We Help You Develop Case Studies that drive Engagement
Have you ever wondered why the best businesses invest in case studies as part of the marketing efforts?
Not sure if case studies are worth the investment?
As you look at top businesses in the search results they have a few things in common. Usually they have either been in business a long time, they put out a lot of great content, lots of great actual reviews, or they have a website full of case studies with current or past customers.
Great businesses are always looking for our retaining their best customers. And in order to attract your best customers you need to tell those stories about your current favorite customers or success stories. This isn’t a coincidence or a random occurrence.
Here are Banyan Creative we make a regular effort to communicate with our customers to produce great case studies. Why? Because we understand just how valuable case studies are in educating customers and increasing conversions on your website. Case studies can be the difference between building trust or losing an opportunity to a competitor.
Understand the Value of Case Studies
Case studies are vastly under leveraged, yet wholly effective. In fact, case studies are often more effective than brochures and traditional sales collateral. Why? Because everyone loves stories. You have probably heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. This wisdom also applies in sales conversation and marketing. Our best customers have always come to us by referral. And most businesses are the same way. The stories you share paint pictures, evoke emotions, and give your presentation a sticky power. If your business works with larger and well respected known brands, that help build even more trust.
That’s exactly what a case study allows you to do, tell stories about your brand.
People connect with stories, and there’s no better method of storytelling in business than using your customer’s voice in a data-backed case study.
The Basics of a Case Study
While there is no singular format for an effective case study, most contain similar elements. Generally speaking, there are three major parts to a case study. You start with the problem, outline the different solutions available, and then offer proven results that showcase your product/service as the optimal solution for the problem. In essence, a good case study highlight “what’s in it for me?” from the target prospect’s perspective. Once your understand the big-picture value of case studies, let’s narrow our focus and get into specifics of why case studies matter.
Niche Down Until It Hurts - Show Don't Just Tell
One of the great things about case studies is that they are very targeted and niche-specific. In other words, you will never see a case study – if properly developed – that’s vague or general. By nature, case studies hone in on a very specific goal that’s related to your product offering. As a result, you can rest assured your case studies are going to resonate with your target market. Use data like "we helped save Customer X $3000 last year." or "we helped increase sales conversion 250 percent in 6 months time." Its helpful to show that visually in chart form or even a video customer testimonial to evoke emotion and build connection.
The Basics of a Case Study
While there is no singular format for an effective case study, most contain similar elements. Generally speaking, there are three major parts to a case study. You start with the problem, outline the different solutions available, and then offer proven results that showcase your product/service as the optimal solution for the problem. In essence, a good case study highlight “what’s in it for me?” from the target prospect’s perspective. Once your understand the big-picture value of case studies, let’s narrow our focus and get into specifics of why case studies matter.
Niche Down Until It Hurts - Show Don't Just Tell
One of the great things about case studies is that they are very targeted and niche-specific. In other words, you will never see a case study – if properly developed – that’s vague or general. By nature, case studies hone in on a very specific goal that’s related to your product offering. As a result, you can rest assured your case studies are going to resonate with your target market. Use data like "we helped save Customer X $3000 last year." or "we helped increase sales conversion 250 percent in 6 months time." Its helpful to show that visually in chart form or even a video customer testimonial to evoke emotion and build connection.
Video - Risk Rolutions - Victory Lane-HD from Harold Howell on Vimeo.
Use Quotes from Your Best Customers
Use your customers feedback about a positive experience with you is one of the most powerful ways to increase conversions on your website. Customer testimonials send strong signals of trust because they’re candid endorsements of your product by the people who actually use your product. Your customers will always be more persuasive than you.
The good news: An effective testimonial will do a lot of heavy lifting, and can usually be put to good use throughout your marketing site.
The not-so-good news: Not every testimonial is created equal. While all kind words from customers are appreciated, a great testimonial is special because it comes from a place of sincerity but also feels personal, relatable, specific, and motivational. It should not be self-serving. It should be customer focused.
Use your customers feedback about a positive experience with you is one of the most powerful ways to increase conversions on your website. Customer testimonials send strong signals of trust because they’re candid endorsements of your product by the people who actually use your product. Your customers will always be more persuasive than you.
The good news: An effective testimonial will do a lot of heavy lifting, and can usually be put to good use throughout your marketing site.
The not-so-good news: Not every testimonial is created equal. While all kind words from customers are appreciated, a great testimonial is special because it comes from a place of sincerity but also feels personal, relatable, specific, and motivational. It should not be self-serving. It should be customer focused.