Working in the business world, there is a lot that you need to know. It is not just about the technical aspects of running a business and handling finances, but marketing and beyond. One of the most versatile and useful skills you can develop as a business professional is that of being able to write a simple business case study. These can be powerful marketing tools that can help you build your brand’s reputation, increase customer loyalty, and demonstrate your brand’s unique value proposition.
So, what is a case study in business and why does it matter? We are covering all of this, as well as tips on how to write a business case study, below.
What Is a Business Case Study?
Specifically, a business case study refers to a publication that covers how a company or brand responded to a specific problem or situation in a successful way. For example, a case study might explain how a company’s services helped a client solve a problem or achieve a desired outcome. These case studies can then be published on business websites, blogs, and even shared on social media as a form of effective marketing.
In many ways, a business case study is a cohesive combination of brand information and customer testimonials that can help promote a company’s products/services in a positive light.
Why Are Business Case Studies Important?
Business case studies are important for businesses of all sizes. When they are well written, these publications can help showcase a brand’s unique expertise while building trust with clients. Likewise, these case studies can demonstrate the potential real-world results that clients can expect when they work with your business. This is often more persuasive than making simple claims alone.
Common Elements:
The exact elements of a business case study can vary based on the exact scenario and products/services being covered. However, most successful business case studies will include most or all these components:
- A compelling storyline
- Client testimonials or interviews
- A clear call to action
- Visuals or other presentations of data
Why Writing Business Case Studies Is Important for Your Organization
There are several reasons as to why business professionals should be able to write compelling case studies as part of their everyday jobs. Let’s dive into why writing is so crucial here:
Showcase Your Value Proposition
First, business case studies can be extremely effective when it comes to showcasing your brand’s unique value proposition. Case studies can help demonstrate how your brand has successfully addressed specific pain points with examples and tangible results.
Build Credibility
Meanwhile, business case studies can also be an excellent way to build credibility for your brand in a way that is more compelling and persuasive than more “traditional” marketing strategies. This is because with a business case study, you can use real-world examples to show potential clients first-hand what your company’s products/services can do for them.
Differentiate Yourself
Writing and publishing business case studies can also help your company set itself apart from its competitors in any space. This is because a professionally written business case study will showcase the real value of your brand, proving that you are not just another company making promises. Instead, a case study provides real-world examples and applications that demonstrate your brand’s history of success.
Multiple Use Cases
When it comes to marketing tools, a business case study is also one of the most versatile options out there. Even once a business case study is written and published, it can be repurposed for any number of applications and content types. From a single case study, for example, you might be able to reuse the content for your company’s website, social media page, sales presentations, and much more.
Steps for Writing an Effective Business Case Study
Now that you have a better understanding of what a business case study entails and why these are such crucial tools for your business, you may be wondering where to start when it comes to writing one. Writing effective business case studies is something that will take some time and practice on your part. Still, there are some tips and best practices you can follow to write better case studies today.
Client Selection
First, understand the importance of selecting the right client to highlight for your case study. You will want to make sure that you choose a case with a clear problem, a compelling solution you offered, and quantifiable results. From there, you will need to reach out to the client personally and make sure they are willing to participate in any interviews or write a testimonial as needed.
Get Client Buy-In
Of course, it is not enough to get a client to agree to participate. Ideally, you will want a client enthusiastic about being part of the case study. This will ensure that you get the best content possible when it comes to quotes, data approval, and the like. Not sure where to begin with client buy-in? Refer to some of your happiest clients, including those who have left your company positive reviews online, and go from there.
The Storytelling Approach
Another critical component of an effective business study is storytelling. With great storytelling, your finished case study will be more of a narrative and not just a list of facts. As you craft the storyline for your narrative, try to include the following components:
- The Challenge – What pain point did the client face?
- The Solution – How did your company’s product or service address it? This section should be as specific and in-depth as possible.
- The Results – What was the outcome of your company working with the client? This section should contain quantifiable metrics and the impact your involvement had on the client’s business.
- Testimonials – Being able to incorporate direct client quotes can add a lot of authenticity to your case study.
Keep It Focused
When writing a business case study, it is also essential to keep your document as focused as possible. At the same time, be careful not to overpromise or include absolutes that could mislead potential clients.
Visual Appeal
A business case study is not compelling if nobody is reading it. This is why it is key to break up larger blocks of text with plenty of eye-catching visuals. This adds visual interest and is more likely to keep readers engaged. Whenever possible, be sure to incorporate relevant images, infographics, and other visuals to break up chunks of text.
Have a Strong Call to Action
Finally, do not forget the clear call to action. Do not assume that readers will be able to read your mind and take the next step on their own. Instead, clearly guide readers on what you want them to do after reading your case study, whether it is reaching out to you, requesting a quote, or signing up for an email list.
Beyond the Basics: Tips for Excellence
In addition to the above best practices for crafting a compelling business case study, there are a few additional tips you can follow to take your writing to the next level.
Tailor to Your Target Audience
Whenever possible, try to write in a way that targets the most specific audience in your case study. Of course, this requires you to have a solid understanding of who your target audience is and what their specific pain points are. From there, you can speak their language and address their most pressing concerns to yield results.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Business case studies can also be an excellent opportunity to improve your company’s SEO. As you write your case study, try to naturally incorporate target keywords as much as possible. This way, when it comes time to publish your case study on your website or blog, you will also have the potential to improve your search engine rankings and drive more organic traffic to your site.
Promote Your Case Studies
Finally, understand that even once your case study is published, your work is not done. Take time to promote and share your case studies as much as possible, even going as far as to repurpose them into different content mediums from time to time. By including business case studies in your toolkit and sharing them actively, you can get as much mileage as possible out of them.
Sharpen Your Business Acumen at JWU
Now you know what is a case study in business. So, when carefully crafted and thoughtfully executed, a business case study can work wonders when it comes to increasing customer loyalty and building a positive reputation for your brand among stakeholders and potential clients. Of course, writing a business case study can be easier said than done. This is why it is so important to gain practice in business writing.
A formal education in business can help you gain the practical skills you need to write compelling cast studies and take your career to the next level. At Johnson & Wales University, we’re proud to offer both an online bachelor’s in Business Administration and an online MBA program to help you take your education in the right direction. For more information about completing your degree online, complete the Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881, or email [email protected].