Real-world examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide

Examples of examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide from everyday life

The easiest place to find a how-to topic is your own daily routine. You’re already solving problems all day long. The trick is noticing them.

Imagine a working parent who finally figures out a simple weekday dinner system that keeps everyone fed without chaos. They’re not a chef, they’re just tired of scrambling at 6 p.m. That person has several natural how-to topics sitting right in front of them:

• How to plan a 20-minute weeknight dinner rotation
• How to batch-prep school lunches on Sunday in under an hour
• How to get picky eaters to try new foods without a fight

These are perfect examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide by starting with small, repeatable wins. The parent didn’t sit down and think, “What’s a high-traffic SEO topic?” They simply paid attention to a recurring problem and the system they created to fix it.

Another everyday example: a renter who has moved apartments five times in six years. They’ve figured out which packing supplies are worth buying, how to label boxes so unpacking isn’t a nightmare, and exactly when to start changing addresses. That person has a ready-made topic:

• How to plan a stress-free apartment move in 30 days

Again, the pattern is simple: you notice something you do repeatedly, you notice that you’ve gotten better at it over time, and you turn that experience into a step-by-step guide.

These are some of the best examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide because they don’t require special credentials. They only require experience and a willingness to document what’s already working for you.

Work-based examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide

Work is a goldmine for how-to topics, especially if you find yourself explaining the same thing over and over.

Think about a customer support rep who answers the same three questions every day. Instead of repeating the same explanation forever, they could turn those answers into:

• How to reset your account password without calling support
• How to troubleshoot common login errors in 5 minutes

These topics come directly from real user problems. They’re grounded, specific, and proven to be useful because people are already asking about them.

A software engineer fixing recurring bugs has the same opportunity. Every time they solve a stubborn problem, that’s a potential guide:

• How to debug slow page loads in a React app
• How to set up automated tests for a Node.js API

Notice how each example of a topic is narrow. It doesn’t try to cover “All About React” or “Complete Guide to Testing.” Instead, it zooms in on a single task. That focus makes it much easier to write and much easier for readers to use.

Teachers and trainers are another classic source of real examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide. If you’re an educator and your students consistently struggle with the same step in a process, that’s a signal. A math teacher might write:

• How to break down word problems into simple steps

Or an ESL instructor might write:

• How to practice English conversation at home when you live with non-English speakers

In each case, the topic comes from friction: the spots where people get stuck. If you’re looking for examples of examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide at work, ask yourself: What do people keep asking me to explain? That’s your starting point.

Trend-based examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide in 2024–2025

New tools and trends appear every year, and people rush to figure them out. That creates fresh demand for how-to content.

Think about the explosion of AI tools in 2024 and 2025. Many people feel overwhelmed by options and jargon. If you’ve spent time experimenting and figured out a simple workflow, you’re sitting on several strong topics. For example:

• How to use AI to outline a blog post without losing your voice
• How to organize AI-generated research notes into a clear article draft

These are modern, time-sensitive examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide by watching where curiosity and confusion are highest. You don’t need to be a world expert; you just need to be one or two steps ahead of the average user.

The same logic applies to remote work and hybrid teams, which continue to evolve. Maybe you’ve figured out how to keep your calendar under control across time zones, or how to run a 25-minute video meeting that doesn’t drain everyone. Those could become:

• How to run focused 25-minute Zoom meetings that don’t drag
• How to set up a shared team calendar across time zones

If you want to back your topic ideas with data, look at what people are searching for. Tools like Google Trends show which topics are gaining traction. You can also scan reputable sources like Harvard Business Review to see what workplace challenges are being discussed right now.

When you see a trend that overlaps with something you do well, you’ve just found one of the best examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide that feels timely instead of generic.

Health, wellness, and safety examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide

Health-related topics need extra care, because you don’t want to spread misinformation. But if you’re basing your guides on trusted sources, you can create very practical, reader-friendly how-tos.

For instance, say you’ve spent time reading about sleep hygiene from sources like the National Institutes of Health and Mayo Clinic. You’re not giving medical advice; you’re translating research-backed tips into everyday routines. That could become:

• How to build a simple nighttime routine for better sleep

Or you might use guidance from the CDC on physical activity to write:

• How to add 20 minutes of movement to your workday without a gym

In both cases, the topic is specific, practical, and grounded in credible information. These are real examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide by pairing authoritative research with your own lived experience.

If you’re writing in health, always ask:

• Can I link to a trustworthy source (.gov, .edu, or a respected medical organization)?
• Am I describing how to build habits, not diagnosing or treating conditions?

If the answer is yes, you’ve found a safe, helpful angle. This approach gives you examples of examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide that respects readers’ well-being and your own limits as a non-clinician.

Hobby and passion examples: turning what you love into how-to topics

Your hobbies are often more interesting to readers than you think, especially if you remember what it felt like to be a beginner.

Take someone who loves indoor plants. They’ve killed their share of ferns and finally figured out which low-light plants survive in a dark apartment and how often to water them. That person could write:

• How to keep low-light houseplants alive in a small apartment

Or imagine a weekend woodworker who’s mastered a few simple projects. They don’t need to cover advanced joinery. They can focus on:

• How to build a simple floating shelf with basic tools

These are some of the best examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide because they’re grounded in genuine enthusiasm. Readers can feel when you actually like your subject.

The key is to narrow the focus. Instead of “How to Start Gardening,” think “How to Start a Balcony Herb Garden in 3 Pots.” Instead of “How to Learn Guitar,” think “How to Play Your First Three Guitar Chords in One Weekend.”

When you brainstorm hobbies, ask yourself:

• What did I wish someone had explained clearly when I started?
• What tiny win could I help a beginner achieve in one afternoon or weekend?

The answers are real examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide that’s fun to write and satisfying to follow.

Reader-focused examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide

Sometimes the best topic doesn’t come from your life directly, but from your audience. If you already have readers, followers, or customers, they’re telling you what they need all the time.

Consider a small business owner who runs a newsletter about personal finance basics. Subscribers keep hitting reply with the same worries: credit scores, budgeting apps, student loans. Instead of guessing, this creator can gather those questions and turn them into:

• How to read your credit report line by line
• How to set up a simple zero-based budget in a free app

These are concrete examples of examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide by listening instead of guessing.

If you don’t have an audience yet, you can still be reader-focused. Look at public forums and Q&A sites. For instance:

• Reddit communities related to your topic
• Comment sections on major blogs or news sites
• Product review sections, where people complain about confusing features

When you see the same question repeated in different places, that’s a strong signal. For example, many people ask how to stay focused while working from home with kids. That could lead to:

• How to set up a distraction-resistant workspace at home with limited space

The more specific the situation, the stronger the topic. Instead of “How to Focus,” you’re writing for a particular type of reader with a particular problem.

A simple process: turning your own ideas into strong how-to topics

So far, we’ve walked through many real examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide: from parents and teachers to engineers and hobbyists. Let’s turn that into a repeatable process you can use.

Start with three sources:

• Your daily life
• Your work
• Your hobbies or interests

In each area, look for these patterns:

• You’ve solved a recurring problem.
• People keep asking you how you do something.
• You remember being confused about this in the past.

Write down a few situations that match, then tighten each one into a narrow task. For instance:

• “I got better at organizing my email” becomes “How to get to inbox zero once a week in 30 minutes.”
• “I learned to cook for myself” becomes “How to cook five simple single-serving dinners with one pan.”

Now sanity-check each idea:

• Can someone complete this in a clear series of steps?
• Does it solve a problem someone actually feels in real life?
• Can I explain it without needing advanced credentials or legal/medical advice?

If you can answer yes, you’ve got a solid topic. Among the best examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide are the ones that feel almost boringly specific. That specificity is what makes them useful.

Finally, do a quick reality check online. Search your topic and see what already exists. If there are similar guides, that’s fine. Ask: What’s missing? Maybe other guides are too technical, out of date, or written for a different audience. Your angle might be “for beginners,” “for busy parents,” or “without expensive tools.”

This is where all those earlier examples of examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide become a pattern you can follow: find a real problem, narrow it, and write for a specific person.

FAQ: examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide

Q: Can you give a simple example of a strong how-to topic?
Yes. Instead of “How to Start Exercising,” try “How to build a 15-minute morning walk routine before work.” It’s specific, doable, and easy to break into steps.

Q: What are some common examples of bad how-to topics?
Overly broad topics are the most common problem. Things like “How to Be Healthy” or “How to Be Successful” are too vague. They’re hard to write and even harder for readers to act on. Narrow them to something concrete, like “How to plan a week of balanced lunches using leftovers.”

Q: How do I know if my topic is worth writing about?
Look for three signs: you’ve done it yourself, people actually struggle with it, and you can explain it in a clear sequence. If you can also point to real questions online or in your inbox about that topic, that’s an even stronger example of a topic worth turning into a guide.

Q: What if someone else has already written a guide on my topic?
That’s normal. Focus on your angle. Maybe you explain it with simpler language, update it for 2024–2025 tools, or write for a specific group (college students, freelancers, new parents). Many of the best examples of how to choose a topic for a how-to guide are familiar subjects with a sharper, more relatable angle.

Q: Where can I get inspiration for more examples of how-to topics?
Pay attention to what you search for, what your friends ask you about, and what people complain about online. Check trusted sites like Mayo Clinic, NIH, or Harvard for broad themes, then translate those themes into small, everyday how-to wins your readers can actually achieve.