We all face struggles from time to time that lead us to seek solutions and advice from people that are more experienced or more knowledgeable on a topic. We often turn to books to guide, inspire, and motivate us to find answers or initiate a change for the better. These self-help works, also known as “self-improvement” or “personal development”, focus on empowering readers to achieve a positive transformation through powerful stories, actionable steps, and helpful resources.
For authors, writing a self-help book can elevate their credibility and open doors to new opportunities. The genre has seen strong, historical growth and continues to thrive with an estimated $1.3 billion in U.S. sales in 2024. The success is largely driven by reader interest in personal growth and mental wellness, and by increases in eBook and audiobook formats, helping the category reach a broader audience. Bestselling titles like Mel Robbins’s The Let Them Theory and James Clear’s Atomic Habits are also bringing fresh voices and reader enthusiasm to the genre.
The self-help genre consists of nonfiction books intended to instruct or guide readers on how to solve personal problems, overcome challenges, or improve various aspects of their lives. While many self-help books incorporate personal stories to illustrate practical advice, they are not solely focused around the author’s life like a memoir might be. Writing a self-help book involves identifying a specific problem, outlining a clear path to a proven solution, and engaging the reader with stories and actionable takeaways.
The goal for a self-help book is to provide something innovative, useful, and influential, with a plan or system readers can follow for sustainable, long-term results.
Here are common subgenres or themes of self-help, with examples of each:
• Personal development: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck• Mindfulness and inner peace: How to Train a Happy Mind by Scott Snibbe• Health and wellness: The Wellness Trap by Christy Harrison• Relationships and communication: The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins• Career success and leadership: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown• Financial advice: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel• Spirituality and purpose: Inner Engineering: A Yogi's Guide to Joy by Sadhguru• Creativity and inspiration: The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life by Robin Sharma• Grief and loss: It’s OK That You’re Not OK by Megan Devine• Trauma and healing: Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic: How Trauma Works and How We Can Heal From It by Paul Conti• Productivity and performance: Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear• Happiness and life satisfaction: The Happiness Files by Arthur C. Brooks
Self-help narratives are one the most deeply personal styles of writing, turning passions and intimate experiences into valuable, structured resources for countless individuals. From overcoming anxiety to mastering productivity, self-help books provide readers meaningful transformations. Writing self-help is not a time to be shy or vague—instead, it’s a time to be vulnerable, relatable, and specific. For writers wanting to explore this genre, it’s important to understand the structure and psychology that are essential for creating a compelling book, and for earning reader trust. Here are eight key elements of a great self-help book:
Table of contents: Most self-help books contain different sections that introduce the problem, step readers through the solution or plan, and conclude with a recap and next steps. Your table of contents should give readers a good snapshot of what your book covers, and should flow logically from chapter to chapter, section to section, with descriptive titles.
Introduction: The introduction is your opportunity to engage the reader, introduce the problem, establish your authority, and make the expected transformation clear. This is also where you can explain the history of the problem, the layout of the book, and how you intend to help them.
Defined chapters and sections: Each chapter should focus on a specific aspect of the solution or process with an individual goal, and should flow smoothly into the next chapter. The end of each chapter or section can include actionable steps and offer an encouraging message to keep the momentum going.
Conclusion: The conclusion should include a summary of the key takeaways and provide the reader with a final action plan.
Next steps: Don’t let readers finish your book and then forget about you. What else can you offer them? If you are active on social media, maintain a blog, teach a course, offer coaching, or can provide further resources, be sure to mention this at the end of your book. By continuing to offer value, you will gain a long-term fan.
Many first time self-help authors underestimate the value of using transformative storytelling and specific, practical solutions to appeal to readers of the genre. When readers pick up your book believing it will help them address whatever struggle or challenge they are facing, it’s important you deliver. Here are six things to avoid when writing a self-help book so that you don’t leave readers disappointed:
Writing a great book is only the beginning of building a road to long-term success. Self-help readers are enthusiastic but selective, so it’s important you know who you are specifically targeting with your book and determine the best strategies and avenues for reaching them. The most successful self-help authors make it clear who their books will benefit the most with strong branding and messaging. Some key marketing considerations for self-help authors include:
Book Cover
Your book’s cover is a reader’s first, and sometimes only, impression, so it’s critical the title, subtitle, and artwork clearly reflect the book’s content. Self-help books typically have a shorter main title that captures the essence of the topic, followed by a longer subtitle that expands on the subject matter and is more specific. When developing the title and subtitle for your self-help book, you should think of them as a billboard for what readers will gain, how they will transform, or what problem you are solving for them. Also consider what keywords readers might be searching for when looking for a book like yours.
The artwork on self-help book covers is typically minimal and the title and subtitle are printed in bold, clean fonts. The colors and overall tone should convey professionalism, optimism, and trustworthiness.
Platform
Before you can start asking potential readers to buy your self-help book, you need to build trust over time by consistently offering value through channels like social media, a blog, an email newsletter, or a podcast. Self-help readers like to follow authors that provide free insights, tools, and encouragement outside of their books. If it’s possible to give them a preview of your process or approach, you can offer a free download such as a worksheet or mini-guide. Make it clear you understand their problem and can provide a clear path forward.
Rather than just promoting your book through these channels, center your messaging on service and value. If you can start building this platform prior to publishing, your followers will see you as a trusted voice on the topic and will be eager to buy the book when available.
Social Proof
The self-help genre thrives on recommendations through testimonials and reviews because they show readers that others have found great value in your book. A testimonial is a blurb from an expert or established author that lends credibility to a book. When authors include one on a book’s cover, in the front matter, and in marketing copy, it can increase reader respect for the work and encourage them to more seriously consider making a purchase.
Book reviews, both reader and professional, are a critical part of any book’s marketing strategy because readers often rely on reviews to determine whether or not they will purchase a book, and key decision-makers such as literary agents, book buyers, and librarians rely on reviews to demonstrate an author’s credibility and quality of writing. These include reader reviews on websites like Amazon and Goodreads, and independent, professional reviews from reputable outlets like newspapers and trade magazines or online journals.
A self-help book is more than simply sharing a problem you experienced and how you solved it—it’s a valuable tool meant to provide a meaningful transformation for readers through relatable storytelling, evidence-based strategies, and practical advice. Writers in this genre have the unique opportunity to empower readers in their search for change. By understanding your target reader, using transformative storytelling, and providing proven solutions, you can craft a self-help book that helps countless readers.
Photo credit: Pavel Muravev via Getty Image; Photo credit: relif Getty Images
GO BACK TO THE MAIN BLOG PAGE