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Identify Three Places to Borrow Trust This Month
Posted in Marketing with Meaning
It’s Monday, and around here that means one practical author-growth tip you can actually use—without adding more overwhelm to your week.
This Week's Focus: Identify three places to borrow trust this month.
Last week, we wrote a “me too” moment post, something that helps your reader feel seen and understood.
This week, we’re taking that same heart for your reader and asking a different question: Where are those readers already gathered?
Because you do not have to build a huge following from scratch for your book to make an impact.
Why This Matters
One of the most important things an author can understand is this: You do not have to build every audience yourself.
Wise authors look for trusted doors … people, ministries, podcasts, churches, groups, and communities that already have a relationship with the readers they are trying to serve.
This is often called borrowed trust.
And borrowed trust does not mean using people or asking someone else to sell your book for you.
It means serving through relationships where trust already exists.
It also means understanding that visibility alone is not the goal. The right visibility matters.
Before you pursue an opportunity, ask: Does this person, platform, church, podcast, group, or organization already gather the reader I am called to serve?
When the answer is yes, you may have found a trusted door.
And, of course, if the Holy Spirit leads you toward an opportunity that does not seem to fit the usual strategy, follow His leading. The Holy Spirit always trumps marketing principles!
What to Do This Week
Use this simple 3–2–1 Borrowed Trust Exercise.
Write down three spaces that already gather your readers.
That might be:
- A podcast your reader already listens to
- A church, ministry, or Bible study
- A counselor, coach, speaker, or nonprofit leader
- A recovery group, school, or homeschool community
- A bookstore, book club, retreat, or conference
Do not start by asking: Who has the biggest audience?
Instead, ask: Who already has the trust of the people my book was written to serve?
Write down two ways you could serve those spaces.
Think beyond asking someone to promote your book.
You might offer to:
- Share a helpful teaching or article
- Provide a discussion guide or ministry resource
- Join them for a podcast or live conversation
- Offer a short encouragement for their group
- Lead a workshop, devotional, or Q&A
The goal is to bring genuine value without leading with a sale.
Choose one outreach message to send.
Pick one person, podcast, church, group, or organization you could reach out to this week, or when the timing is right.
You can use this simple template:
I wrote [Book Title] for [specific reader] who is walking through [specific struggle or desire]. I noticed your community serves many of those same people. I would love to offer [specific value] if it would encourage or equip your audience.
Notice what this does. It leads with the reader, the need, and the value, not: “Will you help me sell my book?”
This Week's Challenge
Simply identify:
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Three spaces.
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Two ways to serve.
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One outreach message to send.
One trusted door can help your message reach the exact people who need it without you having to build the entire audience yourself.
Comment below and share one trusted space you identified. We read every response, and we would love to hear where you may begin serving.
Cheering you on,
Shelly Brown & the Redemption Press Team
P.S. Have a book idea stirring? Whether you've published with us before, still on the fence, or you're just beginning to wonder what that could look like, we'd love to hear about it. Click here to Explore Publishing with Redemption Press
