No effective white paper can be written without research because every white paper must be based on facts and logic, not fluff and hot air. The client assembles all the helpful background he can easily put his hands on and then passes it to the writer. The writer can expect to do some research to support the document he’s writing, likely for several days.
The key for the writer is to do this research effectively and to keep track of the results carefully so he can draw on it to back up the assertions he makes when writing the white paper.
| Step | Who | What |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Client | Assembles background and good sources for writer |
| 4.2 | Client | Sends background to writer |
| 4.3 | Writer | Reviews background from client |
| 4.4 | Writer | Does additional online research |
| 4.5 | Writer | Interviews subject matter experts and executives |
| 4.6 | Writer | Keeps careful track of all sources |
What the client does to gather research for your white paper
The client assembles background material and passes it to the writer, along with a list of likely sources for further research. This material can include articles, associations, blogs, forums, industry analysts, LinkedIn groups, magazines, recorded webinars, reports, reviews, slide decks, or websites.
What the writer does to gather research for your white paper
The writer reviews the background material from the client and looks into all the proposed sources, including articles, blog posts, forums, industry analysts, LinkedIn groups, magazines, recorded webinars, reports, reviews, slide decks, or websites. The writer also interviews subject matter experts and company executives. Then the writer extracts the best proof points, quotes, and statistics to use in the white paper, carefully keeping track of all sources for later attribution.
