Making the Three-Layer Framework Practical

How to utilize the three-layer framework when working with a ghostwriter

Photo by Raoul Droog on Unsplash | If you have an organized approach to writing your book, you’ll be as cool as this very suave cat and his fabulous glasses!

Even with a perfect framework, busy professionals rarely have time to write detailed briefs. Here are practical approaches that work in the real world.

Schedule a dedicated onboarding session with your ghostwriter specifically to develop this foundation. Many ghostwriters include this in their initial process. They will ask targeted questions to draw out the necessary information. Consider recording a more extended conversation about your background, approach, and preferences. This allows you to speak freely without the pressure of structuring a formal document.
Share examples liberally. Pointing to existing content you love (or hate) provides concrete guidance that abstract descriptions cannot.

For the Content Strategy Brief

Align this with your regular business planning. Add content strategy to those discussions if you're already setting quarterly goals. Invite your ghostwriter to relevant planning sessions when appropriate. Their outside perspective helps identify content opportunities you might overlook. Use a simple template that can be completed in 30 minutes or less each quarter. The goal is strategic alignment, not exhaustive documentation.

For Individual Content Briefs

Many executives I work with use voice memos to complete their briefs while walking between meetings or during commutes. Simply talking through the key sections of the brief can provide rich material for your ghostwriter while requiring minimal time investment from you.

I’ve worked with record voice briefs for several clients for each article, walking through main points and sharing examples verbally. Then, I transcribe these recordings and extract key information, often finding that the CEO's phrasing becomes the most compelling part of the final piece.

If writing or recording briefs feels cumbersome, schedule brief interview sessions with your ghostwriter. A skilled ghostwriter can guide the conversation, asking targeted questions that elicit the necessary information.

Building the Framework Over Time

Don't feel pressured to implement all three layers at once. Successful ghostwriting relationships begin with stronger Individual Content Briefs, then gradually build out the Partnership and Content Strategy layers as the collaboration matures.

Pro Tip: The most critical step is recognizing that effective briefing is more than just assigning topics—it's a structured knowledge transfer process that evolves throughout your ghostwriting relationship.

In the early stages, expect to invest more time establishing these frameworks. But this upfront investment creates a foundation that makes every subsequent piece more efficient to produce and more aligned with your authentic voice and vision.

By implementing the Three-Layer Briefing Framework, you transform your ghostwriter from a mere word producer into a strategic partner who can amplify your expertise and extend your thought leadership impact.

What challenges have you faced when communicating your ideas to writers or other creative collaborators? Share your experiences in the comments!