Why the Self-Help Industry Is Dominating the U.S.

[Paco Dennis]

"A brief history of self-improvement​

I’ve always thought the term “self-help” was a bit vague. It seemed like a catch-all term for a genre of books that taught “personal development and improvement.” But my own skepticism aside, self-help has turned a book genre into an industry. Now, business is booming: In 2016, the U.S. self-help industry was worth about $9.9 billion dollars, according to a report from Research and Markets. Market researchers have predicted that the industry will be worth $13 billion dollars within the next four years, by 2022.

Today, the self-help industry has a peg in almost every medium available. While books were the main facet of self-help throughout most of history, today’s self-help blogs and TV shows have taken the practice digital. Workshops, seminars, and retreats led by self-help gurus and life coaches can cost self-help junkies up to $3,000 per event, while productivity apps and podcasts have taken self-help on the go.

It’s easy to think of self-help as a simple product with a good marketing team behind it, but self-help is so much more than a product. Today, the self-help industry is an ideology that has more in common with modern religion than the modern car.

A brief history of self-help​

Samuel Smiles’ book, Self-help, was published in 1859, the same year as Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species and John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty. Smiles’ book is considered one of the earliest and most successful self-help books in history. It’s also the namesake of the genre...."

The article continues along a timeline until present day ( 9 minute read )

https://medium.com/s/story/no-please-help-yourself-981058f3b7cf

 

[win231]

I asked a book store employee where the Self Help section was.
She said, "If I tell you, it would defeat the purpose."

 

[katlupe]

I think there are a lot of self-help products besides books. Even though I believe self-help has been apparent through out history, presently I think more and more people do not trust the professionals and do their own research to help themselves. I do.

 

[WhatInThe]

Probably had poor service or bad luck with paid help.

I'll agree there's a lot of 'self help' crap but there are diyers wether it be health, money, spiratual, home improvement, mechanics etc.

The biggest 'self help' craze that amuses and confuses me is the the 'life coach'. I'm still working on that one. One needs help to live their own life? HUH?

 

[Mr. Ed]

Entitlement: the essence of help yourself

 

[Kaila]

That's an interesting perspective, in that article in the OP.
Thanks for posting it, @Paco Dennis
Good food for thought.

 

[Irwin]

You can find YouTube videos on almost any topic you might need help with. Granted, they have varying degrees of credibility, but that's the same with books.

As far as the seminars and classes, some of the benefit you get from them is being around like-minded people and the communal aspect. It could boost your oxytocin levels if you bond with the people there, which will make you feel good.