How to Write a Case Study That Actually Converts

Follow some simple steps to create case studies that celebrate your clients and build more business for you!

Most case studies read like press releases. Here’s how to write ones that actually persuade.

By Linda Pophal, MA, SPHR · Strategic Communications, LLC  

A case study is a detailed, evidence-based account of how a specific client or customer achieved a measurable outcome using a product, service, or approach. Case studies are told in narrative form to help prospective buyers understand what results are possible and how they might be achieved in their own context. A well-written case study is one of the most persuasive content formats available to B2B marketers because it combines social proof (‘someone like me has done this’) with specificity (‘here’s exactly what happened and what it produced’).

I’ve written a lot of case studies over the years for clients across industries, in formats ranging from one-page snapshots to 3,000-word deep dives. Over that time I’ve read even more: the ones clients show me as examples of what they want, the ones competitors publish, the ones that show up as thought leadership assets in B2B sales cycles.

The pattern I see most often: case studies written for the company that produced them, not for the prospect who is supposed to be persuaded by them.

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The Art of the Interview: How to Get Better Stories from Subject Matter Experts

One of the most valuable things I brought from journalism to content marketing wasn’t a writing technique or a structural framework. It was the interview.

The best content doesn’t come from what you know. It comes from what you’re able to draw out of the people who do.

By Linda Pophal, MA, SPHR · Strategic Communications, LLC

Interviewing subject matter experts for content marketing is the practice of conducting structured conversations with domain specialists like executives, practitioners, researchers, or clients to gather original insights, stories, and perspectives that form the foundation of high-quality written content.

Done well, the expert interview is the single most powerful tool available to content marketers for producing material that is genuinely authoritative and distinctively voiced.

And, it’s impossible for AI to replicate.

 

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Event Marketing Looks Very Different Post-Pandemic

Flexible options are the norm as events cater to varying preferences

Since the pandemic halted in-person events five years ago, interest in getting together in real life (IRL) has soared. Event marketing is making a resurgence, but these aren’t the events of the pre-pandemic era. Expectations have changed and new technology has emerged to help event planners better engage with their audiences—wherever they are.

How planners are embracing the shifts

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How NOT to Use Tools Like SOS and Qwoted to Gain Media Coverage

First there was Profnet. Then HARO (Help A Reporter Out). Then other similar tools entered the space, clearly to combat a decline in the value of pitches these early channels were generating. Most recently, Peter Shankman, the guy who created HARO, has launched SOS (formerly, and quite briefly, HERO). It’s a welcome new tool that, at least for now, seems to be successfully thrwarting the fake profiles and bot/GenAI-generated pitches. Continue reading “How NOT to Use Tools Like SOS and Qwoted to Gain Media Coverage”

4 “Must Haves” to Reap the Marketing Value of Charitable Giving

Corporate giving to charities has seen a significant increase since 2016. In 2021, corporations donated an estimated $21.08 billion to U.S. charities, marking an increase of 23.8% from the previous year. This trend continued into 2022, with corporate giving estimated to have increased by 3.4%, totaling $29.48 billion. This increase in corporate giving is part of a broader trend in corporate philanthropy, with giving having increased by more than 15% for 6 out of 10 companies in recent years.

Why? Continue reading “4 “Must Haves” to Reap the Marketing Value of Charitable Giving”

10 Simple, and Easy to Fix, Errors That May Be Keeping You From Getting Media Coverage

When business leaders, thought leaders, and even PR pros are hoping to get media coverage for their, or their companies’ efforts, they often inadvertently make some mistakes that can hinder their efforts.

Here we take a look at 10 common, and easily fixable, mistakes. How many are you making?   Continue reading “10 Simple, and Easy to Fix, Errors That May Be Keeping You From Getting Media Coverage”

A Few Tips and Tricks for Capturing Media Attention: A Guide for Thought Leaders, Business Consultants, and Authors

content marketing, content management, newsjacking, social media, digital marketing, SEO, online marketingIn today’s digital age, where information is abundant and attention spans are fleeting, capturing media attention can be a daunting task. However, with the right strategies and a touch of creativity, thought leaders, business consultants, and authors can rise above the noise and make a lasting impact. In this blog post, we’ll explore some little-known tips and tricks that can help you secure valuable media coverage and increase your visibility. Let’s dive in! Continue reading “A Few Tips and Tricks for Capturing Media Attention: A Guide for Thought Leaders, Business Consultants, and Authors”

Why Public Relations (PR) is Important for Marketers

In a digital world where literally anyone can be a “publisher,” I’m often asked why (or if) public relations (PR) is still important for marketers. My answer:

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Top Tip for Getting Media Coverage – Let’s Keep This Short and Sweet

I’ve worked in marketing and PR for a number of years and have been very successful getting media coverage for myself and my clients in outlets targeted to their key audiences. I also work on the other side of the aisle as a business journalist so I have the opportunity to see both the good and the bad of media pitches.
A very common question that I’m often asked is: “What is your top tip for getting media coverage?” And I have a very brief, and simple answer.

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7 Tips for Working Effectively With the Media

It seems that more and more businesses—large and small—are looking to the media (including social media) to generate awareness for their businesses and their products. Makes sense. Media coverage, whether traditional or online, can be a great source of exposure, not only because of its cost-effectiveness but also because the things that others say about us tend to hold more credibility than the things we say about ourselves (e.g. our advertising messages).

Media coverage is not “free,” however. Continue reading “7 Tips for Working Effectively With the Media”