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34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to provide valuable information, not just another obvious "infomercial", September 27, 2006
This review is from: Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged (Hardcover)
For those who are interested in understanding the potential value of white papers to business development and customer relationships, this book and Robert Bly's The White Paper Marketing Handbookare the most valuable resources on the subject that I have as yet encountered. I strongly recommend both. Opinions vary as to the origin of the genre. Both Bly and Stelzner seem to agree that white papers can be traced back at least to early in the 20th century when what was then referred to as a "white book" consisted of information published by a national government. Perhaps the most famous is the "British White Paper of 1922" (also known as the "Churchill White Paper") in which the political conflict in Palestine is discussed. Interest in the commercial potentialities of white papers has increased rapidly and substantially in recent years and my own opinion is that exploration and fulfillment of those potentialities has only begun.
In this volume, Stelzner offers his detailed definition of a white paper: "...a technical or business benefits diocument that introduces a challenge faced by its readers and makes a strong case why a particular approach to solving the problem is preferred. A white paper usually proposes a solution to a problem, but can also introduce a new concept or describe how to perform technical tasks.
He explains with rigor and eloquence "how to capture readers and keep them engaged."He suggests that there are four primary types of white papers: technical white papers tend to be targeted at engineers, business benefits white papers are usually targeted at decision-makers in management positions, hybrid white papers are usually targeted at both influencers (e.g. engineers) and decision-makers, and government white papers which usually discuss implications of policy decisions.
Here's a key point which both Stelzner and Bly stress repeatedly: A white paper must never be -- or be perceived to be -- an "infomercial" in print form. A white paper has value to the extent it provides information and counsel which help its recipients to answer questions and to make decisions. What's in it for the provider? There are several significant benefits which include positive association with the given answer or solution, the recipient's appreciation (i.e. good will), and perhaps most important of all, maintaining direct and relevant contact on a non-solicitation basis.
What I especially appreciate about Stelzner's approach is that he provides a step-by-step framework for what can - and should - become a cohesive, comprehensive, and cost-effect "game plan" for the production, distribution, and promotion of white papers (regardless of type) which will have the greatest appeal to what should be their carefully selected recipients. The ten-step process which Stelzner explains may - and probably will - require a segmented database. These are the sequential steps:
1. Clarify the topic ("focus your lens")
2. Identify your ideal reader (s)
3. Decide on primary and secondary objectives
4. Develop a detailed outline
5. Interview the experts (or at least identify expert and relevant sources)
6. Research
7. Write the first page
8. Write the title
NOTE: You may prefer to identify several candidates and select one later.
9. Write the core ("Where's the beef?")
10. Hire an editor
NOTE: Stelzner probably prefers that a professional writer be retained but, if that is precluded by limited resources, at least obtain feedback from several qualified persons who meet the profile of the "ideal reader."
Stelzner thoroughly discusses each of these steps, offering countless "dos" and don'ts,"while reiterating that the most effective white papers tend to be those which address a specific problem and then offer a solution which in no way is - or is perceived to be - self-serving insofar as the provider is concerned. I totally agree. Over the years, my own extensive experience with white papers - either as a provider or as a recipient - has convinced me of the importance of viewing a white paper as a no-strings "favor" or benefit. The integrity (i.e. credibility) of the white paper itself as well as that of the provider must be impeccable.
Initially, I said that I highly recommend both this book andRobert Bly's The White Paper Marketing Handbook. That's true. I also strongly suggest that both be purchased and then carefully read. Whereas Bly addresses more of the marketing aspects of white papers, Stelzner focuses heavily on the craft of writing them. Absorbing and digesting the material in both books will assist substantially the process by which important writing and marketing decisions are made.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Strong resource for writing white papers that engage not bore, January 16, 2007
This review is from: Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged (Hardcover)
Thanks to Web sites and email newsletters, white papers have become a great way to market a product or service. A visitor can get a free white paper in exchange for signing up for an email newsletter or basic information. People can't resist a free offer and white papers -- when done right -- can educate and inform.
Sure, a business wants to show how it has the solution to the problem identified in the paper. But a well-written white paper does more than market a solution. It also establishes a person or business as a thought leader, introduces a new idea or concept, and explains how something works. Too many white papers turn into infomercials and Stelzner walks the reader through the process of creating an effective white paper.
Stelzer covers everything including needs analysis, research, interviews, and other important steps in the white paper writing process beyond the actual writing. I've downloaded or received many white papers and few get my attention. For some, the title can scare a reader out of reading it. These titles sound like something written by a PhD for others in the field.
As a freelancer writer, I've written a few white papers and not with as much confidence as I would like. Writing White Papers gives me all the information I need to thoroughly and confidently write the next one without any lingering doubts or fears.
Writers who write few or no white papers will appreciate the chapters on "Interviewing," "Researching," "Writing the First Page," "The Compelling Title," and "Writing Tips and Strategies." The advice in these chapters applies to various types of writing.
Most of the book's contents focus on writing information technology-related papers -- probably because they're the most technical and difficult to write about -- however, one of the examples is about personal accountability. The book doesn't stop at the white paper writing process. Its last chapter focuses on marketing white papers.
The book demonstrates how to make a boring topic engaging -- a problem that often faces the writers of white papers and contains two examples of white papers that retain my attention even though I'm not the prime audience. The book engages the reader making it a surprisingly fast read. Writers, technical writers, and marketing professionals will benefit the most from this well-organized, insightful, and clearly-written book.
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25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good reference (but narrow) and could use editing!, October 19, 2006
This review is from: Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged (Hardcover)
Writing white papers is a "necessary evil" of the technical world. While there are few publications that extol the virtues of white papers, those that provide a "how to" are scarce. Hence, it is refreshing to see a book devoted to the mechanics of writing white papers.
Stelzner covers all parts of writing white papers from the perspective of an outside writer. This includes defining the paper's scope and outline, conducting interviews, researching literature, and drafting the paper. Stelzner also provides helpful hints on style, formatting and speaking to intended readers. The chapters on crafting a title, writing the first page and using white papers as marketing tools are informative.
The book's focus is on IT. The risk is that some of the examples that relate to IT may not transfer to other industries. Examples and references to papers from non-IT industries would provide the breath that this book lacks. Research methods focus primarily on Google searches, almost crowding out the wealth of other sources--especially the non-web based ones--that are easier to search and are more efficient in providing relevant insight.
Using white papers as marketing tools focuses almost exclusively on web-based search engines, severely limiting the marketing options available. Most readers assume that authors are knowledgeable in their subject matter. Thus, the introduction containing Stelzner's personal history is unnecessary.
Chapters 1 and 2 would greatly benefit from better organization, and chapter 8 would be more readable if it were divided into smaller chapters. Figures and sidebars are not labeled and are not referenced in the main text (Chapter 10 is a notable exception). The main text could use the services of an editor with an eye for grammar (eliminating the inappropriate use of "secondly"). The main text is not right justified, making the ensuing highlighting jagged. Also, the quality of the paper is such that the highlighting bleeds through the page.
Overall, the content covered in Writing White Papers is practical and useful. From this perspective, it is an excellent, albeit narrow, reference. However, it reads more like a draft copy than a final publication.
Armchair Interviews says: Good information that could have been much better if overall presentation (editing, paper, etc.) was improved.
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