Last month was a whirlwind. In August, I released Single-Minded: Finding Purpose and Strength in Your Season of Singleness. By God’s grace, the book debuted as a USA Today bestseller—top ten in the entire country the week it came out.
I still find myself shaking my head at that sentence. Not because I doubt it happened, but because I know the truth:
“There is no such thing as a bestselling author, there are only bestselling teams.” -Rory Vaden, Brand Builders Group
Yes, my name is on the cover, but countless others carried this project forward—editors, designers, typesetters, friends, and thousands of readers who rallied behind the message.
If you bought a copy, gifted one to a friend, or even donated a stack to your church, I want to pause right here and say—thank you!
Marketing Is Slow, but Sales Is Fast
At Brand Builders Group, we coach authors and speakers all the time. We often remind our clients of this simple truth:
Marketing is slow, but sales is fast.
What does that mean? It means you can post, advertise, and share for months, but the quickest way to move the needle is much simpler—just pick up the phone and call somebody.
Be courageous.
Ask for the business.
So I did. I created a list of people—hundreds of them—who might benefit from Single-Minded or know someone who would. For some, it was a direct fit. For others, perhaps it was a fit for their audience.
But one name stood out from the others.
I had not seen this man in five or six years. In fact, we had only met once—for about an hour—when I was interviewing at his company! It was a Christian-led business, and I remembered being deeply impressed by his kindness. We connected on LinkedIn and then, nothing. Five silent years.
When launch week arrived, I thought of him again. Should I reach out? What if he doesn’t remember me? What if it’s awkward?
But then the truth surfaced: What’s the worst that could happen?
So, I picked up the phone and reached out.
He answered right away. Not only did he remember me, but he immediately said yes—he bought a dozen copies and donated them to his local church.
Just like that.
He wasn’t in my target readership, but he believed in the mission. And because of his generosity, twelve new readers—people I will likely never meet—now have a copy of my book.
The Power of Courage
That’s the lesson I’ll never forget. Courage opens doors. Courage reawakens old connections. Courage puts books into people’s hands.
Sometimes we underestimate the kindness of others. Sometimes we forget that people want to help when they see us living on a mission.
Sometimes we shy away because we fear rejection. But in truth, if God has given you a message, then courage is the key that puts it into motion.
The bestseller list was certainly a gift, but it was never the ultimate goal. The real victory is changing lives. Every book in someone’s hands is an opportunity for God to move.
So, if you are an author—or an aspiring author—let me leave you with this encouragement:
You can do this.
Your story is worth telling.
The obstacles you’ve overcome, the trials you’ve endured, the hope you’ve held onto—they matter. Someone out there needs your words.
Pick up the phone. Send the message. Share your story.
Because courage is what changes lives.
