The biggest mistake Christian authors make is treating their platform like a business instead of a ministry. Here's the paradigm shift that changes everything.
I hear this from Christian writers constantly: "I need to grow my platform so I can get a book deal."
I understand the logic. But I think it's the wrong starting point.
Your platform is not a marketing tool. It is a ministry. And like all ministries, it must be built on prayer, service, and the Word of God — not on strategy, algorithms, or follower counts.
The ministry-first mindset
The writers I know who have built the most durable, impactful platforms are not the ones who are the most strategic. They are the ones who are the most faithful.
They show up consistently. They give generously. They write from a place of overflow — from what God is teaching them in their own quiet time — rather than from a place of performance.
They are not trying to build an audience. They are trying to serve one.
Practical steps for the Christian author
Start a newsletter. Not to announce your book. To share one thing God is teaching you each week. Do this for a year before your book comes out. You will be amazed at what happens.
Appear on Christian podcasts in your area of expertise. Not to sell anything. To be useful. To encourage. To point people to Jesus.
Write essays. Publish them on your blog, on Medium, on Substack. The platform matters less than the practice.
Your platform is built one faithful sentence at a time. One act of service at a time. One prayer at a time.
Build it for an audience of One. The rest will follow.
Grace Elaine Mercer is a New York Times bestselling Christian author, sought-after speaker, and Bible teacher whose books have helped hundreds of thousands of women walk deeper in faith, purpose, and the unshakeable love of God.