How to Do Research for a Nonfiction Book
I’ve worked with clients who need help writing nonfiction books.
Some of these nonfiction books have been purely research-based, others have been strictly about the author’s stories and experiences.
There are some authors though who have asked me to combine research with their unique stories.
I believe that the nonfiction books that do well are those that focus either solely on sharing unique experiences/stories or on using a combination of experiences/stories with sound research.
That’s how you make your book stand out in a way that matters!
Asking a writer to Frankenstein a piece based solely on random Google research won’t cut it.
Your readers will easily label you a fraud.
A nonfiction book likely to hit bestseller status is one where your unique perspectives shine through. Couple that with relevant research that supports your claims and you’re on your way to nonfiction book success!
Why Do Research for a Nonfiction Book?
Doing research for your nonfiction book helps with more than just supporting your claims. Research also helps you write from a place of authenticity, show that you’re open to other perspectives, and structure your nonfiction book in a way that makes sense.
Write from a Place of Authenticity
The word “authenticity” gets thrown around a lot. Simon Sinek defines authenticity as “saying and doing things you actually believe.” It isn’t about writing a book because you realise the search volume for that keyword is high.
Sure, that’s great to know. But, writing a nonfiction book is more than just trying to get sales. Readers will sense your authenticity if your content:
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Teaches them something new and isn’t a regurgitation of something they’ve already seen and heard.
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Let’s them into your life and the lessons you’ve learned from your experiences.
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Provides them with depth and doesn’t just skim the surface of what they need to know.
Be Open to Other Perspectives
It’s good to provide a balanced perspective in any form of content you write. That’s probably one of the first things your English teacher taught you in high school when you were learning essay writing. Doing research to pinpoint the general thoughts and discussions about your topic helps you get a balanced perspective.
You can share these thoughts and/or research findings in your book. But, don’t just leave it there! Include your insights. Do you agree or disagree? Why? What input can you provide based on your experience? It’s great to include real-life stories that bring the reader in and convey your point without you actually saying you believe x, y, or z in a cut-and-dry way.
Structure Your Nonfiction Book
Your research will help you get a clearer sense of what’s already out there. It’s good to know the prevailing thoughts about a topic because you can then figure out how to structure your book in a unique way. You’ll figure out:
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How your insights differ from the popular thoughts and then how that should be conveyed in chapter headings
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The stories you want to share to bring out your points and where those stories should be placed in your book
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How to put everything together in a clear book outline. You can learn more about how to create an effective book outline by reading this article.
What Type of Research Should You Do for Your Nonfiction Book?
There are four types of research that you could do for your nonfiction book based on what I call the I^3S (I-cubed S) strategy. You could use one or a combination of these strategies.
Internet Search
This is the most popular strategy but you have to use it cautiously. You’re not doing internet research hoping to paraphrase existing content. Instead, you’re identifying:
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the trending social conversations about a topic
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popular books, blogs, and videos about the topic
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scientific studies that have been done
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knowledge gaps that you may have
This isn’t research that’s meant to overwhelm you. In fact, I would recommend creating a Google Sheets file where you organise the most noteworthy results from your search. Categorise the search into:
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Social media post URLs
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Top books
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Blog URLs
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Video URLs
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Scientific studies
You can then list your knowledge gaps at the end of the document and your plans for addressing those gaps.
In-Person
Let’s say you’re writing about a place. If your writing is solely based on what you research o the internet, it won’t have the same effect as you writing for firsthand experience. Visit the place if you can and note the sights, smells, sounds, and general vibe. It will make your writing far more descriptive and engaging.
One of the issues I’ve noticed with clients who come to me for help with memoir writing is that they often forget the intangible aspects of the places in which they experience life events. They struggle to recall the sights, smells, sounds, and general vibe. My best advice is to revisit those places and allow your mind to take you back to that time period so that you can effectively capture the experience.
I know that going back to those places can be traumatic for some people. But, that in-person encounter helps significantly with building a scene in a nonfiction book. It helps paint the right image in a reader’s mind.
Interviews
I’ve gotten to a place in my career where I no longer accept jobs where the clients don’t want to do interviews. I can’t get your unique perspectives without us having voice/video discussions. Interviews help me as the ghostwriter get the primary research I need to effectively write a book.
Interviews can also refer to you as the author meeting with subject matter experts. There are even some people who write anthologies based on interviews they conduct with top industry professionals. This approach increases your book’s credibility. But, remember to get signed consent from each person so that you can legally use the interview’s contents!
Scientific Research
A scientist with solid research findings can use those findings to create a nonfiction book. That book could be a textbook or even a memoir that connects the findings with your experiences. Malcolm Gladwell does this well in his book The Outliers. You can learn more about this book by clicking here.
3 Powerful Steps for Doing Nonfiction Book Research that Counts
Your research will only make a difference in your book if you follow these five steps.
Record Your Findings in One Place
Some of us are in the habit of grabbing random sheets of paper to write down whatever we find or whatever comes to our minds. That’s the quickest way to feel overwhelmed and lost in the research process. A Google Sheets file can solve all your problems for two reasons:
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You can include links to what you’ve found while on the go using the Google Sheets app.
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You can easily organise your findings.
Create a Book Outline
Your research should then form the foundation of your book outline. A nonfiction book outline clearly outlines:
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The main points you want to highlight
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Stories you want to share in each chapter
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How you’ll use your research to connect your ideas
Learn more about creating an effective book outline by reading this article.
Review Your Research to Fill Content Gaps
Combining your research with your book outline will give you a better sense of your content gaps. You should answer these questions at this step:
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What more do you need to know?
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Can you conduct interviews with subject matter experts to get the information you need?
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Where can you find additional resources?
How to Effectively Include Nonfiction Book Research In Your Manuscript
Your manuscript shouldn’t sound dry and dull. So, you should include your nonfiction book research in a way that engages your reader and supports the personal stories you’re sharing. Let your manuscript be about what you have to share with the research only enhancing the discussion.
Let Your Nonfiction Book Make a Difference
Research is a great way to enhance the content of your nonfiction book. But, that research should be done strategically so that it supports what you’re saying instead of becoming a confusing combination of multiple perspectives. Your stories, perspectives, and experiences should take centerstage.
Need help writing a nonfiction book? Schedule a FREE 30-minute consultation with me and let’s chat!