You might think you already know what your readers need, but assumptions can be misleading.

The best nonfiction books don’t just come from personal experience; they’re shaped by real-world research into what people are struggling with, asking about, and hoping to achieve.

Your job as an author is to become a detective. You’re not guessing what readers want; you’re listening to them.

When you study what your target audience talks about online, you’ll discover the raw, unfiltered truth. People express themselves more honestly in forums and comment sections than they ever do in surveys. They share frustrations, hopes, and private questions they might never ask face to face. That’s where your book ideas come alive.

Step 1: Go Where the Conversations Happen

Start by exploring the platforms where people in your niche gather. These can include:

Reddit: Search for subreddits related to your field, such as r/relationships, r/personalfinance, r/nutrition, or r/startups. Sort posts by “Top” and “All Time” to find recurring questions that attract lots of comments.

Quora: Type a topic (like “anxiety,” “parenting,” or “small business marketing”) into the search bar and look at the most-followed questions. The ones with thousands of followers represent huge reader interest.

Facebook or LinkedIn groups: Join groups for your professional field or your audience’s interest area. Notice what people post most often—requests for advice, success stories, or “I’m stuck” moments.

Amazon reviews: Read reviews of bestselling books in your niche. Five-star reviews tell you what people value most, while one-star reviews show what they felt was missing.

YouTube comments, podcasts, and blogs: Comments reveal what viewers want more of or still don’t understand.
The goal isn’t to collect random quotes—it’s to detect patterns. Keep a running list of the questions, phrases, and pain points you see repeatedly.

Step 2: Translate Pain Points Into Book Promises

Once you have a list of real-world frustrations and goals, turn them into statements that your book could address.

For example:

Forum post: “I feel like my spouse doesn’t listen to me anymore.”
→ Book idea: How to Get Your Partner to Truly Hear You

Reddit thread: “I can’t stick to any workout plan for more than two weeks.”
→ Book idea: How to Build Habits That Actually Last

Quora question: “Why do I always panic before public speaking?”
→ Book idea: The Calm Speaker: How to Turn Fear into Confidence

Each question you find online is proof of real demand. The more often you see the same concern, the larger your potential audience.

Step 3: Listen to Language, Not Just Topics

Pay attention to how people describe their experiences.

Their wording tells you how to connect emotionally. Someone might say, “I feel stuck,” “I’m burned out,” or “I just can’t seem to stay consistent.” These phrases aren’t just complaints—they’re insights into readers’ emotions. Use them later when writing your book title, subtitle, or marketing copy.

If you work in a technical field, notice where readers sound confused. Their misunderstandings highlight opportunities to explain concepts in simpler ways. Every gap in understanding is a chance for you to add value.

Step 4: Summarize What You Discover

After your research, summarize the top ten issues or goals your audience keeps mentioning. Group them into categories such as emotional challenges, practical struggles, common mistakes, and desired outcomes.

For example:
Emotional challenges: feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, or inadequate.
Practical struggles: lack of time, unclear direction, financial pressure.
Desired outcomes: confidence, peace, stability, purpose, or growth.

Once you’ve organized this data, you’ll have a crystal-clear picture of what readers are already searching for. This clarity helps you choose the perfect book angle.

Your Assignment:

1. Choose three online platforms (for example, Reddit, Quora, and Amazon).
2. Spend thirty minutes browsing each, collecting questions and frustrations from your target audience.
3. Write a list of the ten most common or emotionally charged issues you find.
4. Next to each one, write what result or transformation the reader hopes to achieve.

By the end of this exercise, you’ll understand your readers better than most of your competitors do. You’ll know what they worry about, what they dream of, and what words they use to describe both. That insight is priceless as it gives your future book purpose, empathy, and direction.