Modify a Known Success
It’s a lot easier to follow a pioneer than to be a pioneer. The same rule applies to books. Which is easier - pioneering a completely new category or type of book, or simply modifying a known success? For every successful book out there you can bet there is probably a copycat version as well. Whether it is a new type of low carb diet book or another type of Chicken Soup for the Soul book, they are going to have someone compete with them.
Is there a book that has already been written about, but you think you could do a better job? Perhaps the existing book is out of date? Could you write a newer more modern version with a fresh point of view?
You can add a twist on a current or old idea. Instead of the Guiness Book of World Records, how about writing the Guiness Book of Wacky Records?
Years ago a book called How to Flatten your Stomach was written by Jim Everood. Melvin Powers took advantage of the book’s success and wrote a book called How to Flatten you Tush and resulted in successful sales. This is similar to a parody, but these are useful books. Parodies are more for humor than anything else.
Compete with a hardcover book on the same subject, but with a lower priced soft cover version.
If a book you would like to write already exists, don’t be concerned. Many books are inadequately marketed or titled and you can do a better job.
If you’re just starting off and this is your first book, you should make things as easy for you as possible. Don’t reinvent the wheel, work in a subject area that has already proven itself.
What new twist could you add to an existing or old topic? How could you take an old idea and recreate it in a refreshing new way?