no idea about marketing, promotion, brand partnerships, networking, or any of the like.

And that proved to be my Achilles' heel.

But I wasn't the only Christian Author who struggled.

Over the years, I’ve come across numerous writers who desired to build a powerful writing career; yet they failed to understand that to have such a venture would require applying entrepreneurial and best business practices to their work. 

Once I recognized this gap in the market, I set out to create a system by which Believers could excel in their gifts while simultaneously generating an income to keep their works alive. From here, I developed the phrase, "Christian Writerpreneur," and my business and ministry skyrocketed.
 
To better understand what I mean by this term, let's start with a working definition. According to the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (2010), entrepreneurs are distinctive from freelancers or small business owners.
 
Consider the term and its roots. “Entrepreneur” derives from the French word “entreprendre,” another word for “undertaking.” According to this same reading, a 20th century economist named Joseph Schumpeter elaborated on the meaning: It is one who creates or implements a change in the economy “by introducing new goods or new methods of production,” which can render other products or services obsolete[1]. Think of an entrepreneur as one who creates something that no one else has created, or one that has developed a product that makes other products in an industry useless.
 
An entrepreneur is one that will create a unique product or service that meets the needs of customers beyond what others have created. A conclusive definition of this term is also the following statement: “an individual that develops a new or improved product, service, or way of doing things that can exist independent of the creator, and bears the financial responsibility for risks in bringing their development to market.”[2]
 
Let’s explore another meaning of entrepreneurship. Being an entrepreneur involves “consistently thinking and acting in ways designed to uncover new opportunities that are then applied to provide value.”[1] In other words, entrepreneurs are constantly devising methods that will open new windows of opportunities that provide immeasurable value to the market.
 
When you couple your writing with entrepreneurship, then you are a writerpreneur, and this is the term I coined back in 2016 to help my clients better understand their position in God’s Kingdom.

​As a Christian Writerpreneur, you are using your God-given gift to develop new ideas, new products, and new services that benefit the market (whether the Christian or general market), and accepting all the risks and rewards that come with it.

Discovering Your Calling and Where Your Authorship Fits within the Market

Every great business or ministry has some distinctive feature that makes them powerful to others.

The same is said for an author or speaker.

One of the things I teach my clients and students is that as one of God's writers, their books will not minister to every person. 

The message will be targeted to a specific body of people.

This is another lesson I learned after I decided to take my business and ministry seriously.

During my time with the Holy Spirit, I quickly learned I was called to work within a specific industry in the market, particularly in the virtual space.

And from this understanding, I learned to craft content (mostly blog posts, books, and video presentations) that ministered to my niche audience of Christians Authors, Speakers, Ministry Leaders, and Entrepreneurs.

Over time, I cultivated this niche, and soon, people began associating my name and brand with "Christian Writerpreneurship" and "Virtual Ministries." 

Now, if you're wondering what a virtual ministry is, these definitions will help you:

• Think about your favorite author, writer, speaker, thought leader, or influencer.
• Now imagine yourself being one such individual who uses both the online and offline space to spread the message God called you to do. This is the essence of a virtual ministry.
• More specifically, a virtual ministry is a work that enables people to develop a strong relationship with God.
• Virtual ministers use the spoken and written word to "tear down, take apart, and demolish" ideologies that rise against the knowledge of God (Jeremiah 1:9-10); and then we use our messages to help build and plant again so that lives are changed for the better.
• A virtual minister publishes books, establishes a speaking platform, and tackles an important issue that influences the masses: abortion, domestic violence, family, finances, relationships, politics, and more.
• When implemented effectively, virtual ministers can create works that generate sustainable income. More than that, they can create ministries that revolutionize the culture, one person at a time.

I decided to master this niche because I could see the future of it ten to twenty years from now; and having the content online at this time would make it easier for new readers to indulge in the future.

Virtual ministries are a part of the new wave of revival and reformation; and writers, speakers, and ministry leaders who start launching their own virtual ministry (or business) will be a part of this rapidly growing field.

Now, that's how I discovered my place in this crowded market; and you must find yours as well. Once you discover your "why and who," then you can start thinking about how your books can transform lives while also creating an income stream for you.

Laying the Foundation for Your New Business or Ministry

Finding your calling and discovering where you fit in the market are simply two steps in this long process of building a ministry or business around your authorship.

The next step is to construct the foundation for your work so that everything you create lasts a lifetime.

Here is where I want to teach you about the power of planning.

If you don't know how to plan the details for your journey, you will not reach your goals, no matter how wonderful they are.

Business and Ministry planning should be at the forefront of every new Christian Writerpreneur's mission. You must map out the steps and processes so you eventually reach your goal.

Here's an example of how I teach my clients to create their plans:

1. I teach my clients to write down their vision and mission statements for their business or ministry. Again, if they want to construct books, they must also know what to do once the book has been published.
2. I teach my clients to develop ideas for their author or speaker brand. How do they want to be represented in the market? How will they make their mark?
3. I teach my clients to describe their ideal reader and audience. By knowing to whom they've been called, they can develop plans for reaching such people effectively.
4. I teach my clients to record the process for publishing their book, from idea to production.

There are other elements I ask them to consider, and then I challenge them to put their plans inside a business or ministry plan, one they can reference at any time. I extend this foundation teaching inside my school.

Within Module 1 of LiyahAmore University, my clients learn about 7 significant factors that go into the "Foundation Phase."

More specifically, I teach them about: 

• understanding and applying best business principles for their ministry or business;
• knowing the person and working of the Holy Spirit;
• developing the mindset for long-term, ongoing productivity and success; 
• preparing their ministry and business to generate wealth;
• building a business plan and structure for their ministry and business;
• developing interpersonal skills for remote (online) communications and work;
• and identifying their target audience and market who will be attracted to their ministry or business.

While many new authors assume the best way to start their career is to just write their book, I take a more strategic approach to this venture with my training.

I want my clients to be spiritually and academically sharp in this venture. I want them to know exactly to whom they are called to minister or serve.

I don't allow my clients to go through a guessing-game process where they attempt to write a book here and there, not knowing for sure if it will sell.

I cut through the mess upfront, and then I empower my clients to think deeply and strategically with their works.

Each time they follow my instruction and apply the lessons, they  produce a product that places them at the forefront of their particular niche. 

​"[My projects] would not be possible without the expertise of Felecia Killings, my writing coach, content editor, proofreader, and friend. Her professional skills have catapulted my writing ability in more ways than I can express. In 2016, she helped me complete The Space Between Memories and walked with me through The Mind of a Missionary as well. She helped consolidate my initial thoughts into this broad narrative of the missions endeavor...For that, I am very grateful." - David Joannes

Selecting the Best Career Pathway (or Business Model) for Your New Business or Ministry

The next phase in building a business or ministry around your authorship is to discover the best business model for your work.

Now, you're probably thinking, "Why do I need a business model when all I want to do is be an author or speaker?"

The answer is simple: Again, refer back to what it means to be a Writerpreneur. If you want to thrive in the publishing industry, and we all do, then you must do things differently. You must apply best business practices to your venture so your product (i.e. your book) thrives.

That means creating multiple streams of income. In other words, simply writing and publishing a book should not be the end-all.

Instead, I want you to think of your book as a type of "business card" or marketing tool for something else that can generate greater revenue.

Here's what I mean.

I don't know if you've noticed it or not, but the business and ministry worlds are somewhat shifting. If anyone claims to be an expert at anything, it's almost expected that this person must have a book to validate his or her credentials.

I remember when I was trying to land more contracts with new Christian Authors and Ministry Leaders. I told them I had the brain power to create systems for them and their works so that they thrived. But it was like they didn't believe me.

Even though I knew I had it in me, I had to show them proof of my expertise. That's when I began writing and publishing books and courses around the very service I promised to deliver. (Thus, the creation of LiyahAmore University and my book, From A-Z of Christian Writerpreneurship.)

And O. M. G.

Once I published my works and demonstrated my expertise to the market, the attraction drew writers, entrepreneurs, influencers, and business executives who were looking for someone to help them master this skill.

All of sudden, I was being asked to create systems for influencers and ministry leaders because they observed my work and wanted exactly what I had developed for my business and virtual ministry.

For me, instead of focusing on selling more books to people, I treated my books and my online platform as valid proof of the quality services I could bring to my clients; and that changed the game for me.

I realized I could increase my financial potential by creating multiple streams of income, using my books as a type of "business card" that helped sell my coaching and executive services.

And that's what I want to challenge you with as well.

Don't focus all your attention on creating a book and finding people to buy it.

Think bigger!

Think beyond that!

What else can you give to the market that would encompass your book while also allowing you to manifest the other gifts inside you?

Within Module 2 of LiyahAmore University, I teach this subject. I invite my clients to explore 6 majors as potential options for increasing their ministry's or business's financial potential:

Our majors include:

1. Christian Writerpreneurship and Self-Publishing Major: This major is ideal for authors who wish to focus on book sales as their primary method for generating wealth, particularly as a self-publishing author.
2. Christian Writerpreneurship and Independent Publishing Major: Authors desiring to major in this field will develop the skills in building a growing publishing company that will produce outstanding books for other aspiring authors.
3. Christian Writerpreneurship, Speaking, and Coaching Major: Christian Authors, Speakers, and Spiritual Leaders who have a gift for teaching and coaching others will find this major appealing. 
4. Christian Writerpreneurship and Virtual Ministry Management Major: Students majoring in this field will develop the skill set to help their Pastors create virtual ministries within their overall churches. Students will work directly with these Ministry Leaders to help them generate more revenue for their churches in addition to creating a more effective communication system between their ministry, their members, and their community.
5. Christian Writerpreneurship, Ghostwriting, and Editing Major: Students majoring in this field will develop the skill set to work with small businesses and entrepreneurs who are looking for freelance writers and editors within the general market. 
6. Christian Writerpreneurship and LAU Junior Consultancy: Students majoring in this field will learn the skill set to become instructors in our university, providing guidance and support to incoming students who live in various parts of the country. 

As you can see, by thinking beyond the book and selecting the best business model for your business or ministry, this will help you reach a wider audience while producing more income in the long-run.

Felecia has always been an award-winning coach. She taught me to stand up in my truth and to be okay with it. She didn't judge me. I will never forget the love and nurture that she extended to me over the years. All that she taught me is what I do in my business/ministry, sharing the same love to others to seek all that God has intended for them, according to His purpose." - Tschanna Taylor, Best-Selling Author, Speaker & Life Coach

Establishing Your Unique Brand & Online Presence for Your New Business or Ministry

Now that you have plans in place and you have ideas for creating multiple streams of income, it's time to start thinking about how your business or ministry stands out from the crowd.

Remember when I taught you that your particular book will not minister or serve everyone?

Always recall this lesson, because it will help establish your brand and online presence.

Whether you want to focus on writing or speaking, you need to set your work apart from the rest.

Branding is a strategic method of creating your business's or ministry's reputation. It's more than just a logo or specific color.

It's a persona, and you are responsible for crafting one that your particular audience finds appealing.

In my latest resource, From A-Z of Christian Writerpreneurship, I share more about the importance of branding; and here are 3 steps your can take today to get started:

1. Determine what makes your writing ministry or business significant and distinctive.
2. Create and publish content that showcases your work, your expertise, and your gifts as they empower, educate, or entertain your audience.
3. Work out social media with passion and diligence, sharing your content to a wider audience.

This brief list is certainly not conclusive, and that's where my online school comes in and fills the missing pieces.

In Module 3 of LiyahAmore University, you will learn about:

• understanding the principles of branding yourself and your virtual ministry;
• creating a unique brand story that astounds your unique audience;
• understanding the science behind your Author Platform;
• creating an Author Platform that is addictive to your audience;
• and developing your website and other online social platforms, including niche social networks.

Listen, Writerpreneur, if you do not have a brand, you do not have a business or ministry that will last. Give people a reason to remember you so that when they are in need of a solution you provide, you are the first person who comes to mind.

Developing Your Results-Oriented Marketing Plan for Your New Business or Ministry

"Marketing? But I haven't written anything yet?"

You're probably thinking the same thing all my clients think when I tell them the next stage in this process includes developing a systematic marketing plan BEFORE writing a single page of their book.

I want you to understand that there is a science to building a business or ministry using your authorship; and as a part of this formula, it requires that you first know your audience and readers so well that you only craft content that will guarantee sales.

Here's how I worked this within my business and ministry.

I first developed the concept for my book, From A-Z of Christian Writerpreneurship, AFTER I realized so many new authors and speakers wanted to learn how to take their business and ministry higher.

I studied my market, learning all its pain points. I chatted with my people, discussed possible solutions with them, and learned about their personalities and how they retained knowledge.

I became their teacher and coach; and from there, I constructed a book (and a school) that answered all their questions and more!

In other words, I made a product and service that was in demand (and long-lasting), something I knew with certainty would sell. I didn't play guessing games because I conducted market research and engaged in marketing endeavors that built momentum for my product.

And this is why I coach my clients to begin the marketing phase early in the process before they write anything or create any service.

Now, I know most authors and speakers cringe at the thought of marketing themselves. But there is a clever, more effective way to do so that leaves your audience wanting more of what you have to offer.

Inside LiyahAmore University, I teach my clients about the power of content marketing. By definition, this is the process by which businesses and entrepreneurs (and writerpreneurs) use FREE content (blog posts, videos, infographics, etc.) to promote something that will be sold.

Take this blog post and FREE lesson, for example.

While I am using this platform to teach you about building a business or ministry around your authorship, I'm also "selling" to you more information regarding my coaching program and resources. (I'm also using this opportunity to promote a FREE webinar, which you should sign up for, because it's FIRE!)

I'm creating engaging, educational content that delivers value to you while seamlessly interjecting my offerings in the event you want to take your training to the next level.

As a new Christian Author, Speaker, or Ministry Leader, you can't rely on the old methods of promotion, like sharing a book cover in a Facebook group and expecting sales.

You have to use the best practices that allow you to thrive online; and one of the major requirements for successful online business development is building relationships with people who may never meet you face-to-face.

This challenge is defeated when you employ content marketing, and this is what I teach quite extensively in Module 4 of LiyahAmore University:

More specifically, you will learn about:

• developing a systematic content marketing plan for your virtual ministry or business;
• creating an effective blogging system for your work;
• employing video marketing;
• creating money-making webinars;
• launching virtual summits;
• establishing brand partnerships;
• understanding the sales funnel process for generating ongoing sales;
• creating a powerful, automated e-mail marketing system;
• and developing a systematized launch sequence for all your paid products and services.​

When you have this marketing plan in place, your business and ministry will continue to thrive.

Developing Your Results-Oriented Social Media Plan for Your New Business or Ministry

Content marketing is not the only strategy you need to employ to build a thriving business or ministry around your authorship.

You also need to develop a solid social media plan, because here is where you will find your ideal audience for your book.

Here are a couple of ways you can get this going right now:

1. Hop on social media and begin sharing some ideas about a book you want to write. See how many people respond positively to your idea.
2. On that same platform, ask your audience some questions related to the topic of your future book. Their questions will help form the content for your work.
3. Create a graphic of your potential book cover and share with your audience. If they respond favorably, let them know that you will publish your book in 3-6 months. (This is also a great way to generate pre-order sales!) If they respond with "crickets," go back to the drawing board and rethink your topic.

It's important to note that each social media platform functions in a special way. While one platform may be fitting for me, it may not work so well for you. The idea is to find where your ideal audience "congregates," and to craft content that will appeal to them on those platforms.

I teach more of this in Module 5 of LiyahAmore University. In these classes, you will learn about:

• finding the right social media platforms for your virtual ministry or business;
• creating highly-engaging content that initiates social media engagement;
• using social media paid advertisements and sales funnels like the professionals;
• employing Pinterest marketing for your ministry;
• developing a solid Facebook and Instagram marketing plan;
• and combining your social media content with your overall content marketing plan.

Creating the Content, Products & Services for Your New Business or Ministry

And now we get to the part where you are developing the content that will fit within your books, materials that will place you at the forefront in your industry or niche.

Notice that when you go through the process as I've outlined in this blog post, it makes it easier to craft content, services, or products that will sell!

The system I've developed is how you succeed while other new authors and speakers fail.

When you work the system, the system works for you; and eventually, you will become so skilled in the process that it will start working for you on autopilot.

In Module 6 of LiyahAmore University, here is where I release my clients to start applying the principles and strategies that I've coached them with. Generally, Module 6 requires my clients to engage in 3-6 months worth of writing and publishing.

But once they are done, their product and services are FIRE! (I like calling things FIRE, in case you were wondering.)

More specifically, in the last Module, I teach you about:

• creating your pre-launch, launch, and post-launch event;
• setting up your annual virtual events;
• creating your unique products and services;
• launching you into your new virtual ministry and business on your own;
• connecting with master minds to help keep your ministry and business thriving;
• finding the right mentor and coach for your ministry and business;
• and engaging in ongoing education after this initial training.

Felecia, What If I Already Have a Business or Ministry? What Should I Do?

Perhaps you're an established business person or minister and you have something in the works today.

If so, I think that's fantastic.

But if you want to add book publishing to your repertoire, you must think of this new product and venture as another business or ministry within your overall one.

I've personally worked with Ministry Leaders who had a church or a national platform; but they knew very little about the publishing industry. While they had the platforms, they didn't have the expertise in creating their books or using their books to create other streams of income.

If you are in the same category, the lessons I shared in this article are applicable to you, too.

The fact that you already have an audience or customer base pushes you to the front faster, because you know what kind of content to write for your people. (Trust me: finding one's audience and nurturing it are two of the hardest challenges for new Christian Writerpreneurs to overcome.)

So, if you have something already built, and you want to add a book to your list of accomplishments (and business or ministry growth), then my coaching program and resources are just for you. 

"Felecia does an absolutely amazing job of maintaining your vision and making it come to life. If you need help getting your vision on paper, editing of your book, or even need coaching on writing your book, she is AWESOME!" - Bessie Corgile

"I was blessed to be able to work with Felecia Killings. She was able to take my manuscript and transform it to a whole new level. She caused me to dig within myself as a writer and communicator of the message I was to convey. She is extremely professional, courteous, and timely. Her response to questions and issues were answered quickly. Any spiritual leader who desires to get their message in book format would give themselves a tremendous advantage by working with Felecia Killings." - Daniel Pringle 

In Summary...

Listen, I know this lesson was extensive, but I pray it helped you see that building a business or ministry using your authorship is not only possible, but profitable.

You can do this!

You can manifest the vision God has given you.

My role in helping you in the process is to show you the system that will bring your vision to life. This is my area of expertise, and I'm so proud of the many clients I have helped over the years who applied my teachings to their works. Their influence and impact continue to change lives.

If you would like to learn more about my services and how we can work together this year, simply take the next steps:

1. Let's schedule a time to chat about your vision. I offer a FREE, 60-minute consultation to those who are serious about manifesting their calling. My email is coachfeleciakillings@gmail.com. I respond to requests within 24 hours.
2. Sign up for my FREE, 90-minute webinar session, where I give more education regarding this topic of Christian Writerpreneurship and how those who begin their virtual ministries or businesses today will be set for exponential growth over the next 5-10 years.
3. Purchase a copy of my resource, From A-Z of Christian Writerpreneurship. This guide contains over 500 pages of lessons that dive deeply into book publishing.
4. Enroll in my exclusive, one-to-one coaching program, LiyahAmore University. Within 12 months, you will have a business or ministry centered on your authorship, one that will surely last a lifetime.

I look forward to connecting with you, Future Writerpreneur.

And as always, let's grow together!

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