LOW READERSHIP: Poor Marketing or Unappealing Book?

[J.]

A member of the family had been in publishing and said that there were a couple categories that were a very tough sell these days - difficult to get an agent or publishing house to take on (unless they were done by a celebrity), and difficult to sell to an audience. The principle categories were cookbooks and anything in the health, self-help, diet/exercise categories, because the information they contain is the sort that people can google, or find on youtube easily.
I think if you are doing a book in one of these categories, I would go for local rather than widespread promotion. You absolutely need a physical book. Approach your local libraries about doing a talk/signing, also any independent book stores. Approach any local newspapers about a feature article - there are always a lot of health and wellness items around the holidays. If you have a local radio station, pitch yourself to the host, do a segment, offer a book as a giveaway (the 12th caller wins a book, etc, etc) If possible, book a radio appearance before a signing. See if you can recruit other authors in your area and arrange to do a panel discussion at your local library on nonfiction writing, self publishing issues, etc.
Offer to do guest blogs on sites that are related to your topic - the blog can be something you write for the site, or a portion of your text with some added background.
As far as optimal book pricing, it's whatever is standard for your category and format. I've seen hardcovers that go up to $50 - I paid more for a gift book that was a coffee table book with a lot of photographs. Trade pbs usually top out at around $20, and I was told that the optimum sales on Kindle are books priced in the $2.99-$5.99 range. There are variations and exceptions of course.

This was in response to a post that has apparently been deleted.