Business white paper
One of the most time-honored traditions of technology
marketing is the white paper. It appears as an unbiased, scientific
study of an important problem, but there is usually a vendor behind
it.
White papers are considered to be a standard marketing tool today. Statistics
show that decision makers in organizations use them as their first external
source of information. White papers are an effective medium that educate
and inform and, most importantly, influence a prospective customer.
A white paper from a company should reinforce why the organization needs
to be selected over the competition.
Define the target audience/market and the purpose of the white paper,
i.e., whether it is to establish authority on a particular topic, or
create awareness of an upcoming issue or trend, or to provide information
that will help buyers make decisions and differentiate the company from
the competition.
Define the message the white paper is going to deliver and ask yourself
the reason why anyone would want to read it.
What Does a White Paper Usually Contain?
1. Current industry problems/trends: Begin with a description of the
broadest issues and trends in the industry that will introduce the reader
to the topic. Then move on to discussing the specific attributes of
the solution.
2. Technology: Description of the technology if necessary.
3. How the service offered or the new technology or business model works.
4. Benefits/application/ROI/case studies.
5. Visual appeal: Add graphics, charts and images to break the monotony
of reading text and also tools to understand the topic better.
6. How to choose a solution/vendor if applicable.
7. Summary.
White Paper Don'ts:
1. Avoid using technical acronyms and other difficult terminology.
2. Avoid technical complexity.
3. Avoid writing a user manual.
The goal of this article is to acquaint you with the standard white
paper, the appropriate content for a white paper, the kind of research
that is required and how to write globalspeak.
You may write about an interesting topic after collecting all the important
information that you need, but your article may put the reader to sleep
after a brief look. Well, let's face it; do you want your article to
send readers off the site? Of course not, so make sure the White Paper
you are writing does not get bogged down and sluggish.
The white paper is a crossbreed of a magazine article and a brochure.
White Papers provides critical how-to details for every step of any
white paper project—from performing the needs assessment to attracting
prospects with creative marketing tactics.
White papers are at the forefront of an educational marketing revolution.
Powerful enough to lure readers and able to persuade with unyielding
strength, the well-written white paper is a super weapon in the marketing
professional's arsenal.
Wearing many hats, the white paper can talk business or converse technically,
and it can inform or influence. Best of all—it is highly sought-after.
The white paper's underlying strength rests on this premise: If you
give readers something of value, they will give you their loyalty, and
ultimately their business.