White Paper Writing
White papers and… the polar vortex?!
If you live in the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest or Canada, in 2018-19 you probably experienced a tough winter. Snow fell like crazy and the temperatures plummeted. Cars didn’t start, flights and trains were cancelled, meetings were postponed. Even mail wasn’t delivered in some places. Niagara Falls froze over, as shown above. That’s rare. And…
Read MoreWhite paper writer tip #4: Think visually
To create an effective white paper today, text alone doesn’t cut it. Every white paper writer must be able to imagine powerful graphics to help tell their client’s story. Why? Because white papers are getting brighter, bolder, and more colorful. Great pictures and graphics are a must-have. For best results, you must learn how to dream up images that communicate your key points at a…
Read MoreWill AI replace white paper writers?
Is there a future for humans to write white papers? Or is it just a matter of time before AI replaces all white paper writers and the bottom falls out of the market? Why should you waste your time learning a skill that’s going to be obsolete in a few years? This article, updated in…
Read MoreWhite papers and… renovating a bathroom?!
Have you ever renovated a bathroom? I’m not talking about a new shower curtain. I’m talking about a rip-and-replace. That means tearing out everything down to the studs, hacking out the old plumbing, ripping up the old wiring; redoing the ceiling, walls, and floor; replacing the vanity, tub, toilet… And I’m in the middle of…
Read MoreHow to create a white paper style guide, in 60 minutes or less
A good style guide can boost consistency, settle arguments, and save time. If your company or client has a style guide, follow it. If not, you can help them develop one. Fast. Unlike what you may expect, you don’t need to sink days into creating a style guide. Here are two quick methods I learned…
Read MoreYou asked: How do I write in a crisp, clear, conversational style?
10 minute read The best white papers are written in a crisp, clear, sparkling style. Those papers stand out like a refreshing drink of pure water in a sea of dreck. Some people ask how to achieve that level of clarity. “How do you write briefly in a friendly and conversational way?” “What if you…
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 MoreCrossing the chasm with effective white papers
This is a tale of two white papers, and the companies that planned them. It shows how an effective marketing strategy can help you to create an effective white paper. And it shows how an ineffective marketing strategy can hinder your best efforts to create a good white paper. Along the way, we’ll review a few…
Read More5 questions about branded original research white papers
Ever heard of branded original research? It’s an up-and-coming type of content marketing. To create it, a brand surveys their audience to develop content for prospective customers. And, unlike some space trip to Mars, it’s not far-fetched fiction. Branded original research is a hot format that’s becoming increasingly popular for marketing managers across industries. What…
Read MoreThe most influential white paper in history
Why the Bitcoin white paper is the most influential white paper in history.
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