Getting Started
White Paper FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
When I first started writing white papers 25 years ago, I looked all over for a FAQ. When I couldn’t find one, I decided to write one myself. Over the years, I’ve kept adding to it, until today when it covers 36 questions. This is undoubtedly the most detailed, most thorough FAQ on white papers…
Read MoreWhat’s a good topic for a white paper?
I get that question a lot. One good answer is, “anything that’s hot right now.” And that hot topic should refer to something that’s relatively new, relatively complex, and relatively expensive. This rule explains why in 2017-2018 I heard from four eight 13 16 24 58 prospects launching new cryptocurrencies, something like Bitcoin. What made cryptocurrencies…
Read MoreRecommended books on white papers (and everything else)
Here are the books I highly recommend for any B2B writer or marketer. My favorite books have given me so much: A quick reference as I worked Wise guidance on thorny issues of style or form A shot of inspiration when I needed it most I keep all these titles within easy reach on my bookshelves. And I…
Read MoreTools of the trade
We all need tools, and writers are no exception. Here’s a roundup of all the cool tools of the writing trade mentioned in White Paper World so far. I’ve tried all these and each one earns a solid two thumbs-up from me. And I use most of these tools on every white paper I write.…
Read MoreQuick Tip: Stop charging by the hour!
Whatever you think about AI, it’s fast. And cheap. ChatGPT-4 can write a blog post faster than you can dictate the words. And it can revise and rewrite just as fast. For pennies. With no complaints. So if you’re a writer or agency still charging clients by the hour, you can’t compete with your old-fashioned…
Read MoreQuick Tip: With AI, tackle your most significant tasks first
Just because you CAN do something with AI doesn’t mean you SHOULD. Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. Don’t get rid of a perfectly fine workflow just to save a few bucks. For example, people proclaim they now use AI to generate their own graphics so they’ve stopped buying stock photos. Is that…
Read MoreHow to choose an AI writing product
There’s a ton of AI writing products out there, with more added every week. How can you possibly pick the right one? Well, here are some thoughts. At the AI for Writers Summit at the end of March 2023, Mike Kaput from Marketing AI Institute presented a list of writing tools. He briefly summed up…
Read MoreJokes told by ChatGPT
ChatGPT and other AIs are very weak at humor. They can’t tell a joke to save their electrons. So I decided to start a page to accumulate jokes told by AI. That way, all of us humans can look at them and groan and feel superior. Sound good? To contribute a joke to this page, click…
Read MoreWhite paper writer tip #1: Stop selling
You must avoid the #1 problem with this format: Too much selling The solution is simple: Stop writing sales pitches and calling them white papers. Sponsors, recognize the danger of inserting a sales pitch into a white paper. Stop pressuring your writers to include them. Stop shooting yourself in the foot! What’s the problem with selling?…
Read MoreWhite papers and… letters to Santa?!
Do you know anyone writing a letter to Santa? I always urge my kids to write one early in December. And that got me wondering: Is a ‘Dear Santa’ letter anything like a white paper? In the spirit of the holidays, here’s a lighthearted look at the similarities between the two… with tips on white…
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