If you’re a Christian author, you’re probably familiar with Christian Book, the world’s largest Christian-focused retailer. But getting your book on their site isn’t as simple as just hitting “submit.” That’s where our step-by-step guide comes in.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of getting your book on Christian Book, from understanding their submission process to promoting your book once it’s live. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a first-time self-publisher, this guide will give you the tools you need to succeed.
So, if you’re ready to get your book in front of a massive Christian audience, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Understand the Submission Process
Submitting your book to Christian Book can be an exciting but nerve-wracking experience. To avoid any potential roadblocks or issues, it is important to first understand the submission process. The submission process is straightforward, but there are some steps you need to take to ensure a successful submission.
Before submitting your book, make sure to review the submission guidelines thoroughly. This will help you ensure your book meets all of the requirements set by Christian Book. Once you have reviewed the guidelines, you will need to create an account with Christian Book and follow the instructions provided to submit your book.
After submitting your book, it will go through a review process to ensure it meets the guidelines and standards of Christian Book. If your book meets the criteria, it will be listed on the website for customers to purchase. It is important to note that the review process can take several weeks, so be patient and allow enough time for the review to be completed.
Understand the Submission Process
Register for a Christian Book account
To submit your book to Christian Book, you will first need to create an account on their website. This process is simple and straightforward. Navigate to the “My Account” page and select “Create Account.” You will need to provide your name, email address, and a password.
Be sure to use an email address that you check frequently, as Christian Book will use it to communicate with you regarding your submission. Once you have created your account, you can log in to the website and begin the submission process.
Creating an account on Christian Book also allows you to track the progress of your submission and view your sales information if your book is accepted.
Submit your book for consideration
Once you have created an account, you can submit your book for consideration. Make sure your book meets the guidelines set by Christian Book to avoid getting rejected.
Provide as much information as possible when submitting your book. Include the title, author name, ISBN, book description, and any awards or endorsements your book has received.
After submitting your book, Christian Book will review it to ensure it meets their guidelines. If your book is approved, it will be available for purchase on their website.
Ensure Your Book Meets the Guidelines
Before submitting your book to Christian Book, you need to make sure it meets their guidelines. These guidelines are designed to ensure that every book on their platform meets their standards of quality and content.
One important aspect of their guidelines is formatting. You need to ensure that your book is formatted correctly, including page numbers, headings, and margins.
Another important guideline is content. Christian Book only accepts books that are aligned with their values and beliefs. Your book should have a Christian worldview and avoid controversial or offensive content.
It’s also important to ensure that your book meets their length requirements. Christian Book requires books to have a minimum of 80 pages and a maximum of 1,000 pages.
Check the formatting and layout
Ensure that your book is properly formatted and follows industry standards for book layout.
Check the consistency of your headers, footers, and page numbers. Also, ensure that the font size, style, and spacing are uniform throughout the book.
Make sure that your book is free of spelling and grammatical errors. Consider hiring a professional editor to review your book before submitting it.
Ensure that your book includes a table of contents, copyright page, and any necessary disclaimers or legal notices.
Create a Compelling Book Description
Highlight your book’s unique selling points. In order to attract readers, you need to clearly communicate what sets your book apart from others in its genre. Identify the key themes, characters, or plot points that make your book stand out, and weave them into your description.
Craft a hook that grabs attention. Your book description should open with a sentence or two that immediately captures the reader’s interest. Consider posing a question, using descriptive language, or teasing a surprising twist to draw in potential readers.
Keep it concise but informative. A book description should be long enough to provide an idea of the story and its themes, but not so long that it becomes overwhelming or tedious. Aim for 150-250 words, and make every word count.
Edit and proofread your description. Grammatical errors, typos, and inconsistencies can all detract from the effectiveness of your book description. Be sure to thoroughly edit and proofread your description before submitting it to Christian Book.
Highlight the benefits of your book
Identify the unique selling points: Consider what sets your book apart from others and what benefits readers will gain from reading it. Focus on the strengths and benefits of your book to create a compelling book description.
Highlight the value proposition: Describe how your book can help readers solve problems, answer questions, or gain knowledge. Be specific about what readers can expect to gain from reading your book.
Use keywords: Include relevant keywords that accurately describe your book and its benefits. This will make it easier for readers to find your book when searching for specific topics or themes.
Be concise: Keep your book description short and to the point. Focus on the most important benefits and avoid irrelevant information that could detract from the overall message.
Include endorsements and reviews
One effective way to make your book more appealing to potential readers is by including endorsements and reviews from well-respected individuals or organizations. This could be a quote from a well-known pastor, an endorsement from a respected Christian organization, or positive reviews from readers who have already read your book.
Make sure that the endorsements and reviews you include are relevant to your book and come from credible sources. You can reach out to individuals and organizations directly to request an endorsement or review, or you can check social media and book review websites for existing reviews.
When including endorsements and reviews, be sure to attribute them accurately and include the name and title of the individual or organization providing the endorsement or review. This will help to establish credibility and build trust with potential readers.
Remember, including endorsements and reviews can help to increase interest in your book and can help to establish your credibility as an author in the Christian book market.
Utilize Keywords and Categories
Choose relevant keywords: When selecting keywords for your book, think about what terms readers might use to search for a book like yours. Be sure to include both broad and specific keywords to capture a wider range of search traffic.
Utilize categories: Categories can help your book be more discoverable to readers who are browsing specific genres. Make sure to select the most appropriate categories for your book.
Use long-tail keywords: In addition to broad keywords, consider including long-tail keywords, which are more specific and targeted phrases. These can help your book show up in more relevant search results.
Research popular keywords: Do some research to see what keywords and categories are popular in your genre. This can help you optimize your book’s metadata for better visibility and discoverability.
Update your keywords and categories: It’s important to revisit your keywords and categories regularly to ensure they are still relevant and effective. Don’t be afraid to make changes if necessary to improve your book’s discoverability.
Research relevant keywords
If you want your book to be found by readers, you need to use the right keywords. Start by researching relevant keywords for your book’s topic and genre. Use tools like Google AdWords Keyword Planner or SEMrush to find keywords that have a high search volume and low competition.
Consider using long-tail keywords, which are longer and more specific phrases that are less competitive than short, broad keywords. Long-tail keywords can help your book rank higher in search results and attract more targeted traffic.
Include your keywords in your book title, subtitle, and description, as well as in your author bio and on your website or blog. Be sure to use them in a natural and organic way, without overstuffing or keyword spamming.
Select the appropriate categories
Choosing the right categories is crucial for making your book visible to the right audience. Research popular categories within your genre and select the ones that best fit your book. Make sure your book meets the category requirements.
Consider the age range of your target audience and select age-appropriate categories. Be specific with your categories; broad categories may make it harder for your book to be discovered.
If your book fits into multiple categories, consider selecting up to three categories. Ensure that each category is relevant to your book and accurately represents its contents.
Create a compelling book cover image
The book cover is the first thing potential readers will see. A visually compelling cover image can help your book stand out in a crowded market.
When designing your cover, make sure to choose an image that is eye-catching and relevant to your book’s content. Consider hiring a professional designer to create a unique and high-quality cover that represents your book’s genre and target audience.
Make sure to also include the title and author name prominently on the cover. The font and color should be easy to read and complement the overall design of the cover.
Promote Your Book on Christian Book
Christian Book is a great platform for promoting your book to a wide Christian audience. With over 500,000 subscribers and a highly engaged community, it’s an excellent place to showcase your work.
One way to promote your book on Christian Book is by creating an author page where you can feature your book, share your story, and connect with readers. You can also create book trailers, post excerpts from your book, and engage with readers through their community forums.
To maximize your exposure on Christian Book, consider running a promotion or discount for your book. This can help entice readers to purchase your book and leave positive reviews, which can further boost your book’s visibility on the platform.
Engage with the Christian Book community
Join the Christian Book Author and Reader Groups to interact with other authors and readers. Share your book and participate in discussions to increase your visibility.
Respond to reviews and comments on your book. Engage with readers and thank them for their support. This builds relationships with readers and encourages them to recommend your book to others.
Participate in Christian Book’s author events and promotions. Submit your book for consideration in the Christian Book Awards, and participate in book signings and author interviews to increase your exposure.
Offer promotional discounts
If you want to boost your book sales on Christian Book, offering promotional discounts can be an effective strategy. You can offer a discount for a limited time or provide a discount code to readers who subscribe to your mailing list or follow you on social media.
Another way to offer a promotional discount is to bundle your book with another book or resource. For example, you could bundle your book with a Bible study guide or a devotional.
Make sure to promote your discount on your website and social media platforms, and consider reaching out to book bloggers or influencers in the Christian community to help spread the word.
Create buzz through social media
Social media can be a powerful tool for promoting your Christian book. Create a dedicated account for your book and post updates regularly. Use hashtags to make your posts more discoverable and engage with your followers. Share teasers, quotes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of your writing process to keep your audience interested.
Influencer marketing can also help generate buzz for your book. Reach out to influencers in your niche and offer them a free copy of your book in exchange for a review or promotion on their social media channels. Choose influencers whose audience aligns with your target readers.
Lastly, consider running social media ads to reach a wider audience. You can target your ads based on demographics, interests, and behaviors to make sure they reach the right people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Christian Book and why is it important for book authors?
Christian Book is an online retailer that specializes in Christian books and products. It is important for book authors because it provides a platform to promote and sell their books to a specific target audience.
What are some strategies to utilize to get your book on Christian Book?
Some strategies include researching relevant keywords and categories, creating a compelling book cover image, engaging with the Christian Book community, and offering promotional discounts.
What are some benefits of promoting your book on Christian Book?
Some benefits include reaching a specific target audience, increasing visibility and sales, and being associated with a trusted Christian brand.
What are some tips for engaging with the Christian Book community?
Some tips include joining discussion forums, writing reviews of other Christian books, participating in giveaways or contests, and offering exclusive content to Christian Book readers.
How can social media be used to create buzz for a book on Christian Book?
Social media can be used to share links to the book’s Christian Book page, promote discounts or giveaways, share reviews or endorsements, and connect with potential readers and influencers in the Christian Book community.