As an editor, I edit a ton of business books. To be honest, many of the pitches I receive begin to look the same, with book titles like “Reach for the Top: Six Must-Have Leadership Skills.” Then they go on to list the “x number of steps” the reader should go through to transform their management or leadership.

There’s nothing wrong with this. A solid pitch and outline should be descriptive and well-defined with steps or components. But when it comes to writing the actual book, having those pieces of the formula isn’t enough. To sell well—which means you’re reaching your ideal readers while getting them to recommend your book—your writing must be both informative and engaging. It must transform or elevate your reader.

In short, it must stand out.

Including stories is a great way to do that.