WhitePaperSource.com announces the results of the first major survey of white paper writers: 42-page report details the creation, organization, use and pricing of white papers.

San Diego, California – November 15, 2005 - The findings of the industry’s first major study of white paper writers are revealed in a new report titled "2005 White Paper Writer Industry Survey."

Sponsored by WhitePaperSource.com, the report provides pivotal insight into how white papers are written, distributed, structured and billed. Both marketers and writers will find the results extremely useful.

"The goal of this survey was to establish industry benchmarks for white paper writers. We were able to tap more than 500 white paper writers with a wide breadth of experience, and many who have been writing white papers for decades," said Michael Stelzner, founder of WhitePaperSource.com and author of the report.

The findings provide insight into the best practices for creating white papers. Some key results include keeping the length of papers short, educating as a first priority and leading with a problem or need.

One of the most significant findings was that writers overwhelmingly indicated that white papers should educate. "The fact that 96% of white paper writers feel that white papers should be educational is profound because the vast majority of white papers are not educational. Instead they are hard sell documents cloaked as white papers," commented Stelzner.

Other key findings include:

• White papers are used most often to demonstrate thought leadership
• Technical white papers are less common than business-focused papers
• The most experienced white paper writers are independent writers
• Most white papers are electronically distributed

"This is a must read report for both marketers and writers because it gives them the tools to formulate standards in this fuzzy white paper industry. Up until now, there has been no clear understanding of how long a white paper should be, what issues it should address, common processes and the costs for producing white papers," explained Stelzner.

Gordon Graham, editor of SoftwareCEO.com described the report, "It objectively confirms much of what many experts suspected, but delivers a few surprises as well. Both as an industry journalist and as a white paper writer, I was intrigued by the results. I hope it becomes an annual publication."

A full copy of the survey is available free of charge until December 31st, 2005 at www.whitepapersource.com/report/ .

About WhitePaperSource.com
WhitePaperSource™ is the first and only independent web portal dedicated to white paper writing and marketing. The site features news, articles, case studies, reviews and an active discussion forum. The WhitePaperSource Newsletter is the largest white paper news source with more than 15,000 subscribers. Visit www.whitepapersource.com for additional information or contact Michael Stelzner at editor@whitepapersource.com or by phone at 858-748-7800 x201.

Media Contact:
Nettie Hartsock
Communications Director
512-396-1066, email – nettie@whitepapersource.com