As you secure sales and deliver work it is a good idea to collect customer feedback and experiences, and create case studies as evidence of your business concept.
Case study research is about observing or gathering the experience of a particular customer, either business or consumer, in greater detail. One-on-one interviews can be of use, as can ethnographic observation of how the customer uses and interacts with products and services and an interview. Research journals and diaries, where the customer chronicles their experience with your product/service, are also effective.
Gather your information and feedback and turn this into an accurate and usable written case study to highlight and frame the benefits of your products/services, or to share learning and insight with your sector. This can help increase awareness of your business.
Case studies may be formatted as blog pieces, videos, press releases, magazine/article writing, or PDF documents which you make available to potential customers.
When writing your case study be clear about the specifics: who, what, where, when and why.
Try to go beyond a factual description of how the customer interacted with or used the product or service to explore what has changed for them as a result.
A useful structure you might follow:
- Introduction to the customer or customer type
- What was the brief, situation, challenge, need, or want?
- What did you or your product do or offer?
- What was the result/impact? What has changed for the customer and why is that change important or significant?
- What was it about your product or service that made the difference?
- What was said?
Bring the case study alive with the voice of the customer. Keep it authentic and real not glossy and showcasey.