Comments on: “Need a White Paper By Friday” Dilemma http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/ Everything about writing and marketing white papers Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:41:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Graham Strong http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-58263 Graham Strong Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:19:19 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-58263 As Cassandra pointed out, it is not just white paper writers, or writers in general. It's probably not even just creative people. I've worked with many Admin types over the years, and the truth is that they are overworked in many cases, and have more backburners than front. They can't focus on anything until a deadline hits the horizon -- and for creative things like white papers, websites, brochures, etc., that horizon is too close to accomplish anything. On the other hand, there is another related phenomenon. Almost every new client I get with a new project wants it "ASAP". At first, I would cater to them (hey, I needed the work!). But then I realized that of course they, like everyone else in this instant-gratification world, wanted it ASAP. With a few questions about their end goals and a little education about how the creative process works, most people are happy with next week rather than tomorrow. I hate saying no, and it seems as if in this situation the client really did need it done by Friday. I usually respond with a "no, but" and give them a realistic timeline. If they decide better late than never, it may still turn into a contract. ~Graham As Cassandra pointed out, it is not just white paper writers, or writers in general. It’s probably not even just creative people.

I’ve worked with many Admin types over the years, and the truth is that they are overworked in many cases, and have more backburners than front. They can’t focus on anything until a deadline hits the horizon — and for creative things like white papers, websites, brochures, etc., that horizon is too close to accomplish anything.

On the other hand, there is another related phenomenon. Almost every new client I get with a new project wants it “ASAP”. At first, I would cater to them (hey, I needed the work!). But then I realized that of course they, like everyone else in this instant-gratification world, wanted it ASAP. With a few questions about their end goals and a little education about how the creative process works, most people are happy with next week rather than tomorrow.

I hate saying no, and it seems as if in this situation the client really did need it done by Friday. I usually respond with a “no, but” and give them a realistic timeline. If they decide better late than never, it may still turn into a contract.

~Graham

]]> By: mandy http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-52235 mandy Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:30:06 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-52235 thanks, good post! thanks, good post!

]]> By: mark http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-51978 mark Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:03:56 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-51978 cool article! cool article!

]]> By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-26090 Michael Stelzner Sun, 22 Jul 2007 00:46:58 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-26090 Great insight Tom! Great insight Tom!

]]> By: Tom "Bald Dog" Varjan http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-26087 Tom "Bald Dog" Varjan Sun, 22 Jul 2007 00:29:52 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-26087 Hi Michael, > Why do you think so many people procrastinate on writing white papers? I believe most companies operate in "quick buck" mode, and doing business through white papers takes a bit of time and thinking. Actually it requires companies to do something new. And it's a lot easier to do what they have always done, but doing it harder and longer. So, instead of hiring an expert to help them with white papers, they hire 5 more minimum wage kids to do cold calling or 5 more peddlers to roam the streets and harass innocent businesspeople in the neighbourhood. Hi Michael,

> Why do you think so many people procrastinate on writing white papers?

I believe most companies operate in “quick buck” mode, and doing business through white papers takes a bit of time and thinking. Actually it requires companies to do something new.

And it’s a lot easier to do what they have always done, but doing it harder and longer. So, instead of hiring an expert to help them with white papers, they hire 5 more minimum wage kids to do cold calling or 5 more peddlers to roam the streets and harass innocent businesspeople in the neighbourhood.

]]> By: David Zinger http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-26015 David Zinger Fri, 20 Jul 2007 14:59:49 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-26015 Hi Michael, I so much appreciate your site and your book. I have done a short spoof on a leadership white paper that can be written in a very short period of time: http://leadershipinstitute.wordpress.com/2007/07/20/the-shortest-and-most-powerful-white-paper-on-leadership-ever-written/ You will be pleased to know I did not refer to you in this project! Seriously, keep up the fine work. David Zinger Hi Michael,

I so much appreciate your site and your book. I have done a short spoof on a leadership white paper that can be written in a very short period of time: http://leadershipinstitute.wordpress.com/2007/07/20/the-shortest-and-most-powerful-white-paper-on-leadership-ever-written/

You will be pleased to know I did not refer to you in this project!

Seriously, keep up the fine work.

David Zinger

]]> By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-26004 Michael Stelzner Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:50:58 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-26004 Carrie, Cassandra and Dianna - Glad to hear I am not the only one that this happens to. :) Carrie, Cassandra and Dianna - Glad to hear I am not the only one that this happens to. :)

]]> By: Dianna Huff http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-25979 Dianna Huff Fri, 20 Jul 2007 10:57:03 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-25979 Just the other day a guy I know (a non-writer) told me he wrote an 8-page brochure -- that day! It was due that day and he wrote it that day. My jaw dropped. Just the other day a guy I know (a non-writer) told me he wrote an 8-page brochure — that day! It was due that day and he wrote it that day. My jaw dropped.

]]> By: Cassandra Goodwin http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-25941 Cassandra Goodwin Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:08:00 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-25941 It's not just writers who get no respect. Any creative professional runs into the exact same issue. I'm part of an online forum of graphic designers, and the number one thing they all about complain about from clients is the expectation that beautiful, appropriate designs can be created at the push of a button. It’s not just writers who get no respect. Any creative professional runs into the exact same issue. I’m part of an online forum of graphic designers, and the number one thing they all about complain about from clients is the expectation that beautiful, appropriate designs can be created at the push of a button.

]]> By: carrie http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-25923 carrie Thu, 19 Jul 2007 20:13:27 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/18/due-friday/#comment-25923 I agree, that people just don't get how long things take. Even the white paper I wrote that was only one page, took me about 2 weeks by the time I did all the background research, etc. I think this reflects a greater problem with writing and deadlines in general, and not just white papers, but other web writing, magazine and newspaper articles, etc. Editors and others who "assign," frequently don't get how long good, quality, writing really takes, even if they themselves used to be or are writers. The problem is even worse in an association or organization where people look to the communications person to be the magic wizard who pulls everything together in record time, without the other staff or executives understanding what's involved. In a similar fashion, they also don't get how long publications like magazines and newsletters take to pull together. They think it's just a matter of turning copy in and, WHAM! instant publication! When I had my job as communications director of a national organization, I made it a point not only to let people know the deadlines, but also to share with them all that was involved in the editorial process, including: getting stuff in on time (not!), revising (1, 2, and 3 drafts!), proofreading for grammar and checking facts, organizing artwork, working with designer on layout, time for printer proofs and corrrections, shipping and mailing to members, etc. All this seemed to help open people's eyes, and at least helped me get the copy in on time. I think this problem is also made worse by the technological transformation on the internet, and people being able to download videos, webinars, podcasts, etc. the second they want it. I agree, that people just don’t get how long things take. Even the white paper I wrote that was only one page, took me about 2 weeks by the time I did all the background research, etc. I think this reflects a greater problem with writing and deadlines in general, and not just white papers, but other web writing, magazine and newspaper articles, etc. Editors and others who “assign,” frequently don’t get how long good, quality, writing really takes, even if they themselves used to be or are writers. The problem is even worse in an association or organization where people look to the communications person to be the magic wizard who pulls everything together in record time, without the other staff or executives understanding what’s involved. In a similar fashion, they also don’t get how long publications like magazines and newsletters take to pull together. They think it’s just a matter of turning copy in and, WHAM! instant publication! When I had my job as communications director of a national organization, I made it a point not only to let people know the deadlines, but also to share with them all that was involved in the editorial process, including: getting stuff in on time (not!), revising (1, 2, and 3 drafts!), proofreading for grammar and checking facts, organizing artwork, working with designer on layout, time for printer proofs and corrrections, shipping and mailing to members, etc. All this seemed to help open people’s eyes, and at least helped me get the copy in on time. I think this problem is also made worse by the technological transformation on the internet, and people being able to download videos, webinars, podcasts, etc. the second they want it.

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