If you’re a reader—or audiobook listener (that counts!)—you’ve likely read some mind-numbing nonfiction books throughout your life. Sure, they helped your business or personal life. But did they have to be so . . . boring?

The answer, in short: no.

As a book coach who has contributed to more than 100 books throughout my fifteen years in publishing, not to mention read many hundreds more, I’ve had the joy of supporting authors as they write creative, engaging, nonfiction books that are making a true impact on the world. I specialize in “catalyst books” that enable readers to get from point A—where they are today—to point B—their big vision, including scaled revenue, influence, and impact.

If you’re writing a nonfiction book, here are five ways to keep readers turning the page so they can be transformed by your story, message, and insights.

#1 Tell great stories.

Stories are not unnecessary fluff in nonfiction—they’re essential. Ongoing research by Harvard shows that people remember information better when it’s wrapped in a story.

Telling great stories requires honing techniques of creative nonfiction: characterization, scene setting, and details that help place us in the moment in time. In essence, you want to make your lived experience your reader’s felt experience.

When sharing an anecdote, case study, or personal experience, include sensory details. For example, if you’re retelling a tense moment, can you integrate seeing someone wringing their hands, or hearing an awkward throat clearing from a board member?

#2 Let the reader into your head.

And don’t forget your inner world while storytelling. Too often, authors include “just the facts, ma’am” and forget to bring readers into their emotions, thoughts, and points of awareness.

If you’re working on a book meant to inspire or transform your reader, they need to experience the stories and insights with you. That means letting them in. How did you feel as you made that major leap as a leader? How were you feeling as you finally took action on your dream? What inner resistance did you face as you recreated your life or business? What was your inner voice saying as you reached the summit of whatever the Big Thing was that you were working toward?

Readers want to feel it with you. They don’t want just the facts—they want emotions too.

#3 Use specific data and details.

Lack of specificity creates confusion. Whenever possible use specific details, including data, to enhance the prose. This is especially important if you’re sharing a case study or proving a point.

For example, if you’re describing a scenario of a client you worked with who grew her business as a result of your methodology, don’t just say, “She grew her revenue substantially.” What does that even mean? Instead, be specific: “She grew her revenue by 35 percent—and finally hit seven figures in her business.”

And in that storytelling, be sure to give enough information about the business for the reader to understand why that was a big win. Had she been working for a decade to reach that mark but kept missing? Did she overcome a major personal challenge while working toward this goal, and you helped her through it to get to the big win on the other side?

#4 Integrate storytelling around your data.

If you feel a section is falling flat, infuse outside research into your writing. Pull a case study or example from a journaled article or trusted news source.

But—and here’s the important part—don’t just plop data into a paragraph and call it good. Explain it! A great stat isn’t so great if it isn’t fully understood by your reader. You have to integrate storytelling around your data. Explain what it means. Give context around the data point, perhaps explaining the research study or including explanatory prose that helps the reader understand what they should take from that data point.

My go-to search engine for research is scholar.google.com. Be sure to sort by date so you’re getting relevant results.

#5 Tap into your voice!

This is the fun part: play! Try out that joke that came to you while you were writing. Write that inspirational line. Bring in your warmth or your dry humor or your analytical side or your naturally advanced vocabulary.

Finding your voice can only come from playing on the page. Part of what makes a great read, well, a great read is that the reader can almost hear the author’s voice. You can always edit later.

What would you add to this list? Leave a comment below. I love learning from you!