A good white paper is a paper that makes you look good.
You look good when your white paper makes sense, when it's readable, when it concentrates on benefits and examples, and when it's easy to get. Here's why:
Reason #1. Many people would rather die than talk to a sales representative right off the bat, but they will read a white paper. When people start researching a product, they are not prepared to talk to a salesperson. They have no idea if the product is for them, or if they even need the technology at all. They'll also be resistant to new and innovative technologies. Well-written, benefit-laden white papers will qualify your product to the reader, and qualify the reader to you at the next stage in the sales cycle.
Reason #2. White papers build a bridge between the prospect and your organization's salespeople. When the salesperson does call, it's not out of the blue. If a user has downloaded a white paper, there is an established connection between user interest and your company. The call can even be welcome if the customer has more questions and is interested in moving forward.
Reason #3. White papers are simple to host on the Web, where people can easily download and read them. In addition to your own company Website, there are numerous sites that host white papers and make it easy for prospects to download the paper. Many companies take this opportunity to capture reader information, including if the reader wants to be contacted. If they do request contact, for heaven's sake contact them! They are coming highly qualified.
Reason #4. You're not just reaching prospective customers with white papers, you're also reaching journalists. Or you should be. This is why you should always include a solid technical section in a white paper: journalists doesn't want to download a white paper and find a brochure, it makes them cranky. But if you deliver a valuable white paper, the journalist is far more likely to speak well of you and your product. (This, of course, is the essence of media relations.)
Reason #5. And speaking of journalists, what do they do when they pick up or receive expensive press kits? They throw them away, but they do keep valuable information like booklets and white papers. As a senior editor and editor-in-chief for data storage magazines, I can't tell you how many beautiful and pricey press kits I picked up, then threw away. What did I keep? White papers. Who did I think of when I was writing a story on that technology? The company that wrote the white paper.
The CLEAR Process
All white papers need to combine good writing, good structure, and clear technical explanations -- high level or not, depending on purpose and audience -- and case studies. The process is CLEAR:
People like technology white papers if the paper is clear, useful, readable and available. Make sure your white papers fit the bill with the CLEAR process, or call a professional white paper writer for your next project.
About The Author
Christine Taylor is president of Keyword Writing, which helps marketing and PR pros leverage their relationships with technology clients. E-mail her at chris@keywordwriting.com, call her at 760-249-6071, or check out Keyword's Website at chris@keywordwriting.com.
best cleaning company Highland Park ..Regardless of what sort of writer you are and how... Read More
What's the best way to plot?Quick answer: the best way... Read More
Concision. (Sounds like I made up another word.) It's the... Read More
If you want to be a writer, then you must... Read More
To write books for readers at an elementary reading level... Read More
DEFINITIONSRetail margin is basically the difference between your book's wholesale... Read More
This article contains a short guide on how to edit... Read More
Is there a book inside of you? Yes? Then why... Read More
In the current job market, many editorial workers have turned... Read More
Although he has his own website, John Grisham probably does... Read More
No matter what your fifth-grade English teacher says, some grammar... Read More
Joanne Kathleen Rowling was born in Chipping Sodbury,England in 1965.... Read More
Charles Dickens was born in Portsea, England, in1812. His father... Read More
About two weeks ago I received an article submissionthat immediately... Read More
It's important to have a space set aside in your... Read More
Simply put, it is the art of writing scripts for... Read More
Good writing requires self-examination. Why is one writing? What part... Read More
Names are important. Names give clues about us, where we... Read More
Boost Brain Power Through WritingHave you ever noticed what happens... Read More
If you become a writer for any publication, private business,... Read More
Listen, consider this scenario.You have a deadline to honour. Time... Read More
Long ago, movie directors mastered the technique of creating a... Read More
In the words of Aristotle, "happiness is self contentedness helping... Read More
I've just come back to work after nine glorious, sun-drenched... Read More
Wired Online has recently announced its plans to drop capitalization... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..Q: How do I expand on an idea without getting... Read More
Every writer eventually develops her own unique style of writing.... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?The writer, who doesn't have the time... Read More
There are three ways to write a first draft. One... Read More
No user manual? Surely you jest!It may seem comical, but... Read More
What am I supposed to give Anthony as a wedding... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?We all tackle plotting differently. How you... Read More
Not long ago, I took stock of my unrealized desire... Read More
You send me an e-mail. You tell me you've written... Read More
Writing papers and book reports has long been the bane... Read More
I've just come back to work after nine glorious, sun-drenched... Read More
In the words of Aristotle, "happiness is self contentedness helping... Read More
The Hottest Word on the WebDid you know marketing people... Read More
A few months ago, I wrote a guide entitled: 101... Read More
As a previous article ("Making Better Word Choices ? 4... Read More
There are so many ways for writers to make good... Read More
Peter Mayle was born in England in 1939.His fascination with... Read More
Sailors had it for years. Great explorers had it as... Read More
A writer can never be self indulgent whether writing fiction,... Read More
These 8 tips on using characters in your stories will... Read More
There is no doubt that a staff writer enjoys advantages... Read More
If you're targeting an educated, more affluent audience with your... Read More
Riding on the fumes of potential, you take pen to... Read More
Weather posting a page to your Website, writing a letter... Read More
I recently set up a website to promote a new... Read More
Writing |