I just ran across an upcoming class about White Paper Marketing…
What is White Paper Marketing, you ask? Come on, admit it, you asked inside your head – it’s ok I had to visit Wikipedia myself. Once I was there I realized it is a tactic I have used before myself within real estate.
Here’s the Wikipedia entry I just read;
A white paper is an authoritative report or guide helping readers to understand an issue, solve a problem, or make a decision. White papers are used in two main spheres: government and B2B marketing (business to business).
White papers in government
White papers originated in governments, and many point to the Churchill White Paper of 1922 as the earliest well-known example. White Papers are a “… tool of participatory democracy … not [an] unalterable policy commitment”.[1] “White Papers have tried to perform the dual role of presenting firm government policies while at the same time inviting opinions upon them.”[2]
In Canada, a white paper “is considered to be a policy document, approved by Cabinet, tabled in the House of Commons and made available to the general public”.[3] The “provision of policy information through the use of white and green papers can help to create an awareness of policy issues among parliamentarians and the public and to encourage an exchange of information and analysis. They can also serve as educational techniques”.[4]
“White Papers are used as a means of presenting government policy preferences prior to the introduction of legislation”; as such, the “publication of a White Paper serves to test the climate of public opinion regarding a controversial policy issue and enables the government to gauge its probable impact”.[5]
By contrast, green papers, which are issued much more frequently, are more open-ended. Also known as consultation documents, green papers may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation or they may set out proposals on which the government wishes to obtain public views and opinion.
White papers published by the European Commission are documents containing proposals for European Union action in a specific area. They sometimes follow a green paper released to launch a public consultation process.
Examples of governmental white papers include White Paper on Full Employment, White Paper of 1939, and the 1966 Defence White Paper.
White papers in Business to Business (B2B) marketing
Since the early 1990s, the term white paper has been applied to documents used as B2B marketing or sales tools. Far more commercial white papers are now produced for B2B vendors than political white papers for governments.
Many B2B white papers argue that one particular technology, product or method is superior for solving a specific business problem. They may also present research findings, list a set of questions or tips about a certain business issue, or highlight a particular product or service from a vendor.[6]
B2B white papers are marketing communications documents designed to promote the products or services from a specific company. As a marketing tool, these papers use selected facts and logical arguments to build a case favorable to the company sponsoring the document. B2B white papers are often used to generate sales leads, establish thought leadership, make a business case, or inform and persuade prospective customers, channel partners, journalists, analysts, or investors.
While some list dozens of different types of B2B white papers, there are essentially three main types:
- Backgrounder: Describes the technical and/or business benefits of a certain offering from a vendor, either a product, service, or methodology. This type of white paper is best used to supplement a product launch, argue a business case, or support a technical evaluation at the bottom of the sales funnel.
- Numbered list: Presents a set of tips, questions, or points about a certain business issue. This type is best used to get attention with new or provocative views, or cast aspersions on competitors, especially by using FUD.
- Problem/solution: Recommends a new, improved solution to a nagging business problem. This type is best used to generate leads at the top of the sales funnel, build thought leadership, or inform and persuade stakeholders.[7]
A numbered list may be combined with either other type, but it is not workable to combine the detailed product information of a backgrounder with the industry-wide perspective of a problem/solution white paper.
Question #2 – What does the acronym FUD stand for? (look above – you’ll ask the same thing);
Fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD), is a tactic used in sales, marketing, public relations,[1][2] politics and propaganda.
FUD is generally a strategic attempt to influence perception by disseminating negative and dubious or false information. An individual firm, for example, might use FUD to invite unfavorable opinions and speculation about a competitor’s product; to increase the general estimation of switching costs among current customers; or to maintain leverage over a current business partner who could potentially become a rival.
The term originated to describe disinformation tactics in the computer hardware industry but has since been used more broadly.[3][dubious – discuss] FUD is a manifestation of the appeal to fear.
Conclusion – I will be attending this class, a few days after I will summarize what I learned here on the Blog. Until then, if you need help developing, writing, or editing any material for your business, just CALL us!
Organized by Lawrence Harte
Where: QIC Learning Center – Cary
1500 Piney Plains Road, Suite 200
Cary, NC 27518
Madsen Avenue Promotions
(602) 849-6576 cell
Madsen Avenue Promotions Guiding YOUR Business in the Right Direction! 