Why “How-To” Content Won’t Make Your Book Stand Out Anymore
AI has changed the way we consume information.
Since tools like ChatGPT emerged, Amazon has been flooded with “how-to” books on every imaginable topic. Writing another one means that, along with competing with hundreds of similar titles, you’re also competing with what your potential audience can now generate for themselves.
These days, you can ask AI to summarize everything from how to grow on social media to how to eat right to how to organize your living space. Step-by-step instructions are everywhere.
But does that mean you should just abandon your book project designed to guide people? Not at all. People still need information, but more importantly, they need it from someone they know, trust, and connect with.
The problem is that information alone doesn’t connect, differentiate, or inspire.
The Flood of Information
We live in an era where your audience has unlimited access to tutorials, templates, and how-tos. If all you’re offering is more information, you’re competing with Google, YouTube, and AI, and it’s not hard to lose that race.
In this oversaturated, noisy era, readers aren’t going to pick up your book because they want another set of steps. They pick it up because they want:
A story they can see themselves in
A voice they trust
A perspective that feels different from the noise
That’s why story and positioning matter more than ever.
Story Connects
Anyone can list out “10 ways to do X.” What readers actually crave is your story. They want to discover how to do something within the framework of your lived experience, your lessons learned, and your unique perspective.
Anyone can ask AI for tips on how to keep a house organized. But the right audience’s ears will still perk up when a working mother of three shares her journey of creating order in the chaos of daily life. That story resonates because it feels real.
AI can tell you strategies to save a million dollars. But readers may feel inspired when they hear about someone who went from scraping together pennies to building wealth that now helps others do the same.
Your expertise lies in your lived experience and your voice, which are two things no AI tool can provide.
Your story builds credibility. It creates an emotional connection. It helps readers see themselves in your words.
It creates the bridge from information to transformation.
Positioning Is What Differentiates
But the story alone isn’t enough. You also need to position it.
Positioning asks: Where does my book fit in the bigger conversation? How is it different from what’s already out there?
This is where audience clarity and intention come back into play. When you deeply understand who you’re writing for and what resonates with them, you can tell a story that goes beyond giving steps to motivate and inspire action.
When you get this right, your book stops being “just another how-to” and becomes something only you could write. It stands out in a crowded market because it embodies your voice, purpose, and perspective.
Why This Matters for You
If you’re writing a nonfiction book, whether it’s a memoir, self-help, or thought leadership, you can no longer stand out simply because of information, because there’s just way too much of it available. The plain truth is that today, you aren’t just challenged to stand out among other books. You’re competing with AI summaries, podcasts, YouTube videos, and social media feeds, all fighting for your audience’s attention.
That doesn’t make storytelling less important. It makes it more important.
Because your unique story is what cuts through the noise. It’s what helps readers not only learn how to do something, but also feel connected to you and the community around your topic.
That’s what makes your book resonate, sell, and last.
Ready to Build a Book That Stands Out?
If you’ve been carrying around a book idea but can’t seem to get it onto the page, don’t waste another year in the cycle of “gathering information.”
Join me Sept 25–27 for my free 3-day Book Your Breakthrough Challenge.
In less than an hour a day, I’ll walk you through:
✅ Clarifying your purpose and audience
✅ Building a working outline
✅ Creating a realistic plan to complete your first draft before the end of 2025
👉 Reserve your spot here: https://www.ajadorseyjackson.com/bookyourbreakthroughchallenge