Want to Learn the Ins and Outs of
Lucrative White Paper Writing?

I made a new friend (and professional colleague) recently, Michael Stelzner, international authority on white papers (he’s done nearly 100 for HP, FedEx, SAP, Motorola, and others). He is also the executive editor of the WhitePaperSource Newsletter (20,000+ subscribers), a great source to learn all about white papers.

Michael just released a superb new book, Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged.  This excellent how-to guide not only tells you everything you need to know to penetrate this lucrative writing niche AND produce a top-quality product, but does it with a fun, engaging voice.  Be sure to click here to see a sample chapter of the book.

I asked Michael to write on white papers for the THE WELL-FED EPUB, and here’s his result. And be sure to check out his generous offer at the end of the article!

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Could You, Should You Write White Papers?
By Michael Stelzner

White papers may very well be the green eggs of the writing world.  Foul food or fantastic fortune—which could the white paper be?

Do you like to persuade?
Want your writing to be referenced?
Motivated by money?

If you think "yes," then give the white paper a try.

Whether you are a seasoned journalist, a technical writer, a business communicator, a master of marketing messages or a wanna-be writer, there's something for you in white papers.

Say, What Is a White Paper?

White papers are cross-breeds of magazine articles and corporate brochures. They blend the informative and authoritative content of an article with the persuasive elements of a company brochure.  White papers are used to help educate and influence business prospects.  They prevail in the technology world and are rapidly catching on in the financial services, healthcare, insurance and other business-to-business marketplaces.

Why the Fuss About White Papers?

Simply put, white papers are hot and corporations desperately need them.  Consider that in 2001, Google only registered a mere 1 million hits on the term "white papers."  By 2006, the number launched beyond 300 million!

Why the growth? 

White papers help people make decisions and are actively sought after.  Consider that an astonishing 70% of information technology professionals rely on white papers to make purchasing decisions in the U.S. (ITtoolbox, July 19, 2006).

Add the need for quality lead generation.  Businesses are struggling to get their message in front of prospects.  Research shows there's simply no better tool to attract leads than the white paper.  For example, a recent KnowledgeStorm and SiriusDecisions study concluded white papers were most valued by those at an early stage in the sales cycle, more than free trials, analyst reports and webinars (July 6, 2006).

What Are the Opportunities?

As a writer, there are significant advantages to writing white papers.  Here are some key reasons writers are jumping at the opportunity:

• Demand exceeds supply: There are not enough writers who know how to write white papers.  Businesses are aggressively looking to write more white papers.  Master the art and count your dollars.

• White papers bring prestige: White papers can bring significant recognition to the writer.  Many writers place their names on the byline of a white paper.  If the white paper is well-received in your industry or goes viral, your name will be associated with the excellent ideas presented in your paper.

• You can charge more for a white paper:  White papers help businesses generate leads and close sales—thus they are directly tied to revenue.  For many businesses, only one or two sales from a white paper return the investment.

• Businesses pay top dollar for white papers:  Word for word, nothing beats a white paper.  A good white paper writer charges between $3,000 and $10,000 for a 10-page white paper.  This is the most lucrative writing business out there.

• White papers can be multi-purposed:  A well-written white paper can be converted into a contributed article or used as content on a website.  This adds more value to a white paper project.

• Many businesses need multiple white papers:  If you prove yourself with an excellent white paper, there is a high likelihood the company will want other white papers written.  This can generate a consistent pipeline of work.

Thus, writing white papers can be extremely rewarding.

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Be sure to check out the free chapter of Michael's new book, Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged. 

Michael is also the author of the new White Paper Writer Industry Report, a must-have report for folks looking to tap this market-looks at everything from the time commitment to how much you can charge for your services.  It's been a big hit at $49. BUT, he's offering it at half-off to Well-Fed Writer readers.  He also is offering a great bundle on his hardcover book, ebook, shipping and the report for only $45 (a $134 value!).  Details: http://www.whitepapersource.com/cmd.php?af=348539