White Paper World 50: October 24, 2024
Welcome to special issue #50!
- This just in: Top 10 tips for subscribers only
- Viewpoint: Looking back, looking ahead
- Special thanks department
- Vox pop: What people say about White Paper World
Read this issue in 7 minutes. Listen to this issue in 7.5 minutes:
This just in: Top 10 tips for subscribers only
2-minute read.
“Thank You!” to everyone who’s read this newsletter over the past two and a half years.
Click here to get free tipsheet
Here’s a bonus for you, hot off the press: a collection of the best tips I’ve learned in more than 25 years of writing white papers.
It’s called “10 Quick and Easy Tips to Make Your Next White Paper a SMASH Hit!”
Get it today by clicking the thumbnail or this link:
What’s in the tipsheet?
This 14-page report offers proven strategies to elevate your white papers to a whole new level.
Inside, you’ll find:
- The biggest blunder you can make in a white paper, and how to avoid it
- 3 simple questions you must ask to understand your target audience
- 5 proven formats to help you create a strong, compelling title
- 3 sure-fire ways to make your writing easier to read
Every tip links to two or three hand-picked articles from my website for even more in-depth advice.
And here’s my promise: If you follow all these tips, your next white paper will be far more engaging and persuasive.
You might even have a smash hit on your hands!
Once again, get your free tipsheet here:
Viewpoint: Looking back, looking ahead
4-minute read.
Early in 2022, I had a vague idea to create a clearinghouse for news and views about white papers.
So I wrote up some quick tips, pointed to the latest research on content marketing, and tucked in a few items just for fun.
White papers and pickleball, anyone?
How about white papers and Halloween?
But like everyone else, I was galvanized when ChatGPT came along and knocked the whole world for a loop!
AI challenged all writers to stick up for ourselves, defend our worth, and learn how to live with this beast invading our turf.
So I jumped in to cover what AI means for B2B writers and marketers.
I even did a survey of 300 writers about AI and published the results a year ago. Remember that? Are you still a Pragmatist?
What really keeps me going
Quick tips and AI may take up most of the space in this newsletter, but what really keeps me going is hearing from you.
For instance, I started giving away books to alert readers who entered my wacky contests. Here are their 12 smiling faces so far…
All these people won a book—but I won the best prize of all!
I got an excuse to Zoom with writers from all over. Beyond the USA and Canada, I met writers from England, France, Hawaii, Holland, the Philippines, and Thailand.
I find it so inspiring to meet readers and find out about your writing journey.
And you seem to share my enthusiasm. Those mini-profiles of fellow writers are the most popular content I’ve ever published.
As for the future…
I’ve got some big surprises in store for you.
The first will rewrite the entire history of white papers. That’s coming as soon as I can finish my writeup and make it an open-and-shut case. I hope by the end of 2024.
Another… well, all in good time. Stay tuned and you’ll see all about it.
Special thanks department
Three people in particular deserve extra-special thanks.
Mike Katz
Newsletter guru Mike Katz gave me lots of wise suggestions on my very first issues.
So I took two years to implement some. Cough—jumplist—cough. What can I say? HTML is hard.
Beyond that, he regularly shares his wit and wisdom on my latest issue. Thank you, Mike. You’re a mensch.
Nan Hughes
Nan Hughes helped me from the first as a sounding board and marketing expert. I took quite a while to follow through on her advice too.
Hint: Promote your stories on social media like LinkedIn.
Thank you for all your help, Nan.
Angie Gallop
My “secret weapon” has always been my dearest Angie Gallop. Angie listens to my rants, reads every issue, and tells me when it’s too long (always).
She fixes my writing tics like too many “that’s” and “the nebulous they.”
The truth is, I would never have been That White Paper Guy without you, AG. Love you and thank you.
What people say about White Paper World
Before I sign off, I’d like to share a few of the many wonderful things people have said about this newsletter.
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“I love your newsletter. You are the consummate expert in all things that make white papers produce stellar results.” —Robert W. Bly, veteran copywriter and author |
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| “I’m enjoying your newsletters—so much personality and great guidance. ” —Pam Foster, Learning Chief, AWAI |
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“Gordon, thanks for the timely tip. I used it on an enormous project today.” —John W McCoy, B2B copywriter |
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| “You pack so much useful information into each issue. It’s like having a little chat with you every couple of weeks!” —Erika Cuccaro, web writer for nonprofits |
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“I rarely have time for newsletters, but I always take time for yours. I learn something important every time.” —Anne Sueko Coyle, non-profit executive director |
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If you know any other writers who might like this newsletter, please forward this issue to them so they can get the free tipsheet.
If you like this newsletter…
Here are three ways to support it.
2. Buy my book White Papers For Dummies.
It’s been called “priceless… terrific… outstanding… fantastic… excellent in every way.” And for less than $20, it’s a steal.
3. Pass it on: Forward this issue to anyone else who would appreciate these useful tips and guidance.
Gordon Graham
That White Paper Guy
To get every future issue, visit: www.thatwhitepaperguy.com/subscribe/
See all the previous issues here:
www.thatwhitepaperguy.com/newsletters/
Listen to audio versions here:
https://thatwhitepaperguy.com/podcasts/
And good luck with all your writing projects!
Gordon Graham
That White Paper Guy
