Case studies are descriptions of specific situations and achievements performed in a logical sequence. They are needed to teach people by real examples. It all started in the 1920s when Harvard Business School teachers realized that dry theory was not enough for students and decided to add some life stories to the curriculum. Later, the case study method transferred to the academic environment and is now used in many areas, from accounting to psychology. Also in the hands of entrepreneurs, it has become a tool for attracting audiences and making a profit. In other words, today everyone needs case studies. No matter who you work with, the ability to write them will come in handy. Especially if you work in the field of Internet marketing.
Case studies are also needed to: show a successful project; note your strengths and weaknesses; optimize the workflow;
Do not think that cases are written only for selfish purposes. They demonstrate the real experience of one person or team that can potentially help other people solve similar problems. This is a very useful and necessary type of content, for which it is, in fact, loved.
Why are case studies so popular?
The secret to the popularity of case studies is rather obvious. An excerpt from real life is always more interesting than a hundred times chewed information. Think for yourself, what would you open in the first place: the next post of tips about promotion on social networks or a text with the title “How I spun on Instagram in 2 months and started earning from 2,000 for advertising”?
We have talked with James, a professional case study writer from WriteMyPaperHub that can write your case study for you as well. Here is what he thinks about writing case studies:
“I would be lying if I said that writing a case is easy. In fact, it’s a job for an orchestra man. It is necessary not only to write the material well but also to present it competently. You should become not just an author, but also a designer, creator, analyst, narrator, a little humorist, and, most importantly, an expert on the topic you are writing about.”
In large companies, case studies are developed by a team. One sits over the text, the other edits, the third picks up the illustrations, the fourth works, the fifth carries the coffee to everyone else. But there are professionals who combine these skills. If you dream of creating completely copyrighted content or you simply do not have the money to hire a staff of assistants — really learn everything.
Before you lay out the case on the shelves, gather all the information about it. Those who make a case to order, need to once the client and take from his materials that may be useful. For those who make a case for themselves, it is desirable to keep a chronicle of the event that will be described, and in the end, just make it into an article.
3 critical case study writing mistakes
Inexperienced authors sometimes miscalculate. Most often this is because they do not understand the essence of the work and do not know why to do it. Let’s list the most common mistakes and never make them again.
Irrelevant information
There are people who think that the description of the century is worthy of description, but there are those who are ready to inflate any detail to the universal scale. Both are not the best idea. Look for the middle ground. You don’t need to write about how your office moved from the sixth floor to the seventh, but you shouldn’t underestimate your achievements. A small move that has helped you make extra money or optimize your workflow is worth sharing with the public.
Deus ex machina
Case studies should demonstrate how you cope with difficulties on your own. If you had a wealthy patron who hired staff and bought advertising, what would you tell readers? Except for how to find a sponsor and capture him with your idea – but this is a topic for a separate story.
Wrong target audience
Think carefully about who you are addressing your message to. One wrong step – and your case will gather only 10 readers instead of 10,000. Want to write on the first topic – do not turn to the luminaries of freelance, and to beginners who dream of working outsourced, but do not believe that there you can get real money. Take a friend – focus on top businessmen, not the middle and lower class. Feel your target audience.
Step-by-step case study writing guide
1. Case Study Title
Now that you understand what you can do in cases and what you can’t, let’s talk about their structure. Let’s start with the title. A case is such a wonderful thing that you don’t need to come up with a complicated name. Just remember this template: “How I did that and received that.”
Do not forget about teaser details. Use numbers, talk about material benefits, play with paradoxes. A small touch of “selling” will not hurt.
2. Introduction
The next important part of the case is ice or the first paragraph. Remember that people will never waste time on text from the Internet unless it is of interest from the first few seconds. Let’s not judge them for this innocent feature – we’d better think about how to turn it to our advantage. There are three ways to make readers fall in love with your case at first sight:
- immediately give some valid information;
- play on emotions;
- begin with strong, engaging storytelling
3. The Case Itself
That’s it, you touched a person’s heart. Now you can go to the main part. You don’t have to show great marketing skills here. Write the “body” of the text as a regular long grid, but do not forget to mention the following elements: the task you set for yourself; the steps you have taken to deal with it; problems that arose in the course of the case; ways to solve them; result.
4. Conclusions
When the main part is ready, you can proceed to stack. What did you realize after what happened? How has the situation helped you become stronger / smarter / richer? Readers should learn from the above? Answer these three questions – and powerful conclusions are ready.
Cases will help your business to unwind. Everyone can learn to write cases. A case without structure and auxiliary materials is a sad spectacle. Practice more and use other people’s work. Marketing blogs and your colleagues have enough cases that you can take up. Get inspired, but most importantly, make your own content. Plagiarism is not good.
