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.
quick home cleaning Glenview ..Whether you keep a separate spiritual journal or just want... Read More
Most of us hate housework.Nevertheless, even the most hopeless slobs... Read More
If you find your sentences filled with commas, and they... Read More
Eight or nine times out of ten, picking up and... Read More
Is your book nearly finished, finished, published, or even in... Read More
In my ten years as an advertiser, I've encountered plenty... Read More
It turns out that "tips and templates on how to... Read More
You have just completed a draft of an article. It... Read More
You are far more likely to successfully write and publish... Read More
Here's something from my mailbag. "Dear Michael, do you need... Read More
Long ago, movie directors mastered the technique of creating a... Read More
First impressions count in writing too! So it is always... Read More
Golden Rules For New Writers - Things you need to... Read More
Is there a book inside of you? Yes? Then why... Read More
1. Become an EavesdropperListen carefully to the way people REALLY... Read More
You can create a great headline, a dynamic first sentence,... Read More
You may wonder why I have chosen this title of... Read More
If you become a writer for any publication, private business,... Read More
For many years, I've been a tutor for students undertaking... Read More
Do you know what a query letter is? If so,... Read More
At some point, every serious writer is forced to sit... Read More
If you think proofreading equals editing, then you're wrong! Editing... Read More
Once you've plotted out your book, developed the characters and... Read More
"You should write a book." For years, I had been... Read More
Q. I'm staring at a blank screen with an equally... Read More
scheduled maid service Winnetka ..1. Before you write anything down define not what you... Read More
My bookcase take up one whole wall in the family... Read More
Names are important. Names give clues about us, where we... Read More
1. Use Logic: Check for External PressuresAre you under physical... Read More
What a lack of research could do to you.When creating... Read More
Maybe you should write a book! This is not as... Read More
If your writing muscle isn't in shape, writing a novel... Read More
Dr. Phil's Life Strategies, #1 New York Times Bestseller catches... Read More
You can turn your $200 fee to write a press... Read More
If you are like most writers, you're constantly searching for... Read More
You send me an e-mail. You tell me you've written... Read More
Recently I was watching the Oprah show and it was... Read More
How to Come Up with Fresh Story Ideas When Your... Read More
So you're one of 20 million Americans who want to... Read More
It's the funniest thing. When someone asks me what I... Read More
List-making is a favorite journaling technique and is often used... Read More
If you either want to write a book to help... Read More
Here's something from my mailbag. "Dear Michael, do you need... Read More
Today I took the dog for a walk and realized... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips ?We all have different tastes in... Read More
Complaint letters aren't always fun, but sometimes they need to... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?When an idea comes to us for... Read More
If you either want to write a book to help... Read More
Every part of your book can be a sales tool.... Read More
An island in the Mediterranean. A beach in Africa. The... Read More
Writing |