Have you been through an experience that you want to share with the world? Do you have solid advice on surviving a journey that you're sure will be helpful to others? Writing a book can not only be therapeutic for the author, but there are also countless individuals facing challenges or seeking solutions who are eager for advice from someone who understands their struggles.
Unfortunately, the self-help book market has become quite saturated, and standing out from the crowd can be difficult. So what can you do to get people’s attention and convince them that your book is exactly what they need? We’ve identified seven tips for writing a self-help book that people would actually want to read.
Write What You Know (and Understand)
Don’t write a self-help book just to write a self-help book. You want to write about something you’ve witnessed, lived, or observed yourself…about which you're both passionate and knowledgeable. Writing authentically on a topic you care deeply about will resonate with readers. Your challenge will be to take your passion and translate it into a structured, valuable resource for others from which they can elicit positive change.
As an example, John Gray, author of the classic Women are from Mars, Men are from Venus, grew up with a houseful of brothers, and he then became a monk who was, once again, surrounded only by men. Once he began being in the presence of women, he felt as though they “were from another planet.” This led him to eventually write his bestselling book which helped countless couples better understand each other.
Approach Your Topic from a Unique Angle
Take a good look at the topic you want to write about and do your research. Are there already multiple books out there about that subject? If so, try to identify a gap in what’s available or a specific niche into which you might dive deeper than has been done before.
- Want to write about your experience being married to a narcissist? There are many books available related to dealing with a narcissist, surviving the experience, divorce, and recovery. Think about what perspective you’re not yet seeing and write with that in mind.
- Have advice for soon-to-be retirees? Don’t write about last-minute investments, bucket lists, or strategies to survive on a fixed income. There are plenty of those. Write with humor about what retirees absolutely should not do instead, or wax poetic about the pleasures of not having to answer to anyone once you're retired.
Offer Substance and Empathy
A number of self-help books with solid advice can fall by the wayside because they take a superficial approach, and readers can absolutely spot a phony. Rather than showing that the author truly understands the struggles associated with an issue, some books are written in a strictly intellectual style, leaving the reader feeling unmotivated and completely disconnected. Don’t be shy about sharing your own challenges and being vulnerable. That’s what readers need, and what they’re looking for.
Focus on Actionable Advice
Readers are looking to you for help and inspiration in improving their lives in some way. They love having a plan or system they can follow for sustainable, long-term results rather than just abstract ideas. Throughout the journey, maintain their motivation by sharing stories and anecdotes about positive changes you've experienced. You should also include exercises and practices to help the reader experience some of the change you're trying to impart.
Choose a Memorable Title
Think about self-help books that stand out in your memory, from older titles to contemporary ones. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, What to Say When You Talk to Yourself, Atomic Habits, You are a Badass…all of these titles grab your attention and linger in your mind. That makes them easy to remember and share.
In addition to choosing a title that's memorable, strive to evoke curiosity and inspire action. If you're struggling to come up with just the right title, there are book title generators online that can help with brainstorming and kickstart ideas for you.
Create an Attention-Grabbing Cover
When a reader is looking at a shelf (or a webpage) full of self-help titles, the first things that stand out to them are the title and the cover. If you want your book to shine in a crowded marketplace, keep that in mind when choosing your cover image and typography. Don’t have a cover like everyone else—do something unique, as long as it makes sense for your topic.
Promote, Promote, Promote
Even if people see your book, consider it, and don't pick it up at first—you can still convince them that they need to read it! Promoting your book on social media can get it in the faces of your target audience, without breaking the bank. Just remember to provide real value in your promotions instead of just a sales pitch.
Different social media platforms favor different content formats, so diversify your approach:
- Instagram: Share your book cover, quotes, or short videos of you discussing your book. Host live Q&As and interact with potential readers—let them know why they need to read it right now.
- TikTok: Use trending hashtags or create your own (#BookTok, #BookRecommendations, etc.) Create short, fun videos about your book. Offer tips, read an excerpt, or present a related challenge.
- X: Share advice from your book in a thread format with relevant hashtags. Retweet reviews, and make the most of relevant hashtags.
- LinkedIn: Publish articles, post professional updates, share insightful content, and interact with fellow authors and/or industry experts.
Additionally:
- Consider collaborating with influencers or other authors that complement your work or share the same audience.
- Encourage followers to post short video reviews or tag you in their posts.
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Leverage social media to motivate people to subscribe to your newsletter, where you can provide them with updates, book-related content, and exclusive offers.
Final Thoughts
Writing a self-help book can be a worthy undertaking. Always keep your reader in mind as you're writing. Your goal should ultimately be to help inspire and motivate change to improve readers' lives. By providing something innovative, useful, and influential, your book has the potential to stand out and create a lasting impact, even in a competitive market.
