Do you like it when people blatantly try to sell you something—especially when that’s not what you’re looking for?

Of course not. No one does. Yet, when it comes time to write a book, many authors forget this universal truth and use their book as a sales pitch for their product or service.

This is a mistake.

Not only is it obnoxious and annoying—it’s ineffective.

If you want your book to drive sales, build credibility, or establish trust with your audience, the last thing you should do is treat it like an infomercial. Instead, your book should focus on educating and providing value to your readers.

Editorial vs. Advertorial: Why Your Book Should Inform, Not Sell

In book writing, there’s a critical distinction between editorial content and advertorial content.

• Editorial content educates, informs, and provides value to the reader. It establishes you as an authority by demonstrating your expertise.
• Advertorial content is a direct sales pitch. It asks the reader to buy something rather than delivering the value they were promised.

Readers can tell the difference. They buy books expecting valuable insights—not a disguised sales pitch. When an author prioritizes selling over serving, readers feel betrayed. They won’t trust you, they won’t recommend your book, and they certainly won’t buy from you.

Conversely, when you genuinely help your readers, you accomplish two powerful goals:

1. You earn their trust and respect.
2. You become memorable, making them more likely to work with you in the future—whether by hiring you as a consultant, booking you as a speaker, or buying your next book.

The best way to do this? Give readers real, actionable value they can use immediately.

How Much Should You “Give Away” in Your Book?

This is simple: put as much of your knowledge as possible into your book.

That’s right—share everything you can. Give away your best insights, strategies, and expertise. Here’s why:

1. It Serves Your Readers

If your goal is to genuinely help your audience, holding back information is counterproductive. Your book should serve them first, not function as a teaser for something they have to pay for later.

2. It Builds Authority and Credibility

Your book is an opportunity to prove you know your stuff. If you hold back key insights, you’ll lose credibility. But if you give generously, your expertise will shine through, making you the go-to authority in your field.

3. It Enhances Your Reputation

People respect those who freely share valuable knowledge. Readers who benefit from your book will talk about it, recommend it, and spread the word about you—all without you having to ask.

4. It Attracts the Right Clients

If your business offers premium services, your book helps pre-qualify clients. Many readers will appreciate your insights but prefer to hire you for expert guidance rather than doing everything themselves. Your book naturally attracts those who value your expertise—and can afford it.

5. It Aligns with Ethical Marketing

If you truly believe in the power of your knowledge, you shouldn’t gatekeep it. A book that holds back key information is intellectually dishonest. A book that gives readers everything they need is a genuine contribution to the world.

The Best Marketing Is Serving Your Audience

Take The Scribe Method as an example. This book provides every step you need to write and publish a book. You don’t need to hire us—you can follow the instructions yourself.

So why would we “give away” our process?

Because it works. People who read The Scribe Method see our expertise firsthand. Some will decide to write their book on their own. Others will realize they’d rather save time and work with us. Either way, we build trust, authority, and a strong reputation.

If you’re writing a book, take the same approach. Give away your best knowledge, help your readers, and let them come to you—not because you pitched them, but because your expertise spoke for itself.

Want to learn more? You can read The Scribe Method for free here. Or, if you prefer a physical copy, order yours today.