Self-help books are all about solving a problem for the reader. The problem faced by the reader could be anything: how to lose weight, get a better job, be happier, invest their money better. When they buy the book, they want answers.

Many of my valued self-help clients–the authors who have a solution to offer–ask me how they should start their book. While they feel confident in their ability to solve the reader’s problem, the steps they want the reader to take are not organized. Their ideas are floating around like clouds in the sky, in no particular order.

I ask the author to imagine a simple scenario. They are in their office and a person walks in. We’ll call this person Sally. The author says, “Hello, Sally. How may I help you?”

Sally says, “I have a problem. How can I solve my problem and lead a happier life?”

I say to the author, “What is the very first thing you would ask Sally?”

You would probably ask her to describe her problem.

Therefore, the very first chapter of your book should be devoted to describing the problem. Not at great length, but enough so that Sally can recognize herself and the challenge she faces.

What would be the second thing you would ask? You would probably ask Sally to describe her goal. That is, the positive outcome she wanted. This could be chapter two, or just a few paragraphs.

Then, you ask Sally what other solutions she had tried that failed.

The Winding Path to the Goal

After laying this foundation, you introduce your solution, and the steps the reader needs to take to implement it. I advise my authors that the process is very much like taking someone by the hand and leading them down a winding path. At each turn of the path, there’s something to see. You show that something to your reader. You say, “See that? Do you understand what it means for you? Good! Now we’ll continue to the next spot on the path.” You just lead them along the path, and they learn as they go. At the end of the path, the reader is ready to put into action the solution they’ve learned.

Every new thing they learn builds upon what they’ve learned before. Lessons are not repeated; once you’ve covered a topic, you move on. The reader’s time is valuable, and you don’t want to waste it!

This pathway simile is not unlike your book outline. Both are like maps or guided tours, and you–the author–are the tour guide. At the end of the tour, you want a happy reader!