One of the most common questions I get from aspiring self-help authors like you is How do you start the first chapter of a self-help book? so I thought it might be helpful for me to go ahead and post an excerpt from my brand new book, Write a Self-help Book in 14 Days to explain exactly how to start the first chapter of your self-help book.
How do you start Chapter 1?
How do you write an introduction for a self-help book? When writing the intro for self-help books, we generally include items #1-3 from the Bestseller Academy Blueprint in the first chapter so we can immediately orient the reader and let them know that they’ve come to the right place.
How do we do that? By telling them right away in chapter one.
Your first chapter should include:
- Open with a hook – this can be a memorable anecdote, a shocking statistic, a common misconception, a question, or a surprising statistic related to your reader’s problem and your promise.
- Who the book is for, and address your reader’s pain points,
- The problem it is designed to fix,
- Why you are qualified to fix it,
- Introduction of the plan with the catchy name that will solve their problem,
- And finally, make a promise (or several) to the reader about how you will help them solve their problem by the end of the book.
All of these are things you’ve conveniently figured out using the Creative Work Plan before you ever started writing, which (taadaa!) will make it incredibly easy to write your first chapter.
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of a hook, it’s simply a short, memorable opening to your book. It can be as short as a word or sentence, or as long as a few paragraphs.
Self-Help Book Introduction Examples I Love
Some great examples of opening hooks include:
“I sat down on Monday to check my email…
I never quite know what I’m going to open, but on this particular Monday I opened a note from a fellow author…
You’re changing lives, I hope you know that. At least, you’re changing mine.”
–The Bestselling Author Next Door, Skye Warren
This passage has been abridged slightly for space, but the hook is crystal clear – and I need to know RIGHT NOW exactly what Skye is doing to or for this author. Don’t you?
“Do you ever wonder how some writers seem to crank out story after story, article after article, book after book? Or why it is that so many people dream of writing a novel but so few ever do? Whether you are a blogger, a researcher, or an aspiring novelist, how would your life change if you could consistently produce your best writing?”
– The 12 Week Year for Writers, A. Trevor Thrall
“My hands were sweating again. Staring down at the floor to avoid the blinding ceiling lights, I was supposedly one of the best in the world but it just didn’t register. My partner Alicia shifted from foot to foot as we stood in line with nine other couples, all chosen from over 1,000 competitors from 29 countries and four continents. It was the last day of the Tango World Championship semifinals, and this was our final run in front of the judges, television cameras, and cheering crowds. The other couples had an average of 15 years together. For us, it was the culmination of 5 months of nonstop 6-hour practices, and finally it was showtime.”
–The 4-Hour Workweek, Timothy Ferriss
And finally, one of my very favorite hooks in a self-help book comes from Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky.
It includes minimal text, and some hand-drawn illustrations. I love it and it’s hooky as can be.
I talk like that! My calendar looks like that! And suddenly, I’m assured that these fine gentlemen Jake and John understand my pain and have figured out a way to solve it. (They have actually, I highly recommend Make Time.)
In addition to (or as part of) a great hook, you’ll want to make sure you address some of your reader’s pain points in your first chapter.
This serves two purposes. First, it allows the reader to see themselves in your book right away. Second, if you show your reader that you understand what is causing them pain or keeping them stuck, you’re already 90% of the way there to showing them that you (and your book) are the solution to solve their pain and help them achieve their goals.
Finally, you’ll want to round out the chapter with your promise/promises to the reader. (Yes, the same ones you figured out in your Creative Work Plan.)
Feel free to use bullet points, and start the sentence with:
By the time you finish this book, you will learn:
- This!
- This!
- This other thing!
- And THIS incredible thing!
*Excerpted from Write a Self-help Book in 14 Days: The proven, step-by-step plan to easily write your nonfiction book—from the bestselling author coach by Lisa Daily
Write a Self-Help Book in 14 Days
I hope the excerpt on starting the first chapter of a self-help book was helpful!
Ready to fast-track your self-help book writing journey? You’ll want to check out my book, Write a Self-help Book in 14 Days: The proven, step-by-step plan to easily write your nonfiction book—from the bestselling author coach.
Write a Self-Help Book in 14 Days is an easy-to-follow, comprehensive guide to help you write your self-help book, step-by-step in just two weeks, including answers to all your biggest questions:
- How do I write a self-help book that grows my business and builds my brand?
- How do you structure a self-help book?
- What should be included in a self-help book?
- How do you write a self-help book fast?
- What’s the most common mistake first-time self-help authors make? (This one’s a doozy – get this wrong and readers will think you’re a jerk)
- How to come up with great self-help book ideas
- What is the writing style of self-help books?
- How many chapters should a self-help book be?
- And much more!
With practical tips, strategies, and exercises, and an easy-to-follow, downloadable blueprint of the structure of a self-help book – you’ll be well-equipped to not only tackle your first chapter but also complete your book in record time.
Say goodbye to procrastination and hello to productivity with this must-have resource!
Free goodies for you to help you get started! My self-help book template download
Is there a template for writing a book? You bet! Okay, now that you’ve got your first chapter sorted, are you ready to rock your self-help book-writing journey? I’m here to help! Go ahead and grab my free self-help book template download to guide you through the process.
This comprehensive template includes everything you need to structure your book effectively, from honing in on your audience and message to outlining your chapters to organizing your content.
With this template, you’ll have a solid foundation to start writing your first chapter and beyond.
Is There a Course for Writing a SelfHelp Book?
If you’re eager to dive into writing your first self-help book but feel like you could use a guiding hand, look no further than my Bestseller Academy: Write a Self-Help Book in 30 Days course.
This course is designed to provide you with all the tools and support you need to bring your book to life in just 30 days, including:
- Step-by-step guidance to keep you on track
- Live Q&A Zoom calls where you can get your burning questions answered
- Tons of resources, including printables and templates, to make your writing journey a breeze.
- And here’s the cherry on top: business builders baked right into your book – helping you not only craft an impactful message but also build your brand and business along the way.
Why wait? Join us and let’s turn your self-help book dreams into reality together!
Learn more here: Is there a course for writing a selfhelp book?
