Writing white papers

Well! The very first question that pops up in mind is what exactly is a white paper? It is a piece of writing which is used as a tool to sell a particular product without giving an idea that it is in fact promoting that product. That means that the writer of white paper suger-coats his views in such a manner that the qualities of a product are fully explained and hence leave a better idea in the mind of the targeted customer about the product. Though white papers are being extensively written these days but it is such an art that only a few people have a firm grip on it.

If you are also one of those who want to try their luck at writing white paper, you may get a rough idea as to how to get started by going through the following tips.

Selection of topic

The selection of topic for a white paper is important as it will grab the attention of your reader. The title should attract the reader and make him believe that you have contributed something different in the article. It is advisable to take some of the pressing issues for best results. The content of the article should be original and so convincing that the reader does not get a chance to reject it. The research work should be perfect and this can be done by going through other white papers on the same issue.

Awareness and Education

Although commercialism has held us very tightly but still there are some things which need extra care and attention. While writing white paper, you must consider the fact that you are not selling the product as such. Instead the tone of the paper should be informative and authentic. The reader should get an idea that he is being educated rather than convinced to buy the particular product. In fact, this is where the real test of the writer lies; how to achieve his goals without letting the reader know about them.

Be precise

Going into unnecessary details will serve you no purpose. It is always recommended for a white paper to be short and precise but covering all the essential aspects. That is to say that lengthy white papers not only make readers lose their interest but also they do not appear to be appealing to them, so they forget about them shortly after reading. Therefore, the ideal length of a white paper is considered to be 4-8 pages.

Expressing your thoughts

The sequence of white paper reflects the confidence and authenticity of the writer. So, one has to organize his thoughts in the best possible manner so as to keep the interest of the reader and to avoid confusion in the mind of the reader.

Layout of the white paper

It is commonly observed that anything which is expressed in figures or tables is more impressive than the one elaborated and explained in words. Use of heavy words of the language will lead you nowhere. Instead if you resort to facts and figures given in the form of tables and graphs, your credibility as writer will increase manifold. Therefore, a white paper is considered to be an interesting one when it has some sort of diagrams and flowcharts in order to explain the crux of the matter.

Take your time

Well! You need to keep it in mind that “Haste makes Waste”. Yes! This is to refer to the fact that some writers just try to complete a white paper in less than two days. This approach is not at all encouraged because after all, you have to provide authentic and reliable information to your audience which definitely needs due research and time. Therefore, you should utilize all the time in the world in order to come up with a perfect piece of writing.

Always look for an exchange

There is no free meal in the modern world, so whenever you provide a white paper, always require some information, though basic, about the reader. It is a norm to ask the name, contact information and purpose of downloading the white paper. Some writers try to exchange a small dialogue with the reader about the topic of the white paper.