#27779
The Abstract Trap: Why Abstracts Are Bad for Persuasive White Papers
Abstracts, also known as executive summaries, are bad. As a matter of fact, they are really bad, and I stand nearly alone in my opinion. Abstracts are those summaries that typically stand in front of the core content of a white paper. They tend to include the key points about the white paper.
Stelzner, Michael A. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric>White Papers
#27777
Dead Tree or Detailed Treatise: What is a White Paper?
So what exactly is a white paper? This is one of those questions many people have been wrestling with for some time. If you look up the term in a dictionary, you'll find an outdated response describing a government report.
Stelzner, Michael A. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Business Communication>White Papers
#27789
Eleven Tips on Terrific Titles
Honestly, which white paper would YOU sooner read: 'Implications of Business Intelligence Methodologies on Operational Efficiencies: A Retrospective Study' or 'Six Things You Must Know about Data Warehousing'? This article offers eleven tips on putting together compelling titles for white papers.
Graham, Gordon. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric>White Papers
#27783
Extracting Pearls from Other People's Brains: The Art of Interviewing
Perhaps one of the bigger challenges faced by white paper writers is coming up with good content. The default course of action is to do a Google search. While this approach can yield valuable information, the best pearls reside inside someone else's head.
Stelzner, Michael A. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Interviewing>Research>White Papers
#31746
Five Reasons Freelancers Make More Money Writing White Papers
Are you looking to drum up some new business? Want to get more dollars from existing clients? Are you a starving writer? White paper expert Michael A. Stelzner provides the following reasons white papers could dramatically increase your writing revenue:
Stelzner, Michael A. Content Wrangler, The (2008). Articles>Freelance>Writing>White Papers
#27774
Freelancing From Home: Don't Interview Folks in Your Pajamas
Have you ever considered breaking out of your nine to five and 5-by-5-foot cubicle to become a full-time freelance writer?
Hartsock, Nettie. WhitePaperSource (2006). Careers>Freelance>Business Communication>White Papers
#27790
Getting Off the Starting Block: Practical Tips to Starting a White Paper
Why are white papers so hard to write? Simply put, they require effort. Effort makes us sweat. Just the thought of working hard causes some people's blood to percolate.
Stelzner, Michael A. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric>White Papers
#27772
How to Find Clients Who Need White Papers
Freelancers often wonder where to find clients. What kind of companies need white papers written for them, anyway? Here's three simple questions that will tell you the answer.
Graham, Gordon. WhitePaperSource (2006). Careers>Freelance>Writing>White Papers
#29365
Members' Tips for Writing a Compelling White Paper 
It takes time and a strong focus to create a solid white paper, according to TechRepublic members who shared tips and insight about white paper creation. Find out what should be your first step and your last for a successful effort.
Mottl, Judith N. TechRepublic (2003). Articles>Business Communication>Writing>White Papers
#28004
Michael Stelzner's Writing White Papers Blog 
Michael Stelzner's Writing White Papers Blog is offers comprehensive look at all white paper related topics, from writing to marketing.
Stelzner, Michael A. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>White Papers>Blogging
#27785
Ready, Aim, Write: The Value of Identifying Your Target Reader
One of the most important first steps when preparing to write a white paper is to determine who will be reading the document. This article will help you perform this critical step in the needs assessment process.
Stelzner, Michael A. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Audience Analysis>White Papers
#31352
Reusability 2.0: The Key to Publishing Learning 
What would you do if you had to develop and deliver personalized training to 900,000 employees, located in 34,000 different locations globally with a complex set of variables that changes training on a location-by-location basis? The key is reusability 2.0. While technology-delivered training has become mainstream in many organizations, most are still not fully leveraging the power of reusable learning content to meet their instructional needs.
Chapman, Bryan. Xyleme (2007). Articles>Content Management>Instructional Design>White Papers
#29397
Reusable Information Object Strategy: Definition, Creation Overview, and Guidelines
Cisco Systems recognizes a need to move from creating and delivering large inflexible training courses, to database driven objects that can be reused, searched, and modified independent of their delivery media. This effort is called the Reusable Information Object Strategy. This strategy defines the standards and process for designing and developing Reusable Information Objects (RIOs) at Cisco Systems.
Cisco Systems (1999). Books>Information Design>Content Management>White Papers
#27784
Seven Steps to Writing White Papers More Efficiently
Read about a seven-step process used when writing write white papers and other complex documents.
Gandia, Ed. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric>White Papers
#31116
Six Ways to 'Sell the Boss' on Outsourcing White Papers
Calculate the time of the manager and your time to do edits. Determine the cost to the company based on average salaries. Chances are it's costing MORE than if it was outsourced.
Stelzner, Michael A. WhitePaperSource (2008). Articles>Business Communication>Outsourcing>White Papers
#27776
The Top Five Writing Mistakes in White Papers
A compelling topic and an attractive design will initially draw readers to a white paper. But those readers may lose interest if the paper contains any of five common writing mistakes.
King, Janice M. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric>White Papers
#31450
What Is a White Paper and How Is It Used?
White papers have grown from just another piece of collateral to a super-powered marketing tool. Everywhere you look in marketing, you will see something labeled a "white paper."
Stelzner, Michael A. Communication World Bulletin (2005). Articles>Business Communication>Writing>White Papers
#27780
This page includes external resources you may find valuable in your white paper projects.
WhitePaperSource. Resources>Writing>Business Communication>White Papers
#26668
The words 'white paper' in the title of a document no longer indicate a detailed and authoritative report. Many white papers today are overly long product brochures weighed down by weak organization, confusing content, unsupported assertions, and poor document design. If you follow the instructions in this guide, you will write real white papers: authoritative business communications that achieve marketing goals by explaining technical ideas clearly with a compelling presentation of business value.
Kemp, Al. Impact Technical Publications (2005). Books>Writing>Business Communication>White Papers
#28878
White Paper Writing: Breaking the Monotony of Technical Writing
Preparing to write your first White Paper? Promila provides you a 360-degree view of white paper writing and the subsequent information that will help you envisage the bigger picture.
Chitkara, Promila. International Journal for Technical Communication (2007). Articles>Writing>Technical Writing>White Papers
#30477
White Papers in Technical Communication: Results of a Survey
With this survey, I sought to address the question, 'To what extent are practicing technical communicators involved in writing white papers?'
Willerton, Russell. Texas Tech University (2005). Articles>TC>White Papers>Surveys
#27787
A common mistake that many companies make when starting a white paper project, is the assumption that a technical subject matter expert who has used, developed, or is highly knowledgeable about the topic is automatically assumed to be best qualified as its author.
Kantor, Jonathan. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Research>White Papers
#27775
Why a Good Title Makes a White Paper
The title is your white paper's absolute first impression. In it rests success or failure for the words that lie beyond, waiting for a reader. If the title does not encourage someone to read further, the ink that coats your white paper will never be seen.
Stelzner, Michael A. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric>White Papers
#27771
Writing When You Are NOT the Expert
Have you ever been asked to write a white paper about a topic that is completely foreign to you? If not, you most certainly will. This article will help you set your foot down the right path.
Stelzner, Michael A. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Business Communication>White Papers
#27778
You Get What You Pay For: What's Your Business Image Worth?
Unfortunately it seems that more and more companies are choosing the lowest price in deciding which white paper writer to engage. Why would a business that would never bat an eyelash paying for a high-quality website, choose the low price provider for a white paper?
Kantor, Jonathan. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Marketing>White Papers
