Who doesn’t love languishing in the self-help section of their favorite bookstore? We can all benefit from a little self-improvement; with a little tweak here or there, we can fine-tune our diet or boost our self-esteem. Floating from one self-help topic to the next, it is easy to lose track of time exploring these tomes filled with so much advice and inspiration.
But who are all these people dispensing wisdom between the covers of a book? As an aspiring author, you may have even pondered, “Can anyone write a self-help book? Can I?” After all, you may have particular expertise in a field, such as finance, psychology, childrearing, or even writing. If you are bursting at the seams with some enticing self-help book ideas, why not bring one or two to fruition? Read on if you are intrigued by the idea of writing your very own self-help book.
Who’s Qualified to Write a Self-Help Book? Will Readers Trust Me?
Many writers may freeze in their tracks, thinking they do not possess the credentials to write a self-help book. They may desire to share their personal challenges and provide real-life examples of how they overcame obstacles, but lack the self-confidence to proceed.
Many books in the self-help niche are penned by experts in a particular field, just as many are written by regular people who are simply talented writers with an honest desire to help others.
But, can just anyone write a self-help book?
A self-help book based on authentic life experience can be more effective than a droll book written by an expert. Write about what you know, what you have experienced, and what you have learned that resulted in improvements in some facets of your own life.
For example, you do not need to be a horticulturist to write a book about gardening. All you need is your personal gardening experience and a deep desire to help other gardening enthusiasts by sharing the secrets of a green thumb with them.
Of course, some practical exceptions, such as the dispensing of medical advice, are best reserved for health professionals.
Most Popular Self-Help Topics to Write About
Exploring self-help book ideas can yield some beneficial information when deciding on a topic to write about. Researching the most popular self-help topics revealed these six mainstays, not surprisingly, appear to earn the most reader interest:
Relationships
Couldn’t we all benefit from fine-tuning our relationships? Whether the focus is on romantic relationships or the family dynamic, the relationship niche is ever popular. Examples include:
- The 5 Love Languages, by Gary Chapman
- Relationship Goals: How to Win at Dating, Marriage, and Sex, by Michael Todd
- The Good Fight: Wanting to Leave, Choosing to Stay, and the Powerful Practice for Loving Faithfully, by Jana Kramer
Dieting
Aren’t we all looking to pare down our silhouettes a bit? There is always a big demand for dieting solutions, such as:
- The Body Reset Diet: Power Your Metabolism, Blast Fat, and Shed Pounds in Just 15 Days, by Harley Pasternak
- Keto Diet: Your 30-Day Plan to Lose Weight, Balance Hormones, Boost Brain Health, and Revere Disease, by Dr. Josh Axe
Money
The perennial desire to improve our financial lives will keep the money and finance titles in high demand, including:
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
- Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill
Happiness
Who wouldn’t want to learn how to become a happier person, right? Consider these titles as examples of inspiring self-help books:
- The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, by Don Miguel Ruiz
- It Didn’t Start With You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle, by Mark Wolynn
- Didn’t See That Coming: Putting Life Back Together When Your World Falls Apart, by Rachel Hollis
Success
Sometimes we just need to get out of our own way to succeed in achieving our goals, and books like these can help people do that:
- Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear
- The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, by Jack Canfield
Spiritual
Exploring the rich spiritual aspects of daily living is always enlightening, as these authors reveal:
- The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams
- Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon, by Dr. Joe Dispenza
Explore What Else You Need to Know Before Publishing a Self-Help Book
If you are tossing around some self-help book ideas, but aren’t quite sure which direction to take or how to structure the book, consider working with a team of publishing experts. At Gatekeeper Press, we work hard for our authors, helping them each step of the way to create a high-quality product by offering a full menu of editing and publishing services. Contact us today!