Comments on: Images as Bricks, Text as Mortar - A New Model for White Papers? http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/ Everything about writing and marketing white papers Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:58:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Bora http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63073 Bora Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:34:49 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63073 Thanks for the great article John!<br>I agree that the the graphics should be the start of the white paper. As they say "A picture is worth a thousand words" Thanks for the great article John!
I agree that the the graphics should be the start of the white paper. As they say “A picture is worth a thousand words”

]]> By: John White http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63072 John White Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:28:13 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63072 Rachel: That's what I mean - suppose you figured out a way to make the graphics the star of the white paper, and the text plays only a supporting role. You could save a thousand words, maybe more. Rachel: That's what I mean - suppose you figured out a way to make the graphics the star of the white paper, and the text plays only a supporting role. You could save a thousand words, maybe more.

]]> By: John White http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63071 John White Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:25:14 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63071 Marcus: I see disconnects like that in thought-leadership papers from high-end consulting firms, when there's nothing much to depict. They figure - and there's an argument for it - that any picture is better than four straight pages of text. It's easy to avoid that in a technical-benefits paper, where you have tables, graphs, flowcharts, etc. to support the narrative. Marcus: I see disconnects like that in thought-leadership papers from high-end consulting firms, when there's nothing much to depict. They figure - and there's an argument for it - that any picture is better than four straight pages of text. It's easy to avoid that in a technical-benefits paper, where you have tables, graphs, flowcharts, etc. to support the narrative.

]]> By: Pharmacy First http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63070 Pharmacy First Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:12:28 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63070 I like that idea too. But the reader should be made aware. I like that idea too. But the reader should be made aware.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63069 Rachel Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:34:17 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63069 I doubt anyone will rule out the use of graphics in white papers -- as long as each image serves its complementary role effectively. Unfortunately, I've seen too many images designed to impress. They may look pretty, but in my opinion, they take attention away from the text rather than add real value. With a trend toward shorter white papers, poorly designed graphics might just be fluff that takes up precious space. <br><br>Having said that, as an economist, I do like graphs, charts and fancy schematics -- but use judiciously in white papers. I doubt anyone will rule out the use of graphics in white papers — as long as each image serves its complementary role effectively. Unfortunately, I've seen too many images designed to impress. They may look pretty, but in my opinion, they take attention away from the text rather than add real value. With a trend toward shorter white papers, poorly designed graphics might just be fluff that takes up precious space.

Having said that, as an economist, I do like graphs, charts and fancy schematics — but use judiciously in white papers.

]]> By: John White http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63067 John White Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:06:20 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63067 Apryl: I like the idea. Better let the reader know about it at download time, though, lest she print it out to read on a plane and end up missing an important piece of the story. Apryl: I like the idea. Better let the reader know about it at download time, though, lest she print it out to read on a plane and end up missing an important piece of the story.

]]> By: Apryl Parcher http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63066 Apryl Parcher Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:19:09 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2010/01/21/images-as-bricks-text-as-mortar-a-new-model-for-white-papers/#comment-63066 Great article, John!<br><br>It's becoming more and more important to capture imagination with graphic elements--especially now that mobile technology is shrinking the size of our view screens. <br><br>What do you think about embedding short video elements in white papers? Great article, John!

It's becoming more and more important to capture imagination with graphic elements–especially now that mobile technology is shrinking the size of our view screens.

What do you think about embedding short video elements in white papers?

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