White Paper Writing
16 possible ways to structure a white paper
You’ve probably heard my concept of the three “flavors” of white papers. But within these three, there are many different ways to organize a white paper. Here are 16 possibilities, which I’ve extracted and expanded with thanks from one of my favorite books, Presenting to Win by Jerry Weissman. Weissman is a former New York…
Read MoreHow to get great reviews for your white paper
Every white paper gets reviews, often by numerous people. But these reviews aren’t always helpful. To gain an effective review, a white paper writer or sponsor sometimes needs to take reviewers by the hand and give them a little guidance. This article includes five tips, plus a reviewer’s checklist you can download and circulate to your…
Read More10 tips on writing from Alexander Green
Last fall I had the pleasure of attending the AWAI 2016 Bootcamp in southern Florida. What a fantastic event! What’s not to like about a meet-up of 450 writers in an ocean-side town that has October temperatures reaching almost 90 degrees? And what a powerful opening keynote by Alexander Green who provided many inspiring tips on writing. If…
Read MoreThe best of That White Paper Guy in 2016 (for marketers)
2016 was a busy and productive year for all of us at That White Paper Guy. We wrote white papers on everything from self-driving cars to post-surgical infections, getting close to a company total of 250 projects. And we continued to shared lots of tips on how to create successful white papers of your own. This website:…
Read MoreThe best of That White Paper Guy in 2016 (for writers)
2016 was a busy and productive year for all of us at That White Paper Guy. We wrote white papers on everything from self-driving cars to post-surgical infections, getting close to a company total of 250. And we continued to shared lots of tips on how to create successful white papers of your own. This website: bigger…
Read MoreHow to handle the 4 types of comments on white papers
Dealing with comments can be challenging. This excellent article from copywriting legend Bob Bly describes how to recognize and handle the different types of comments from clients. Comments on draft white papers fall into one of four categories. This is my view after 37 years as a professional copywriter. During that time, I’ve written white papers and many other…
Read MoreThe #1 mistake B2B copywriters make
What’s the #1 mistake B2B copywriters make? How can they avoid this mistake or fix it? We asked eight accomplished copywriters these questions. Here’s what they told us. Mistake #1: Not learning the craft “A common mistake? Hanging out their shingles too soon,” says Gordon Graham, also known as That White Paper Guy. “Lots of beginners…
Read MoreWhite paper writer tip #3: Plan your work
Remember the old chestnut to “plan your work, and work your plan?” That certainly applies to white paper writers. Why? Just consider most other professions. Does a surgeon go into the operating room—without reviewing the patient’s chart? Does a golfer tee up his first drive in the U.S. Open—without playing a few rounds on the…
Read MoreHow white paper writers can use high-priced sources
To be an effective white paper writer, you must find good sources to back up your argument. But what if you locate what seems like a great source, but you can’t afford to access it? What if you find a market study with a price tag of $4,995? Or a promising article you can’t download without subscribing to an…
Read More3 lessons tech writers must unlearn to write white papers
Here’s my message to tech writers: You can write great white papers. If you’ve done any technical writing, you’ve probably seen a few white papers in your time. You may have reviewed a few of them. You may even have written them yourself. As a tech writer, you already have many skills you can apply…
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