You’ve probably heard a lot lately about the appeal of low-content books—for creators and customers. What are the pros and cons of making one? Do they really sell?

Here, we set the record straight on what defines a low-content book and how it can be a meaningful, profitable endeavor for savvy creators willing to think outside the box. 

What is a low-content book?

Have you ever picked up a diary, coloring book, or notebook with prompts or graphics? These are typical examples of low-content books. 

Simply put, a low-content book is a type of book that has a low word count compared to a typical novel or textbook. Instead, these books provide space for users to fill in their own content or generate their own creations, like drawings, patterns, or written responses. 

Low-content books are like blank canvases, awaiting your personal touch. They’re generally repetitive and intended to be populated by the user, whether it involves journal entries, record keeping, figuring out puzzles, or coloring in shapes.

Types of low-content books worth exploring

Despite the minimalist nature of this book type, low-content books are a rising trend in the publishing industry, continuously evolving with new types and formats. Low-content book themes in higher demand focus on areas of gratitude, mindfulness, and self-care. Other types of low-content books include:

• Coloring books: These have illustrations ready for you to bring to life with colors. Not limited to children’s books, they come in themes ranging from animals and nature to intricate patterns to favorite movie and book characters.
• Journals: Unlike standard notebooks, journals might have prompts, questions, or themes that guide you in writing or reflecting on your day, dreams, or feelings. 
• Planners and agendas: These help organize your time, tasks, and activities. They might include calendars, to-do lists, and sections for goals or notes.

• Activity books: These can include puzzles, mazes, word searches, dot-to-dots, and other fun activities.
• Notebooks with dotted or gridded pages: Popularized by the “bullet journal” trend, these notebooks offer a structure that helps create lists, charts, and even custom layouts.
• Sketchbooks: While they may look like regular notebooks, sketchbooks contain specific types of paper ideal for drawing and sketching.
• Logbooks: These journals help you track certain activities. Examples include workout logs, food diaries, and bird-watching logs.
• Prompt books: These provide a specific prompt or question on each page, sparking creativity or reflection. For example, a prompt might ask, “What made you smile today?” or “Sketch the view from your window.”
• Guest books: Commonly found at events, weddings, and places of accommodation, these books allow guests to leave notes, signatures, and messages.
• Recipe books: Blank recipe books allow you to fill in your favorite recipes, creating a personalized collection of culinary adventures.

Given this vast spectrum, there’s no denying the creative possibilities to produce low-content books that offer value and purpose for specific uses and audiences.

Benefits of low-content books

Venturing into the world of low-content books can be fulfilling and lucrative. Let’s dive into the benefits for creators interested in exploring this category:

• Easy to produce: Unlike novels or textbooks that require extensive research and editing, the simpler design and layouts of low-content books make the production process quicker and less complex.
• Niche opportunities: The world of low-content books is vast, allowing creators to cater to specific niches. From horticultural planners designed for avid gardeners to coloring books for vintage car enthusiasts, the possibilities are endless.
• Passive income: Once you’ve designed and published a low-content book, it can continue to generate income without much additional effort on your part.
• Flexibility: Creating low-content books allows for a flexible schedule. Without the pressure of meeting story development or intensive research deadlines, you can work at your own pace and tweak as you see fit.
• Creative outlet: For those with a creative streak (particularly photographers, illustrators, and graphic designers), a low-content book is like a blank canvas. Photographers, for instance, can create themed journals featuring their work, while illustrators can showcase their art in coloring books.
• High demand: With the rise of self-care and mindfulness trends, many people seek tools to help them reflect, organize, or simply relax. Low-content books like journals, planners, and coloring books fit the bill perfectly.
• Personal growth: Beyond the commercial aspect, designing such books can inspire personal growth. It nudges creators to think about what users might need, want, or find therapeutic—encouraging empathy and understanding.

Low-content books present a wide-ranging opportunity for creators to merge their passions with a viable income source, all while offering value to their audience.

How to create a low-content book

Embarking on the journey of creating a low-content book is both exciting and rewarding. Before you get started, consider several fundamental ideas and steps:

1. Define your audience

It’s essential to clearly understand who your book is for. Are you targeting young children, busy professionals, or self-actualization enthusiasts? Clearly defining your target demographic can help guide your book’s design, content, and marketing strategy. Take a page from this guided journal for mothers, an effectively targeted low-content book tailored for a specific audience.

2. Find your niche

In the expansive world of low-content books, finding a specific niche can help your book stand out. Your niche can also shape your book’s profitability. But don’t limit your niche to what’s most profitable—go with what you’re passionate about.

3. Quality over quantity

While it might be tempting to churn out multiple books quickly, it’s essential to prioritize quality. A well-organized and mindfully crafted book will resonate more with your audience and earn you a better reputation in the long run. Creating multiple low-content books at the expense of quality will only tarnish your efforts and slow your momentum.

4. Write and design with purpose

Every page in your low-content book should serve a purpose. Whether it’s a journal prompt or a coloring book design, make sure it aligns with your book’s overall theme and provides value to the user.

5. Choose the right tools

A plethora of tools are available for book design, from Adobe InDesign for professional layouts to free bookmaking platforms like Blurb’s BookWright. Familiarize yourself with the tools you have at your disposal and choose one that best fits your needs and skill level.

6. Formatting is key

Ensure your book is formatted correctly, especially if you want to print and sell your book. This includes considering things like design layouts, margins, page numbers, and using high-resolution images.

7. Gather feedback

Before you finalize and publish your low-content book, gather feedback. Share your book with friends, family, or potential target audience members. Their insights can help you refine your product and address any overlooked issues.

8. Marketing and distribution

Once your book is ready, think about how you’ll get it into the hands of your audience. Platforms like Blurb’s can be great for self-publishing but you may also wish to consider other distribution methods or local bookstores.

9. Continuous learning

The first book you create might not be a bestselling masterpiece, and that’s to be expected! Every book is a learning opportunity. Consider customer feedback, learn from reviews, and continuously refine your process.

With these steps in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating a low-content book that resonates with others and brings you success.

Selling low-content books

Successfully selling your low-content book means blending creativity and business savvy. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this journey effectively:

1. Plan your marketing strategy

A well-thought-out book marketing strategy is the backbone of any successful book sale. Identify your book’s target readership and tailor your promotional efforts to appeal directly to them. Analyze where your audience spends most of their time online and how they typically discover new books. The channels you choose—social media, online bookstores, or email marketing—should align with these findings.

2. Leverage online platforms

There are many channels to explore when selling a self-published book. Ours at Blurb is more than just a creation tool. While it facilitates the design and printing process, it also offers an online bookstore where you can set and adjust your prices, allowing you to control profit margins while reaching a global audience.

3. Engage in active promotion

Once you’ve figured out where to sell your book, determine how to get people there. Most low-content book creators use a combination of the following.

• Social media: Visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are perfect for low-content books. Regular posts showcasing your book’s inner designs or interacting with potential readers can generate interest and drive sales.
• Personal website or blog: Create a dedicated website or blog for your book(s). This provides a central hub where readers can learn more, access sample pages, and make purchases directly or be directed to online retailers. Leverage SEO to attract organic traffic, whether to your website or Amazon product listings.
• Email marketing: Start a newsletter to update subscribers on new releases, special promotions, or behind-the-scenes content. Offering a free page or two from your low-content book as a download can incentivize sign-ups.
• Reviews: Collaborate with niche bloggers or influencers. Their recommendations can bring credibility and visibility to your work, reaching audiences you might not have reached on your own.

4. Explore local opportunities

Getting your foot in the door at local bookstores is a great starting place for promoting your book. And participating in local events gives you a direct connection to potential readers. Whether it’s a craft fair, a book show, or a community market, these venues allow you to personally introduce your book, explain its uniqueness, and even garner immediate sales.

5. Price your book right

Your product, its placement, and positioning strategy are all essential elements of your marketing mix. But don’t forget about your book’s price. The cost of your book should align with the value it provides. Low-content books generally sell for between 4 and 12 dollars. The more sophisticated and comprehensive the book, the higher the price.

To encourage more sales, consider promotional pricing at launch or bundling different books together for a special rate. Such incentives not only attract attention but can also lead to higher volume sales.

Real-world examples of low-content books published via Blurb

Many authors and creators have explored the world of low-content books and chose Blurb to bring them to life. Here are a few notable examples.

The Cosmic Dream Journal

This journal invites users to record and reflect upon their dreams, set against an inspiring cosmic backdrop to facilitate a deeper exploration of their subconscious mind.

The Unicorn Coloring Book

Bursting with magical illustrations, this coloring book offers enthusiasts a chance to dive into a fantasy world of unicorns, allowing them to add color and bring these mystical creatures to life.

Things I Did Well – Internalize

Designed to bolster self-confidence and positive reinforcement, this journal provides a dedicated space for individuals to acknowledge and celebrate their daily accomplishments and personal growth.

Feelings: A Mood Journal

Acting as an emotional barometer, this journal encourages users to track and articulate their daily moods and emotions, promoting self-awareness and emotional well-being.

Reawaken Planner

More than just a daily organizer, the Reawaken Planner is a guide for personal growth and mindfulness, helping users schedule tasks, set intentions, and reflect on their journey.

Each book serves as a tool for self-discovery, creativity, or organization—catering to different needs while offering interactive experiences.

How Blurb can help

Blurb is a self-publishing platform for every stage of your book’s journey. We’re a complete solution that supports creators from the initial design phase to sales, distribution, and feedback collection. 

Thanks to intuitive design tools, Blurb simplifies the self-publishing process, ensuring every book meets bookstore-quality standards. Once printed, you can leverage Blurb’s versatile selling options, setting your prices and tapping into a global market via Amazon or the Blurb Bookstore.

There’s incredible potential to tap into the world of low-content books. Sign up to get started with Blurb.