Key Elements of a Good White Paper

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On the surface, a white paper writing seems to be a piece of cake. All you need to do is to choose a topic, dig up some information, and come up with the content. Yet, the task is much more demanding, especially if you want people to actually read it and share.  Luckily, there are some secret ingredients in the recipe for a winning white paper that many people would find outstanding. Continue reading this article to learn what makes a successful white paper.

First off, let us define the term itself. A white paper is an informative document or a report on a certain subject that puts an issue forward and suggests a solution or recommendation. It frequently contains a large amount of data and research, in-depth analysis, and explanations that intend to inform the reader, help them generate imaginative ideas, and facilitate critical thinking.

How to Write a White Paper

Do not write just because you need to create content. Instead, have a specific purpose for composing your white paper and try to accomplish it. Before you put pen to paper, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Who are my readers?
2. What information do my readers look for?
3. What reading preferences do my readers have?
4. What type of content would my readers find interesting?
5. What is the ultimate aim of this content? (to inform, to bring something to notice, to entertain, etc.)

Once you have answers to all of the abovementioned questions, you are likely to have several ideas at hand for your topic. Remember that your paper has to provide an answer for your audience, not bring up new questions. If you can answer your reader’s questions successfully, you will be able to establish a connection with them and ultimately gain their trust. They will consider your expertise trustworthy. Moreover, if you write about the topic, in which they are interested, there are higher chances that they will share your content with others.

In general, white papers are a very powerful technique of asserting authority for your business. Additionally, they are able to draw the attention of potential buyers to your products and services. However, as much as you want to do so, you have to be subtle and careful at this point because you may lose your readers’ trust. Below, we are going to discuss the nuts and bolts of writing white papers, the benefits they bring, and how you can ensure that your white paper is enthralling, cognitive, and entertaining.

White papers usually include a meticulous description and analysis of an issue(s) followed by feasible solutions to these issues. So what you need to do to excel at white paper writing? Kick off by selecting all the blog posts you want your white paper to include. Make sure all of them have a common subject or relate to the same niche.

1. Identify the problems

Prepare a list of all the problems highlighted in the blog posts, which you have collected. After you have written them down, take a thorough look at them. Now, under the Problems section, write a concise introduction to your white paper. Try to keep it short even though you have a long list of problems. After you are done with the introduction, you should focus your attention on each of the problems by elaborating on them in detail. Make sure you add something new to what you wrote earlier. Keep in mind that you should devote at least 100 words to each of the descriptions. Ideally, they are supposed to be from 200 to 400 words long.

Afterwards,   come up with a brief conclusion, which informs the readers that the problems outlined above can be eliminated by means of simple solutions. This part serves a smooth transition to the section about the solutions.

2. Offer the solutions

As for the Solutions section, you can take the same solutions you mentioned in your blog posts if you have difficulty in coming up with something new. You probably need to adjust it to the requirements of the white paper and the problems you outlined above.

Kick off by creating a headline as well as a succinct introduction to this section. You need to enlist all the solutions, which you are planning to elaborate on, and indicate how they are going to address the problems you have already described. Afterwards, provide the solutions one by one, and cut and paste the content from your previous blog posts, optimizing the information so that the solutions are closely aligned with the problems. This ensures easier comprehension, coherence, and a steady flow of the content.

3. Write down the conclusion

Your Solutions section should end with a conclusion. This part should be a smooth transition to the brochure section. Note that you need to inform the reader that the recommendations you have provided are effective, and if they are eager to check out service or a product that offers the same solution, they need to continue reading.

4. Add the brochure section

The Conclusion should be necessarily followed by the brochure section. At this point, you simply need to introduce your business or present your blog post. Additionally, it is advisable to explain why your readers may benefit from your services or product.

5. Create the introduction and come up with a headline

As soon as you have dealt with the main sections of the white paper, return to the beginning and add the headline, sub-headline, and introduction.

Make sure your headline and sub-headline are attention-grabbing. With regard to the introduction, simply summarize the information presented in the main sections; its length should be around 300-500 words. In general, the introduction revolves around an overview of the contents; highlight the most essential problems along with the solutions and mention how the information in the white paper may come in handy.

6. Proofread

Make sure that the flow of your white paper is perfect and that the sections complement each other.

If you question your ability to write a quality white paper, you can always reach out to our white paper writing services.