Researching Best-Selling Notes! Common Points of Growing Themes [Day 10]

10 days have passed since I started the 30-day paid note creation challenge.

As I continue to post content every day, I have had a question.

Why do some notes sell explosively while others struggle to grow?

So this time, I conducted research with ChatGPT to uncover the secrets of "best-selling notes." I explored the common points hidden in themes that grow.

I hope this will be a hint for your future notes to reach more people.

What you will gain from this article

• ✅ You will concretely understand the "decisive points for theme selection" common to best-selling notes

• ✅ You will grasp the latest trends in note themes with high market demand that are easy to grow

• ✅ You will obtain concrete strategies to make your notes capture readers' hearts and become easier to share

• ✅ You will master a framework for "how to write growing notes" that you can practice starting tomorrow

This content is practical and immediately effective, especially for those who are thinking, "I want to earn revenue with note," "I want to reach more readers," or "I want to turn my knowledge and skills into value!"

What I learned from researching best-selling notes

Research method and scale

In this research, ChatGPT seems to have analyzed best-selling articles from the following sources:

• 💰 Sales reports from individual creators with monthly revenue of 100,000 yen or more

• 🔍 note's recommended features and official magazines

• 👥 Trends in articles with high share counts on social media

In total, I analyzed over 50 popular articles in detail and explored common points from various angles, including theme, structure, title, and pricing.

Biggest discovery: The importance of theme selection

Through this research, what I felt most strongly was that the difference between a note that sells and one that doesn't is already determined at the "theme selection" stage before you start writing the article.

In other words, no matter how good your writing is, if the theme selection itself isn't appropriate, the article is unlikely to grow.

Three particularly notable trends

1. Themes that address niche problems are overwhelmingly common

About 70% of best-selling articles focused on niche areas that were neither too broad nor lacking in demand.

Specific examples:

• "Complete Manual for Career Change to the IT Industry for Women in Their 30s: No Experience Necessary!"

• "How to Get Remote Writing Gigs in 30 Minutes a Day for Side-Hustle Beginners"

• "Everything About Simple Beauty Habits to Start in Your Late 30s and Beyond"

Themes that pinpoint specific problems were rated higher than general theories or comprehensive content.

2. Articles based on real experiences resonate with readers

Over 80% of best-selling articles included the author's own experiences (especially stories of failure and overcoming them).

Examples of reader feedback:

Articles that combined "the author's real experience + concrete solutions" were overwhelmingly supported, rather than just lists of information or know-how.

3. There is a concrete action plan that can be implemented immediately

Over 90% of popular articles provided specific steps or tools that could be executed from the day they were read.

Examples that were effective:

• "5 Morning Habits to Start Tomorrow"

• "3 Steps for SNS Management You Can Do Starting Today"

• "Complete in 30 Minutes Even for Beginners! Blog Monetization Template"

I found that readers are strongly seeking not just 'knowledge,' but 'hints that lead to action.'

5 Common Points Found in 'Themes' of Growing Notes

As a result of further analyzing the research data, it became clear that best-selling note themes have distinct commonalities.

[Common Point 1] Pinpoint solutions for niche problems

Themes that are too general end up being 'articles for someone' that don't resonate with anyone. On the other hand, focusing on specific problems or situations makes readers think, 'This article is for me!'

Effective example:

• ❌ 'To you who are worried about life' → Too broad and doesn't resonate with anyone

• ⭕ 'To those in their 3rd year of work who don't feel fulfillment in their job' → Captures the hearts of specific readers!

Best-selling articles have a clear target setting that makes anyone with that specific problem want to read them.

[Common Point 2] Generating persuasiveness and empathy based on real experience

Successful creators generously share their own experiences (especially stories of failure and the lessons learned from them).

Points to capture hearts:

• 🔑 Empathy: 'I had the same problem too'

• 🔑 Transparency of the process: 'As a result of trial and error like this...'

• 🔑 Reproducible solutions: 'I succeeded when I changed it specifically like this'

Rather than abstract advice, the flow of 'This was my situation, so I changed it this way, and as a result, this happened' gains the reader's trust and empathy.

[Common Point 3] Includes action plans that can be implemented immediately

Best-selling articles always include 'concrete steps that can be started today.' Readers find value in content that allows them to 'know and practice' rather than just 'knowing and finishing.'

Effective elements:

• 📝 Checklists and worksheets

• 🔢 Step-by-step guides

• 🛠️ Ready-to-use templates and examples

• ⏰ Timelines and concrete schedule examples

These lower the 'barrier to action' for readers and increase the value of the article.

[Common Point 4] Clearly depict the 'desired future' in the title

The titles of best-selling articles present a future that allows readers to imagine, 'If I read this, I can become like that too!'

Examples of effective titles:

• 'A side hustle roadmap to earning 50,000 yen a month in 3 months from scratch'

• 'How my English speaking improved dramatically in half a year with a 15-minute daily habit'

• 'Full disclosure of the process by which a housewife in her 30s achieved 1 million yen in savings through a simple side hustle'

What readers are looking for is not just information, but a path to the 'self they want to become.'

[Common Point 5] The target audience is clearly communicated from the beginning

Best-selling articles clearly communicate 'who the content is for' in the first few lines. Readers instantly judge whether 'this is an article for me.'

Effective examples:

• 'This note was written for office workers in their 30s who want to start a side hustle from 30,000 yen a month with no experience'

• 'To those in their 1st to 3rd year of working who feel anxious about whether things are okay as they are'

• 'Time management techniques for moms who are busy raising children but also want to cherish their own time'

By setting a clear target like this, a sense of trust is born, making the reader feel, 'This person understands me.'

Conversely, characteristics of notes that do not grow

There was another important discovery in the research. It is that 'there are also common points in articles that do not grow.'

4 Common Characteristics of Notes That Don't Grow

1. The theme is blurry and it's unclear who it's for

For example, themes that are too general, such as "Tips for Improving Productivity," do not strongly resonate with anyone, making it difficult to generate purchase motivation. Content without a specific persona or situational setting ends up being just an "article for someone else."

2. Lacks real-life experience, relying only on abstract theories or generalities

Articles that only offer obvious advice like "you should do this" or "this is important," while lacking the author's own experiences or concrete examples, are less likely to resonate with readers. Information is overflowing on the internet, but your unique experience is one of a kind.

3. Even after reading, it's unclear "what exactly to do"

Articles that end with only explanations of principles and do not show concrete action steps leave readers with the question, "So, what should I do?" This leads to low satisfaction.

4. The title is mediocre and fails to convey appeal or features

Generic titles like "Thoughts on..." or "Summary of..." make it difficult to attract reader interest. If the title doesn't convey "what happens when you read it" or "what value it has," it won't even get clicked.

4 Points to Keep in Mind When Writing Notes from Now On

Based on what I learned from this research, I have summarized the points I will keep in mind for my future Note writing.

1. Clearly set the theme for "people with specific problems"

Before I start writing an article, I will always answer the following questions:

• Who is this article for? (Age, occupation, situation, etc.)

• What kind of worries or challenges does it solve?

• Why am I writing about this theme? (My experience and insights)

By clarifying "who it is for" and "what it is for" at the beginning, the direction of the entire article is set.

2. Share my own real-life experiences concretely and honestly

To make content that readers can empathize with and trust:

• Speak honestly about my own experiences, including my failures

• Describe "when," "where," "what," and "how it happened" specifically

• Convey it as a story, including changes in emotions and thoughts

Specific episodes remain in the reader's memory better than abstract lessons.

3. Always include specific steps that readers can take immediately

Things to always include in your article:

• Specific actions that can be started today (at least 3)

• Detailed steps or procedures for implementation

• If possible, practical tools such as templates or checklists

Lowering the hurdle from "knowing" to "doing" leads to high ratings.

4. Make readers clearly imagine the "future they want" in the title

How to create an effective title:

• Include the "Before → After" change

• Include specific numbers or timeframes (e.g., "in 3 months," "with 5 methods")

• Clearly indicate the target audience (e.g., "for women in their 30s," "for sales professionals")

• Include differentiation points (e.g., "even for beginners," "in just 15 minutes")

The title is the "face" of the article. Without an attractive face, it won't be read no matter how good the content is.

Summary: The Golden Rule of Best-Selling Notes

Researching over 50 best-selling notes this time revealed that "the battle is almost decided at the theme selection stage."

The golden equation common to particularly successful notes is:

When you can combine these three elements, you create powerful content that resonates with readers.

Applying the results of this research, I will also write Notes that deliver more value to my readers. I hope you will also use this principle to create your own 'best-selling Note'.

If you found this article even slightly helpful,
I would be very happy if you could give it a 'Like' or follow me.
Let's continue to enjoy writing on Note together.

↓ I've created a paid Note! Please take a look.

↓ Read the rest here