Marketing with Purpose: 3 Reflection Questions Every Christian Author Needs

Easy isn’t always best. Cutting corners might get you results faster, but it rarely brings fruit that lasts.

However, I am all for simplifying. Especially when it comes to how we communicate our message.

As writers building kingdom businesses, one area we tend to overthink is … marketing.

Yes, I said the “M” word.

My friend, marketing doesn’t have to feel hard or self-centered. When you focus on serving your reader, everything changes.

It’s all a matter of finding the systems that work best for you and how you operate as a writer.

Today, I’m sharing three Holy Spirit-led reflection questions that can transform how you see your calling, show up to serve your readers, and market your message with peace and purpose.

If you’ve struggled with what to say or how to show up, you’re not alone. But I believe these questions will help unclog that mental block and unleash a new level of creative flow found in God.

So grab a notebook and settle in, beloved—we’re going deep today.

Why Did God Call You to Be a Writer?

Now, this first reflection question will come across as existential, but I beg you … please do not overthink this question.

In fact, I don’t even want YOU to be the one who fully answers it.

Journal Prompt: “Why did God make me a writer?”

Now, before you huff and roll your eyes, let me break this down.

You won’t believe the times I’ve asked individuals this question, and they come back with the basic statement of “that’s how God made me.” They shrug it off as if they’re nothing special because they haven’t taken the time to pull back the layers to understand the magnitude of their design.

You are a masterpiece consisting of multiple layers and complexities. You were made in the image of God. If He is not basic, then neither are you, my friend.

This question begs to be explored as we sit with God and hear directly from Him. It’s less about what we speak over ourselves and more to do with Him revealing the deep truths ingrained within our design at conception.

Psalm 139 is a beautiful example of God’s intimate knowledge of mankind.

Ah, my friend. I pray those scriptures wash over you and unlock something deep within.

You weren’t just slapped together. You are a well-crafted masterpiece, divinely designed for a kingdom purpose.

Knowing that purpose will bring clarity to your message.

So, sit with the Lord and ask Him why—out of everyone on earth—He wanted YOU to be a writer for His glory.

If you’re stumped on this reflection question, I’ll share my example.

First and foremost, I am who I am because God called me by name. He called me out of darkness and into His glorious light. I am His.

Words fuel me. Inspire me. They illuminate and enlighten.

I am a writer because God placed a passion for words into my design and entrusted me to nurture that seed as it matured to produce fruit for His glory.

God invited me to sit with Him and write with Him.

I serve Him and the Kingdom with writing. My obedience is an act of worship.

Knowing your purpose, design, and identity in Christ brings clarity that helps you understand your message.

That clarity will be inspired by listening to what God speaks over you first.

How Does God Want to Use Your Writing to Make an Impact?

Now, let’s take a look at question number 2.

Journal Prompt: How does God want to use my writing?

This is where many writers feel stuck, because the possibilities seem endless—and overwhelming.

But don’t limit God by only thinking in terms of book sales or platforms.

Your creativity can show up in blogs, podcasts, devotionals, teaching, testimonies—even emails.

Your creativity isn’t limited to just your characters’ stories. You’re meant to share YOUR story also.

God has done so much in you and through you, and your characters are just one piece to this amazing masterpiece.

What about the themes and tropes interwoven in your writing? Are there repetitive messages that you can’t help circling back to?

Why do you love those themes and tropes, and how does it connect to YOUR story?

Ask the Lord: What do You want to say through me? What parts of my story reveal Your heart?

Then let your message point back to Jesus.

When it comes to how you share your message—remember this:

Allow your strategies to align with how God made you creatively.

I can give you tons of ideas, but it would be in your best interest to seek God first.

Giving room for God to speak paves the path for innovation that can only be inspired through the Holy Spirit.

When you partner with the Holy Spirit, you can create marketing strategies and campaigns like you never would’ve dreamed of when you look to God first and the world second.

So what marketing techniques fuel you creatively?

For me, I can’t do social media. If you love it, no shame here. But to me, it is soul sucking, and I’ve hated it for years. I permitted myself to ignore my platforms last year, and it was the best gift I gave myself.

In truth, there is an exodus of people finding success off social media, and I’m seeing the fruit of such a change in my business.

So I’ve shifted my focus to utilizing long-form content—like podcasts and newsletters—coupled with SEO strategies.

Because all authors—whether you’re traditional or indie published—must have some type of market strategy.

Marketing is a must for any business. That’s just the nature of the game.

But marketing doesn’t have to be hard, complicated, or soul sucking.

It’s about stewarding the message in a way that fits you as a writer.

We’re after alignment here. Not confinement.

Who Is Your God-Called Audience as a Christian Writer?

Okay, we’re covering a lot of ground with these questions.

And please do not rush this process or feel pressured to have all the answers drop today. Take the time to sit, reflect, ponder, and re-listen to this episode if you need to.

We’re after a grace-filled journey—not hustle. So, take a nice deep breath. These questions are meant to stretch you, so give them time.

Our third question is:

Journal Prompt: Who does God want me to serve with my writing?

A term I learned from a business coach is “micro-niching,” which simply means narrowing your audience until you know exactly who you’re talking to.

You’re probably already familiar with the parameters used for marketing avatars that depict your readers.

This concept of micro-niching celebrates drilling down and being ultra-focused.

And no, this won’t position you to alienate reader groups. Micro-niching narrows your focus to help you serve more impactfully.

The more specific you get, the clearer (and simpler) your message becomes.

For me, my books are for those drowning in darkness, searching for hope.

As a lighthouse directs ships in a raging sea, my stories lead readers to the hope, peace, and security found in Jesus. Those are the seeds being scattered when readers pick up my books.

That’s who I serve. That’s who I pray for.

So when I communicate with my audience, guess what the message feels like:

Safety, warmth, hope, encouragement, companionship, love, a nurturing haven

But here’s the kicker …

Those feelings being communicated to my audience weren’t something I thought about. They naturally (and authentically) flowed out because I was in partnership with the Holy Spirit, focused on serving the audience God called me to.

All that I pour out is a natural byproduct of my time spent in God’s presence.

This is an example of what it is to live abiding as a branch connected to the vine.

Or like it says in Psalm 1: the tree bears fruit, not for itself, but for others.

So take time to sit with the Father and ask Him: Who is this fruit for? Who am I writing to, Lord?

Don’t toss fruit into the wind, hoping it lands where it should.

Give yourself the gift of sitting with the Father to process these reflection questions.

I promise, you will walk away with inspiration and direction.

Final Thoughts: Write with Clarity, Grace, and Kingdom Purpose

As sad as it is, we’re bringing today’s heart chat in for a landing.

But let’s do a quick recap.

Do you know the Why, How, and Who? Sit with these questions in prayer and journal your reflections. Don’t be afraid to dig deep!

1. Why did God make you a writer?
2. How does He want to use your words?
3. Who are you called to serve?

Again, don’t rush the process. These questions are worth sitting with. Ask them in faith. Write down what you hear the Holy Spirit saying. And trust the clarity that comes.

Want to continue the conversation?

When you’re ready, I’d love to hear your reflections. Feel free to email me at info@desireewilliamsbooks.com

I can’t wait to hear what your biggest takeaway was from today’s chat!

And if you know a fellow writer who’d be blessed by this encouragement, do them a solid and share the link to this post with them. I know they’ll thank you for it.

Need a virtual hug before you go? Here’s an invite to the Heart for Creative haven. We’d love to have you!

Keep writing with grace and purpose, my friend. I’ll catch ya again next time.