How to write a killer case study
If done right, case studies can become amazing lead generators for businesses. But to truly have the desired result, they need to be impactful and resonate with your desired target audience. We have put together a list of top tips to help you develop the best possible case study.
Make it Relatable
Before starting the piece, determine who this case study will be applicable to. Who is the target audience, are they in a similar field to the client featured in the case study or did you deliver results that would be of interest to a specific market? It’s important to define this beforehand so that you can tailor the message and the core benefits you want to portray.
A few things readers may be interested in:
- A deep understanding of the given industry
- An in-depth description of how you delivered this project or service
- Industry-specific results
Choose your player
A case study doesn’t always have to be a written piece hosted on your case study or blog page, there are so many other options and switching up mediums means you can appeal to different customers.
Here are a few options:
- PDF – You could convert your piece into a downloadable PDF, which could be used by team members or email-gated on your website (great for lead-gen).
- Video – A video interview with a client is a great way to create a personal and engaging case study.
- Infographic – You could create infographic snippets of top-line stats and outcomes to be used across social media.
Storytelling
The art of storytelling is always powerful. Rather than a list of facts and results, people want an engaging story that provides them with an interesting insight around the entire project, or long-term solution.
When developing your story ensure there is a structure in place so that the piece flows well for readers. A typical format for case studies follows the order of problem, aims and objectives, solution and then results.
When determining what information to include in your case study, you should consider the following:
- Who is your customer and what do they do?
- How did the partnership begin or how long has the relationship lasted?
- What were the customers goals?
- What solution did you deliver that helped overcome their core problems?
There’s no ‘iI’ in Team
Many case studies fall down the trap of becoming a list of amazing things you have done and no real recognition of the partnership or collaborative approach. Going beyond the results and talking about how you worked with the client, the relationship you have built gives an outsider perspective into how you work as a company and if they would want to work with you.
It’s Time for a Refresh
To keep your case studies fresh, revisit them over time to see if there are new aspects that can be added to the piece, especially those that are orientated around long-term solutions. Are there new figures or results that are essential to mention or follow up with the customer and see if there are experiencing some longer-term benefits from your service.
Can I have a quote?
If you have chosen a written piece, rounding off with a quote from the client is great. If you are one of the lucky ones that have passed the red tape it is so important to utilise quotes. These give the content more credibility and trust from readers and are amazing content that can be used elsewhere.
Case studies should be unique, tailored to the client and convince any reader that you’re the right choice for their next venture. If you would like help developing captivating case studies, then get in touch to see how we can support you.