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How to write a white paper: 5 footsteps for a solid sequel

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With the new age of marketing strategy with content, the white paper has its prominent role. If you are someone who plays with words and wants to establish strong or looking to expand your writing business, it has emerged as a mandatory factor to learn how to write a white paper.

Having a solemn tone in writing, you need to put in efforts to make it engaging and informative with all your research work. Your document should serve as an authentic source of information which is not an easy go.

Wondering why is white paper writing gaining this much fame? Simple the new-age content marketing strategy has paved the path for the white paper to all industries. The white paper is a terminology that is incipiently adopted from the English government. It was earlier exercised only by government agencies, financial institutes, NGOs, think tanks, and consultancies. Now they are used in businesses to promote leads.

Additionally, it helps the targeted audience to have a piece of complete knowledge of the particular industry before buying. Thus, showing your expertise builds trust among the customers. You may ask what as a writer you can make out of it? Let me make it clear.

The white paper is a formal writing format. You have to be in a serious tone here and it is not a clone of a blog, Ebook, or article. It does not require any prior experience in this rather than knowledge. Hence, with your persuasive research, you can generate leads for your client. Additionally, white paper writing also earns you high-paying projects with 2500$-10,000$ based on content. It is always good to add on a new type of learning in your hats.

Without making much time, let’s get a clear idea of how to write a white paper.

What is white paper?

Let us get into the definition of white paper. We can say a white paper is an in-depth report or a guide that shows the way to the users. It may be about how to use or address an issue. However, your style of writing should be serious and professional. It is more similar to an Ebook, but the facts and opinions you express require supporting documentation of charts, graphs, and tables. The source you pick on should be reliable.

To provide you with further information, on the white paper because of the widespread growth of content marketing, it evolved as well-received tactics to promote. You can find every other business nowadays adopting white paper writing for increasing their authority in the industry. As this is data-driven content it involves high research work, thus you can earn high credibility by offering the same in your writing services. Presenting a research-based report in a 10-15 page magazine could drive you with more clients and you can make more money with this. 

Types of white paper writing:

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If you look for the types of white paper mainly 2 types you need to focus on.

Backgrounder:

You can use this to provide detailed benefits of the products or services that your client indulges in.

Problem-solution approach:

The potential problems/ obstacles/ dilemmas that are faced by the customers of your clients in the specific business are discussed here. You have to furnish the solutions for the same.

Apart from the above, you can also produce white papers in comparison or listicle format. Hence, you can include pros and cons to the buyers of various products. It helps them to arrive at a decision.

Besides, you can also generate an article with useful statistical reports and a summary of the information. It helps in generating sales leads and summarizes the industry. Thus, whatever the content you pen down in white papers should showcase your expertise in that area and be informative. Only then your readers looking for an authoritative source of information can attain in-depth knowledge.

Let us learn how to write a white paper:

It’s been so good as of now. You have learned what a white paper is and of course an overall idea of its benefits. It’s time to learn how to write a white paper. I know it is a daunting process. Extensive research is mandatory here and could make you feel lost at any point. However, I here nailed down a proven methodology for you. If you follow in these footsteps, you can craft a good piece of the white paper guide. Let us go for step by step process on how to write a case study without any obstacles.

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1.Get on to the subject

Before getting started the first and foremost step you need to do is getting to know what you are going to write. I may sound like an old school here. But this is the base for your white paper. The following steps are the most elementary ones you need to work on before going into the white paper.

  • To whom you are writing? 

When a client approaches you to write a white paper, first analyze who is your target audience. Whether they are experts having complete knowledge on product or someone whom your white paper sounds like greek and Latin. Try to speak with the organization to whom you going to write and understand the intent of the white paper.

  •  Identify the problem:

Once you got to know about your audience, identify what context they would expect from you. Secondly, choose the ones that best suit the services you provide. Shortly, I am asking you to marry your service with the context you going to write. Why do I say so? Because it portrays you as the expert in the field.

  • Align your content:

Once you understand the problem to write about, neighboring summons to contest is on what angle the writing should be. You need to choose the one which best suits your client and you as well. A simple brainstorming on which the problem to to be prioritized, on what are you as a writer need to prove your authority and where your expertise is good enough, these rapid question and answer sessions, can reinforce the white paper in the required aspect.

2.Plan and research your document:

Once you have decided on what to write, it is time to plan your document. What do I mean? You need to lay the outline of your content. A strong thumbnail sketch would help you not moving away from the topic.

After generating an outline, subsequently, dig into the research part. If you intend to move alongside, you need to put in the effort. As understood from the above, a white paper is fact-driven data. You cannot throw your judgment randomly. Each concrete happening needs backup data. A simple google data or your client’s organization insights may not provide you the information. Deep-seated research is the only way to lend the insights you are looking for.

Indulging yourself in original research provides you with valuable insights. The following are the cream you can gain with your rudimentary legwork:

  • Portrays you and your client as the strong authoritative source. Nothing is stunning than bequeathing content which is a highly linked resource.
  • Helps you devise unique data that no one else has. Your white paper would act as a one-stop guide and a handpick for your audience.
  • You can get to know about your industry and your audience. Hence, you will become well versed in what to include and what not to include.

Additionally, shielding your data with industry research reports aids in making your audience consider your resource just as a potential one for reference. Consider using google to a great extent to drive these data. Do google in the format as [your industry]+ [Research firm].

3.Craft your white paper:

We have done more preliminary work. White papers are a long type content. The approach or outline is the same as the one you use for a blog post. But what is different here? You need to make it long and detailed without getting lost in partways. Make sure to include the following to make it effective.

  • Headline:

           The first segment that catches your audience’s eyes is your title. Make sure to craft it in line with the subject you are going to transcribe. You have to generate a professional one that states the clear benefit. Consider including an action verb or statistics.

  • Summary:

A short brief of 200 words overall summary of what you are going to give in the white paper. Here you need to cold pitch to your readers on why they have to proceed reading the content. 

  • Introduction:

Your introduction is where you can hook your audience. Try to cover the main points your white paper going to talk about. To add curiosity to your readers talk about the fact that white paper aims for and the consequences of not taking any action towards this. This empathizes with your reader’s emotions. Apart from these mention how your content is going to fill their bill.

  • Writing subsections:

Okay! Great, you have hooked up your readers with a great introduction. What’s next? You need to give what you have promised in the introduction. Make it specific and overlay all the fine points. Again I say, you are writing long-form content, you can easily get lost. Plan your document and complete research to craft it great. Consider using bulletin or pointers, hence the text looks skim.

  • Visual cues:

In addition try including sidebars, break boxes with additional information, data, or tables similar to magazines. This gives break to the readers. Additionally, add images that represent your data visually.

  • Conclude:

The conclusion creates the last impact on your readers. It is equally important as an introduction. You have to nail your readers with this. Make it motivational and include all key takeaways. If it’s apt, create a space for a call to action.

4.It is time for editing buddy:

That is great! You have reached the level of the last few final steps on how to write a white paper. Although you have put in plenty of effort until here trust me it will have errors. Writing a white paper is not an easy go. It is a time-consuming and research-driven process. Why so? Because you need to narrow down towards the topic and make it sound professional. Configuring the facts you have scrutinized accurately is another challenging task. With all these, at last, you have generated long factual content. 

It is the first draft of your content, my dear friend. Naturally, it won’t be perfect. It is time for the sound editing process. It is a great idea to approach another writer or editor for this. Thus, you can generate polished content.

A comprehensive editing process comprises of the following steps:

  1. Finish the draft of the white paper
  2. Seek the editor’s review
  3. Work on the feedback gained
  4. Design your draft appropriately

If you do not have an editor not worry. Self-editing is the best way to help yourself. Tools like Grammarly, Hemingway comes here as a savior. But editing for the grammar alone is not the end task here. You need to edit the content. If you manage to do, you can grab the following payoff:

  • You can confirm if your content covers all quintessential questions and issues.
  • A space to double-check the facts, numbers, and statistics.
  • Also, analyze the readability and user-friendliness of your write-up.

I do not mean grammar and spelling check is not weighty. But the fact is there are far more things to look upon with these in the editing process.

5.Let us format the white paper:

Kudos! You have reached the last step on how to write a white paper. Not an easy task though. Now let go for the designing part. Usually, it is not the writer’s cup of tea. Yet offering something extra from your pocket or having the skill known adds one more feather to your hat. I will just take you through a simple formatting template. This will give you an idea of how a white paper should look like. 

how to format a white paper

 

One more tip I would like to add here is that while writing jot down the areas where the graphical cues that are needed to be inserted and what are the type of images you need to add. This aids the designing process and makes it easier.

Tips on how to write a white paper:

You have come a long way about writing a white paper. I have even given you a roadmap on how to write a white paper. Crafting white paper lets you stand out in the crowd. It is more of art to frame it than science. Here are some vertex to create a cutting edge in your white paper.

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1.Topic selection:

Choose an area that everyone wishes to read. This is a challenging step. But identifying the nature of the audience you can figure out this with less time consumed.

 

2. Descriptive and professional:

Be descriptive in whatever you say. Writing a white paper is not as same as a blog. You need to be good at business language and also descriptive in the facts you provide.

 

3. Set up a captivating intro:

With the words in the intro, you need to grab the attention of the readers and mesmerize them to move further. Get under their screen and tell what they are going to attain by reading the white paper.

4. Give something valuable:

Fill the white paper with useful facts and figures. Try to emphasize valuable facts and useful tips, information.

5. Organize your draft:

Every data or draft you made needs a proper organization else you cannot give a user-friendly experience. Make sure the flow of the white paper and goals are in line,

6. Proofread:

Go back to your draft, read aloud whatever you have written, and analyze how it sounds to your ears. See what needs to be done to craft it better. By reading aloud you can figure out run-on sentences and awkward phrases.

For tips on writing click here

Still have questions in you on how to write a white paper? No worries the below section can help you out:

FAQ
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1.Why do organizations write a white paper?

Generally, the organization writes a white paper to generate leads, nurture prospective clients, and to aid in closing sales. Some write to grab the attention, redefine their space in the market or increase their credibility in the industry. Some of the prominent reasons are:

  • To generate leads for sales.
  • To match up with their competitors who are in the field with white paper.
  • Educate their customers.
  • Sharing the knowledge with the media.
  • To grow as a trusted advisor in the industry, hence they will be preferred over others.

2. Why should you offer white paper writing services?

As I mentioned writing a white paper is not as easy as it seems. It is an art and needs to be crafted and formatted technically. Due to the challenges, it has emerged as a high-paying job and since the clients who approach you are looking to generate leads for their sales, it plays a critical part in your writing services.

Not only that, it helps in gaining credibility among clients and creates a space to show your expertise in the industry.

3.How to write an introduction to a white paper?

The introduction is the first segment your readers would gaze. You need to pique them to read further. Try to summarize the major points you cover. But at the same time do not give away more. Make it narrowed and to the point.

4.How to write a white paper in a day?

Writing a white paper is not a single-day process my friend. Extensive research and planning are the groundworks you need to do with your efforts. Why? Because you need to generate compelling data for your audience. With legitimate base work and understanding, you can easily craft it in a day.

5.How to market your white paper writing services?

B2B or B2C businesses overlook the need for the white paper. It is up to you to promote yourself. What to do about that? 

  • Mention the value of your white paper writing services with numbers in your service section. Hence, you can educate your client about the white paper and the type of service you offer.
  • Build your white paper portfolio. Exemplification is the custard, right? Make sure to provide a sample of your white paper writing.
  • Niche down yourself as a white paper writer. Thus you are standing out of the crowd.

All set to write?

how to write a white paper
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There you go!

As a saying, you must accept finite disappointments but not lose your hopes. A writer’s journey is not an easy piece of cake. The same applies to white paper writing.

Adding this service as a writer is going to fetch you unbounded credibility. Not only that, you can prove your expertise in the industry and snag many industry leaders as your clients.

Never stop yourself from anything buddy. It is time to commence your white paper writing services today.

I hope the journey on how to write a white paper was interesting. what do you think? Can you start writing a white paper today? Text me in the comments section.

For how to write a case study? Click here

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