Today let’s take a quick look at what you should include in any business case study you write. The structure of your case study is up to you. They can be anything from a few paragraphs on your website to a multi-page report. But no matter how long your case study is, these elements should be included.

• Problem or Opportunity — This is the unique problem you or your client faced (or a unique opportunity that became available to one of you). It helps if your prospects can relate to this problem. This way when they see how your product or service helped to resolve the issue, they’ll be more likely to give it a try themselves.
• Your Approach — Here you’ll detail your solution to the client’s or customer’s problem. Or you’ll discuss your approach to helping them take advantage of an opportunity. You’ll talk about the exact services you provided or the product that was used (and preferably how it was used in this case).
• The Results — Then you’ll talk about the most important element — the results. You obviously only want to publish a business case study when results are positive. Get specific with these. For example, if you helped a customer save $25,000 in overhead costs, you’ll note that. If you helped them grow their profits by 30% in a year, you’ll mention that. This is where you show that your approach, product, or service really works.
• Testimonials — It’s also helpful to include client or customer quotes (or a single longer testimonial) with your case study. Clients can say things about you and your business approach that would sound questionable coming directly from you. For example, you should keep the case study objective rather than raving about your own work. But in this section, your customers have the opportunity to do that for you.

Remember, business case studies are about taking subjective sales copy and business claims and turning them into real-life results. They’re the ultimate proof of the value you offer to your customers.

Those are the most basic elements of any business case study. But they can certainly include more.

Let me help you write your next business case study. Get in touch today and let’s figure out the best way to tell your company’s story.

The post What Should You Include in a Business Case Study? appeared first on Pro Business Writer.

Another option you might not have considered is the business case study. Let’s take a quick look at some of the benefits of case studies so you can decide if they’re a good fit.

Here are three things business case studies can do to help your business.

Case Studies as Illustrations

Case studies help you and your business show what you can do rather than simply tell people what you claim you can do. They turn your successes into stories and illustrate your abilities to other prospects.

Case Studies as Testimonials

You probably know it’s a good idea to get quotes and testimonials from happy customers. Other customers may be more likely to trust their peers than to trust sales copy coming from a company trying to make money.

Case studies take testimonials a step farther. Rather than simply gathering praise, you share customer feedback alongside detailed descriptions of the work you’ve done.

Case Studies for Customer Relationships

When you write a business case study, you’ll likely interview customers and get not only their feedback, but also their permission to use them and their project in your case study. On top of appealing to new customers, that makes case studies a great networking tool with existing customers.

You keep yourself connected to them, and you highlight them through a case study profile that can bring them added attention. In other words, there are promotional benefits for the customer. And that’s not likely something other contractors have approached them about. It makes your company stand out and can potentially lead to repeat business.

Have you ever used business case studies? How did they help your business? If you haven’t written a case study yet, why might you consider it (or what’s holding you back)? Nothing holding you back? Then get in touch when you’re ready and let a professional business writer help you draft your next case study.

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