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What’s More Important: The Message or The Money?

It was two a.m. and I was getting ready for another exciting day of delivering bread (not). This day was a little different; I was excited for something that was happening later that day: my first self published book was being officially released (yeah).

Photo Credit: Matthew Cox

To get to this point was a crazy journey and I was ready for this book to be an instant best-seller so I could quit my job which I absolutely hated.

I had done a lot of research about marketing the book through social media and I had everything in place to ensure success. I expected to sell at least one hundred copies from friends and family, and maybe a few people who had seen my promos.

I rushed through my day job, anxious to see how the book was doing; this was going to be my ticket to freedom! I got home, logged onto Amazon and was a little shocked when I saw the number ZERO.

This couldn’t be right? I worked so hard, I wrote a book for the everyday working man and woman, everyone I knew told me they were buying the book, what was going on?

I’m going to make a long story short and tell you that I didn’t sell a single copy until a few days later and only 11 copies after a month, I was completely dejected. At this point I had to decide if I should push forward or give up……..

So if you’re reading this blog I’m guessing that you have either published a book or want to publish a book. Before you go down this road I want to share a tip that will either make you or break you:

You have to decide if you just want to make money or do you want to help people?

My main goal with my book was to make money and that’s all I focused on, then something crazy happened. I got an email from a young guy that said he bought my book and was ready to quit his job on the spot. I immediately emailed him back and told him not to do it! Over the next few weeks we talked it out and I helped him figure out what he wanted to do with his life.

He went on to find fulfilling work and I was amazed that I actually helped someone, that’s when it became real for me. I didn’t make any money on the coaching but I was a part of truly helping someone.

From that point on I quit worrying about my book sales and focused on helping people where ever I could and you know what happened? BOOKS STARTED SELLING! Now I don’t even check the numbers on Amazon, I check my email box and see who I can help today.

Can you guess which one has been more fulfilling?

I thought my calling was to be a writer but the Lord has shown me that it’s larger then that. Writing is just the tool he has given me to use to truly connect with people and help them.

The money is just a bonus that helps me have more time and freedom to devote to helping people get out of the situation that I was in.

So what’s more important to you? If it’s just the money you’re in for a long hard road that will end in disappointment, even if you get it, you won’t be fulfilled.

When you go down the path of helping people and help better this world, then everything else will follow, it’s all a matter of research and planning and faith that the Lord will help you.

QUESTION: So I have to ask: what’s more important to you, the money or the message?

[stextbox id=”custom”]This is a guest post by Kimanzi Constable. He is an author who has self-published two eBooks and sold over 45,000 copies. His first published book will be out this February (Sound Wisdom Books). He is an international speaker, coach and consultant. His mission is to help people live the full and abundant life the Lord wants them to lead. You can find him at Tales of Work.[/stextbox]

Comments

  1. says

    The message, of course! Strange how often we forget that, isn’t it? 

    Thanks for the reminder to keep our priorities straight and fixed on others, rather than our bank account. Great article, Kimanzi.

  2. says

    Kimanzi, it’s DEFINITELY the message.

    I have experienced something similar this month, thanks in part to having heard your story before.  I made the decision last month to be intentional on helping people and to stop focusing on the money.  The result is that the July sales of my Kindle book already are exceeding the sales of all the previous months combined – and it’s only July 9th!

    God’s grace is amazing.  And it’s so much more rewarding (and a lot less stressful) to operate with a divinely mission-focused mindset.

  3. tammyhelfrich says

    Love this, Kimanzi! It is so true. We are here to help others, and when that is our focus, it is amazing what God can do. Thanks for the reminder!

  4. says

    When I first started blogging I was upset when so many of my family and friends didn’t sign up to follow. It was slightly heartbreaking.
    Then as I began to make contacts and friends through blogging I heard other people say they had encountered the same thing.
    Then I met a man who self published and he advised me that the same is true about book sales- people may love you, but they may not want to buy your book!

    You have an amazing testimony! Keep up the good work. God is using you more than you know.

    As for me, I know God is going to take care of my financial needs. It’s not about the money, I truly want to help people. However I also really want my book to be published! All in God’s timing.  Even if I don’t publish, I’ve enjoyed meeting fabulous people. Blogging is great- so glad I get to connect with people via this outlet. 

  5. says

    Thank you for the reminder Kimanzi.  I have been blogging since October 2011, and not made a lot of money so far, but I do receive the most satisfaction from people who say they were moved by what I said or that they’re glad I told their story.

  6. Mark Randall says

    Thanks for sharing your experience. Very helpful. It’s the message for sure!

  7. says

    Thank you for connecting me with this blog Kimanzi! 
    I desire to publish and I know this is a great connection. Bless you!

    I started helping people before I began blogging – i thank God for that because it has helped me keep the the right perspective.  It’s about the message he has given me and Him taking it where He needs it to go.

    NOT that i don’t want to make money through blogging or writing. au contraire 🙂 Just that I find satisfaction in helping others and being His channel. Nothing beats being His channel. nothing.

    You keep on keeping on. You are an encouragement to many and a big blessing.

  8. Teri Johnson says

    Thank YOU for this authentic post. While I was writing my book, my number one goal was to impact te life of ONE person. Writing a book, for me, has never been about making money — for me, its been about obedience. God placed a message on my heart to deliver through a book. He “wrote” the book. In the “world’s” eyes, I would say that so far, my book would NOT be considered successful. BUT, during the editing processes, lives were impacted. To me, prior to its release, October 13, 2011 — Overcoming the Nevers — was SUCCESSFUL! I like you, received one of those emails…my heart smiled and now any other fruit is just icing on the cake. =) thank YOU again for this post…let’s continue to shine our lights to help others….

    Keeping it Personal,
    Teri Johnson

  9. Brent Jamison says

    Kimanzi, this is so true. When money is our only focus we will never be fulfilled. When we are loving and serving others and trusting God’s plan then things fall into place. It may not happen as quick as we want, but His plan is perfect. 

  10. says

    Great post! I was just thinking about this last night when I was talking to my brother. I’ve been struggling with this a bit since I wrote my small eBook and have had only a few downloads. Its free so I wasn’t hoping for money but in a way I was hoping it would lead to some. The past few days have shown me that I need to refocus on helping people instead of being concerned about numbers. 

    Thanks again, I’m taking this to heart. 

  11. says

    Kimanzi, Have enjoyed being on the launch teams with you! As a Christian counselor I decided a long time ago helping was more important than hoarding money. Funny thing is, God enlarged my “lands” so to speak. The more I give away the more he gives back. It’s so amazing and encouraging. Thanks for the post. Great reminder about what’s truly important.