ABOUT ME – MAKARAND (MAK) PANDIT
Experience as a Technical Writer/Editor, Trainer - more than
20 years
Written books, manuals
Directed/edited/published videos, audios
Published several articles, Research Papers, White Papers
Worked a community volunteer, visiting faculty
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WHAT IS A WHITE PAPER
B2B Communication Product
A fact-publishing document
Can be used for pre-sales promotion (if the facts are on your side)
Public document (don’t sell it)
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WHO WRITES IT
Company
Government
Institutions (Academic, Research)
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WHY ARE THEY READ
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0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Stay on top of trends Get information
about products and
vendors
Compare products Help justify buying
decisions
PERCENTAGE
REASONS
Survey data from Forbes.com and BitPine (now TechTarget)
WHAT IT ISN’T
B2C Communication Product
Brochure
Datasheet
Functional spec
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WHAT DOES IT CONTAIN
Facts, Technical Data, Technical Description
Process information
Comparison
Analysis
Opinions
Conclusion
Recommendations
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SAMPLE WHITE PAPERS
US Department of Commerce: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-
notice/1998/statement-policy-management-internet-names-and-addresses
Westbay Engineers UK:
http://www.erlang.com/design.html
Adobe White Papers
Technowrites White Papers (written for Patni)
Infosys White Papers
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IMPORTANT POINTS
Fact-based
Accurate
Good graphics
Ideal length 5-15 pages (ToC, Index, Xrefs, not mandatory)
Writer’s name may not be published
Marketing flavour can help, but don’t overdo it!
Neutral presentation (marketing should be subtle)
Good service to offer as a freelancer (US$1,000-4,000 or INR 15,000 to 30,000
per paper)
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PROCESS
Need
Research
Feasibility
Outline
Approval
Budget
Study
Design
Write
Review
Publish (Publicize, Promote)
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SOMETHING INTERESTING
First white paper is supposed to be published by Churchill Government in 1922
Many white papers are translated
Good white papers may be archived by academic/research communities
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CHALLENGES
Information collection
Appealing to the audience
Managing Time (especially if you are a freelancer)
Lack of feedback
Timely approvals
Avoiding plagiarism
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LINKS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper
http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/resources.html
http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/book/index.html
http://www.wellfedwriter.com
http://www.freelancewritingsuccess.com
http://copywritingtrainingcenter.com
http://www.freelancewritingsuccess.com/white-paper.php
http://www.thatwhitepaperguy.com/white-paper-faq-frequently-asked-
questions/
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Wikipedia
Whatis.com
Investopedia
www.whitepapersource.com (Michael Stelzner)
www.thatwhitepaperguy.com
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KIDE
Visit the links mentioned in the presentation
Search for Green Paper – First draft of a tentative Government Report
giving policies
Search for Research Paper – Paper publishing a research finding
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WHITE PAPER IS A VALUE ADDED CONTENT
THAT CAN ADD VALUE TO YOUR
DELIVERABLES AND YOUR CAREER…
- MAK PANDIT
Send your feedback [email protected] and ask for PDF
of the presentation
Follow me on twitter: @makpandit
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