All successful books need to solve a problem.
I know that might sound obvious, but as a reader, you’ve bought books that miss this most basic requirement.
You pick up a book expecting to get help and find something different. Sometimes, the problem is described in a way that doesn’t match your experiences. Other times, the solution doesn’t feel like something you can implement. Still at other points, the approach or the promise is unclear.
Some indications that you are on the right track:
- Clients already hire you to help with the problem.
- Other people have written about the same problem before.
- The problem touches on a fundamental difficulty of being human.
- You are surrounded by a community that talks about the problem regularly.
If you want a head start, here is a very short list of problems people have:
- Not enough time
- Not enough help
- Need a way to kill time
- Too few friends
- Too many bills
- Can’t get where they want to go
- Don’t know which way to go
- Don’t know how to do it
- Don’t feel safe
- Don’t feel well
- Lack of recognition
- Lack of conviction
- Lack of love
- Lack of meaning
Notice there is a gap between where the reader is today and where they want to be in the future.
Help the reader close the gap; help them solve their problem.
