13 Things Wrong With The Self-Help Industry
Some thoughts on what I believe is wrong with the self-help industry - as someone who's in the space.
1. Hyper Focus on Positivity
There's a lot of material promoting positivity at all times.
This denies a considerable component of the human experience; sometimes, things suck. And it's ok to feel down, angry, shame, guilt, embarrassment, jealous, or whatever.
If we deny our emotions, we deny a part of ourselves. How will we ever accept ourselves fully, deeply, and implicitly if we deny a piece of what makes us, us? How will we ever feel whole?
2. Homogenized Content
A tremendous amount of content is being produced, and very little is unique. The space has become a giant echo chamber. See #8.
3. Marketing over Actual Value & Knowledge
There's an emphasis on marketing over value and knowledge which leads to pretty packaging but an empty box.
4. Idolatry
A few in the self-help industry elevate themselves above their audience. By sharing only their successes and wealth they manufacture disparity, which leads to #5.
5. Lack of Empathy
There's a lack of empathy in the space because it can be highly ego-focused. Putting one's brand above the issue removes empathy. If you put yourself on a book cover, it's about you and your brand. There's nothing wrong with it; just acknowledge it. People seeking solutions are vulnerable and often hurting in ways we can never know.
Current model: Brand >Empathy
A solution-focused model: Empathy > Brand
6. Authenticity
There's very little authenticity in the space. This ties to #5. I don't categorize @JamesAltucher in the self-help space; however, he's an outstanding example of authenticity.
7. Followers vs. Leaders
There are too many followers and not enough leaders in the space. Only some people are willing to say something new/controversial, or authentic. See #2 and #8.
8. Following Trends
There's a tendency to focus on trends, "This is what's hot, so I'll jump on this bandwagon." I told someone in the space how important self-trust is to me. They replied, "oh, that's good because self-trust is really hot right now."
Self-trust isn't something that runs hot or cold - It needs to be cultivated regardless of the noise.
When everyone follows, and nobody leads, we get #2.
9. Predatory
The promise of the elusive silver bullet. Far too many snake-oil salespeople are taking advantage of people's vulnerability for the sake of $. Ties to #5.
10. Regurgitation > Experiential
Too many people regurgitate existing content w/o real-life experience related to what they're promoting as the "silver bullet." People who regurgitate tend to be master marketers. I know people who prioritize learning how to market before even knowing what they want to sell, and then they pursue #8.
11. Ignores The Nuances Of The Human Condition
Most self-help doesn't address their audience's underlying issues/obstacles. Humans are so nuanced that it couldn't possibly, yet it promises it will.
If I don't feel worthy of success, I will get in my own way until I address that belief.
A motivational quote cannot cut through an underlying belief that's diametrically opposed to the quote.
12. Empty Calorie Content
Most of what I see in the space is copy, not value-added content. It's written to illicit the reader to take action towards something that will benefit the creator of the copy, not the consumer of the copy.
Copy > Quality content that inspires the reader to look within.
Which leads to #13
13. Phony Altruism
"I give 99% of my content away for free."
No, you write 99% copy to entice people to your paid offer.
You're not doing it out of the kindness of your heart; you're doing it for the expansion of your bank account. Nothing wrong with this; don't bullshit about it.
Also, most of that 99% isn't valuable; it's the tip of the iceberg - that leaves the consumer hanging and chasing #9.
