White papers are a component of B2B content marketing as they demonstrate expertise and provide solutions to problems. However, creating a white paper can be challenging. This comprehensive guide will show how to write a white paper, starting from the strategy to publication.
In this article, we help you discover how to develop captivating topics and structure narratives for whitepaper marketing and strategies for promoting your paper through social media, email campaigns, and events. By implementing these proven techniques, you can create papers that enhance brand visibility, attract customers, and position your company as a frontrunner.
What is a White Paper?
White papers are trusted documents that aid readers in understanding intricate matters. They offer solutions to urgent challenges and guide decision-making processes. Created through research, white papers demonstrate a company’s authority on a subject, establishing it as a thought leader. A successful white paper presents information, data, and analysis while captivating readers with a storyline.
As a part of your research on how to write a business whitepaper, here are the crucial points to note:
- A white paper has an objective, informational tone without any sales pitches.
- It is targeted to business audiences such as executives, managers, or technical professionals.
- Must be at least 2,500 words or more in length.
- Include citations, references, and original research and data.
- Incorporates visual elements like graphs and infographics to enhance readability.
- Compels the reader to achieve a particular task.
Types of White Papers
The most common types of white papers are:
- Problem-Solution White Papers: This white paper is written based on problem identification and its focused solution.
- Thought Leadership White Papers: It mainly discusses current insights on market trends.
- Backgrounder White Papers: Provide evaluations and insightful information on a product/service.
- Numbered List White Papers: Highlight top features using bullet points and headings.
- Technical White Papers: Offer in-depth technical analysis for specialized audiences.
- Market Research White Papers: Present original research findings for insights.
- Visionary White Papers: Reveal future thinking based on industry analysis.
The Process to Write a White Paper
Before writing your white paper, comprehend its purpose. Is it lead generation? Thought leadership positioning? Promoting a new product or service? It helps to conduct comprehensive qualitative and quantitative research on your topic. Your purpose will influence other aspects of development, like format, intended audience, length, and calls to action. Stay focused on being helpful rather than being salesy.
After that, follow the given steps below in this white paper guide on how to write a business whitepaper:
Step 1: Selecting a White Paper Topic
A white paper is an excellent example of content marketing. Hence, the topic is the backbone of any white paper, so taking the time upfront to select one thoughtfully sets the stage for success. When identifying potential issues in the white paper guide, it’s important to consider objectives like:
Build Audience Personas
Creating detailed profiles of your target readers helps focus your content. Note priorities, pain points, personalities, and characteristics to tailor topics and language accordingly. Account-based topics resonate more.
Address Real Problems
Consider challenges or pain points currently faced by your target customer. What issues keep them up at night? Topics directly tied to solving pressing industry problems will resonate most.
Leverage SME Expertise
Play to your strengths by highlighting the niche areas where your organization has unique knowledge and experience to share. Consult internal SMEs to brainstorm compelling angles.
Ensure Timeliness
Choose topics that feel fresh and relevant. Emerging trends, new research findings, and upcoming regulatory changes spark interest. Staying on top of developments in your field is vital.
Manage Expectations
Ensure the scope of your chosen topic is feasible within time and resource constraints. An overloaded paper may never come to fruition. Consider breaking down huge topics into a series of shorter guides.
With this white paper guide in mind, take the time to thoroughly explore options before committing to a final topic. Brainstorming with colleagues allows for varied perspectives that may uncover hidden angles.
Step 2: Develop the White Paper Outline
Let’s move into the further stages of how to write a white paper. Outlining provides the blueprint for assembling a cohesive paper. At a minimum, your outline of white paper should address these core components in a logical sequence:
Introduction
Hook readers with a compelling opening paragraph posing a provocative question or highlighting an intriguing statistic. Quickly establish context and your expertise in the space to enhance whitepaper marketing.
Problem Statement
Directly state the issue or challenge you will explore, keeping it specific and manageable in scope. Quantify impacts with data points when applicable.
Background Information
Provide only the most critical history and context readers require to understand the problem. Avoid information overload while establishing credibility.
Proposed Solution
Present your research-supported case for how organizations can address the problem. Give recommendations substance with examples and references.
Case Studies
Humanize impacts and evidence through vivid case studies showcasing real customer experiences. Protect privacy but offer relatable specifics.
Call To Action
Prompt next steps through direct questions or requests for the reader. Suggest resources available to assist them on their journey. Offer incentives for further engagement.
Conclusions
Succinctly reiterate takeaways and thanks. Loop back to your initial framing of the problem to provide closure. Express confidence in your suggested approach with the help of this white paper guide.
Step 3: Develop the White Paper Content Draft
In our white paper guide, it’s time to learn how to transform that outline into fully fleshed-out narratives. Your goal should be to educate, inform, and impart value throughout in an engaging yet digestible style. Some best practices on how to write a white paper include:
Vary sentence styles
Mix short, concise sentences with lengthier variations to avoid monotony. Keep paragraphs brief for scannable readability.
Format for enhanced readability
Use bold text, lists, callouts, headers, and other devices to highlight core ideas and break up large blocks of text. Make the paper inviting to navigate.
Integrate visuals
When used judiciously, charts, graphs, diagrams, and photos strengthen arguments in whitepaper marketing. Reference them explicitly within the surrounding copy.
Cite sources
Transparency builds trust. Ensure facts and perspectives attributed to others are properly referenced in citations and a comprehensive list.
Request feedback
Feel free to reach outside your bubble for fresh perspectives on flow, clarity, and gaps. Incorporate revisions to strengthen impact iteratively based on critique.
Hyperlink additional resources
Your audience may find tease-related content valuable from your site to encourage further exploration. Balance education with lead generation to enhance whitepaper marketing.
Step 4: Quality enhancement after finalizing the draft
The white paper must not be published immediately after finalizing the first draft. Quality checks minimize errors and enhance credibility. They are crucial to give the right quality to your white paper:
- Proofread your white paper thoroughly.
- Check formatting consistency across headings, body text, and throughout the body of the content.
- Have another person proofread for errors, unclear logic, or repetition.
- Validate internal and external links work.
- Verify that references are cited and included.
- Review of examples, data, and stats align with stated claims.
- Ensure brand messaging and follow branding guidelines.
- Check accessibility and readability for diverse audiences.
Step 5: Promoting Your White Paper
After your white paper is complete, it is time to get the word out:
- Announce release through a press release for media coverage.
- Promote via email campaigns to opt-in lists.
- Share on social media daily with optimized visuals.
- Feature on your website and subdomain microsites.
- Include downloads on relevant resource pages.
- Link from your blogs, ebooks, and other digital assets.
- Guest posts about it on authority industry sites.
- Pitch to journalists and analysts for feature mentions.
With consistent multi-channel promotion, your white paper will keep generating quality leads.
Step 6: Ensure Ongoing Optimization
No white paper remains relevant forever. Monitor performance and optimize on a time-to-time basis:
- Track usage, clicks, and downloads over time.
- Note feedback and changing stakeholder requirements.
- Update annually or as needed with the latest data and edge.
- Revise outdated industry references and case studies.
- Spotlight awards and media features for credibility.
- Cross-promote new versions to established lists.
- Consider new topics based on shifts in business strategies.
Keep your white papers fresh with ongoing revision and repurposing for long-term lead generation.
Takeaway:
The key to any successful white paper is giving more than you ask in return. Strive to provide genuinely useful knowledge that positions your company as a go-to resource in your field. Focus on the reader’s needs over your own promotional goals. With diligent effort and continuous improvement, this guide on how to write a business whitepaper can help you build trust, generate qualified leads, and grow your brand authority through informative, problem-solving content.
We Help You Make Your White Paper Worthwhile
At White Winter Marketing, we excel in creating white papers that establish your brand as a Thought Leader. Consult with us to create impactful whitepapers that reflect your brand’s authority and trust. Email us at digital@whitewintermarketing.com. Message us on LinkedIn.
