In business, talk is cheap – but a well-crafted case study is pure gold. It is a powerful tool that legitimises your products or services, demonstrates your impact on clients' bottom lines, and builds trust with potential customers. Think of it as the "pics, or it didn't happen" of the business world. Without compelling case studies, your achievements might as well be myths.
But writing an effective and engaging case study takes work. It requires a delicate balance of storytelling and data presentation. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll take you step-by-step through the process of creating a perfect business case study.
Thorough planning and preparation are crucial to create a compelling case study.
Familiarise yourself with the structure of a business case study to ensure clarity and coherence. Here are the components:
The interview process is essential for gathering detailed and accurate information that will form the basis of your business case study.
Here are sample questions you can ask:
Clearly communicate the purpose, process, and benefits of the case study to the client to gain their cooperation and trust. This ensures they understand the value of participating and feel comfortable sharing their experiences.
Begin drafting the business case study by organising the information collected from the interview and background research. Use this outline:
Use a before/after format to highlight the client's situation before and after using your product or service. Focus on creating a benefits-driven story that showcases the value provided to the client. Include relevant links and supporting materials, such as white papers and sales sheets, to offer additional context and depth.
The introduction lays the foundation for the entire business case study. It should grab the reader's attention and give them a quick understanding of what to expect.
Write the introduction after completing the rest of the case study to capture the most critical points. Keep it concise. Limit it to 2-4 paragraphs and include bullet points to highlight key results. Ensure it covers the purpose of the case study, the problem faced, the solution provided, and the key results achieved.
Clearly outline the problem or challenge faced by the client before using your product or service to provide context for the reader. Detail how it impacted their business and why a solution was necessary. If applicable, explain why previous solutions did not work.
Explain how your product or service was used to solve the problem, focusing on the client’s experience and the key features that provided the most benefit. Highlight the features that were most helpful to the client. Include relevant assets, such as screenshots, charts, or videos, to provide concrete examples of your solution.
Provide verifiable or numerical results that demonstrate the impact of your solution, focusing on tangible benefits for consumers, like increased savings and higher quality of living. If you helped your client’s business, use metrics like increased revenue, higher conversion rates, or more demos booked. List the results in bullet points for clarity and impact.
Summarise key findings and offer recommendations based on the business case study. Provide valuable insights and highlight long-term client relationships if relevant. Include a clear CTA with contact details or a clickable button to make it easy for prospects to learn more or get in touch.
Once the business case study is finalised, decide on the best channels to share it to maximise its reach and impact. Here are the suggested channels:
Create both gated and non-gated versions of the case study to offer different access options and gather leads while providing value. Ensure sales representatives incorporate the case study into their communications with prospects for effective use. Additionally, distribute print copies at conferences and trade shows to reach a wider audience.
By following the steps and best practices outlined in this guide, you're now equipped to create business case studies that don't just inform, but inspire and persuade. So, don't let your wins gather dust in a folder labelled "Past Projects." Bring them to life through expertly written business case studies.
Let your successes speak for themselves, louder and clearer than any sales pitch ever could. The next time someone asks about your track record, you won't just tell them – you'll show them. And in the world of business, that makes all the difference.
Want to increase your website sales and conversions through the help of a copywriting professional? Drop Gibson Copy a message today, and let us help you grow your business.
Angel
SEO Copywriter at Gibson Copy
What is a case study?
A case study is an in-depth examination of a specific subject, typically involving a real-world situation, individual, group, or organisation. This research method entails a thorough investigation of a particular instance to gain a deeper understanding of its complexities, dynamics, and context.
What is the purpose of a case study?
A case study is an excellent method for understanding complex situations and assessing how different individuals responded. Through a case study evaluation, you can identify what was successful, what wasn't, and what improvements can be made in the future.
What is the main focus of case study?
Case studies concentrate on the intricacies, dynamics, and context of a single instance (often referred to as a phenomenon). They employ various research methods and thoroughly investigate cases in depth, looking at them retrospectively, currently, and sometimes over an extended period.
What makes a good case study?
Writing a case study involves making compelling claims about how a product enabled someone to achieve specific results. However, it’s also essential to detail the process. Effective case studies include crucial information that illustrates how the customer progressed from point A to point B using the product, providing insights that typical customer reviews lack.