Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Would Jesus Market Himself?

As writers journey thestage road toward publication, learning both craft and business, one thing becomes painfully clear—Authors need platforms. What’s a platform, you ask? It’s a vehicle on which you let others know about your work. It includes group memberships, websites, social media and other forms of potential audiences. We are told without a platform, we are less desirable to agents and editors because if no one knows about our work, who cares how well-crafted it is.

So, as a newbie author, I plunge into social media, guest blogging and—shutter—self-promotion. Major “ick factor” in that last one. Really? Can’t someone else tell the world how wonderful my writing is ;o)? Well, not if that someone else hasn’t read it.

Then, I hear some Christian writers—particularly those focusing on the ministry of it—talk about how they have chosen NOT to market at all. If God wants their work noticed, He will bring the readers … won’t He? Being a “ministry-minded” author myself, I find it necessary to ask, “What would Jesus do?”

Let’s look at that. Would Jesus market Himself? Did He have a platform? Did He self-promote? Yes … and no.

Platform

You can imagine how the term platform came into use. It’s a stage, hillset above the audience, so large groups of people can see you above the crowd. Kind of like a … a big hill. Maybe, a …a “mount.” So when Jesus stood on the large incline and gave His most famous sermon, He had a purpose to it. He wanted people to hear Him. He didn’t want to waste His efforts. Think about the other places in which He chose to speak, like various synagogues and the Temple in Jerusalem. There, he knew He’d find groups of people asking about their Creator and the coming Messiah—The questions He came to answer.

Jesus didn’t stop there. He sometimes narrowed His focus to a particular group, even though he’d been chastised for doing so—tax collectors and sinners. The group He came to save. Dare I call them His “target audience.”

Marketing

One of the greatest “pre-release” marketing campaigns ever to exist was the “coming attraction” of the promised Messiah. Foretold in the Old Testament, God’s chosen awaited Jesus like no other. He was bigger than Star Wars. Not only was there a buzz about the dude, but there was a buzz about the one who prepared the way. In Isaiah 40:3 (NIV), it says, “A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.’” In John 1:23 (NIV), John the Baptist confirms he is that voice.

Jesus even used a few attention grabbers. I mean, what would you have done if you’d seen Lazarus walk out of his tomb healthy, after having been previously immersed in the smell of his own decay? You’d pay attention. And you’d remember the man who raised him. In John 9:3 (NIV), when asked who sinned that the man was born blind, Jesus wellanswers, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” How did the woman at the well get so many people to come see Jesus? She said he could read her life without being told who she was. And though Jesus wearied of doing miracles for unbelievers—like authors weary of marketing—God knew He needed some way to show the people the Truth of who He is.

No, I’m not suggesting we do miracles. Um … unless you can! But if God didn’t grant you that particular gift, I’m thinking a good book signing, interview or free samples might just do the trick. These are the author’s way of showing the reader who they are.

I know some of you are bristling at my description of Jesus as though He were a carnival act to draw in the best crowds. Carnival acts are about clownentertainment and sometimes falsehoods. That is not at all what we are talking about with Jesus … and I hope it is not what I’m talking about for you. Though a good book should be entertaining as well as enlightening, I am speaking to those who bristle at hawking their ministry.

Which brings us to the ugliest part …

Self-Promotion

This is a tricky one. Did Jesus promote Himself. Again, the answer is “yes and no.” In John 14:6 (NIV) He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Why did He make such a bold and outrageous statement? Because it was true. However, I caution you here. Follow Jesus’ example of truth as opposed to His choice of words. Because if you are not “the way, the truth and the life” I’d suggest you not say you are. In fact, if you believe you are those things … I’m thinking you need something else altogether.

Like therapy.

Jesus, being the incarnate of God, however, even defers to His Father. In John 7:16 (NIV) He says, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.” What about the one who is more like us—John the Baptist? When speaking of his own position in Jesus’ ministry, he said, “the thongs of (His) sandals I am not worthy to untie.” These verses remind us of what use our gifts are to have—to glorify God. They are given BY Him to be used FOR Him. While promoting our work, it’s important to remember that. That’s not to say we can’t bask in the joy of seeing our purpose fulfilled. I mean, what greater feeling is there then to have our empty vessels filled with His presence, doing His will? There is no greater feeling. It’s just important to remember the source.

banquetIn Luke 14:8-11(NIV) Jesus tells us, when invited to a feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. He describes the humiliation of having to be reseated in a less exalted chair. But, if the lowest place is chosen, and you are moved up by the host, you will be honored.

I love this analogy! Can you feel the emotional impact of being moved?!

So how do we translate that to self-promotion of your own “holy writ.” For me, it reminds me there are those whose offering is at least as important as mine, and many whose is much more so. My goal to honor God in my writing includes drawing others, not just to my work, but the work that will touch them most at the deepest levels. Sometimes that’s not mine at all. Other times—maybe. So when I tweet about enlightening blog articles and wonderful, inspiring prose, I should include authors besides myself. I am not the end-all and be-all of the writing world. “I am, Who am” is.

The Other Question

As we look at all these things, there is another question: “Why wouldn’t you market your work?” Is the answer really, you don’t have time or energy, or that you are afraid of rejection, mockery or bad reviews? Honestly ask yourself, and be prepared to act on the answer. Because your lack of action could be more in keeping with the man in the Bible who buried his “talents” (Matthew 25:14-30).

So with all this in mind, my advice is this:

As always, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33a). Spend time in prayer with these questions. Seek counsel in The Word. Having said that, the following is what I have found there. Don’t hide your light under a bushel (Matthew 5:15-16). God gave you gifts and he meant for them to be used (Matthew 25:14-30 see “How Jesus Said to Get More Talent”). Use them! Display them! Be straight forward, honest, respectful of other’s time and space, and give credit where credit is due.

Above all, do as He leads, and resist the urge to judge others for doing it differently, because you were not part of God’s conversation with that author.

That’s what Jesus would do.

For more inspiration to parallel your work with what Jesus did, listen to how the Christian rock band Needtobreathe inspires us to write for Him. Click the link here—Garden.

And now for my shameless self-promotion ;o) …

Serious ConnieConnie is a 2012 Genesis semi-finalist for Women’s Fiction. She was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Winter 2012 WOW Flash Fiction Contest for her entry, Why Not to Kiss on a Park Bench (aka. Harold and Violet). She also writes the What’s Your Story column, interviewing debut fiction authors for the My Book Therapy Ezine. Come visit her on one of her other blogs:

Living the Body of Christ

InfiniteCharacters.com

11 comments:

Carole Towriss said...

What a wonderful and balanced view of marketing! I've heard both sides many times, but this one gives credible reasons fro for getting our work noticed. After all, if God gave us a message, we shouldn't hide it under a bushel!

Connie Almony said...

Thanks, Carole. I am reminded of a time when David went into battle without consulting God--It didn't go well for him. We often think we know what God wants of us without consulting Him or His Word. I hope this is a reminder to do just that.

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Connie,
An interesting post.

I think your blog struck on something with the fact that Jesus wants us to use the talent he gave us. For years in our society, it's been, as they say, the squeaky wheel gets greased. As to how that pertains to each individual, I suppose it depends on different situations, abilities and opportunities. For me, I like to think I take each day as it comes and do the best I can.

I will say the memories that warm my heart the most don't come from writing or promoting it. They come from times spent with people I love.

June Foster said...

Connie, I was so curious about the answer to the question - would Jesus market himself. Your insightful article said it so well and summarized with the fact we don't want to hide our light under a basket. Great work, here. June

Connie Almony said...

Yes, Gail, our ministries are not just about writing. In fact, I sometimes wonder if this journey for me has not been more about the connections made then being published. Only God truly knows.
Thanks, June. I've been reading the Gospel of John, lately, and this topic jumped out to me. That's why most of the references are from John.

Teresa Slack said...

All I can say, Connie, is WOW. After reading this I shudder at the thought of all the silly, flip posts I've written here. But that's vanity so I won't dwell. Anyway, beautiful and thought provoking. I'm even printing it off to send to a man I write to in prison. He's saved and growing beautifully in the Lord & I believe he'll get a lot out of this well-written article. Very enlightening.

Connie Almony said...

Teresa, Don't discount the silly, flip posts. I need those as a reader and enjoy writing them myself. As I mentioned in another comment above, I've been reading the Gospel of John lately, and some things just stood out in how Jesus managed His ministry. Nothing is done without great "thought" by our Creator. It's not bad to market our ministry. However, the goal is best when it is to please God. Only God and author can judge our true motives. Thank you so much for the compliment. I did spill a little more blood on this one than typical. I wanted to make sure I wasn't encouraging unGodly practices. Especially while using His Word. God Bless!

Molly Noble Bull said...

Connie,
What a great and thought provoking article. Thanks.
As a Christian, Marketing my work is a hard thing to do. I keep wondering if I should or shouldn't. I wonder how Jesus and Joseph marketed their carpenter business. Or if they did any marketing at all.
Love,
Molly

Connie Almony said...

Thanks, Molly. Good question about the carpentry business. I don't have a clue how that would look in those times. However, it is clear to me that God is okay with us letting others know what we are doing for Him ... as long as the goal is about Him and not our own glory.

Penny Zeller said...

Wow, Connie! What a great article! I, too, have struggled with this question many times. I have wanted to please God with every step of the writing process - from writing the first chapter to the continual process of marketing and all that it entails.

Thank you for giving us a balanced post with Scripture to back it up.

To God be the glory as we all seek to use our talents to impact His Kingdom!

Connie Almony said...

Amen, Penny!