Crafting Captivating Books: Navigating Themes, Google Trends, and Target Audiences

In the world of publishing, one of the most prevalent challenges we've observed among authors is the struggle to pinpoint captivating topics and craft highly searchable titles for their books.

At Atticus Publishing, we recognize that a book's market interest plays a pivotal role in its success. Regardless of the meticulous editing, production, or marketing efforts put into a book, if its topic fails to resonate with readers, achieving commercial success becomes an arduous task.

In this blog post, we aim to explore effective strategies and tools, such as Google Trends and other market research resources, to assist authors in overcoming these hurdles. Whether you're an aspiring author venturing into the literary world for the first time or a seasoned writer seeking fresh insights, our goal is to offer guidance that empowers you to craft a book that not only captivates readers but also stands out in the competitive publishing landscape.

Write What You Love:

Before delving into market research, it's imperative for authors to connect with topics they are genuinely passionate about. Writing about subjects that ignite your enthusiasm ensures authenticity and unwavering commitment to your work.

While market research undoubtedly holds significance in achieving commercial success, it should serve as a complementary tool rather than dictate the entirety of your writing process. Selecting a topic that resonates with your passions and expertise is paramount, considering the substantial time investment in writing a book.

Identify Keyword Themes of Your Book:

Be mindful to jot down these themes while encapsulating each segment succinctly, utilizing only a word or a few.

·         For Non-Fiction:

Problem Identification: Begin by pinpointing the primary problem or challenge your book addresses. Understanding the pain points your book seeks to alleviate is crucial for attracting readers actively seeking solutions.

Reader Pain Points: Explore what readers will gain from the book to address their problems effectively. Delve into the insights, strategies, or actionable steps your book offers to help readers overcome their challenges.

Target Audience: Define your ideal reader persona by considering demographics, interests, and preferences. Understanding your target audience allows for tailored messaging and marketing efforts.

Timeframe for Achieving Goals: Consider the timeframe within which readers can expect to achieve their objectives or overcome challenges through your book. Clarity on the timeline influences language and keywords used in marketing efforts.

·         For Fiction:

Protagonist and Antagonist: Identify the central characters driving your story's narrative—the protagonist, whose journey readers will follow and root for, and the antagonist, who opposes the protagonist's goals.

Setting: Describe the world or setting in which your story unfolds. The setting not only provides context but also evokes imagery and timelines that resonate with readers. Consider whether your story is set in contemporary times, during historical events such as a pandemic, or perhaps in a specific era like the 1880s.

Theme of the Story: Identify overarching themes or messages woven throughout your narrative.

Emotional Impact: Consider the range of emotions—joy, sadness, fear, hope—that your story aims to evoke.

Explore Trending Topics:

Google Trends offers valuable insights into the popularity of search terms over time. Authors can leverage this tool to identify trending topics, gauge interest levels, and uncover seasonal trends relevant to their book's subject matter.

Here's how to make the most of Google Trends:

1. Access Google Trends. https://trends.google.com/

2. Enter relevant keywords. Using keyword themes of your book (Problem, Pain, Audience, Timeframe)

3. Compare topics to analyze relative popularity.

4. Explore related queries for insights.

5. Adjust settings to examine regional variations.

6. Analyze trends to identify emerging patterns.

7. Save or export valuable data.

Re-evaluation:

Once you've already determined the keywords and run them through Google Trends, and the results aren't favorable, it's time to pause and reflect. Consider this as an opportune moment to assess whether to continue working on the book or restructure elements of your book.  

For instance, if your fiction story yields low results on Google Trends, and you notice that "pet" or "pet adoption" is a trending topic, you could introduce a scenario where a character encounters a lonely dog during their journey and decides to adopt it. This addition not only aligns with a trending topic but also adds depth to your narrative, potentially becoming a central element throughout the story.

In the realm of non-fiction, particularly in the self-help genre, understanding your target audience is paramount to the success of your book. If, through your research using tools like Google Trends, you discover that a specific demographic—such as women aged 30-45—is actively searching for content related to your book's topic, it presents a valuable opportunity for refinement and targeting.

Consider restructuring your book to cater specifically to this age group, or perhaps emphasize in your book title and marketing materials that it is tailored for individuals in this demographic. For example, if your book offers advice for managing a hectic lifestyle, you might rebrand it as "Strategies for Busy Moms: A Guide to Balancing Life and Work." This targeted approach not only aligns your book with the needs and interests of your ideal readers but also enhances its visibility and appeal within a competitive market.

In conclusion, navigating the world of publishing demands a keen understanding of both your audience's needs and the ever-evolving market trends. At Atticus Publishing, we're committed to helping authors overcome the challenges of topic selection and title creation. By leveraging effective strategies and tools like Google Trends, authors can refine their themes to resonate deeply with readers.

Remember, success in publishing is not just about the quality of your writing but also about connecting with your audience in meaningful ways.

To effortlessly implement these strategies, schedule a complimentary consultation with our team of Publishing Advisors.

Talk To Our Team