Ever stare at a blank page and wonder how the heck you’re going to fill it? Trust me, you’re not the only one. That’s why we need to start our writing projects with book planning.
As business leaders, we often have killer ideas but can’t quite figure out how to shape them into a powerful book. That’s why I was excited to talk with Kristin Hackler, our Director of Book Architecture at Advantage: The Authority Company. Internally, we call her the “Author Whisperer.” Kristin has helped countless entrepreneurs transform wispy ideas into cohesive, influential books.
In a recent episode of my podcast, Build Your Authority, she took me behind the scenes of her creative (and surprisingly systematic) process.
Why Book Architecture Matters
Kristin’s whole approach hinges on what she calls book architecture, which is basically the blueprint for how a book will flow—chapter by chapter, section by section.
Think of it this way: A house needs a solid foundation before you start painting walls or hanging pictures, right? Without a strong outline, your manuscript can turn into a random pile of anecdotes, bullet points, and half-baked theories. Kristin is a pro at making sure that never happens.
What’s her starting point? The audience.
She says it’s all about this platinum rule: write not for yourself, but for the reader you want to serve. We tend to focus on what we want to say, yet the true key is figuring out what they need to hear. This approach allows you to dial in on the narrowest target audience possible—because focusing on “everyone” almost always leads to a generic, forgettable book.
Finding Your Unique Perspective
There’s a myth out there that you need a never-before-seen idea to write a successful business book. But as Kristin and I discussed, originality can be more about viewpoints than about brand-new topics.
Leadership, for instance, has been written about for centuries—yet you can still stand out by viewing it through the prism of your personal experiences. Maybe that’s 20 years of leading public-sector healthcare programs or even your black-belt training in martial arts. Whatever shaped your worldview is what makes your book—and your approach—unique.
Kristin referred to it as shifting the “angle of the prism.” There’s nothing new under the sun, but there are new ways to look at old problems. By peppering in your own backstory, lessons learned, or specialized industry insight, you transform tried-and-true concepts into something memorable and fresh for your niche reader.
Crafting a Clear Structure
So, how does book architecture actually work?
Kristin’s team begins each project with a Vision Session—essentially a deep dive to uncover what you want the book to achieve, who it’s for, and how you’d like to position yourself in the market. From there, she helps you create a “skeleton.”
Picture a detective novel: every chapter ends with a small hook that keeps you reading. Or maybe you prefer a classic academic approach: break down the argument with data, then sum it up at the close. The key is consistency, ensuring each chapter resonates with an overarching theme.
One point Kristin emphasized is that structure should remain invisible to the reader. They shouldn’t realize you’re following a pattern; they should simply feel pulled through a cohesive and exciting story.
In other words, don’t overcomplicate it. Give them a reason to move on to the next section and tie everything back to that “big idea” introduced in the opening.
Overcoming the “I’m Too Busy” Excuse
A lot of CEOs and entrepreneurs claim they can’t possibly write a book themselves—there’s no time! Kristin’s solution? Simple: leverage small, manageable steps.
Record quick voice memos when inspiration strikes. Use bullet points to capture the essence of a chapter. And if words truly aren’t your strength, consider working with a professional ghostwriter. You’re still in the driver’s seat; you provide the content, experiences, and insights.
The writer will shape it into a compelling narrative. It’s a practical way to ensure your book doesn’t get stuck in limbo for years.
Building a Lasting Legacy
We ended our conversation on the topic of legacy. How do you write a business book that stands the test of time, even as specific case studies inevitably age?
Kristin’s advice was clear: focus on the big-picture principles, not just the fleeting trends. Foundational ideas—like how to solve problems, lead people, or innovate effectively—don’t become obsolete.
You can supplement them with short-form content (like blogs) that reacts to immediate news and data. That way, the core of your book remains evergreen while your day-to-day commentary stays fresh online.
Ready to Get Your Book Started?
When Kristin walks an aspiring author through those early vision sessions, the lightbulb moment is incredible: you suddenly see how all the experiences, angles, and examples you’ve gathered can form a cohesive narrative that truly speaks to your audience’s needs.
If you’re kicking around an idea for a book—or if you suspect you have a message inside you that needs structure before it can take off—Kristin and our book architecture team can guide you. Because trust me, once you’ve got that outline rock solid, you’ll have the momentum to push through the blank page.
And when you put that final period on your manuscript, you’ll realize you’ve crafted something far more powerful than a simple pile of words—you’ve built a platform for your authority and your legacy to stand on.
To learn more about how to get from an initial idea to the final pages, check out this episode of Build Your Authority. You’ll see exactly what it takes to transform vague concepts into a high-impact book that resonates with readers and stands the test of time.