How-to books for hobbyists are a good way to go, and this overlaps with the discussion above. A hobby how-to book could be anything from how to build a home from hay bales, to how to play Texas Hold 'Em, to how to understand Shakespeare.
One book publisher knows how hungry we are for how-to information, and has created a whole series of "Dummies" books around the market. The industry has similar book imprints, and all of them do quite well! "The Everything" series, "Idiot's Guide" series and others are cashing in on the how-to phenomenon.
You could cash in by creating books on any or all subjects covered in any of those books. Go to Dummies.com, and check out their list of titles. Pick one you like, and move full speed ahead!
Even though the books have "Dummies" in the title, these books are popular because the authors do not treat their readers like dummies at all. The authors cater to a person who wants to find the easiest way to do something. When you've written your book and you've chosen a title, make sure you appeal to your readers' interests and intelligence!
If you use words like stupid, dumb, or hopeless in the title, make sure the meaning is clear and you are not insulting the individual reader.
Books can also target smaller niche groups.. You don’t have to write a universal book like How to use a computer (which may not be interesting enough to sell anyway in this decade). Books can cover more specific topics.
You can: 1) create your book in a specific way for a specific niche readership; and 2) create additional books for different facets of the same subject, and sell each one separately!
Let's say you've decided to write a book on fishing. (FYI, this is one of those hobbies where enthusiasts are willing to spend money!). You could create: "How to Catch Freshwater Trout," "How to Tie Your Own Flies," or "How to Plan a Successful Deep Sea Fishing Trip."
Almost anything related to the hobby can become a separate book depending on how much detail you include. Clearly, "How to put on waders," probably isn't a great choice (though some would say it's impossible to underestimate today's consumer), because you would have to strain to fill up 60 to 100 pages on such a simple topic. You get the idea. You need to create a "book-worthy" book topic. Use good judgment.
* "How to ensure your child gets an A+ in math"
* "How to have a successful garage sale"
* "How to organize your home office"
While we're on the subject of how-to books, I'd like to make a quick point: you do not need to create a incredibly clever book title. Make sure the words "How to" are the first part of the title, and the rest should tell exactly what the book is about.
For example, which of these three titles would be best?
1. "How to have a successful garage sale."
2. "One weekend away from a cleaner house"
3. "How to sell your old shoes for a profit"
Although numbers 2 and 3 are clever, a little punchy, and correspond with the book content, I would recommend title number 1. "How to have a successful garage sale" sums up the book's topic; it will catch the eye of an Internet surfer who is interested in putting together a garage sale, and needs a how-to manual.
Anyway, back to the point. Any phase of life, way of coping with life, or large or small thing about life, can be the subject of a how-to book.
