In this episode, you’ll also hear:

• How to measure a leader’s true impact
• An example of a biblical leader whose legacy still transforms lives today — and you can accomplish the same
• Questions to guide you in crafting a truly impactful legacy

The True Measure of Leadership

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

-Maya Angelou

These powerful words remind us that the true measure of our leadership lies not in our individual accomplishments, but in the lasting impact we have on the lives we touch.

As Christian thought leaders and authors, we have the incredible opportunity to shape the hearts and minds of those who encounter our work. But we must ask ourselves: What kind of legacy do we want to leave behind? And how can we ensure that our influence extends beyond the fleeting moments of our own lives?

The answer lies in crafting a legacy of transformation — one that ignites lasting change and empowers others to reach their God-given potential.

This brings us to the heart of our discussion today. You see, a true beacon’s legacy is measured not by the momentary brightness of their light, but by the lasting change they ignite in the hearts and minds of others.

Our goal as servant leaders is not merely to shine brightly for a season, but to kindle a flame in others that continues to burn long after we’ve passed the torch. It’s about using our platform, our wisdom, and our compassion to empower others to become transformative leaders in their own right.

Our ultimate goal is to create a legacy of transformation to inspire and empower others to live out their God-given purpose and potential. Thus, to achieve this goal, the impact of our leadership should extend far beyond our own lives and accomplishments.

A Biblical Leader with Transformative Impact

Let’s turn to the pages of Scripture for today’s example of a leader who was and is known for his transformative impact: the Apostle Paul. Paul was a dedicated persecutor of the early church, but his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus radically changed the course of his life — and the history of Christianity.

Through his writings, which form a significant portion of the New Testament, Paul’s legacy continues to shape the hearts and minds of believers worldwide. His letters to various churches and individuals — such as the books of Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians — contain timeless wisdom and guidance for living a life of faith and purpose.

Standout aspects of Paul’s legacy are his unwavering commitment to the Gospel and his willingness to endure hardship for the sake of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul recounts the many trials he faced, including imprisonment, beatings, and shipwrecks. Yet, through it all, he remained steadfast in his mission to spread the Good News and nurtured the spiritual growth of those he led.

Multiplying Your Impact

As we reflect on Paul’s legacy, it is important to consider the lasting impact we hope to have through our own leadership and work.

Ask yourself:

• What kind of transformation do I want to ignite in the lives of others?
• How can I use my unique gifts and platform to inspire and empower those I lead?

One practical way to craft a legacy of transformation is to focus on mentoring and developing others. Invest your time and resources in nurturing the next generation of leaders, just as Paul did with individuals like Timothy and Titus.

By pouring into others and helping them grow in their faith and abilities, you multiply your impact and ensure that your legacy extends beyond your own lifetime.

The Ripple Effect

As you reflect on the legacy you’re building through your leadership and work, let Paul’s example inspire you to remain steadfast in your commitment to Christ, and to crafting a lasting change in the lives you touch.

Remember, your legacy is not measured by the accolades you receive or the momentary successes you achieve — it’s measured by the lives you transform, the hearts you inspire, and the ripple effect of your faithfulness to God’s call.

So keep leading with grace and purpose, knowing that your legacy has the power to shape eternity.

BIO:

My name is Tamara "Coach Tam" Jackson and I am a published author, Facebook© Certified Digital Marketer, host of the Top 100 Publishing Secrets podcast, and founder of The Christian Authors Network (C.A.N.) Facebook© community. I specialize in helping mission-driven authors, coaches, and entrepreneurs increase their exposure, impact, and income through strategic self-publishing and digital media appearances. Just say yes and we will work together to attract a tribe of loyal followers that 1) "get you", 2) love what you d...

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

• What to expect from the “Leading with Grace” series
• How one member of our community exemplifies a spirit of service and empathy
• How to measure — and use — your spark of potential
• One simple action you can take today to make an impact

Introducing the “Leading with Grace” Series!

Welcome to “Leading with Grace,” a series where the light of faith intersects with the art of leadership, designed for Christian authors and thought leaders! This series is an expedition to the core of servant leadership as exemplified by our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this series, we’ll uncover the seven leadership principles that can transform lives and the world, so you can be inspired to lead with a servant’s heart, uplift others through your words, and create ripples of positive change.

Each of the seven principles will shine a light on the pathway to a servant leader approach, helping you not only walk in Jesus’ steps, but also stand on His shoulders and view the higher horizon of your calling. Whether you're scribbling your first draft or putting the finishing touches on your latest manuscript, these principles have the power to deepen your influence and elevate your impact.

So if you're ready to step into your role as a change maker — to pen not only stories, but legacies — then “Leading with Grace” is where your next chapter begins! Get ready for an awakening, a rebirth into leadership that serves, heals, and harbors the greatest purpose.

A Spirit of Service & Empathy

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:10

What if the true essence of our potential is not measured by our individual achievements, but by our dedication to uplifting others?

What if our greatest legacy is the kindness and understanding we spread through our acts of service?

To kick off the “Leading with Grace” series, let’s examine the example set by a member of our own community: John Alexander, whose life exemplifies a spirit of service and empathy. John is a Texas resident, an author, and a cherished member of the Christian Authors Network, and he embodies the spirit of service through his passion for poetry and storytelling.

After a successful career in high tech, John turned his full attention to writing, crafting stories and poems that have captured the imaginations and hearts of children and adults alike. But it's at the Frisco Senior Center where John's impact truly shines. He regularly shares his poems there, offering words of hope, encouragement, and joy to everyone present.

John’s book of poetry, Timeless Tales: Rhymes from the Heart, and his Quiet Time Rhymes series are more than collections of verses — they are his gifts of empathy and understanding to the world. And his dedication reminds us of an essential truth: Your spark of potential is God’s gift to you; how you nurture it and serve others is your gift back to Him and to the world.

Through his poetry readings, John transforms moments into memories, proving that service and empathy can amplify our impact, touching lives in ways we might never fully know.

Thank you, John, for being such a luminous example of kindness and creativity in our community!

How Will You Nurture & Channel Your Spark?

Now it’s your turn. How can you channel your unique gifts into service? How can you allow empathy to deepen your connection to those around you and enhance your journey as an author?

Here’s a simple step you can take today: Share your talent with someone who could use a moment of joy. This could be reading, writing, singing, or simply listening. Remember, the essence of service lies in sincerity and love.

JOHN'S BIO:

John Alexander lives in Texas with his beautiful wife and his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He spent his childhood in a small town in east Texas. He attended college at the University of Texas earning degrees in Physics and Math, then spent many years developing innovative communications systems. While still working, he began writing fiction in his spare time and published The Enclave, a mystery/suspense novel, in 2010.

Since leaving high tech in 2014, he now spends full time pursuing his writing passion. John writes children’s books to capture their imagination and help them discover the love of reading early in life. He especially loves writing books that help elementary school children discover that reading is a fun adventure. The chapter books in the Amber-Autumn mystery series, including Christmas Garden, Grandfather’s Blessing, ...

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

• How one basketball game changed the trajectory of Tyler’s life
• The difference between confidence and arrogance — and why Tyler says confidence is a game-changer
• The importance of setting aside time and removing distractions to focus on writing
• Tyler’s advice for the writer who feels God’s call but wrestles with self-doubt and a busy schedule

Reflecting on a Life-Changing Basketball Game

Between youth ministry, sports writing, and high school basketball coaching, Tyler lives what he calls a seasonal life: his focus tends to change depending on the time of year. Many people would find it extremely challenging to make time for more writing alongside all of those other commitments, but Tyler says writing — and in particular, telling and engaging with stories — is something he’s always enjoyed.

“We as humans connect the most with stories,” Tyler says. Pointing to Jesus as the greatest Storyteller of all time, Tyler adds that, no matter the setting — be it listening to a sermon or watching a sports match — he’s always drawn into other people’s stories and always looking for a story to tell.

That’s why he begins his book, Searching for Seven, with the story of a high school basketball game that ultimately changed the direction of his life. During this game, Tyler was not playing well and had been arguing with his coach. “I remember sitting at the end of the bench thinking, ‘This is not looking good for my career in basketball. I’m not where I wanted to be.’”

But then, just when Tyler thought he was finished playing for the night, his coach put him back in the game — and he played better than he ever had before. Thanks to his performance that day, his basketball career took off, and a few years later, Tyler was recruited to play basketball at a Bible college.

Although Tyler thought he was only attending that college to play basketball, God had other plans. The opportunity to work in youth ministry one summer turned into a long-term calling. But without that one high school game where Tyler found renewed confidence and his basketball career changed, it’s possible he might never have ended up at the Bible college that led him to youth ministry.

Finding Confidence in God

Tyler’s story is a valuable reminder for us all. In the moment, we don’t always see or understand what God is doing. But sometimes God is working behind the scenes to put the pieces together and bring about a greater good than we could possibly imagine.

Additionally, Tyler’s story reminds us of an important distinction between confidence and arrogance. While we should always keep in mind that our gifts and talents come from God, it’s also important to believe that we are capable of accomplishing great things with God as our strength.

What matters is that “we are putting our confidence in God, recognizing where the abilities come from,” Tyler says. “That's a game-changer: when I can face every day and every challenge knowing He's got my back, He's put me in this position. And it's not really my ability, it's what He's given. And I'm going to use that ability through Him.”

Making Time & Space to Write

Tyler says he had the idea to write his book several years before he actually started working on it in earnest. “I knew at some point it was going to happen,” he explains, “but life is busy. There's a lot going on. And so for many years, I did not make the time to start writing.”

Instead, Tyler would write down notes and ideas here and there. He had a general idea of what he wanted to write about and which stories from his life he wanted to include, but it wasn’t until later that he made a conscious decision to set aside time to write.

When he decided it was time to focus on his book, Tyler took weeks off from work and used the time he would normally have spent at his job working on his book instead. Sometimes he would work at coffee shops, while other times he would go outside to be inspired by nature.

Tyler explains that when doing something important — be it praying, writing a book, or spending time with family — removing distractions is key. While some people may be able to multitask effectively, Tyler has found that trying to juggle multiple things at once only divides his focus and prevents him from giving any of those things the attention they deserve.

And, as Tyler has learned, environment plays a huge role in eliminating distractions and helping us focus on the task at hand.

“Everything should lead us to worship, even if it's sipping a wonderful coffee or listening to a song that I love,” Tyler says. “I see the stars, I'm out in nature, I’m hanging out with friends — all these things should call us into worship. And so for me to be most creative and most in tune with God and what he wants me to do, those environments are key.”

As...

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

• Reasons people choose to go the traditional publishing route, as well as downsides to help you make the right decision according to your personal goals
• Key elements you need to land a book deal
• What a query letter and book proposal are, and what to include in each
• The main objective your book must help the publishing house achieve

It’s easy to be really passionate about the writing process and about wanting to share your story with the world and, at the same time, also be really lost to how the industry actually works. But if you don't understand how the industry works before you publish, it can actually hurt your book’s success and impact.

If you missed the previous episodes in this series, you can check them out here!

Today, let’s pause, pivot a little, and really dig deep into the letter T — and more specifically, traditional publishing. However, within that category, we’ll also cover some of the elements you need to land a traditional publishing deal.

Self-Publishing Recap

Before we get into traditional publishing, let’s review what we previously discussed about self-publishing.

Self-publishing means you are taking the helm — not only in writing, but in publishing. This could mean you do it all yourself (though it’s not necessarily recommended!), or it could mean you hire an editor, proofreader, cover designer, formatter, and any other people you need to put together a professional finished product.

Self-Publishing Options

When you self-publish, you have to assemble your own dream team to make it happen, and you’re responsible for interviewing and vetting those people — unless you work with a partner, like us at 265 Point, who has that dream team already assembled.

Certainly, there are talented freelancers out there who can be a great help, but there is a huge benefit to having a central point of contact to manage the process and make everything run smoothly. It takes a lot of stress out of self-publishing, because you only have to vet the person you partner with on the front end, instead of bringing the entire team together yourself.

Remember, whether you work with a partner or not, when you self-publish, you’re picking up the costs for all the components that are necessary to publish a quality book. But that also means you have 100% creative control. The book is exactly what you want it to be, and it says what you want it to say, how you want it to say it.

That said, keep in mind that the reader is the one who decides whether the book resonates with them. So really getting in tune with that persona and being able to speak to a direct target audience is very important.

But, if you’re keeping that reader in mind, then it is your book and you can do with it what you want. You have complete creative and marketing control, you retain 100% of the rights, and you get a larger share of the royalties. But that means you’ve got to push and orchestrate the whole publishing process.

Indie Publishers

Indie publishers are kind of a middle ground, not quite as big as the traditional publishing houses we’ll cover today. These publishers have assembled the resources in-house to publish books at a smaller scale.

They don’t work with as many authors, and advances and royalties may be a little different than they would be with traditional publishers, but indie publishers are still a viable option that can help remove some of the pressure of coordinating and managing the process of publishing a book.

Traditional Publishing

A traditional publishing deal is what most people think of when they think of landing a book deal. This is when a big company like HarperCollins picks up your book, and it’s a big, celebratory moment in the author space when it happens.

But what does it really look like to pursue that publishing path? Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of landing a traditional publishing deal.

There are many reasons a person might choose to go the traditional publishing path, including:

• Endorsement. A traditional publishing deal can feel like a stamp of approval, telling you that what you have to say actually mattered and resonated with people to the point that they were willing to invest in you. When a publishing company says yes to your deal, it means they believe in you. And in a subjective field like writing, that vote of encouragement can be huge for your self-confidence.
• Resources. If you’re traditionally published, you don't have to assemble the dream team. Instead, you can rely on the publisher’s in-house resources. And if they’re a major publisher, they likely have a very high-quality team working on your book.
• Low inve...

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

• A real-world example of the difference interviews can make for your book sales
• The key to effectively promoting with interviews
• Why your “sales problem” may actually be a connection problem — and what to do about it
• What it really means to build authority as an expert
• How to establish trust with your audience
• Tips for a successful interview

The Power of Interviews: Tracy’s Story

Tracy had a dream to publish her own book. She poured her heart and soul into the pages, but she wasn't sure how to get it out in front of more readers. Finally, however, after weeks of research and networking, Tracy was able to land an interview on a popular podcast that catered to her niche.

During the interview, Tracy talked about why she wrote her book and shared valuable insights with the listeners. She explained how each chapter was inspired by a personal experience and revealed some key plot points without giving away too much of the story.

At the end of the interview, Tracy also took time to explain where people could find out more information about her and her book and purchase it if they wanted to read it for themselves. She was thrilled when she saw that sales had picked up and that her audience had grown on all of her social media platforms — all from one interview!

Though she’d never considered it before, Tracy quickly realized how effective promoting with interviews can be for getting her story in front of new readers. From then on, she made sure to take advantage of every opportunity for an interview so more people could discover what her book was all about.

So what can you take away from Tracy’s story? First, if you are a Christian author who wants to reach a specific audience, but you're struggling to sell your book, you are not alone. And second, there is a solution that you may not have considered: promoting with interviews.

So let’s use Tracy’s experience as a guide to explore how interviews can help you sell more books. That way you can do what Tracy did and get your book in front of more readers.

The Key to Effectively Promoting with Interviews

Interviews are powerful marketing tools. Whether they’re podcasts, blog features, or radio shows, promoting with interviews allows you to share your story and connect with potential readers on a personal level.

Tracy's experience is a prime example of this. After her interview, sales of her book increased significantly. That's because readers felt more connected to Tracy and her story, making them more likely to purchase her book.

You see, as humans, we typically make decisions based on emotion, not just facts. So when you have an interview, it allows you to make that emotional connection with your reader and get them to a place where they really connect with you. That's what it's all about — connecting with your audience on a deeper level.

Consider this: you may not have a sales problem at all. Rather, you have a connection problem.

But by sharing your story, experiences, and insights with your listeners, you're giving them a glimpse into who you are as an author and the mission God has called you to. This creates a stronger bond between you and your audience, and makes them more likely to want to read your book.

Plus, by promoting with interviews, you have the potential to reach a much wider audience than you would through other marketing strategies. For example, if you have an interview on a popular podcast, you could potentially reach thousands of new readers from one appearance.

Just think about that. Dedicating 30-45 minutes of your time could put you in front of thousands of people! There aren’t a lot of places where you can accomplish that. If you go to a book fair, for example, or a bookstore book signing with a really good showing, you might be in front of hundreds of people. But there’s a huge difference between hundreds and thousands of people.

Plus, this kind of interview is evergreen. That means every time someone discovers the podcast, there’s potential for them to discover you. It’s not just a one-time event like a book signing.

The True Meaning of Authority & Expertise

When you're interviewed as an expert in your niche, it can also help build your authority and credibility with your audience. But let’s talk about that word authority for a minute, because as believers, we can get into a space where we have a negative association with that kind of word.

But the kind of authority we’re talking about here isn’t about putting other people down and putting yourself on a pedestal. It simply means that this is an area God has called you to, and you have something powerful to say about it.

Having authority means that what you bring to the table is going to make a difference in someone’s life. That the words you p...