Every rose has its thorn. Every day, we’re bombarded with challenges, whether it’s personal or professional. These struggles can be anxiety-inducing and make you feel suffocated. In the face of such adversities, not everyone is able to get help and be better.
This is where self-help authors have become a beacon of light. Their words have helped generations overcome trauma and find purpose. That’s one of the reasons why self-help is a soaring genre.
For people who once fantasized about being a hero, this might be their cue to take the spotlight. And change lives with their self-help book. But if only things were that simple. The market is filled to the brim with the demand for this genre.
This cutthroat competition makes it tough for authors to make waves. At least not without a fight to get their book recognized. So, what can you do to make your book different, more unique, and more impactful? Well, we’ve got the antidote.
Here are our experts taking the lead to show you the best way to write a self-help book.
What to Know Before Writing a Self-Help Book?
There’s a popular saying, “Look before you leap.” This is applicable to self-help books as well. The best way to write a self-help book is to understand the technicalities that come with this genre beforehand. These books are sorted into two main categories:
- How-To Books
- Motivational Books
The how-to books expand on how to address and fix the issue. This category covers common problems like fixing routine or weight loss. On the other hand, motivational books focus on explaining why you should attain your goals. The classic example of this category is “Why having a routine is crucial?”
How to Write a Self-Help Book?
Once you’ve become familiar with the genre and its categories, the next step is the execution. Just like other genres, self-help writing is comprised of multiple steps that authors can follow. They are as follows:
- Research And Analyze the Market
- Identify Your Core Message and Niche
- Outline the Book
- Write It
- Edit and Proofread
- Finalize a Publishing Path
Stick to these steps and remain consistent with your writing routine, and you’ll be on the right path.
How to Make a Self-Help Book More Impactful?
The ultimate goal for every self-help book author is to write a book that can stand the test of time and truly impact people. These books don’t cater to the ongoing buzz or trend; they stand alone with resonating and relevant information.
If you’re ready to test the water of this genre, here are some tips to make your self-help book more impactful:
- Recognize Common Problems
- Break Down the Problem
- Provide Practical Solutions
- Incorporate Real-Life Examples
- Address Potential Setbacks
- Encourage Adaptability
- Provide Tools and Resources
- Instill Hope and Confidence
Let’s walk through each of these in detail.
1. Recognize Common Problems
Try to look around and research common issues faced by readers. Pick on reoccurring issues in their lives and tackle that in your book. Make them feel seen by offering them relatable content. You can establish relevance with your reader by mentioning the following topics:
- Personals Struggles
- Mental Exhaustion
- Life Transaction
- Financial Issues
By addressing these topics, you effectively validate their issues and grab attention, too.
2. Break Down the Problem
Due to the book’s nature, you will have to offer solutions to the readers. Try to evaluate and break down their topic before doing so. This will help offer clarity to the reader. Segregate the main problem into chunks and then address each of them thoroughly. This will help the reader to fully grasp the issue without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Provide Practical Solutions
Once you break down the problem, now it’s time to offer a solution. Tackle the solution with the same approach as you did with the problem. You can break the solution into various parts, such as:
- Dealing with the practical aspects
- Managing the mental pressure
- Catering to the relations involved
Give them practical and doable solutions with steps to follow so that the readers who are looking for an answer can act on it promptly. Offer clarity in whatever instructions and suggestions you provide. You can simplify them through bullet points, lists, and short paragraphs.
4. Incorporate Real-Life Examples
Adding real-life scenarios and case studies. You can give examples of people around you explaining problem statements. Through this approach, readers can understand that they are not the only ones struggling. These examples make readers feel hopeful.
5. Address Potential Setbacks
Even though the genre is focused on positivity and tackling diverse issues of life, addressing potential setbacks is necessary. As a writer, you need to acknowledge the practical aspects of issue handling. Address the fact that the road to recovery won’t be smooth.
6. Encourage Adaptability
Highlight the fact that the solution provided might not fit all scenarios. Encourage the readers to adapt the given solution according to their situation. The readers can feel in control of their situation by making adjustments based on their unique conditions. This directly makes your advice more versatile and applicable.
7. Provide Tools and Resources
Offer tools and resources to add value to your solutions. You can use various resources such as worksheets, affirmation lists, checklists, etc. Such resources help the reader to be more organized while staying on track.
8. Instill Hope and Confidence
Offer a mix of validation and encouragement to give hope to the readers. Remind them that success looks different to everyone. Emphasis that they can tackle all the setbacks and issues with determination and consistency.
End each solution-focused section with a line of encouragement. This will increase the readers’ confidence and will keep them motivated.
Following all the mentioned points will make writing a self-help book for personal growth extremely manageable.
Here you have it! We have listed all the basic to major tips for writing a self-help book. These tips will not only streamline the book-writing process but will also make your upcoming book the talk of the town!
If you still require professional help to execute your book swiftly, Ghostwriting Proficiency can help you out. We’re one of the leading US-based firms that have managed to conquer the book market. We offer professional services, including book writing, book trailers, etc.
Get in touch with us for quick and reliable book solutions!
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no specific number that you need to follow. It is up to the author’s choice. For example, they can have 12 chapters or even 32 chapters. But what matters is the main structure of the book. It needs to support the readers’ journey at a proper pace. So, make sure that the execution isn’t hasty.
There is no standard path to writing an inspirational self-help book. Every author takes a different approach based on various factors like personal values, experiences, and views of life. Always outline the book based on the key theme. Focus on what resonates with you and write about those aspects, making the book authentic and inspirational.
The number of pages can vary from book to book. It depends on its:
- Structure
- Chapters
- Context
Some self-help books have fifty pages. Others can have more than a hundred. Research shows that most self-help books are published with approximately 100 to 300 pages. But you are not bound to follow this as there is no set rule.
The introduction to most self-help books offers general information. The author explains the subject matter and lists all of their qualifications to write on the chosen subject in the intial pages. The introduction also explains how the writer came up with the idea of writing the book and what led to it.
The self-help genre is highly versatile. It caters to different prospects of life and offers detailed solutions accordingly. Even though there are many domains, here are some of the common ones:
- Personal development
- Mindfulness and inner peace
- Health and wellness
- Relationships
- Career
- Financial advice
- Spirituality and purpose
Creativity and inspiration.
