{"id":21979,"date":"2024-09-12T15:00:04","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T14:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fifteen-staging.fifteen.dev\/blog\/what-is-a-white-paper\/"},"modified":"2024-09-13T16:42:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T15:42:40","slug":"how-to-write-a-white-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fifteendesign.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-write-a-white-paper\/","title":{"rendered":"How to write a white paper"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to <\/span>content marketing<\/span><\/a>, very few content styles shout about your skills and experience more than a white paper. These documents have become industry markers where brands can show off impressive stats, insight, and knowledge which can then be marketed to newspapers, industry news sites, and across <\/span>social media<\/span><\/a>. But where do you start when it comes to writing a white paper?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this blog, we look at <\/span>how to write a white paper<\/span> so it engages your readers and delivers valuable insights. From defining your white paper topic, to structuring your content, we\u2019ll provide you with some top tips that will turn your industry insight into income.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a white paper<\/b>?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A white paper is a document that aims to inform the reader on a specific topic, usually something highly specialised, that is usually shared in business-to-business (B2B) marketing. They often take the form of presenting a problem and providing a solution, making use of extensive data and research to argue for a particular solution or recommendation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, if you ran a logistics company and had data on how your scheduling system has improved haulage, then that information can be turned into a white paper to improve the industry and show off your ingenuity.<\/span><\/p>\n

White papers are very effective at establishing thought leadership, building credibility, and generating leads. They are usually longer than blog posts and range from about 6 to 30 pages. They\u2019re structured so that they include an introduction or abstract, problem statement, background information, a proposed solution with supporting evidence, and a conclusion, which we will look at in more detail a little later.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Are white papers worth the effort?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Because of the research and time needed to create a white paper, they can be an investment in terms of resource as they require days of researching, writing, and editing before rolling it out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, with that being said, the benefits they bring far outweigh any doubts. For example, not only do they offer an opportunity to delve deep into a specific topic that provides an in-depth analysis and insight to showcase your expertise in the field, they also serve as a powerful marketing asset. This helps to attract new audiences who are looking for specific information within your industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is worth remembering that these data-centric, text-heavy documents are usually written with a particular audience in mind, so it\u2019s important to research your market audience to see if they will bring value and more importantly, if they will bring you more conversions.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to <\/b>define a white paper<\/b> topic<\/b><\/h2>\n

When defining your white paper topic, you have to make sure you tick all of the below boxes:<\/span><\/p>\n