Self help book writing has become a publishing phenomenon. They’ve become a popular way for experts to share their knowledge, and some have become classics. If you want to author a book that changes a reader’s life, you can’t go wrong with self help book writing. Of all books, they are the ones that speak directly to readers. With your wisdom and experience, you guide them from step one to final mastery of their problem. People have used them to:
- Solve a personal problem they’ve struggled with their whole life.
- Launch the business they’ve always dreamed of owning.
- Finally conquer their procrastination or lack of motivation.
- Take that flight fearlessly.
- Get fit, healthy, and strong.
- Become an accomplished home cook.
- Get their finances in order and begin building wealth.
- Dress with elegance and flair.
- Win the heart of the person they love—or keep a current relationship strong.
- Move past grief and loss.
These are all things that people can achieve with self help book writing. If you can offer a practical, easy-to-understand solution to a widespread problem, you’ll have a winner on your hands.
Classic Self Help Book Writing
Self help book writing doesn’t usually get cast as literary classics. And that’s fine. They’re not expected to. They serve a completely different purpose from fiction and other types of nonfiction. That said, some self help book writing has become cult classics and led many readers to question what they previously believed about human behavior.
- Rich Dad Poor Dad What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not by Robert T. Kiyosaki: Still the top-selling personal finance book of all time, this guide, published in 1997, was on the New York Times bestseller list for six years. The book spawned huge interest, including so-called Cash Flow clubs and Rich Dad game clubs all over the world.
- Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits by James Clear. With the promise of “tiny changes, remarkable results,” this 2018 book has sold more than 15 million copies. The book is aimed at anyone who wants to swap bad behaviors for good ones. People swear by the life-changing self-hypnosis techniques that Clear teaches.
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey: Although published in 1989, this book became so well-known that its title is still routinely copied, satirized, and made the subject of online memes today. Recently updated, it is still a top seller. Everyone, it seems, wants to know the “seven habits” that lead to strong leadership and personal success.
- The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: This guide to creating the life of your dreams is based on what Byrne calls the “law of attraction.” Like Robbins and Kiyosaki, Byrne wrote a book that became a cultural phenomenon. “The Secret” and the laws of attraction have been the subject of countless articles, critical takedowns, and a documentary.
Self Help Book Writing That People Want to Read
A reader who picks up self help book writing isn’t a casual reader. It’s someone who’s struggling and doesn’t know where to turn. They don’t want to talk about problems with friends or their therapist because it’s too deeply personal. At this point, they’re almost desperate. And there, like a lifeline, is your book, promising to fix the problem for the last time.
Be sure to position your self help book writing as the answer. A short, direct title works best. Refer to your actionable plan and your expertise on the cover. State that the plan has proven results and can work for them.
Self Help Book Writing to Change Someone’s Life
All self help book writing makes the same promise: Reading this book will change your life. Each book in this category is based on a simple premise, namely, that the reader has a problem the writer can help them solve. Some self help book writing focuses on spiritual change, while others are highly practical.
Add Characters
Self help book writing always features a cast of characters that stand in for the reader. These are people who faced the same challenges and overcame them with the help of the program in the book. If you’ve read self help book writing, you know that these characters appear in several chapters, showing the progress they are making, which reflects the same progress the reader could be making. Here are some typical examples.
Rosie was so scared of traveling alone that she refused to leave her home for almost five years. She turned down invitations to weddings and other family events. She didn’t think she could ever do it. Thanks to this simple plan, she is now an accomplished solo traveler who is planning her next vacation to Bali.
Lou was a self-described “kitchen klutz” who could barely boil water or make toast. After using the six-step plan here, he was able to name what scared him about cooking and how to overcome that fear through affirmations. Just a month later, he confidently cooks simple meals for his family and has plans to build on that and learn more advanced techniques.
Like fictional characters, these examples should appear as living, breathing people on the page. Share their pain, their joys, and their triumphs so the reader will empathize with them and relate to them.
Provide a Plan
Like all genre writing, self-help writing follows a standard formula. Publishers in this category want a simple, easy-to-follow formula, like a 5-step plan or a 10-step countdown. The plan should lay out a clear path for the reader to follow. The book may include checklists, goalposts, and other pointers that show progress.
Some authors include a journal or note pages that allow readers to write about their feelings and track their progress. Sell the journal as a separate item that helps readers stay on the program. People find these helpful when they’re following a new program. Offer checklists and schedules. Include motivational quotes, inspiring examples, and a progress tracker.
Build Trust with Self Help Book Writing
Why should a reader believe your plan will work, even when countless others have failed? Overcome their skepticism by explaining why you’re the best source of knowledge on the topic and why your plan will work. Most successful self-help writers combine professional ability with hands-on know-how. They use a plan they’ve successfully used to improve their own lives, and they also show that it can work for anyone.
Build a base of trust that the reader can point to when considering your book above all the other self-help books out there. How do you stand out? Is it your years of experience, industry awards, or professional recognitions? Is it your ability to condense complicated, technical knowledge into an easy-to-follow guide? Note where your book stands out to gain the reader’s trust.
Using illustrative characters will help build on this. Show real-life examples of people who used the book to get results.
You Can Write a Self-Help Book
When you write a self-help book, you help people live better, more fulfilled lives. Once you finish your book, get it published with our help. At Dazzle Printing, we specialize in working with self-published authors who have a story to tell or valuable advice to share. For more information or to obtain a printing estimate, please visit our website today.
