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The Top 7 Questions To Ask Before Starting a White Paper Project

Posted On Thursday, 06 October 2022 19:45
The Top 7 Questions To Ask Before Starting a White Paper Project

White papers are a great way to get your ideas out into the world. They provide an excellent opportunity for you to show off your knowledge and expertise, while also giving potential clients an in-depth look at what they can expect from working with you. However, before you start writing one up, there are 7 questions that need answering first:  

1) What problem is my white paper trying to solve?

Before you start writing a white paper, it's important to first determine what problem it will be trying to solve. After all, that's what your paper is going to be focused on solving. So take some time to think about the issue at hand and how your paper can provide a solution.

2) Who will read this white paper?

When it comes to white papers, one of the most important things to consider is who will be reading them. If you don't know your audience, you won't be able to properly cater to their needs.

So who makes up your target audience? Is it business owners? Consumers? Industry professionals? Knowing this ahead of time will help you determine the tone and content of your paper.

You'll also want to think about what kind of information they're looking for. Do they want an overview of the problem at hand? Solutions that are available? Details on how your product or service works? Once you know what they're looking for, you can start tailoring your content to fit their needs.

3) How long should it be?

When it comes to white papers, one of the most important things to consider is how long they should be. If they're too long, people will lose interest, but if they're too short, you won't be able to properly cover the topic at hand.

So what's the ideal length for a white paper? There isn't a definitive answer, but most papers tend to range from 7,000 to 10,000 words. However, it's important to remember that this is just a general guideline and your specific paper may need to be longer or shorter depending on its topic and audience.

4) What kind of tone should I use?

The tone of your white paper is another important thing to consider before writing it up. If you don't select the appropriate tone, your paper may end up losing the interest of your target audience.

So what kind of tone should you use? There's no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. It's going to depend on a number of factors including who your target audience is, what your goals are for the paper, and what the topic of your paper is.

For example, if you're writing a white paper with an educational focus that features technical terms, then it makes sense to choose a more formal tone that will appeal to an older audience.

On the other hand, if you're trying to sell a product or service that targets millennials, then you should go with a more conversational tone because that will appeal to your target demographic.

5) Should I include visuals or graphs?

Another important consideration when it comes to white papers is whether or not you should include visuals and graphs.

Visuals and graphs can add a lot of value to your paper, making them more engaging and easier to understand. However, if you add too many in, you'll end up overwhelming your readers with information.

So when it comes to visuals, what's the ideal number?  As a general rule, you should include at least one visual. But to be safe, it would be best to include two or three instead.

6) Which content areas should I cover in my white paper?

One of the most important things to consider is which content areas you should cover when it comes to white papers. If you don't focus on the right topic areas, your paper will end up lacking valuable information and your target audience won't be able to get their questions answered.

So what topic areas should you include? That really depends on the topic of your paper. But to get you started, here are some common content areas that you might want to think about including:

  • Introduction
  • Background information
  • Product/solution overview
  • Process steps
  • Use cases for customers

7) When do I want people to read this by (and how)?

So when it comes to white papers, you'll also want to think about when and how people will be reading your paper. For example, will they be reading it on their work computer? On their smartphone during a commute? Or do you want them to read it in print?

Once you know who your target audience is and what they're reading your paper on, you can decide whether or not it makes sense to design a print version. If so, then that will change the way that you format your content and design your visuals.

A bonus tip to make white papers creative is to use Venngage — an infographic maker that offers free white paper templates for everyone. Here are some best white paper designs from their template page!

Venngage

Venngage

Venngage

Writing a white paper is no easy feat, but by following the steps in this guide, you should be well on your way to creating an impactful document that's sure to get noticed.

However, keep in mind that writing isn't the only important aspect when it comes to white papers. When writing, editing, and designing your white paper, it's also important to consider branding and marketing aspects. Get more awesome white paper designs by clicking here!

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