#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
#27788
Are You Frodo, Aragorn or Legolas? Writing Wisdom from The Lord of the Rings
Are you a 'Frodo,' 'Aragorn' or 'Legolas' writer? Each has a unique style and advantages suited to specific types of writing. Much can be learned from J.R.R. Tolkien's epic The Lord of the Rings characters.
Stelzner, Michael A. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#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 If you look up the term in a dictionary, you'll find an outdated response describing a government report.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
#27782
Five Ways to Ensure White Paper Success
How can a business ensure that its white papers will successfully help further the sales process? Effective, high-quality white papers follow these five golden rules.
Emond, Sue and Gwyn Finnell. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing
#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
#27786
Interviewing: How a Willie Nelson Concert Taught Me How to Listen
The best interviewing is conversational and nothing else. It's not over complimentary, gushing or just about impressing your interviewee with your knowledge.
Hartsock, Nettie. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Interviewing
#27781
Leveraging the Power of Google to Perform Research
As a writer, there is undoubtedly no better tool for researching than Google. This article focuses on how to use Google to find analyst research, important data and other factoids that will round out the quality of your white papers.
Stelzner, Michael A. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Research>Search
#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
#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
#27773
Steve Slaunwhite, Author and Copywriting Pro
In this interview, Steve shares his insight and tips on successful copywriting and freelancing.
Hartsock, Nettie. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Business Communication
#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
#27780
This page includes external resources you may find valuable in your white paper projects.
WhitePaperSource. Resources>Writing>Business Communication>White Papers
#27770
WhitePaperSource is a rich information source for white paper enthusiasts. It contains news about the industry and a forum for discussing everything and anything about writing and marketing white papers.
WhitePaperSource. Articles>Writing>Technical Illustration>Business Communication
#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
