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Using White Papers For
Strategic Advantage
Writing white papers to influence decision-makers
Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014
Page 2 of 14
Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage
Disclaimers
The information contained in this document is the proprietary and exclusive property of
Klariti except as otherwise indicated. No part of this document, in whole or in part, may be
reproduced, stored, transmitted, or used for design purposes without the prior written
permission of Klariti.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
The information in this document is provided for informational purposes only. Klariti
specifically disclaims all warranties, express or limited, including, but not limited, to the
implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, except as
provided for in a separate software license agreement.
Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014
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Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage
Table of Contents
USING WHITE PAPERS FOR STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE .....................................................................................4
KEY STRATEGIC MARKETING TOOLS................................................................................................................................5
ROLE OF WHITE PAPERS FOR DECISION MAKERS .............................................................................................................6
White Paper Marketing: Where to Start ......................................................................................................................6
How to Find Your Angle ..............................................................................................................................................7
Mistakes to Avoid.........................................................................................................................................................7
Setting Writing Targets ................................................................................................................................................7
WHITE PAPER TACTICS V STRATEGY....................................................................................................................9
BEFORE YOU START... ......................................................................................................................................................9
SETTING OBJECTIVES........................................................................................................................................................9
7 WRITING TIPS............................................................................................................................................................10
PUT THE CONCLUSION AT THE START..............................................................................................................................10
THINK OF CUSTOMERS AS INVESTORS ............................................................................................................................10
AVOID ASSUMPTIONS, JARGON, AND TLAS....................................................................................................................10
LASER FOCUS ON THE SPECIFICS ....................................................................................................................................11
IS IT REMARKABLE!........................................................................................................................................................11
GET THE TEXT V. GRAPHIC BALANCE RIGHT..................................................................................................................11
AVOID JARGON, USE CLEAR ENGLISH ............................................................................................................................12
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Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage
Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage
Before we get into writing white papers, let's’ take a step back and find out where they
came from. Why ‘white’ for example?
White Papers were first written in the diplomatic service, mostly to introduce policy
statements. At that time, and we’re talking the turn of the last century, there were actually
three different types of papers:
• White papers for policy statements
• Grey papers for informative purposes and
• Black papers for disavowed clandestine activities
So, the purpose at that time was mostly for Government and Scientific bodies to highlight
their peers on particular subjects, for example, investigations into new government
strategies, regulations, and high-level communications. In many instances, the writers and
the readers would belong to the same set. You knew who were writing for.
These publications were generally supported with impartial, unbiased facts to help the
decision-makers. In this respect, the authors had no ‘agenda’ other than to clarify the
subject matter in question.
The definition of the term white paper has changed since then. A quick search in Google
News returns white papers from the scientific, government, and commercial sector. That’s
what we’re going to look at today.
How can you, as a business owner, use white papers to do the following:
• Establish your authority?
• Increase your sphere of influence in the media?
• Generate leads that translate into fee-paying projects?
We can see that the humble white paper has evolved into a different creature and is now
used to:
• Generate interest in new products and services.
• Differentiate products from competitor’s offerings.
• Demonstrate market leadership.
• Promote authors are subject-matter experts.
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• Create ‘news-flow’ for journalists and technology journalists.
• Generate business!
We also need to look at how others perceive white papers. Unlike other sales documents -
which are perceived as quick reads and tend to be more disposable - white papers are seen
as ‘high-value’ documents.
I bet your hard drive is stuffed with white papers you’re keeping and plan to read some day.
Mine is.
So, why is this?
White Papers have ‘gravity’.
Most include market research, statistics, and surveys that the authors have carried out, or
sponsored in conjunction with a research firm. Despite the ‘soft-sell’ appearances, white
papers can be a very effective way to compliment your sales toolkit.
From my experience, after working as a business writer for twenty-two years in London,
Sacramento, and Beijing, white papers are one of the most effective, low-cost, and simplest
ways to convert prospective customers into paying customers.
Let’s look at how we can do this.
Key Strategic Marketing Tools
Again, go back to all those white papers in you’re ‘My Documents’ folder.
• Why did you download them?
• Why are you keeping them?
In IT, business documents are critical to your company’s survival, growth, and success.
After all, not every customer will phone or email you about your products – but they will
download high-value white papers —and then read them on their own terms.
According to market research, white papers are the first port-of-call for decision-
makers when investigating a product.
Decision-makers, such as CIOs and IT Managers, are under tremendous pressure to make
the correct choice when choosing a products and/or service.
You can help them make that decision by producing persuasive arguments in your paper
that demonstrates why your solution fits their requirements.
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Think of it like this: your document helps them build a case for recommending your
product to their superiors e.g. Board of Directors.
Graphs, charts and diagrams all support this call to action. These are cut-and-pasted out of
your documents and into PowerPoint presentations that the CIO makes to his team.
Role of White Papers for Decision Makers
White papers play a huge role in the IT industry. Again, do a quick Google on, for example,
‘white paper security’ and see how many results come back.
Consider these facts:
• White papers are the first external source of information consulted by decision-
makers on a particular product.
• They are widely distributed amongst those in the decision-making process.
• Executives often consult White Papers even BEFORE their own Sales team.
• White papers provide critical input into the final decision when selecting a product or
service.
• White papers have a very long shelf life. Magazines, newspapers and other material
are thrown-out very quickly; white papers, in contrast, are filed for future reference
and can live for long periods on intranets.
With this in mind, your White Papers need to be more than technical documents.
They should present you, the Author, as an expert, and your company as the right choice
over your competitors.
After all, if your white paper demonstrates your expertise over your competitors, why
wouldn’t customers want to work with you?
In the B2B world, price usually isn’t the issue. It’s finding the correct solution.
White Paper Marketing: Where to Start
White Paper marketing can create new business opportunities very fast. If you know your
product, and know your customers, then there should be a demand for the paper.
But you have the give the subject matter an interesting angle. More on that later!
Don’t repeat what’s already been written. Give it a unique twist that other writers hadn’t
thought of.
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Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage
How to Find Your Angle
To do this, a few points need to be considered:
• White papers are an investment in research, people, and time.
• White papers work well if you have a unique product — or perceived as unique —
with information your clients don't already have.
• White papers have a long shelf life. Write your white papers as ‘reference’
documents. This will increase the likelihood that others will share them and
encourage sites, such as Wikipedia, to link and identify them as expert articles.
Mistakes to Avoid
Writing white papers is not for everyone.
Why?
It requires an understanding of the business drivers, the marketing opportunities, and of
course how search engines and social media work.
Think of it as a hybrid.
For this reason, be careful about who you choose to write your white paper.
Engineers can’t write these. Don’t ask them – it’s not fair. It’s not a technical document. And
while they can contribute, don’t make them the lead writer. Instead, use them as a source.
They can contribute to the technical details, but you need to have an experienced writer
managing the development, delivery, and benchmarking.
Setting Writing Targets
Let’s say you want to try yourself. How can you start?
If you have some writing expertise, you should be able to write around 1,000 words a day.
To do this:
1. Identify the core topic.
2. Define the problem that the solution addresses.
3. Write in a light conversational style, as if you were talking to a friend.
4. Though the white paper is designed to promote your product, the sales angle is
played down and hidden in the ‘useful information’ you’re providing to prospective
clients.
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Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage
5. Include charts, diagrams or matrices that compliment your text.
6. Add a short bio at the end about yourself with contact information, including 1800
telephone numbers and email address.
Once you've written the white paper, get a reliable person to check the grammar and
spelling. Make sure it's clear, concise, and to the point.
Then, leave it aside for a day or two. When you return to it, you will have a little distance
and be able to see where it needs adjusting.
Now, you're ready to use it for promotion—and that's what we'll talk about in the next
tutorial.
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Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage
White Paper Tactics v Strategy
It’s easy to confuse the two as the terms are used interchangeably.
• Strategy is the over-arching objective to move your company forward. In simple
terms, it moves the needle.
• Tactics are what you use to get there. Tools, best practices, and methodologies.
Before You Start...
As with all writing, you first have to define your target audience. Once you have this
organized, you can them begin to tailor your arguments towards their needs.
It is important to stress this point, as many novice writers—especially those with a technical
background—focus on the low-level aspects of the software. Though this has its place, it's
probably not here.
Executives, and those in the management layer, are typical white papers readers. So, write
with these readers in mind.
As mentioned above, you also need to determine the topic of your white paper.
This may sound obvious but many writers overlook this and ramble from one item to the
next.
Setting Objectives
Your white paper is intended to achieve several objectives:
• Establish you as the definitive authority on the subject in question, i.e. that you
stand head-and-shoulders above the competition in this area.
• Create awareness of a new market trend and/or a product offering that very
specifically addresses a requirement. And it demonstrates how you are uniquely
qualified to achieve this objective.
• Ensure that decision-makers select you over your competitors by providing them
with persuasive arguments backed up with trustworthy references.
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Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage
7 Writing Tips
Put the conclusion at the start
The introduction is the best place to summarize your findings - including the conclusions
that you have made.
Other publications, such as newspapers, use headlines and paragraph summaries to hold
the reader's interest: white papers benefit from the same approach.
Putting the conclusion at the end of your white paper make senses, but you need to be
careful as this section is often overlooked by the reader, many of whom won't read to the
very end.
Think of Customers as Investors
Try to think of your customers are prospective investors. In addition, investors are a very
discriminating audience. They judge technologies, products, and ideas based on objective
information and the track record of those involved. They are hungry for real facts and will
dismiss unsubstantiated claims. Maintaining their attention involves building trust and
offering facts that are interesting, relevant, and true.
They will look for trustworthy evidence to substantiate your claims. By providing this
evidence, you not only save them time but also increase your credibility. Finding meaningful
testimonials is well worth the effort.
Avoid Assumptions, Jargon, and TLAs
Product descriptions written by product managers, web designers, or marketing directors
often contain assumptions (and IT acronyms) that are understood only by their peers. You
need to avoid this at all costs.
Your readers will not understand these cryptic references and feel excluded. Before getting
into the details of your solution, describe the high-level requirements first.
Start with the essentials:
• Is it hardware or software?
• What are the prerequisites?
• What platform is it designed for?
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Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage
• What language is it written in?
• Who will use the solution?
Laser Focus on the Specifics
After providing this preliminary information, get to the main issues. If you know that your
readers are, for example, technology experts then don't try to teach them about the basics.
They’ll just skip past these sections.
Generalities and bland repetition drives such readers away. Instead, describe specific
aspects that will ring true with your audience.
Is it Remarkable!
What’s the one thing that makes this document stand out? Is it a chart, stat, diagram, or
research finding? Maybe it’s something else.
But you have to write it in such a way that when the reader goes away, they feel compelled
to share it.
• Have you read this?
• Did you see what it says about…?
• Why don’t we get them in?
Write it so it stands out. Make it remarkable, i.e. that others will remark on it.
After all, anyone can claim that their product solves a problem, but it's more convincing if
you can demonstrate it.
Provide evidence that your solution is better than your rivals are—and then substantiate this
with, for example, independent benchmark tests.
Get the Text v. Graphic Balance Right
Use graphics, tables, and charts to help the reader understand your product. Graphics are
ideal for illustrating the relationship between concepts, technologies, and systems.
Also, remember that the readers will tire after several pages; graphics, tables and charts
serve as an alternative to the text while still maintaining their interest in the subject.
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Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage
Avoid Jargon, Use Clear English
Write to be understood, not to impress!
Though the IT industry is global, many readers (and potential customers) have English as a
second language. It’s easy to confuse them with lengthy sections, complex sentences,
buzzwords, and jargon.
Use simple, plain English.
This type of writing carries real power— the power to explain and convince. If the best
ingredient for an effective white paper is a terrific solution to a technical problem, then the
next best ingredient is great writing.
You can improve your writing by cutting out excessive wordiness and deadwood phrases
and replace them with better expressions. The following is a list of the ‘most wanted’
culprits. The "deadwood" comes first:
• according to our data -- we find
• accordingly -- therefore, so
• after the conclusion of -- after
• ascertain the location of -- find
• by a factor of two -- two times, double, twice
• come to a conclusion -- conclude
• give consideration to -- consider, examine
• give indication of -- show, indicate, suggest
• in close proximity to -- near
• in some cases -- sometimes
• in the event that -- if
• in the near future -- soon
• in the neighborhood of -- near, about, nearly
• in view of the fact that -- because, since
• it is our opinion that -- we think
• it is possible that -- perhaps
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Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage
• it is well known that -- (nothing)
• it may be said that -- (nothing)
• make inquiry regarding -- ask about, inquire about
• manner in which -- how
• not with standing the fact that -- although
• on the basis of -- from, because, by
• on the order of -- about, approximately
• present in greater abundance -- more abundant
• prior to -- before
• provided that -- if
• put an end to -- end
• reach a conclusion -- conclude
• serves the function of being -- is
• subsequent to -- after
• the question as to -- whether
• there can be little doubt that -- probably
• utilize or utilization -- use
• with reference to – about
As mentioned before, an experienced business writer will guide his or her readers through
the document and avoid confusing them with acronyms, convoluted sentences, and
labyrinthine paragraphs.
Simple, clear writing is concise, effective, and persuasive.
You can significantly improve the effectiveness of your business documents by adopting a
clear writing style, which in turns improves your chances of winning new customers.
Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014
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Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage
About Klariti
Klariti develops ‘content assets’ using white papers, case studies, and industry reports.
We examine, develop, and benchmark content for Government agencies and Financial Service firms to support
their social media, corporate blogs, and email communications.
Our website – Business Writing For Smart People - reflects what we do. If you find something there that’s interests
you, drop us a line.
Ireland Office
63 Ripley Hills,
Killarney Road,
Bray,
Co Wicklow
Phone: +353-86-886-459
Email: info@klariti.com
Web: http://www.klariti.com
Copyright © 2014 Klariti. All Rights Reserved.
Klariti logos, and trademarks or registered trademarks of Klariti or
its subsidiaries in other countries.
Information regarding third party products is provided solely for educational purposes.
Klariti is not responsible for the performance or support of third party products
and does not make any representations or warranties whatsoever regarding quality, reliability,
functionality, or compatibility of these devices or products.

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Klariti Guide on Writing White Papers for Strategic Advantage

  • 1. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage Writing white papers to influence decision-makers
  • 2. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014 Page 2 of 14 Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage Disclaimers The information contained in this document is the proprietary and exclusive property of Klariti except as otherwise indicated. No part of this document, in whole or in part, may be reproduced, stored, transmitted, or used for design purposes without the prior written permission of Klariti. The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. The information in this document is provided for informational purposes only. Klariti specifically disclaims all warranties, express or limited, including, but not limited, to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, except as provided for in a separate software license agreement.
  • 3. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014 Page 3 of 14 Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage Table of Contents USING WHITE PAPERS FOR STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE .....................................................................................4 KEY STRATEGIC MARKETING TOOLS................................................................................................................................5 ROLE OF WHITE PAPERS FOR DECISION MAKERS .............................................................................................................6 White Paper Marketing: Where to Start ......................................................................................................................6 How to Find Your Angle ..............................................................................................................................................7 Mistakes to Avoid.........................................................................................................................................................7 Setting Writing Targets ................................................................................................................................................7 WHITE PAPER TACTICS V STRATEGY....................................................................................................................9 BEFORE YOU START... ......................................................................................................................................................9 SETTING OBJECTIVES........................................................................................................................................................9 7 WRITING TIPS............................................................................................................................................................10 PUT THE CONCLUSION AT THE START..............................................................................................................................10 THINK OF CUSTOMERS AS INVESTORS ............................................................................................................................10 AVOID ASSUMPTIONS, JARGON, AND TLAS....................................................................................................................10 LASER FOCUS ON THE SPECIFICS ....................................................................................................................................11 IS IT REMARKABLE!........................................................................................................................................................11 GET THE TEXT V. GRAPHIC BALANCE RIGHT..................................................................................................................11 AVOID JARGON, USE CLEAR ENGLISH ............................................................................................................................12
  • 4. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014 Page 4 of 14 Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage Before we get into writing white papers, let's’ take a step back and find out where they came from. Why ‘white’ for example? White Papers were first written in the diplomatic service, mostly to introduce policy statements. At that time, and we’re talking the turn of the last century, there were actually three different types of papers: • White papers for policy statements • Grey papers for informative purposes and • Black papers for disavowed clandestine activities So, the purpose at that time was mostly for Government and Scientific bodies to highlight their peers on particular subjects, for example, investigations into new government strategies, regulations, and high-level communications. In many instances, the writers and the readers would belong to the same set. You knew who were writing for. These publications were generally supported with impartial, unbiased facts to help the decision-makers. In this respect, the authors had no ‘agenda’ other than to clarify the subject matter in question. The definition of the term white paper has changed since then. A quick search in Google News returns white papers from the scientific, government, and commercial sector. That’s what we’re going to look at today. How can you, as a business owner, use white papers to do the following: • Establish your authority? • Increase your sphere of influence in the media? • Generate leads that translate into fee-paying projects? We can see that the humble white paper has evolved into a different creature and is now used to: • Generate interest in new products and services. • Differentiate products from competitor’s offerings. • Demonstrate market leadership. • Promote authors are subject-matter experts.
  • 5. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014 Page 5 of 14 Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage • Create ‘news-flow’ for journalists and technology journalists. • Generate business! We also need to look at how others perceive white papers. Unlike other sales documents - which are perceived as quick reads and tend to be more disposable - white papers are seen as ‘high-value’ documents. I bet your hard drive is stuffed with white papers you’re keeping and plan to read some day. Mine is. So, why is this? White Papers have ‘gravity’. Most include market research, statistics, and surveys that the authors have carried out, or sponsored in conjunction with a research firm. Despite the ‘soft-sell’ appearances, white papers can be a very effective way to compliment your sales toolkit. From my experience, after working as a business writer for twenty-two years in London, Sacramento, and Beijing, white papers are one of the most effective, low-cost, and simplest ways to convert prospective customers into paying customers. Let’s look at how we can do this. Key Strategic Marketing Tools Again, go back to all those white papers in you’re ‘My Documents’ folder. • Why did you download them? • Why are you keeping them? In IT, business documents are critical to your company’s survival, growth, and success. After all, not every customer will phone or email you about your products – but they will download high-value white papers —and then read them on their own terms. According to market research, white papers are the first port-of-call for decision- makers when investigating a product. Decision-makers, such as CIOs and IT Managers, are under tremendous pressure to make the correct choice when choosing a products and/or service. You can help them make that decision by producing persuasive arguments in your paper that demonstrates why your solution fits their requirements.
  • 6. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014 Page 6 of 14 Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage Think of it like this: your document helps them build a case for recommending your product to their superiors e.g. Board of Directors. Graphs, charts and diagrams all support this call to action. These are cut-and-pasted out of your documents and into PowerPoint presentations that the CIO makes to his team. Role of White Papers for Decision Makers White papers play a huge role in the IT industry. Again, do a quick Google on, for example, ‘white paper security’ and see how many results come back. Consider these facts: • White papers are the first external source of information consulted by decision- makers on a particular product. • They are widely distributed amongst those in the decision-making process. • Executives often consult White Papers even BEFORE their own Sales team. • White papers provide critical input into the final decision when selecting a product or service. • White papers have a very long shelf life. Magazines, newspapers and other material are thrown-out very quickly; white papers, in contrast, are filed for future reference and can live for long periods on intranets. With this in mind, your White Papers need to be more than technical documents. They should present you, the Author, as an expert, and your company as the right choice over your competitors. After all, if your white paper demonstrates your expertise over your competitors, why wouldn’t customers want to work with you? In the B2B world, price usually isn’t the issue. It’s finding the correct solution. White Paper Marketing: Where to Start White Paper marketing can create new business opportunities very fast. If you know your product, and know your customers, then there should be a demand for the paper. But you have the give the subject matter an interesting angle. More on that later! Don’t repeat what’s already been written. Give it a unique twist that other writers hadn’t thought of.
  • 7. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014 Page 7 of 14 Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage How to Find Your Angle To do this, a few points need to be considered: • White papers are an investment in research, people, and time. • White papers work well if you have a unique product — or perceived as unique — with information your clients don't already have. • White papers have a long shelf life. Write your white papers as ‘reference’ documents. This will increase the likelihood that others will share them and encourage sites, such as Wikipedia, to link and identify them as expert articles. Mistakes to Avoid Writing white papers is not for everyone. Why? It requires an understanding of the business drivers, the marketing opportunities, and of course how search engines and social media work. Think of it as a hybrid. For this reason, be careful about who you choose to write your white paper. Engineers can’t write these. Don’t ask them – it’s not fair. It’s not a technical document. And while they can contribute, don’t make them the lead writer. Instead, use them as a source. They can contribute to the technical details, but you need to have an experienced writer managing the development, delivery, and benchmarking. Setting Writing Targets Let’s say you want to try yourself. How can you start? If you have some writing expertise, you should be able to write around 1,000 words a day. To do this: 1. Identify the core topic. 2. Define the problem that the solution addresses. 3. Write in a light conversational style, as if you were talking to a friend. 4. Though the white paper is designed to promote your product, the sales angle is played down and hidden in the ‘useful information’ you’re providing to prospective clients.
  • 8. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014 Page 8 of 14 Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 5. Include charts, diagrams or matrices that compliment your text. 6. Add a short bio at the end about yourself with contact information, including 1800 telephone numbers and email address. Once you've written the white paper, get a reliable person to check the grammar and spelling. Make sure it's clear, concise, and to the point. Then, leave it aside for a day or two. When you return to it, you will have a little distance and be able to see where it needs adjusting. Now, you're ready to use it for promotion—and that's what we'll talk about in the next tutorial.
  • 9. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014 Page 9 of 14 Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage White Paper Tactics v Strategy It’s easy to confuse the two as the terms are used interchangeably. • Strategy is the over-arching objective to move your company forward. In simple terms, it moves the needle. • Tactics are what you use to get there. Tools, best practices, and methodologies. Before You Start... As with all writing, you first have to define your target audience. Once you have this organized, you can them begin to tailor your arguments towards their needs. It is important to stress this point, as many novice writers—especially those with a technical background—focus on the low-level aspects of the software. Though this has its place, it's probably not here. Executives, and those in the management layer, are typical white papers readers. So, write with these readers in mind. As mentioned above, you also need to determine the topic of your white paper. This may sound obvious but many writers overlook this and ramble from one item to the next. Setting Objectives Your white paper is intended to achieve several objectives: • Establish you as the definitive authority on the subject in question, i.e. that you stand head-and-shoulders above the competition in this area. • Create awareness of a new market trend and/or a product offering that very specifically addresses a requirement. And it demonstrates how you are uniquely qualified to achieve this objective. • Ensure that decision-makers select you over your competitors by providing them with persuasive arguments backed up with trustworthy references.
  • 10. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014 Page 10 of 14 Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 7 Writing Tips Put the conclusion at the start The introduction is the best place to summarize your findings - including the conclusions that you have made. Other publications, such as newspapers, use headlines and paragraph summaries to hold the reader's interest: white papers benefit from the same approach. Putting the conclusion at the end of your white paper make senses, but you need to be careful as this section is often overlooked by the reader, many of whom won't read to the very end. Think of Customers as Investors Try to think of your customers are prospective investors. In addition, investors are a very discriminating audience. They judge technologies, products, and ideas based on objective information and the track record of those involved. They are hungry for real facts and will dismiss unsubstantiated claims. Maintaining their attention involves building trust and offering facts that are interesting, relevant, and true. They will look for trustworthy evidence to substantiate your claims. By providing this evidence, you not only save them time but also increase your credibility. Finding meaningful testimonials is well worth the effort. Avoid Assumptions, Jargon, and TLAs Product descriptions written by product managers, web designers, or marketing directors often contain assumptions (and IT acronyms) that are understood only by their peers. You need to avoid this at all costs. Your readers will not understand these cryptic references and feel excluded. Before getting into the details of your solution, describe the high-level requirements first. Start with the essentials: • Is it hardware or software? • What are the prerequisites? • What platform is it designed for?
  • 11. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014 Page 11 of 14 Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage • What language is it written in? • Who will use the solution? Laser Focus on the Specifics After providing this preliminary information, get to the main issues. If you know that your readers are, for example, technology experts then don't try to teach them about the basics. They’ll just skip past these sections. Generalities and bland repetition drives such readers away. Instead, describe specific aspects that will ring true with your audience. Is it Remarkable! What’s the one thing that makes this document stand out? Is it a chart, stat, diagram, or research finding? Maybe it’s something else. But you have to write it in such a way that when the reader goes away, they feel compelled to share it. • Have you read this? • Did you see what it says about…? • Why don’t we get them in? Write it so it stands out. Make it remarkable, i.e. that others will remark on it. After all, anyone can claim that their product solves a problem, but it's more convincing if you can demonstrate it. Provide evidence that your solution is better than your rivals are—and then substantiate this with, for example, independent benchmark tests. Get the Text v. Graphic Balance Right Use graphics, tables, and charts to help the reader understand your product. Graphics are ideal for illustrating the relationship between concepts, technologies, and systems. Also, remember that the readers will tire after several pages; graphics, tables and charts serve as an alternative to the text while still maintaining their interest in the subject.
  • 12. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014 Page 12 of 14 Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage Avoid Jargon, Use Clear English Write to be understood, not to impress! Though the IT industry is global, many readers (and potential customers) have English as a second language. It’s easy to confuse them with lengthy sections, complex sentences, buzzwords, and jargon. Use simple, plain English. This type of writing carries real power— the power to explain and convince. If the best ingredient for an effective white paper is a terrific solution to a technical problem, then the next best ingredient is great writing. You can improve your writing by cutting out excessive wordiness and deadwood phrases and replace them with better expressions. The following is a list of the ‘most wanted’ culprits. The "deadwood" comes first: • according to our data -- we find • accordingly -- therefore, so • after the conclusion of -- after • ascertain the location of -- find • by a factor of two -- two times, double, twice • come to a conclusion -- conclude • give consideration to -- consider, examine • give indication of -- show, indicate, suggest • in close proximity to -- near • in some cases -- sometimes • in the event that -- if • in the near future -- soon • in the neighborhood of -- near, about, nearly • in view of the fact that -- because, since • it is our opinion that -- we think • it is possible that -- perhaps
  • 13. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014 Page 13 of 14 Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage • it is well known that -- (nothing) • it may be said that -- (nothing) • make inquiry regarding -- ask about, inquire about • manner in which -- how • not with standing the fact that -- although • on the basis of -- from, because, by • on the order of -- about, approximately • present in greater abundance -- more abundant • prior to -- before • provided that -- if • put an end to -- end • reach a conclusion -- conclude • serves the function of being -- is • subsequent to -- after • the question as to -- whether • there can be little doubt that -- probably • utilize or utilization -- use • with reference to – about As mentioned before, an experienced business writer will guide his or her readers through the document and avoid confusing them with acronyms, convoluted sentences, and labyrinthine paragraphs. Simple, clear writing is concise, effective, and persuasive. You can significantly improve the effectiveness of your business documents by adopting a clear writing style, which in turns improves your chances of winning new customers.
  • 14. Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage 3/27/2014 Page 14 of 14 Using White Papers For Strategic Advantage About Klariti Klariti develops ‘content assets’ using white papers, case studies, and industry reports. We examine, develop, and benchmark content for Government agencies and Financial Service firms to support their social media, corporate blogs, and email communications. Our website – Business Writing For Smart People - reflects what we do. If you find something there that’s interests you, drop us a line. Ireland Office 63 Ripley Hills, Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow Phone: +353-86-886-459 Email: info@klariti.com Web: http://www.klariti.com Copyright © 2014 Klariti. All Rights Reserved. Klariti logos, and trademarks or registered trademarks of Klariti or its subsidiaries in other countries. Information regarding third party products is provided solely for educational purposes. Klariti is not responsible for the performance or support of third party products and does not make any representations or warranties whatsoever regarding quality, reliability, functionality, or compatibility of these devices or products.