Danny Davis on How to Turn Sermons into Books and Multiple Streams of Income (Part 2)

I know those big name pastors can turn their sermons into books and sell tons of copies. But can any pastor do that, and actually make money as an author?

Missionary and author Danny Davis says yes you can! And he'll share his pathway to profits as a self-published author, while serving as a missionary in East Africa, in this episode of the More Than a Pastor Show.

Links for Today's Show

• Last Episode: Danny Davis on Following the Way of the Shepherd in Ministry, Writing, and Providing
• Danny Davis' New Book: The Way of the Shepherd: From Anxiety to Assurance: Embracing the Timeless Wisdom of Psalm 23
• Danny Davis' Website: www.equippedservant.com
  
• Like My Show and Want to Support it? Buy Me a Coffee  

How to Turn Sermons into Books and Multiple Streams of Income

I’m glad to have my friend Dr. Danny Davis back with us for part two of our conversation which started in the last episode. If you haven’t listened to that one yet, be sure to check it out.

• Danny and I talked about his 30+ years in ministry as a pastor, church planter, missionary, and equipper, and how he began to leverage his ministry experience into books and other resources that inspire and bless others and generate multiple streams of income.
• I also asked Danny why he feels strongly about pastors creating income outside the church.
• He took us into the backstory behind his new book, The Way of the Shepherd: And we explored why the message of Psalm 23 is needed in the church, and in our world, now more than ever.

On today’s episode, Danny shares valuable insights he's learned on his journey as an author, including:

• How any pastor, missionary, or other ministry leader can create sustainable income through writing.
• Danny and I talk about his pathway to self-publishing, and how that has been a game-changer for him, and why you should never work with a publisher who charges pricey up-front fees or makes you buy bulk copies of your book. His answer will probably surprise you.
• He shares five core lessons learned in becoming a successful self-published author. And six keys for building a profitable writing platform.

To learn more about Danny, you’ll find him online at www.equippedservant.com. And now let’s dive into part two of our conversation with Danny Davis.

Danny's Pathway to Profitable Self-Publishing

Danny worked with a traditional publisher for his first book, taking his academic dissertation on revitalizing churches and turning it into a book that was more practical and accessible for pastors.

While that was a positive experience for him, he discovered pretty quickly that writing the book is just the beginning. Next comes the marketing to promote the book and generate sales.

Danny learned that publishing houses - even the big ones - leave much of the marketing to the author. And many publishers today won't work with you unless you have a massive platform—10,000 social media followers, 15,000 email subscribers, and more.

This experience helped Danny realize that, even though he didn't have a huge audience at the time, he did have many of the tools needed to succeed independently as a self-published author. So he dedicated himself to learning everything he could about building a profitable self-publishing business.

Amplify Your Success With a Self-Publishing Platform

Through years of trial and error, Danny has published several books and has built his own imprint to release his work, focusing on Christian living topics like identity, spiritual growth, and overcoming personal struggles.

Danny says self-publishing has been a game-changer for him, allowing him to create a publishing ecosystem that turns sermons into blog posts and books and multiple streams of income, and has his readers coming back to him over and over again for new content.

5 Core Lessons Learned as a Self-Published Author

In our conversation, Danny shared five core lessons he's learned so far on his journey as a self-published author:

1. Writing Your Book is Just the Beginning

Creating a great book is only half the battle. Marketing, audience building, and ongoing promotion are where success is made or broken.

2. Investing is Key

It takes money to make money. You need to be willing to invest by hiring an editor and designer if you want your work to look professional and stand out. You also need to invest in marketing if you want to connect your book with the right audience and generate sales.

3. Understand the Business Side

Self-publishing is a business and should be treated as one. It isn’t just about uploading a manuscript to Amazon. It involves budgeting for production costs, building a launch team, learning basic marketing strategies, and more.

4. Play the Long Game

Most self-published authors sell about 100 books in their lifetime because they don’t invest in long-term marketing. Building a back catalog of work and creating consistent efforts around audience engagement are crucial for long-term success.

5. Beware of Scams and Vanity Presses

Avoid publishers that charge exorbitant upfront fees or require bulk book purchases. Legitimate platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital allow you to publish without substantial costs. Learn the industry landscape to avoid falling victim to predatory practices.

6 Keys for Building a Profitable Writing Platform

Here are six things that have been key for Danny in building a profitable writing and self-publishing platform:

1. Leverage Existing Content

Many creators, especially pastors, already have valuable content in their sermons, blogs, or other work. Instead of starting from scratch, repurpose what you’ve already created. Tools like transcription services can transform recorded sermons or talks into written content, capturing impromptu insights and adding depth to prepared material.

2. Consistency is Critical

Success comes through regularity. Consistently set aside time to produce and refine content. For example, a blog with consistent weekly posts can grow a dedicated audience and serve as the foundation for future books or other projects.

3. Build Momentum Over Time

Writing isn’t a one-off activity; it’s about building an ecosystem. One book can lead to another, creating a series that keeps readers engaged. Momentum grows gradually. A single book might not make waves, but consistent output and quality content will build a loyal audience over time.

4. Invest in the Process

It takes money to make money. Investing in your work—whether through editing, marketing, or production—demonstrates professionalism and makes your content more appealing to buyers. Focus on stewardship: Use the resources and abilities God has already provided wisely and with purpose.

5. Create a Platform and Meet Needs

A book or blog isn’t just content; it’s part of a larger platform. Use it to address a need, touch people’s hearts, or solve a problem for your audience. Faithfulness in small tasks, like weekly sermon preparation, can translate into greater opportunities to reach broader audiences.

6. Make Use of Technology

Recordings, blogs, and transcription tools allow creators to maximize their reach while preserving the essence of their messages. Pastors, for example, can transform sermons into books or other materials, ensuring their message extends beyond the pulpit.

Application & Action

Danny believes if he can turn his sermons into books and multiple streams of income as a self-published author, anyone can.

I know I’m ready to write some books and create my own self-publishing platform this year. Like Danny said, over the years I’ve developed so much content that could easily be parlayed into several books that could serve more people and generate income.

Are You Ready to Turn Sermons Into Books and Multiple Streams of Income?

What about you? Could you see yourself turning sermons or other material into a book in 2025? If so, please let me know. I’d love to encourage you along the way! You can email me at [email protected].

Or do you think it’s not possible for you? If so, I’d like to know the reason why. Maybe it could be a topic for a future episode.

I’ve always thought it would be nice to have a traditionally published book, but as I hear Danny and other self-published authors talk about how you need to have a huge audience today and how those publishers don’t really help you with the marketing, I’m realizing the wisdom of creating my own self-publishing ecosystem over time.

And truly, it’s never been easier or cheaper to do.

I’m so glad that Danny was willing to share his experience, and I’m definitely going to incorporate these in my book writing plan for 2025 and beyond.