A nonlinear pre-shaper which optimizes initial pulses for self-similar evolution in a following short fiber amplifier is demonstrated. It consists of a pair of transmission gratings and a segment of single mode fiber, by which pulses are shaped temporally and spectrally before amplification. To confirm the benefit of nonlinear pre-shaping for the self-similar evolution, pulse amplifications with and without the nonlinear pre-shaper are simulated. From comparison, pulses optimized by nonlinear pre-shaper show a shorter pulse duration, less pedestal and broader spectrum after amplification and compensation. With this optimization, the self-similar amplification can be realized in a 2.2-meter Yb3+-doped fiber in a large range of pump power, generating 60 fs transform-limited pulses after compression. This nonlinear pre-shaping method can efficiently shorten the fiber length and release the seed quality required for self-similar amplification. An all-normal dispersion mode-locked fiber laser is employed as the seed of a self-similar amplifier for the first time, thus facilitating an all-fiber system.