Book promotion ideas don’t have to feel overwhelming—or salesy. As Christian authors, we’re not just promoting a product; we’re stewarding a message God has placed on our hearts. This means we can approach book marketing with purpose, creativity, and integrity.
Whether you’re just launching your book or looking to breathe new life into your current promotions, these outside-the-box book promotion ideas will help you build meaningful connections, serve your readers, and share your book in ways that align with your values.
From ministry partnerships to reader experiences, these ten book promotion ideas for Christian authors might be helpful as you seek to get your God-inspired message into the right hands at the right time!
- Partner with Niche Subscription Boxes
Subscription box companies have exploded over the last ten years. This is one of those book promotion ideas that we had the opportunity to experience for several years. We partnered with a company (closed their doors a few years ago) who bought several of our books that went into hundreds of thousands of their boxes over a 4 to 5-year Offer a “Buy One, Give One” Opportunity
This book promotion idea is a little different spin on “BOGO.” Encourage your readers to pay it forward by gifting a copy of your book to a friend, church member, or someone in need when they purchase one for themselves.
Example: “Buy one book and gift one to someone who needs encouragement. Let’s spread hope together!” period.
We recommend reaching out to subscription box services in your niche (faith-based, self-care, encouragement, or creative writing). Cratejoy has a nice list of options you could start connecting with.
Including your book in their next box as an uplifting or transformative resource helps you in your book promotion and helps the subscription box company provide powerful content for their subscribers.
Example: Partner with a Christian-themed box and provide a signed copy or excerpt. - Turn Your Book into an Interactive Email Series
Book promotion ideas that offer a taste of your writing can be a great way to whet the appetites of your readers.
You could share the first few chapters of your book as a free 5-day devotional series that you send out to your email list. The hope would be for these readers to purchase the full book. Building an email list is an important step that gives you the opportunity to interact with your readers on a regular and consistent basis.
Example: Include a powerful story on the first day of this devotional series that serves to pique the interest of your readers. - Reach Out to Chaplains
Offer copies of your book to military, hospital, or prison chaplains as a resource to share with those in their care. As book promotion ideas go, this is a chance to get your book into the hands of people who are hungry and excited to read.
As you contact a chaplain, you can ask them if they have a budget to purchase books or resources, and offer your books at your cost or perhaps a slightly higher amount. If they don’t, you can simply donate a number of your books. By self-publishing your books, you have the chance to buy author copies for a lower rate that simply covers printing and shipping costs. This allows you to give more books away without breaking the bank.
Example: Begin with your own area and then your whole state by contacting chaplains at hospitals, jails, and prisons. Try getting a copy of your book into their hands to preview. - Offer a “Buy One, Give One” Opportunity
This book promotion idea is a little different spin on “BOGO.” Encourage your readers to pay it forward by gifting a copy of your book to a friend, church member, or someone in need when they purchase one for themselves.
Example: “Buy one book and gift one to someone who needs encouragement. Let’s spread hope together!” - Host a Virtual Prayer Launch Party
Celebrate your book’s release with a faith-filled prayer and worship Zoom call where you share stories and scripture. This book promotion idea is also a powerful opportunity for those who attend to help bathe your book in prayer.
Setting aside a virtual prayer launch party helps build buzz and allows you to share your heart and passion with supportive readers who are by your side. We believe strongly in building a prayer team as Kingdom writers. This prayer launch party might also help you identify those who would be a good fit for your ongoing prayer team.
Example: Have several specific prayer points ready to share on this launch party call, and ask others to help you pray over each point. - The “Dollar Devotional” Sale
There are numerous promotional benefits to having your book in Kindle format. One of these book promotion benefits is the opportunity to host a 48-hour limited-time sale, pricing your Kindle book at $1. This price point is such that most of your readers will be able to afford your Kindle book, and really help drive up your Amazon ranking. And a higher Amazon ranking means even more eyeballs on your book.
Example: Highlight the value of this book promotion with a slogan like this: “One dollar, one day, one step closer to encouragement.” - Offer Your Book as a Gift for Donations
Partner with small ministries, podcasts, or Christian organizations. Offer your book as a free gift when someone donates to their cause or ministry.
By partnering with a specific ministry or organization that will already be planning annual fundraisers, you are promoting your book while helping a ministry at the same time. This book promotion idea also brings encouragement to donors receiving your book as a thank-you gift.
Example: “Donate $20 or more to [Organization Name] and receive a copy of [Your Book Title] as a thank-you gift!” - Offer Your Book as a Graduation or Ministry Gift
Reach out to youth ministries, Bible study groups, Christian schools, and leadership programs. Offer your book as a resource for graduates or those starting new spiritual journeys.
You have a message that God has placed on your heart. What better opportunity to impact the lives of young graduates who are embarking on a new journey than getting your message into their hands?
Example: Offer a special graduate discount and share your heart and desire to place one of your books into the hands of each graduate. - Host a Pop-Up Book Table at Community Events
Set up a small, creative book table at church events, farmers’ markets, or local fairs.
Include themed add-ons like bookmarks, Scripture cards, or short devotionals tied to your book.
Summer could be a great time to make your rounds with various events like farmers’ markets and local fairs. It’s also a great way to meet people and share the heart behind your book.
Example: Offer free prayer cards with your book purchase to make it feel more personal. - Partner with Book Bundles
Collaborate with other Christian authors to offer a book bundle—a group of titles readers can buy together at a discounted rate. This is one of those book promotion ideas that can help several Christian authors as you work together on a bundle.
Example: Partner with 5-10 other Christian authors to plan a Black Friday Book Bundle Promotion.
These are just ten of the many book promotion ideas for Christian authors. We encourage you to pick one of these ideas that seems most realistic for you to try in this season of your life.
You don’t have to do everything—just take the next faithful step.
Promoting your book as a Christian author isn’t about striving or chasing numbers. It’s about partnering with God, serving readers with your words, and trusting Him to open the right doors at the right time.
Remember: imperfect obedience is still obedience. God can do far more with your loaves and fish than you can with your own strength. So choose one of these book promotion ideas, pray over it, and move forward in faith.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3And if you have been looking for a community of like-minded Christian authors where you can be supported in your call as a Kingdom writer, we would love to have you become a Christian Book Academy member.
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