Books To Solve Problems or Give Answers (How To)

This approach is the best way to come up with “How To” book ideas. I’d suggest using Brainstorming and Mind Mapping (see earlier) to generate ideas using the “Big Problem” as your central theme. Make sure it’s a problem people really want solving though else you’ll have a book that won’t sell. Here are the steps…

1. Choose a Market
2. Define Their Biggest Problem or Need they’re seeking
3. Think of Ways To Solve/Answer It (Your Big Promise)
4. Include Their Big Problem/Need in the Title
5. Include Your Answer/Big Promise in the Sub-Title

No need for examples here – they’re all over the place!

Books That Appeal To The “Human Condition”

Most humans share many good and amazing traits – and on the whole I like humans – well I am one too!

However, there is also a dark side (although it’s just human nature) known as “The Human Condition” – which is a powerful place to dig for universal themes to base your book idea on. While not applicable to everyone, all of the time, we can all relate to many of the following:

• Greed
• Laziness
• Complacency
• Procrastination
• Superstition
• Aggression
• Jealousy
• Spite
• Self Interest
• Need to be liked/loved
• Insecurity
• Impatience
• Fear
• Nosiness
• Hate
• Schadenfreude (enjoying/being fascinated by another person’s mis-fortune) etc.

Pic by practicalowl

Making a book that appeals to one (or preferable many) of these human conditions is bound to get a good response, cause some buzz and provide you with a book people will want. Just think how popular Get Rich Quick Schemes are? Most of us know they’re rubbish but they continue to sell because they appeal to the greed, laziness and self-interest in all of us.

Examples of Books That Are Successful (Though Not Necessarily Good!) Due To Their “Human Condition Appeal”

• The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: Get what you want simply by thinking happy thoughts! (Laziness, Self Interest, Superstition, Greed)
• The 4-Hour WorkWeek by Tim Ferris: Enjoy the lifestyle of the rich without having to wait for retirement (Laziness, Impatience)
• The One Minute Millionaire by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert Allen: Become a Millionaire The Easy & Fast Way (Laziness, Impatience, Greed, Self Interest)
• All the Childhood Abuse Books: Tragic Stories of People’s Misfortunes (Fear, Schadenfreude, Nosiness)
• Pulp Romance: Mushy, Feelgood, Stories (Need to be loved)
• The Bible: Answers all our questions – about where we came from, why we’re here and where we’re going (Superstition, Fear, Insecurity)
• Celeb Books: Tells the story of their rise and fall (Nosiness, Jealousy, Schadenfreude)
• True Crime Memoirs:  (Nosiness, Aggression, Schadenfreude)

I could go on but I think you get the point!