That White Paper Guy's Fees
How much does a white paper cost?
According to the best industry survey* ever taken, it costs $5,000 to $7,000 to hire an experienced white paper writer.
The most accomplished writers—like myself—charge even more for a challenging project.
That sounds like a lot of money. And sure, you can find a writer for less. But can you afford to?
Consider the results a compelling white paper can deliver.
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An effective white paper can generate loads of high-quality leads... help create a buzz around your new product or service... and pull in millions of dollars worth of $ales you might never land without it. |
That's why hiring the right writer is a smart investment in your company's future.
Benefit from all my years of experience
After working on 170+ white papers since 1997, I've learned how to plan, create and market highly compelling white papers.
In fact, I've even been called "the top white paper expert in the world."
And you can benefit from all my years of experience by engaging me to:
• develop a detailed plan for your white paper
• create content far better than "industry standard"
• advise you on effective white paper promotions
In all these ways, I can be "that white paper guy" who helps your next white paper get results.
Click on any service for more details:
Step 1: Planning a successful white paper
Step 2: Creating a compelling white paper
Step 3: Marketing your white paper
Writing powerful case studies
Coaching on your white paper project
Step 1: Planning a successful white paper
Everything starts with a plan, and I never do a white paper without one. The process I've developed is so powerful, I've made it a mandatory first step for all my clients.
Fee: $975
Deliverables: A detailed plan, covering everything you need to give your white paper a solid foundation:
• Your goals(s)
• Your target audience(s)
• The perfect flavor, either a backgrounder,
numbered list or problem/solution
• The recommended call to action
• Your target keywords and search terms
• An official list of reviewers
• Likely sources for further research
• A high-level overview of the recommended content
• Recommended page design guidelines
• A realistic schedule to complete the project
• My firm quote to complete the project
With your plan in hand, you can either hire me, look for another writer, or use in-house resources to create your white paper.
Turnaround: About two weeks
Terms: Payable in advance before I start
Guarantee: Your satisfaction is guaranteed.
To discuss planning your next white paper, call me at (705) 842-2428 Eastern or drop me an e-mail
Step 2: Creating a compelling white paper
You're in good hands with my proven process for creating successful white papers, field-tested with 170+ white papers for clients like Google, Oracle and Rackspace, plus many smaller firms with big ideas.
Fee: Depends on complexity, research and deadline, generally $6,000 to $8,000
Deliverables:
• Draft Executive Summary for your comments
• Top-quality text with tables, pull quotes and footnotes
• Business-quality graphics
• Business-quality page design in Word
• Reviewer's checklist to help keep reviewers on track
• Revisions to incorporate your comments (generally 2)
• Complete bundle of sources you can spot-check
• Design tips for your designer
OR
Design option: Professional design and graphics available for an added fee
Turnaround: Now booking for August, 2013
Terms: 1/3 payable in advance before I start,
1/3 on delivery of first draft, 1/3 on final delivery
Guarantee: Your satisfaction is guaranteed.
To discuss writing your next white paper, call me at (705) 842-2428 Eastern or drop me an e-mail
Step 3: Marketing your white paper
Although I don't promote white papers myself, I can share many tips, insights and best practices I've learned over the years.
And because I want our white paper to succeed, I provide several bonus items for no charge when I create your white paper.
Fee: $0 (bundled with Step 2: Creating a white paper)
Bonus deliverables:
• A copy platform to sum up the key messages, and dramatically shorten your time to prepare a landing page, press release, blog posts, and Tweets about this white paper
• A worksheet of 30+ promotional tactics to make sure you've thought of all your options
• A 30-minute telephone consultation to answer any questions about marketing your white paper
All these items are designed to save you $$$ and get better results than if you had to do all this yourself.
Writing powerful case studies
Nothing is as powerful as an extended testimonial from a happy customer. I've written hundreds of case studies for clients like Autodesk, Google and Intuit.
Just point me at your client, and you'll get magazine-quality stories with next-to-no effort from your team, and an ultra-light footprint on your client's time.
Fees: $2,000 for one or $3,000 for two
(800 to 1,250 words each)
Deliverables:
• Transcript of client interview
• MP3 of client interview
• Magazine-quality story with quotes and quick summary
• Revisions to incorporate comments (generally 2)
Approvals: You handle client approvals, and I incorporate all comments
Graphic design option: Professional design available for an added fee
Turnaround: Now booking for August, 2013
Terms: For new clients, 50% payable in advance,
50% on final delivery
Guarantee: Your satisfaction is guaranteed.
To discuss your case study requirements, call me at (705) 842-2428 Eastern or drop me an e-mail
Coaching on your white paper project
Got a live white paper on your hands, but not sure how to get started... or finished?
I can guide you step-by-step to complete a professional white paper and transfer an immense amount of knowledge along the way.
By the way, I've taught at two universities, done in-house workshops at companies including Cisco, Ericsson and Sprint, and given close to 50 in-person workshops and webinars to professional audiences.
Process: Step-by-step guidance through planning and creating a top-quality white paper
Fees: $2,500 for Gold Coaching or $4,500 for Platinum Coaching
Deliverables:
• Signed copy of my book "White Papers For Dummies"
• Help developing a detailed plan for your white paper
• My personal reviews and comments on your drafts:
Gold covers 1 review and Platinum 2 reviews
• Telephone consultations to answer any questions:
Gold includes 2 hours and Platinum 4 hours
• Many bonus tips on best practices and useful resources
Terms: 50% payable on start, then negotiable
Notes: My coaching is on how to complete an excellent white paper when you have a project in hand.
My coaching is NOT about how to build your copywriting business.
I only coach those I believe have the writing experience and commitment to benefit from my time.
Turnaround: Now booking for August, 2013
Guarantee: With help from my coaching, you will complete an excellent white paper.
To discuss your coaching requirements, call me at (705) 842-2428 Eastern or drop me an e-mail
* "White Paper Writer Industry Report" March 2007
