Writing B2B Content
Recommended books on white papers (and everything else)
Here are the books I highly recommend for any B2B writer or marketer. My favorite books give me so much: Quick reference as I work Smart guidance on issues of style or format A shot of inspiration when I need it most I keep all these titles within easy reach on my bookshelves. And I…
Read MoreYou asked: Is copywriting different from content writing?
That’s a great question. Here’s my answer, some lively comments, and some updated comments I posted after musing on this some more. I was fortunate to learn my craft writing for traditional magazines. From 1985 to today, I wrote close to 1,000 magazine articles, mainly about technology, for everyone from accountants to woodworkers. One thing…
Read MoreWhite papers and… George Carlin?
George Carlin was the last person you’d expect to have anything to say about white papers. The trail-blazing American comic was better known for his profane and cutting social criticism. But I’ve discovered a strong link between one of the comic’s lifelong preoccupations and B2B content writing. Who was George Carlin? Any Baby Boomer likely…
Read MoreWill chatbots replace white papers?
You’ve seen them. You’ve used them. Chatbots are everywhere now. And a whole new industry is springing up to write, code, and integrate chatbots into websites. That means loads of opportunities for writers who learn this new format. Nick Usborne, a co-founder of marketing agency Chatbot Forge, is a pioneer in this field who points…
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 More8 reasons to hire a white paper writer who knows your industry
Some say the best white paper writers are generalists who can write about any topic under the sun. They’ll say they can sift through what’s important and what’s not and explain things in a reader-friendly way. That White Paper Guy (Gordon Graham) is a generalist who has written on dozens of topics. But someone with…
Read MoreMarketing Managers: 5 ways to boost content marketing results in the dog days of summer
If you’re like many B2B marketing people, not much happens during the dog days of summer. In North America and Europe, that’s from mid-July to early August… the most coveted weeks for summer vacations. In Australia, school holidays encompass Christmas and New Years, so many people take vacations in December and January. With so many…
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 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 More10 tips on writing bo-o-oring content
This guest post from B2B copywriter Steve Maurer turns the normal advice we hear about writing content on its head. We got a good chuckle out of this and we hope you do too. You work in an interesting industry. And you have an amazing product. If other companies buy it, they’ll get a great…
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