Aug 11 2009
What are White Papers?
Papers devoid of color? The simple answer, yes, but not exactly right.
Since I started Sustainable Printing, whenever I come across something I may have heard about, but never really understood, I research it until it makes sense. Then, I pass it along to my readers.
Such is the case with white papers. I have heard the term before, but didn’t know the definition. I’ve processed orders for printing white papers for customers, but never understood what they were. However, as I’ve done research on other topics for this blog, I’ve come across more white papers than I can count.
So I thought it only logical that I understood what exactly a white paper is since I use a lot of them as sources for posts. I started my search with none other than Wikipedia.
According to Wikipedia, a white paper is defined as
an authoritative report or guide that often addresses issues and how to solve them. White papers are used to educate readers and help people make decisions.
White papers used in business are generally used as a marketing tool. A company that effectively uses white papers identifies a problem the reader may have and how using that company’s products or services solves that problem.
Not only can white papers promote a company’s offerings, but they can also be used as an informational tool. White papers can go into detail how a certain technology works or on the manufacturing process of a product.
These are great ways to communicate to your customers or prospective clients the benefits of using your products or services. A well-written white paper can increase your credibility in your company’s market as well as display your expertise to your customers. You can print your white papers to include in mailings or shipments, email them to interested parties or have them available for download on your website.
Need help on writing a white paper? I found a white paper on writing white papers, which you can get from this consulting website.
Original Photo Credit: Flickr user Tech Writer Boy, edited according to the CC license.
