#29: 3 Simple Steps to Discover What Your Readers Really Want

Episode 29. Are you struggling to decide what your book should be about? You’re not alone. Many authors find themselves stuck between multiple ideas, unsure which one will resonate most with their audience. In this episode of The Author’s Edge, host Allison Lane shares a proven, keyword-driven strategy to help you identify the perfect book topic that meets your readers’ needs while avoiding the common pitfalls of decision-making. Whether you're an aspiring author or a seasoned writer, these actionable insights will get you one step closer to writing your next bestseller.

What You’ll Learn

Why brainstorming alone is a mistake and how to involve your audience in the process.
The dangers of trying to combine multiple ideas into one book.
How to use Google’s “People Also Ask” tool to uncover reader demand.
A step-by-step method for narrowing down your book topic with confidence.
The importance of writing to meet a specific need rather than showcasing all your expertise.

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Allison Lane: Instagram, Website
Tool Highlight: Google Search - Incognito Mode
Podcast Email for Questions: [email protected]
Related Episode: How to Build an Author Brand That Stands Out

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[00:00] – Introduction to the episode’s theme: narrowing down your book topic when you’re an expert in multiple areas.
[01:10] – Why deciding on your own can lead to missing your audience’s needs
[02:35] – The pitfalls of mashing up unrelated topics and why it creates a confusing reader experience.
[03:55] – A step-by-step guide to using Google’s “People Also Ask” feature in an incognito browser to uncover your audience’s most pressing questions.
[06:00] – How to sort the questions from your search to find the most relevant topic for your book.
[07:00] – Recap of strategies and Allison’s encouragement to take action on your findings.