Before you begin writing your book, it’s essential to understand what already exists in your market and what your readers truly want.

This chapter will show you how to research your niche, analyze what’s selling, and uncover the gaps your book can fill. By the end, you’ll know how to position your book so it stands out and serves readers better than the rest.

For starters, the easiest way to understand your market is to see what readers are already buying.

Start by exploring Amazon’s bestseller lists in your category. Browse through the top 50 books in your topic area. Pay attention to their titles, subtitles, covers, and descriptions.

• What promises are they making to readers?
• What outcomes do they focus on?

Notice which ideas appear repeatedly and which ones feel overdone.

Then, dive into the reviews. The five-star reviews will show you what readers loved most. The one- and two-star reviews are even more valuable because they reveal what disappointed readers or what they felt was missing. Maybe a book promised practical steps but was too theoretical, or perhaps it lacked relatable stories. Each complaint is an opportunity for you to do better.

Create a research document and write down what you observe.

• What topics keep showing up?
• What angles or formats seem to engage readers most?
• Where do you see room for something new?

You’re not looking to copy existing books, but to spot gaps; topics, approaches, or voices that haven’t been explored fully. These are your openings in the market.