{"id":5051,"date":"2021-01-27T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freelancermap.com\/blog\/how-to-create-case-studies\/"},"modified":"2024-08-23T14:15:48","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T12:15:48","slug":"how-to-create-case-studies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freelancermap.com\/blog\/how-to-create-case-studies\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write Killer Case Studies for Your Freelance Business"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A case study is an interesting marketing tool for freelancers. It consists of extensive research on a given subject, with the aim of creating knowledge and offering new perspectives. It can serve as a pillar for the development of new studies, or as social proof. It is in this last aspect that a case study can be particularly interesting and useful for freelance professionals.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article we will show you what a case study is and give you an example of how to write a freelancer case study. Let\u2019s get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. The importance of case studies<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. What is a case study?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Advantages of presenting a case study<\/a>\n
      \n
    1. More sales\/More projects<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Case study as a marketing strategy driver<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. What are the elements that make a case study?<\/a>\n
        \n
      1. Personalization<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Relatable<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Storytelling<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Creating effective case studies<\/a>\n
          \n
        1. Encourage clients to give you feedback<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Do an in-depth interview about what they liked<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Add visually appealing elements<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Examples of freelancer case study<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \n

          What is a case study?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          In the social sciences, case studies offer a very deep analysis of a given subject. In the case of freelancers, we can substitute the term for \u201csuccess stories\u201d. A case study presents the positive feedback of a client<\/strong>, talks about the positive aspects of a successful endeavor or about a partnership that worked well<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          It should be noted, however, that case studies aren\u2019t simply <\/strong>testimonials from clients<\/strong><\/a>. The case study tends to be much broader and more complete<\/strong> than a simple statement. It describes the work process in a precise, detailed, and optimized way<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          A complete and realistic case study should not only take into account achievements and strengths but difficulties as well<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          It is also important to note that there is no universal formula for building a good case study. Each project is unique<\/strong> and should be viewed as such. The essential thing to remember is that the study presented should be motivating and adapted to its proper context<\/strong>. Let\u2019s have a look down below at the elements that make case studies exceptional for your professional marketing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

          \n

          Join our freelancer community today!
          Create your profile in just 2 minutes and start attracting new clients.<\/p>\n\n\n

          Sign up for free<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/br><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

          The importance of case studies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          As a freelancer, recommendations are a very powerful marketing tool<\/strong>. By being recommended by someone and painted as a reliable, generous, and easy-going professional, your chances of being hired increase considerably<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Just waiting around for recommendations won\u2019t work, though. Making yourself known is not an easy task: it takes time, investment, and a lot of hard work. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          In order for you to take advantage of the full potential of this type of marketing, you will need to not only strive to get good recommendations but develop ways to present your wins to potential customers<\/strong>. The best way to do this is by submitting case studies<\/strong>.
          <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \"How
          How to write killer case studies for your freelance business<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          Advantages of presenting a case study<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          By learning how to do a case study, you gain access to one of the most powerful and interesting tools that a freelancer can use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The main advantage of presenting a case study is the social validation and the scope that these surveys offer<\/strong>. These materials are aimed at the general public, thus allowing potential customers to have contact with their level of knowledge and experience on a specific topic or area.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Shown below are the main advantages of presenting freelancer case studies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          1. More sales\/More projects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Your goal as a freelancer is to always get more sales or more projects. Or, if you are a highly sought after freelancer, get projects with better terms and conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          A case study is an excellent way to show clients your potential and the advantages that your work offers.<\/strong> Potential clients can then get in touch with you with a real project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          We can affirm that case studies have the potential to directly influence the decision of a potential client<\/strong>, which is why it is a strategic part of any good marketing strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          2. Case study as a marketing strategy driver<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          When used in a marketing campaign, a case study can have an impact in two ways: it can increase your professional reputation<\/strong> as a freelancer or be a reference for your future projects.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The most important point about case studies is that, when done well, they showcase your ability to overcome certain obstacles<\/strong>, in order to achieve an established goal. Any client who is interested in hiring your services will feel more confident after taking a look at your case study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          You can also use this material to capture the attention of specialized media. A well-designed case study with relevant specialized information can open the doors to the press, which is always very interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          What are the elements that make a case study successful?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          1. Personalization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Case studies are all about the people<\/strong>. Personalization is how you relate to other customers and clients and how you help them empathize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Make sure your case study offers more than just generic descriptions<\/strong> – remember that you need to stand out! – and illustrate, whenever possible, the people and situations mentioned in your study. Real examples<\/strong> give your work credibility!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          2. Relatable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          The next step that makes case studies work well is them being relatable<\/strong>. You want a potential client to look at a case study and think, \u201cWow, this person had the same problem as me and this freelancer managed to solve it! I’m going to send them an email now!\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          This means that you need to know who your target audience is and how to reach them<\/strong>. If you often do projects for small businesses, provide a case study that demonstrates this rather than showcasing a project with a large company. In doing so, you may end up making small businesses believe that you are inaccessible to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          3. Storytelling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Another important element of a good case study is the story, which must be concise and well structured<\/strong>. In other words, it\u2019s about good storytelling. That can mean following simple rules like introducing the original problem of a client first, elaborating on your method next and inserting their positive feedback as a conclusion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          These are writing techniques that we use almost subconsciously. When writing a case study, ask yourself, “Is this story good and is it told in a way that showcases your abilities?” If your answer is yes, you\u2019ve probably got yourself a decent case study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Storytelling can help you boost your freelance career. Once you finish this article, check out our article on <\/strong>how you can use storytelling as a freelancer!<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          How can you write effective case studies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          1. Encourage clients to give you feedback<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          The first step in creating a case study for your freelancer business is to create incentives for clients to give you feedback.<\/strong> Sending an email at the end of a completed project and asking how the client feels it went, for example, can go a long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          If you want to go further, create a short questionnaire<\/strong> and send it to your clients at the end of a project. This is not only a great way to understand what works and what doesn’t. It\u2019s also an essential first step towards creating a case study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          2. Do an in-depth interview about what they liked<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          After you get some feedback, you can choose to go one step further and do an in-depth interview<\/strong>. This will work best with clients who are eager to talk about how they feel about the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          If someone is reluctant at the first stage, don\u2019t pressure them into an interview. You\u2019ll be wasting your time and bothering them with something they don\u2019t want to do. Focus on the people who have stories they\u2019d like to share \u2013 that\u2019s where the best case studies come from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          3. Add visually appealing elements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Case studies composed of large amounts of text won\u2019t always be able to catch the reader’s attention and will most likely be ignored. Yes, those paragraphs may be incredibly well written and might contain the best things a client has ever said about you, but they just won\u2019t work as a standalone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Remember, case studies are about personalization and relatability<\/strong>. You will need visual help for that \u2013 that can be a lot of things, depending on the project: A picture of your client, an image of the site you created, a graph showing the traffic spike after you wrote an article for them, etc. Those will act as eye-catchers and make sure your great case study doesn\u2019t get overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Example of a freelancer case study<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Case study – Sun-activated advertising<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Objective:<\/strong> Find a way to promote Neutrogena’s new line of sunscreens for sunny days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Description:<\/strong> Neutrogena is a brand specializing in dermatological products. The company intended to announce its new line of sunscreens for sunny days, but did not intend to follow the traditional line of advertising on mobile weather applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Difficulties:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n