Case studies are a marketing staple. They show how your product or service has been successfully implemented by customers. Instead of simply talking about the business, a case study brings your business to life. Most importantly, case studies accomplish the single-most critical tenant of content marketing—they sell without selling. Savvy marketers agree. According to a recent study by the Content Marketing Institute, 82 percent of marketers use case studies as a marketing tactic and 65 percent say they are a valued addition to their marketing plan.
Here are four reasons you should add case studies to your arsenal of marketing strategies:
- Case studies tell your story. People love to read a great story. A great case study tells your customer’s story from start to finish and helps your prospects picture themselves enjoying similar successes and benefits. In addition, a success story is memorable and is one of the simplest ways to put your prospect in a customer’s shoes.
- Case studies show the prospect what’s in it for them. Nothing turns off a prospect more than a hard sell. That’s why case studies are an ideal way to present your products and services while demonstrating the benefits from a customer’s perspective. Essentially, they are a very detailed and controlled testimonial for your organization.
- Case studies demonstrate expertise. A well-crafted case study proves to the prospect that you are able to accomplished what you say you will based on real-world results. Customer success stories increase your organizational credibility and show that people are using your products and services and are successful doing so.
- In this content-is-king marketing environment, Google rewards fresh content. Adding case studies to your website, blog and social-media channels can help drive better SEO results. Because people learn differently, consider creating case studies in multiple formats such as blog posts, downloadable PDFs, press releases, infographics or even videos.
Case studies can increase customer confidence in your company, provide real-world solutions to your prospects’ challenges and demonstrate proof that your solutions are valuable. To learn more about creating compelling case studies that drive results, contact Trade Press Services.