Barry,
I liked your ideas, which parallel mine: I do tons of research. That "box of background material" you wait for is key.

I also pick up the phone, and call folks in the industry I am writing about. I sometimes do impromptu market research: "What would make you select a (product)? What do you look for?"

I crack down on the company owners with a detailed interview. It's amazing how many company presidents (and even marketing managers!) have NO IDEA of what makes their product or service unique; what their real value is. I've had them say, "Thanks for all the questions; it made me think this out." I've found that talking to real, live people who use the product, or might use it, gives an authenticity to copy that just researching print material can't.

After doing my research, in my mind I make up a person I am creating the letter or email for. I visualize how they might be dressed, what food they like, and even their hairstyle (I'm a visual thinker, so it helps me get going).
And then I start writing to THEM. It really helps me push through any writer's block; I pretend I'm explaining or teaching them about why a product or service could really help them. And because of my research, I know exactly how it can.

It sounds boring, digging through piles of documentation, researching, reading, interviewing before the real "fun" begins: writing. But that digging really does help me out.

That's the part I enjoy most.

I remember Michael Crichton saying once that writing was the price he had to pay for the luxury of being able to spend time learning and finding out about the things that fascinated him.

Kind of how I look at it.

'course the paychecks aren't so bad either.

A.

Thanks, guys! I really appreciate your participation!

Dale King