Writing and Formatting a White Paper: A Step-by-Step Guide
A white paper is a comprehensive report designed to educate potential customers on a particular issue or topic. It is also a useful marketing tool as most companies require customers to provide their email addresses to access a whitepaper, which aids in lead generation. You can add white papers to your overall content marketing strategy if you want to attract more leads and turn them into loyal, paying customers.
Financial institutions, consultancy agencies, and B2B corporations are among the most common users of white papers.
They are commonly used in the business world for showcasing industry studies and trends, promoting products’ benefits and advantages, and providing details about a company’s standpoint on a specific topic.
Writing a good white paper can help increase an organization’s authority in its target industry. If you’re trying to write a whitepaper for your business, below is a step-by-step guide for writing and formatting a white paper that can help you out.
Tips For Writing Your White Paper
Do Your Research
Before you start to write a white paper, you must do substantial research. You can use data from reliable sources, including online references, internal records, government websites, and industry resources, to give your white papers a professional touch.
Furthermore, don’t forget to cite these sources of information. Readers often consider white papers with source-backed data more authoritative and trustworthy.
Select the Right Topic
You must consider numerous elements when selecting a topic for your white paper. These typically include your target audience, the issue you’ll be addressing through your white paper, and your business’s knowledge about its target industry and the subject matter.
Take some time to consider all of these vital components so you can write a useful, valuable, and relevant white paper to support your business’s mission statement and goals.
Compare Your White Paper with What Your Competitors Are Publishing
It would be wise to examine existing white papers on the topic at hand to ensure that you are not producing one that addresses a problem already discussed in a white paper published by your competitors.
A quick search on Google can help you out here. You can also use this to see whether there are any knowledge gaps that your own white paper can fill.
In the end, ensuring that no other white papers are comparable to yours can help you make a unique contribution to your target sector.
Work On your Introduction
We already know that the first impression is the last one. Your white paper’s introduction can play a defining role here. It sets the reader’s mood. After all, if they don’t like what they read initially, how can you expect them to read it in its entirety!
Therefore, your introduction should be written in a way that attracts the reader and lays down pain points that your white paper will highlight. Furthermore, it should also pinpoint how the reader can benefit after reading your white paper.
Tips For Formatting Your White Paper
Follow a Standardized White Paper Outline
As far as formatting your white paper goes, there is a standard format you must follow. Mentioned below is how you should go about formatting your white paper:
- The title should come first, followed by the abstract
- Next, you should write your problem statement
- Then, the background
- Next, the solution to the problem you’re looking to solve
- After that, write a short conclusion
- Finally, mention any references you’ve used
Add Supporting Graphics and Images
Strategically add graphs and images to your white paper to ensure readers get a much-needed text break. Furthermore, properly placed images, illustrations, charts, and graphics will improve your reader’s reading experience and enhance your white paper’s readability.
Add White Space, Headings, and Subheadings
Be sure to use clear headings and subheadings in your white paper. It will allow your reader to quickly go through your white paper to discover what they require. Furthermore, consider using H1, H2, and H3 headings to help your readers understand every point mentioned in your white paper.
However, to take things to the next level, don’t be afraid to use different colors for every heading and subheading. Doing so will keep your readers interested in your white paper!
Us Pre-existing White Paper Templates
If you want to skip the hassle of formatting your white paper yourself, you can download a white paper template from the internet. These typically come pre-formatted. These templates only require you to change the headings and subheadings, add your content and images, and you’re good to go!
Wrapping Up
Everyone knows that writing and formatting a white paper is not as easy as it looks. However, by following a few white paper writing and formatting tips, you too can create a kickass white paper to attract more customers to your business.
That said, if you’re having trouble writing or formatting a white paper, consider visiting Edit911. We offer excellent business document editing services that will give your white papers the professional touch they require!
