White paper case studies make good subjects for marketing white papers. One of the most effective uses for white paper is to use them to share the simple yet remarkably powerful tool known as the white paper case study. What is a case study? In simple terms, a case study is a matter of telling the world what you did for someone, how you did it, why you did it that way, and what the results were.
White paper case studies are effective at sharing information
Effective white papers share factual, practical information — and case studies are an excellent example of that. Explaining how your expertise or products helped someone else achieve goals or reduce stress connects with your audience more immediately and memorably than merely sharing capabilities.
White paper case studies build your reputation
If the company being profiled in the case study is widely known or well-respected in your customer’s industry, you’ll bask in the glow of their reputation. It can foster pride among your team, too.
Better than promotional material
In your advertising, you might make some vague promise that your veeblefetzers increase profits by allowing customers to core more radishes. But in a case study white paper, Joe Schmoe at Perky Produce can describe how your veeblefetzers helped his company core 42 percent more radishes per hour with a 16 percent lower labor cost. Joe’s experience provides positive, believable proof rather than a promotional message that’s likely to be ignored as empty hype.
Most people willing to help
If you’re worried that customers or clients won’t want to share their stories, don’t be, because most will be complimented. But if they hesitate, ask why. If it’s because they fear release of proprietary information, you don’t need to disclose the company’s name or critical information. Saying “a $50 million radish processor” may not deliver as much impact as mentioning Perky Produce’s name, but it will help the reader frame the story and know how the company that’s profiled compares with his or hers.
The biggest roadblock?
The biggest impediment to creating white paper case studies isn’t hesitant customers. It’s time. Asking staff members whose plates are already full to create case studies is a recipe for inaction. Even if people do have time to handle the work, it’s easy for case studies to get shoved farther down the to-do list. That’s why it pays to consider outsourcing case studies to a professional white paper writer.
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