Once the outline is approved, the next step is to interview subject matter experts who have an intimate knowledge of the topic. They are the design engineers, scientists and other professionals working for the medical device manufacturer. Nobody knows the device better than the people who designed and made it. For this reason, a writer must take these interviews seriously and allocate sufficient time for them. He has to polish his interviewing skills and prepare for the interviews well in advance.

Besides interviewing, a writer should also access the relevant product documentation. The law requires all medical device manufacturers to maintain a Design History File, which contains product development documents, such as product specifications, drawings, validations, operator manuals, and so on. Many questions also can be answered by simply searching the Internet. And, of course, a library or bookstore also provides valuable information.

What is a white paper's structure? It naturally begins with the title which is a crucial part of the paper. This can make or break the paper, and must be relevant, compelling, and engaging, enticing the readers to read further. It should be simple and focus on the benefits that the device delivers.

Then comes the first page, which sets the stage. The remainder of the paper evolves from the first paragraphs. The paper can be only as good as its first page. Readers will continue reading only if the first page convinces them to do so.

The rest of the paper is divided into manageable sections. As with any writing, the process is repetitive: writing drafts, refining, editing, and re-editing many times until the paper is nearly perfect. The writer must stay focused on appealing to the target audience, and strike the right balance between the benefits and features.

Sentences and paragraphs have to be concise, with wide margins around the page. Bullets and headlines should be used generously, instead of long passages of uninterrupted text. The paper needs to be laid out so that a reader can quickly grasp the gist of it just by scanning the sub-headlines.

The end of a white paper is a call to action, which asks readers to contact the manufacturer for a meeting, demonstration, evaluation, analysis, discussion or some sort of next step(s).

A lead generation white paper is typically 5 to 12 pages long, and mostly comprises text with minimal graphics.

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