A stand-out white paper is authoritative, well-researched, and detail-oriented yet concise. Blockchain technology companies face a unique challenge of educating an avalanche of novice investors who are eager to learn about digital ledgers and cryptocurrencies. These beginner-capitalists, in combination with the complex nature of white papers and the newness of a tech-based financial system, means your document must school people across cultures, age groups and a myriad of other demographic data. Your white paper should be professionally written and creatively edited to explain why your project is the best one to solve a pressing problem—one that affects your audience. Your copy should help your readers make an informed decision.

Here are six secrets to achieving that goal:

1. Include a summary

The point of your white paper is to explain an issue and provide the solution in detail, but not everyone is going to read the whole document (even if they are interested in your company). Novice investors will crave a summary to help them baby-step into a mountain of new terminology and jargon. Tokens, mining, cryptography, nodes, private keys, public keys, Satoshi, cold storage, gas limit, smart contract, etc., many of these are terms that neophyte investors have likely never heard before (or have very little knowledge). Providing an easy-to-read summary with key points on will draw readers in and entice them to keep going for more information.

2. Use sections with obvious titles

White papers are a long read for the average person. Use sections to break apart critical information. Introduce subheadings to make the purpose of each section clear to the reader.

3. Be as brief but engaging—explain your jargon in an index

Get to the point. Why do you exist? Why are you the best at what you do? What is your business strategy? Explain it as passionately as you would to someone sitting in front of you.

There are more than 1500 ventures listed on coinmarketcap.com. The competition for attention is fierce and readers, though they want to invest and see high returns, have short attention spans. They don’t have tolerance for lengthy documents that have the audacity to also be bland. At its core, a white paper is a piece of marketing. It is up against hundreds of others, not to mention blogs, magazine articles, YouTubers, podcasts, Twitter, Fear Uncertainty and Doubt (FUD [see what I did there?]), and so much more. If English isn’t your first language or you usually speak in computer code (human language is for mere mortals, right?) be sure to hire a native English speaker and translator to edit the final document.

4. Fact-check like your life depended on it – and use citations

Tron ($trx), a well-known project fell into a tailspin of negativity when it was revealed that a large part of their white paper was allegedly stolen from two other blockchain companies. Even if you have a squad of experts on your side, you must triple-check all content before publication. Independent research is paramount as are citations for using data that isn’t yours. Run all the text of your white paper through a plagiarism checker or hire a white paper editing service to do it for you. (Be sure to have that service sign a non-disclosure agreement before beginning work.) Back up all of your claims with credible research, so readers aren’t left to only take your word for it. Avoid soft sources such as Wikipedia and go for respected journals and professional publications. 

5. Usual high-quality visual aids to enhance the writing

Charts, diagrams, and other visuals are essential to creating a phenomenal white paper. Graphics make it easier to relay facts and figures. Photographs (used sparingly) can also make your white paper come across as culturally transcendent and competent. If your project is civic or one that could attract a wildly diverse audience, strategic use of non-data imagery can make your document memorable as compared to others. Keep in mind the overall tone and style as you blend the images with the written content. Everything should be consistent with your brand and organizational culture. The white paper for a gaming solution should look different from one focused on academics or healthcare. The former should look and feel FUN.

6. Tell a story and think of complementary projects

Your white paper can be the springboard from which you launch animated explainer videos, podcast interviews, Q&A sessions, magazine articles, blogs, conference presentations, and even bite-sized posts for social media. Tell a better story than your competitors, and it will give you the lead you need to make multi-lateral moves.

These are only a few ways to make sure your white paper educates even the least sophisticated investor who wants to begin learning through blockchain. If you have an existing document that needs punching up or you are plagued with writer’s block, hiring a writing service might be your best bet. White papers can be from 5-12 pages—a sizeable investment in time and resources for completion, which is no easy feat for those who are not professional writers. Done incorrectly, this can be a huge waste of time because not every white paper is a success.

Technical teams and even business leaders are sometimes too far removed from beginners to understand what they need to hear the most. This couldn’t be truer than for blockchain right now. Everything is new—the projects, the ICOs, the investors—both small time and institutional—so why not position your project to attract as many advocates and supporters as you can?

At Phenomenal Writing, we bring to the table nearly two decades of creative and business writing as well as a personal fascination and interest in the power of blockchain. Our most recent assignments in this field were white paper editing services and speech writing services for a presenter at Blockchain West (March 2018). If you’re interested in our editing and writing services and want the benefit of a creative voice who understands technical documents, contact us today. We guarantee on-time delivery, zero plagiarism, thorough research and a commitment to making your white paper one that compels readers to act.

Speech writing is a unique skill unlike any other form of writing (the closest might be live theatre), and public speaking is an art. Individuals who want to deliver talks that stand out, get quoted and lead to more speaking engagements often benefit from having a speechwriter on their side.

Below are three telltale signs you might need to hire a speechwriter:

1- You don’t have the time.
Most professionals who are asked to deliver a speech are already overwhelmed with the demands of their position. A quality speechwriter will already have an established process that is efficient, collaborative, and provides the level of service you need to create a memorable speech. So whether you need a commencement speech for your alma mater, a retirement toast for a colleague, or a persuasive presentation for a big fundraiser, a speechwriter can help you save time.

2- You don’t have the desire.
Writing is not everyone’s favorite thing to do. Some people find the task of writing intolerable, and they just don’t want to do it. If you’re a swamped executive, in-demand physician or over-extended university leader who does not want to write a speech that you’ve committed to giving, that’s fine. A speechwriter who is adept at finding the right words and capturing your voice can get the job done for you. This will alleviate your stress and free you to focus on things that you do want to do (you’ll still have to be a part of the writing process by providing feedback and will need to rehearse your speech, however, so it is not a complete hand-off).

3- You don’t have the expertise.
There are some instances in which you might have the desire and the time, but not the expertise. Perhaps English isn’t your first language, or you’re more of a math and science whiz than a wordsmith—or you have never written a speech before, these are the times where you need the help of a pro. You need to hire a speechwriter.

If you have an event coming up and see any of the signs above, contact us today to see how we can help you create a custom speech that fits your personality and unique needs. With PhenomenalWriting, you are guaranteed prompt and personalized service from an established business writer award-winning playwright. Not only is storytelling is our specialty, but we also go a step further by guiding you with stage direction, rehearsal tips and more.

Email newsletters are a fantastic tool to boost engagement and solidify your position as a thought leader in your field. Whether your newsletters include curation of your best blog posts or resources for your readers, there are two common mistakes that are easily avoidable Tweet this.

• Use ‘you’ more than ‘we.’ The best way to capture your readers’ attention is to speak directly to them. Instead of using ‘we,’ use ‘you’ (as much as possible). This habit makes your content feel more like a real-life conversation than a marketing message. Every reader will appreciate that. Before you publish your emails, do a final edit to look for instances of “we.” Replace it with ‘you’ to ensure your content sounds like talking to a friend.
• Clear call to action. A mistake that many content marketers make is not including a clear call to action. Sometimes readers need direction—don’t assume they’ll automatically go to your contact page after reading a blog—guide them there. For example, a text call to action can say, “click here to see start saving money,” or “join our ICO today.”

These are simple fixes that can make your newsletters more effective right away. Having well-written content in a conversational tone will benefit greatly from these two tweaks. After all, what good is creating amazing content marketing if no one engages or takes action after reading it?

Whether it’s an email, article, speech or press release, writing for business is a given for most corporate employees. From the rank and file workers to the leaders in the C-Suite, written communication is more likely to be a part of one’s day than not.

If you want to give your writing a boost but are unsure of what tools can help you with productivity; the following resources can be invaluable in helping you sound your best:

1- Grammarly

Last month I decided to go for an annual subscription to this online grammar-checking service and have zero regrets. I write hundreds (sometimes thousands) of words per day between my business and creative projects and have found Grammarly to be an extremely valuable tool. It leaves Microsoft Word in the dust when it comes to catching complex errors (even in text messaging if you download the Grammarly keyboard). Subscriptions are available as monthly, quarterly and annually, with the monthly being the most expensive at $29.95. The cost goes down to $11.66 if you pay for the service annually. Learn more here: grammarly.com

2- Brainy Quote

Free and easy to use, BrainyQuote.com seems to offer an endless supply of quotes to inspire your readers. Quotes are not necessary for all types of writing, but when inserted thoughtfully, they can punch up the tone and spirit of a piece. They can also help your writing land more deeply with your readers. Start searching quotes now: brainyquote.com

3- The Right Margin

If you’re big on goal-setting (or want to be) then The Right Margin, might be an excellent tool for you. This platform prides itself on helping writers finish what they write. It’s all about goals, milestones, and structure with this resource. It’s free to try and has a three-tiered pricing structure after the trial period expires. Learn more here: https://www.therightmargin.com/

4- Dragon Dictation

If you’re a professional who is more comfortable speaking than writing, Dragon Dictation is an exceptional tool. Paired with something like Grammarly, (just copy and paste your dictated text into the latter) this can increase productivity and help you get more writing done in less time. Learn more here: https://www.nuance.com/dragon.html?PID=46157

For the business person who is short on time, whose first language is not English, or who is just not a fan of writing, these tools should offer some reprieve. The cost is nominal considering the promise of improved communication and time saved. Each one has its pros and cons, but hopefully one will be suitable for your needs.