A distribution channel is the route that a product or service uses to get from the original manufacturer or supplier to the customer or end user. Multiple distribution channels may be used to enable the reader to find and acquire the informational documents. Distribution channel options include self hosting, directory listings, specialty web portals and email broadcast alerts.

Self Hosted - Informational documents can be published or made available (self-published) on one or more web pages in the creator’s web site.

Directory Listings - Directory listings are documents or publications that are included within a published list of related documents. Directory publishers host lists of publications to attract specific types of visitors, earn advertising revenue or generate sales from providing information or leads back to contributing companies.

Web Portals - Web portals are web sites that focus on specific topics or issues. To satisfy their visitors’ needs for related information, some web portals list informational documents (white papers) that provide the desired data to highly qualified visitors. Examples of web portals include magazines, trade associations, schools and user groups.

Email Broadcasting - An email broadcast is the transmission of an email message to a list of email addresses. The transmitted email message may be modified (fields changed) for each of the specific recipients. White paper announcement messages (announcing document availability) may be sent to lists of people who are likely to have a strong interest in the topic. Lists may be rented from magazines, associations or user groups.