9 Successful Ways To Use Case Studies

by Keith Smiley

Case studies can be used in a variety of ways. They can be used in just about any sales, marketing or public relation campaign.

Surprisingly, many businesses do not use their case studies nearly as much as they should.  Some just put it up on their web site and that’s it.  Here are 9 ways you can successfully use a case study.

1. Use it in a press release. A case study can quickly be abridged and reformatted into a press release. Be sure to note in the release that a more detailed, expanded case study version is available. Editors might pick it up.

2. Mail or email it to prospects and customers. This is a terrific way to keep in touch, raise awareness about a new product or service, and even convert prospects into customers.

3. Give it to sales. Sales people love case studies. They use them in presentations, to illustrate key points and as testimonials. A case study is often more convincing than a brochure.

4. Post it on your web site. Want to improve traffic to your site? Adding new, valuable content is a proven strategy. A case study certainly qualifies.  

5. Use it as a story in your newsletter or ezine. Success stories based on real-world applications get the highest readership in company newsletters and ezines.  

6. As a speaking topic. When an executive needs to give a talk at a meeting or conference, a case study makes an excellent presentation. The content can easily be converted into PowerPoint slides. The printed case study itself can be used as a handout.  

7. In lead-generation programs. A case study makes a terrific free giveaway, in an ad, email, direct mailer and on a website. In direct marketing, we call this strategy an Information Premium. It works!

8. For testimonials. Testimonials help make benefits believable. The quotes gleaned from happy customers for the case study can also be used, with permission, of course, in ads, brochures, websites and more.

9. As a trade show handout. Case studies are a great way to break through the clutter of flyers and brochures that permeate trade shows.

As you can see, a case study is a valuable asset to any type of marketing procedure.