Self-help sells

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• Are you the author of a self-help book or personal improvement book looking to independently publish?

• Is your mission to help people unlock their potential and lead better, happier, more productive lives?

• Do you have unique insights and knowledge that can help readers get more done, be less stressed, learn a new skill, or improve their lives in some way?

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If you are working as a coach, healer, clinician or other, then you’ve probably read a few self-help books in your own quest for self-improvement. Whether you wanted to get healthy, build your business, seek spiritual guidance, improve a relationship, self-help books can be a real boost to your self esteem.

 

Nielsen Book Research  indicates that 3 million self-help books were sold in 2018 — an increase of 20%! So why are self-help books so popular? It could be a sign of the times. 2020 has increased this genre even more with enforced global lockdowns. People are looking for ways to cope with the stress of life. 

 

The biggest advantage of publishing advice and personal development books and ebooks is discoverability. They are ideal for using SEO to aid in being indexed by major search engines and online stores including Amazon. Unlike fiction, the topics and themes of these books are very easy to define. 

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As long as your writing is high quality, you have an eye-catching book cover and a title that is engaging, you have a good opportunity to attract people who like reading self-help books.

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Here are 5 fundamental basics to consider when publishing self help

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1.Choose your topic wisely

There are hundreds of self-help topics you can choose to write about. Name it and we can guarantee you that there is an audience. However, don’t write for a wide audience write to a niche audience. Be specific. Don’t choose a broad topic, like ‘weight loss’. Funnel it in further like ‘weight loss for women over 50’.

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Why? It’s important to narrow your audience down to a smaller group. Your title may not appeal to as many people, but your advice will be a lot more direct and potent and it will be easier to locate your target readers too. For your self-help book to be most effective, it needs to be entirely focused on one type of person and one type of problem.

 

2.Understand your audience

Knowing who your target reader is - is important when writing any book, but even more so with self-help.

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You need to know who’s reading your book so that you can help them overcome their problem. Start with the demographics of your target reader. What is the reader’s age, gender and location? Then think about the reader’s motivation. What will lead this reader to pick up your book? Desperation, frustration, curiosity, physical or mental pain?

 

By knowing your target audience (reader) you can write content that’s completely tailored to their needs. When you know who’s listening, it’s easier to speak directly to that person. Being too universal in your approach will dilute your efficacy.

 

3.Research, research, research

Do you need qualifications to write self help. Yes you can use your professional experience and credentials to establish yourself as an expert in the field pertaining to your book  but some of the best self-help books are written by those with a Ph.D. in the school of hard knocks / life experience.

 

Once you know who your reader is, think about what questions they’ll have about the subject matter and make a list of these. Your list will be the basis for your research.

 

Even if you know the subject inside and out, it’s always a good idea to research anyway. Readers love statistics and personal stories. Interweave both into your book.

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4.See what else is out there

While you’re researching, identify other books on the topic you have chosen to write about. Ask yourself:

• What did the author do well in the book?

• What could be improved or what was missing?

• How will my book be any different than what’s already out there?

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Find your unique selling point. Perhaps, it is your distinctive backstory. Have you overcome an uncommon challenge? Have you a solution ? Your unique take on the topic will help sell your story to the targeted reader.

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5.Titles matter

In a noisy world with thousands of self-help books your cover AND your title is crucial. Deciding on your self-help book title can be challenging. If it is too esoteric or playing on words, no one understands what your book is about. Yet, if it too generic, bland or and boring it won’t convert to a sale.

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Some tried and tested formula’s for self-help titles.

• Teach how to: How-to books are popular for self-help because it immediately implies that the reader will learn a lesson.

‘How to win friends and influence people’ Dale Carnegie

• Make a promise: Show your reader what they will gain from your book 

‘Think and grow rich’ Napoleon Hill

• Be descriptive: Simply describe what the book is about.

‘The 4 hour work week’ Tim Ferris

• Make a list: A list makes it easy.

‘The 7 habits of highly effective people: powerful lessons in personal change’ Stephen Covey

• Motivate: Inspire your reader to action.

‘You can heal your life’ Louise Hay

• Instruct: Take a declaratory stance.

‘Awaken the giant within: how to take immediate control of your mental, emotional, physical, and financial destiny’ Tony Robbins

 

Moving forward 

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Call us directly on 1300 88 5858 or place an enquiry to find out how you can publish your self-help/healing book.

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