Writing a white paper is always a difficult job because you need to be creative, captivating, and precise. Therefore, this assignment requires a lot from the student, and your task is to be patient and diligent. So, if you want to find out how to write a white paper properly, you’ve probably come to the right place because we’re glad to help.
If you stay here, on our website, what will you get? We managed to collect the best hints, advice, and tips for writing a white paper. You will also discover something new (or not that new) about this paper’s meaning, purpose, structure, and formatting. Do you still hesitate if you know how to write a white paper properly and do it as fast as possible? Scroll down!
What is a White Paper and How to Deal with it?
Well, let’s talk about white paper meaning to be better aware of what to do when creating such a project.
The original white paper was meant to be used to get the important report to the ministers of government. In general, such documents are informative and authoritative. Typically, every single writer used the genre of a white paper to show the ability to argue a concrete position and/or come with a solution to the given issue.
Nowadays, it has changed a little. Now, the white paper definition takes a value of becoming the most popular tool of marketing among the others for various corporations. We can see it, especially on the Web, since there are a lot of potential clients and customers who got used to looking for information online, getting help from the Internet.
Marketing companies use white papers to merchandise new products as solutions that could serve the need of their clients. They can also simply give some new info for the loyal customers or the potential ones.
White Paper Structure: What are the Features?
One of the most important things while creating a white paper is following the paper’s structure. To help you in preparation of a great project, we are happy to present you the sections described below that must be followed while writing. Here we go:
- Title. Obviously, you want a catchy title which clearly tells about the issue you are going to solve, and that is also relevant for your target auditory.
- Abstract or General Summary. Maybe, you want to get your conclusion to the end and mention it here, but immediate grabbing of the reader’s attention is needed for a white paper. Nobody says that you have to put every single detail; simply show its summary and make the reader get to the end for the details. For now, provide him/her with the main info.
- White Paper Introduction. Describe the issue. Give your TA the background deliberation and discussion when building credibility. Try to find points of agreement with your readers and make them interested in the paper.
- Determination of the Problem (Issue). Stop selling until you define the issue. Smoothly write about a specific problem you are going to solve.
- Top-Ranking Solution. Mention and describe the technologies which are pertinent at the highest level including any other fellow methods (you’ll rebut them later). Try to maintain your personal arguments using various charts, some tables, and/or graphics. If you have to back your own words and personal position, you can quote experts in that industry. You must teach the TA on the modern level of technology.
- Solution Details. It’s time for describing your decision by including more details. You may start selling from now, but be careful and try avoiding too loud claims. Try soft approaching to the audience. Use an appropriated language for the TA of yours. It is the heart of your paper. It is possible to include some customer reviews and testimonials for supporting your personal arguments.
- Advantages of Solutions. If the previous step was your paper’s heart, this section could be called a paper’s soul. Grab the reader’s attention by providing the benefits of your suggestions. Discuss in details your own product or suggestion (whatever your topic is), tell that it is useful and that it was made according to all high standards. Show the readers that you understand their pressure points and that you can relieve them. Use testimonials to help people.
- White Paper Conclusion. It is a part of a quick summary that emphasizes your solution’s advantages and explains what can happen if the audience decides not to use the suggested product or service. A lot of readers can skip all the paper’s sections and view only this part. Imagine that the conclusion is unique and get it full of summarizing all the main points about your project and their solution.
- Call Your Readers to Action. There are a lot of papers that either lack this part or make it wrong. You need to tell the TA how they should act. The great idea is to finish the paper with the list of offers. It can be a free trial version or some gift/certificate for the reader if he/she calls today.
White Paper Format Peculiarities
The white paper format is usually similar to that of a common standard document. It can seem pretty comparable to the other reports in the business area, but for a white paper, there is one major rule that differs from the others’: white papers are formatted with the conclusions in the end. It’s different because many business companies are putting the main conclusions at the document’s beginning. In a business report and a white paper, the reader’s preferences differ. And no matter what they are looking for; the document must necessarily be easy to read and understand. It also must include informative headings. Why? For easy navigation.
White Paper Outline
Developing a white paper outline is a way for the writing process to start. The outline serves as a map to remind you about what you wanted to write about, what to mention and include. It has to ensure that information is put in the manner which is easy to follow. The described below tips provide good support for starting point:
- Don’t Skip the Part of an Outline. Obviously, it’ll take some time before the actual white paper writing. But it will save you from getting the wrong path of writing. Why? Everything’s simple. You get the plan, and you work by it.
- Make Your TA’s Needs the Target. Create a paper that’s focused on the needs of the TA, focus on their interests or/and weak points.
- Collaborate With Your Team When Creating the Outline. Make sure that every single person of your team is satisfied with the outline and is the part of its development. Let them work on the white paper too.
- Include Sections and its Subsections. It’s really important to break up your paper into different sections with subsections. This way, the writing becomes more readable and easier for the TA.
So, you have studied all of our tips and advice, and we hope our article will help you understand how to write a white paper properly, quickly, and qualitatively.