Comments on: White Papers vs. Blogs, New Research http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/ Everything about writing and marketing white papers Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:32:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-377 Michael Stelzner Fri, 20 Oct 2006 22:41:38 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-377 Hi Kathy - The survey did not examine the quality of content. That is rather subjective. However, I do agree with you fully! - Mike Hi Kathy - The survey did not examine the quality of content. That is rather subjective. However, I do agree with you fully! - Mike

]]> By: Kathy Peele http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-376 Kathy Peele Fri, 20 Oct 2006 22:39:31 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-376 Are we spending too much time worrying about the medium and too little time on the quality of the content? I lose interest and quit reading poorly written blogs and white papers. I give equal time and consideration to well-written blogs and white papers. Did the study include a scale to measure quality of content? Are we spending too much time worrying about the medium and too little time on the quality of the content? I lose interest and quit reading poorly written blogs and white papers. I give equal time and consideration to well-written blogs and white papers.

Did the study include a scale to measure quality of content?

]]> By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-233 Michael Stelzner Wed, 04 Oct 2006 00:19:27 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-233 John - Interesting point about age. I looked at the study and it looks like age was not asked. - Mike John - Interesting point about age. I looked at the study and it looks like age was not asked. - Mike

]]> By: John Matenkosky http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-231 John Matenkosky Tue, 03 Oct 2006 20:00:09 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-231 It would seem to me that the survey results would be skewed by the ages of the people who voted in the survey. I doubt that many under the age of, say, 25 have ever seen a white paper, although they are generally very familiar with blogging. I also doubt that many over 45 or so know anything about blogs, but the professionals, at least, have quite likely been exposed to, used, and possibly written white papers. Let's tally the results by age group... ~ John ~ It would seem to me that the survey results would be skewed by the ages of the people who voted in the survey.

I doubt that many under the age of, say, 25 have ever seen a white paper, although they are generally very familiar with blogging.

I also doubt that many over 45 or so know anything about blogs, but the professionals, at least, have quite likely been exposed to, used, and possibly written white papers.

Let’s tally the results by age group…

~ John ~

]]> By: Jeannette Cezanne http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-230 Jeannette Cezanne Tue, 03 Oct 2006 17:17:35 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-230 It's not altogether surprising. I agree with Michael's comment -- that blogs do not necessarily represent facts -- but the reality is that facts can be misrepresented in any number of ways, even through white papers; so that's not really all of the issue. Clearly they both have a place, especially when blogs are responsible and state opinion as opinion. One is reminded of Patrick Moynihan's famous statement: "You are entitled to your own opinions. You are not entitld to your own facts." My company, eWay Direct, maintains blogs written by several of our key staff on subjects with which they are familiar. It's another and different way of reaching people, one of many, and can at its best present a more human and personal side to the business. --- Jeannette Cezanne It’s not altogether surprising. I agree with Michael’s comment — that blogs do not necessarily represent facts — but the reality is that facts can be misrepresented in any number of ways, even through white papers; so that’s not really all of the issue.

Clearly they both have a place, especially when blogs are responsible and state opinion as opinion. One is reminded of Patrick Moynihan’s famous statement: “You are entitled to your own opinions. You are not entitld to your own facts.”

My company, eWay Direct, maintains blogs written by several of our key staff on subjects with which they are familiar. It’s another and different way of reaching people, one of many, and can at its best present a more human and personal side to the business.

— Jeannette Cezanne

]]> By: Michael Knowles http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-141 Michael Knowles Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:20:38 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-141 I think what's scariest about the survey is that it may indicate some absence of critical thinking! A lot of what I do involves coaching CEOs of startups and their staffs on the power of inquiry and critical thinking. It never ceases to amaze how ready people are to take something at face value... to fail to ask bigger questions like, "How do you know X is true?" Still and all, blogs have a certain power that is difficult to deny. When properly used, they do play an important role as information brokerages, thought leader platforms, and influencers of opinion. I have always considered a good white paper to be informative. It's a service to the potential prospect. That's why it's so important to keep company information out and focus on delivering maximum value to those we serve. In the end, no matter what the medium, if we focus on delivering value, we'll be doing the world a huge favor. Michael I think what’s scariest about the survey is that it may indicate some absence of critical thinking!

A lot of what I do involves coaching CEOs of startups and their staffs on the power of inquiry and critical thinking. It never ceases to amaze how ready people are to take something at face value… to fail to ask bigger questions like, “How do you know X is true?”

Still and all, blogs have a certain power that is difficult to deny. When properly used, they do play an important role as information brokerages, thought leader platforms, and influencers of opinion.

I have always considered a good white paper to be informative. It’s a service to the potential prospect. That’s why it’s so important to keep company information out and focus on delivering maximum value to those we serve.

In the end, no matter what the medium, if we focus on delivering value, we’ll be doing the world a huge favor.

Michael

]]> By: Charles Brown http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-139 Charles Brown Thu, 14 Sep 2006 18:36:42 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-139 Wow! Talk about counter intuitive. To me, white papers have always lent an air of expertise and the highest credibility. But I can also see the point of the power of an independent third party endorsement. I think the point is both are great avenues for dispersing valuable free information to potential clients. A smart marketer will not limit her options to a single method. Perhaps those interested might want to read my article <a href="http://dynamiccopywriting.blogspot.com/2006/09/freelance-copywriter-secrets-7.html" rel="nofollow">Freelance Copywriter Secrets: 7 Copywriting Tips For Giving Free Information</a> for more information. Charles Brown http://dynamiccopywriting.blogspot.com Wow! Talk about counter intuitive. To me, white papers have always lent an air of expertise and the highest credibility. But I can also see the point of the power of an independent third party endorsement.

I think the point is both are great avenues for dispersing valuable free information to potential clients. A smart marketer will not limit her options to a single method. Perhaps those interested might want to read my article Freelance Copywriter Secrets: 7 Copywriting Tips For Giving Free Information for more information.

Charles Brown
http://dynamiccopywriting.blogspot.com

]]> By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-128 Michael Stelzner Wed, 13 Sep 2006 12:57:34 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-128 Hi Susan - There are a lot of white papers out there that lack credibility. However, I am surprised that so many people find blogs equally credible to white papers. I think this needs further examination and we do not have that luxary with this study. - Mike Hi Susan - There are a lot of white papers out there that lack credibility. However, I am surprised that so many people find blogs equally credible to white papers. I think this needs further examination and we do not have that luxary with this study. - Mike

]]> By: Susan Weiner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-124 Susan Weiner Tue, 12 Sep 2006 17:45:55 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2006/09/12/white-papers-vs-blogs-new-research/#comment-124 These findings surprise me. I figure that everyone with a blog has a point of view to convey. Don't you? Michael, which do you find more credible? These findings surprise me.

I figure that everyone with a blog has a point of view to convey. Don’t you?

Michael, which do you find more credible?

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