White Paper Research
4 ways to evaluate white paper sources
So you’re writing a white paper… And it’s time to cite an expert, define a term, or introduce a proof point. Where do you find a good source? If you’re like most writers, you do a few quick queries with Google and get a list of search results. Then you start scrolling and clicking on…
Read MoreWhite Paper World 27: August 24, 2023
Quick tip: Build your own list of sources This just in: AI is enshittifying the web! AI survey book giveaway: Another winner! Deadline: Take the AI survey before it closes Don’t miss checklist: 12 ways to humanize your content Quick tip: Build your own list of sources How to save time researching your next…
Read MoreQuick tip: Build your own list of sources
Here’s how to save time researching your next white paper. Build your own list of sources you trust, and go to them for insights. I’ve said this before: Don’t start with Google. Now I’m doubling down on that advice. Develop your own list of trusted sources. Don’t rely on Google to find them. This works especially…
Read More5 reasons why writers should explore rhetoric
I never studied rhetoric at school. There were no doubt a few courses on rhetoric in my university syllabus. But I flipped right past them. At the time, I considered the topic old-fashioned, boring, and useless. Oh, the folly of youth! Today, I dearly wish I had taken those courses. I’ve come to see rhetoric…
Read More7 ways to organize your white paper research
I often say that a white paper writer should “think like a lawyer.” That means building a mountain of research to back up your case. But then, a lawyer has to be able to access it efficiently. They need to keep all the evidence at their fingertips, so they can pluck out exactly the right piece at…
Read MoreWho do you trust for a white paper source?
White paper writers often ask me, “What makes a good source?” Especially in an era of “fake news” and “alternative facts”?! Deliberate falsehoods are spread by many sources today. Those include social media chatbots, agents of foreign governments, clickbait creators, conspiracy theorists—not to mention vendors lying about their products. With all this misinformation, a recent…
Read MoreTips on white paper sources
When you search for white paper sources, any company can claim they’re the best. But finding the evidence to prove that can be tough. Doing research to turn up the right nuggets of proof gives your white paper more authority. Strong evidence strengthens your claims and proves that your white paper is more than one…
Read MoreIs it bigger than a breadbox?
Have you ever interviewed a someone who says they have “no metrics” for your case study? Perhaps your source never had to justify their purchase, so they didn’t keep any formal metrics. That means they have no numbers to show how much your offering helped with their business problems… and no numbers you can use in…
Read MoreHow writing a white paper is like attending a dinner party
Imagine you’re invited to a dinner party with your boss. Think of your current white paper client as “your boss.” You arrive late, make a quick apology and take your seat. The others are already engaged in a deep discussion that sounds interesting and important. You think, “I need to say something impressive soon. After all,…
Read MoreTell the truth! Show your white paper sources
When you finish a white paper, what’s next? If you’re like most writers, you send in your invoice, and then take the rest of the day off. But haven’t you forgotten something? What about sending your client all the sources you referenced in your white paper? How about backing up all those claims in your argument with…
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