9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Outsourced B2B Case Studies - Who provides information & research?

by saleswriter101
7 replies
Hiho Warriors,

I'm seeking to do B2B freelance writing.

When a Case Study is outsourced to a freelancer does the client provide all the information and research?

What is the writer given to work with?

Any thoughts you may have much appreciated!

..Scott
#b2b #case #information #outsourced #research #studies
  • Profile picture of the author Collette
    It's up to you, as the copywriter, to ask for whatever information the client has relevant to the case study. Many clients have no idea what kind of supporting docs you'll ned, so it's helpful to have a checklist for them.

    Once you have what they have, you'll know where the holes are. Then you can either get additional information from them, or do the research yourself.

    I've found that very few clients have all the supporting information for a powerful case study at their fingertips. You can usually improve the proof elements with additional research using trade journals, research studies, news articles, etc. to add 'proof' for why whatever it is that worked, worked.

    Hope that helps.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2170522].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author saleswriter101
    When I can find answers nowhere else someone at the WF always steps up to help.. and quickly, too.. what an awesome place! Thanks heaps, Collette.

    If you have a chance, could you elaborate a little on what you'd include on a checklist of supporting docs?
    Signature

    Easiest Way to BOOST Your Sales?
    Pump Up Your Ad's PERSUASIVE POWER with a COPY CRITIQUE!

    82% Off for Warrior Forum Members. (Reg. $97. WF members: $17.)
    You get a FREE CUSTOM SAMPLE first. Testimonial and details here...

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2172000].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author RickDuris
      Originally Posted by saleswriter101 View Post

      If you have a chance, could you elaborate a little on what you'd include on a checklist of supporting docs?
      Hi saleswriter101,

      No offense, and I hate to be blunt, but SCREW THE CHECKLIST.

      Here is exactly what you say...

      "Go ahead, and back up the dump truck. I want everything you've got."

      Anything else, anything less, is bureaucratic BS.

      You want it all. You say this:

      "The quality of my work is directly dependent upon the quality of my research. Help me, help you."

      - Rick Duris

      PS: What I have just told you has made me a lot of money. You will find diamonds and gems you never would have expected.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2172090].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Collette
        IMHO, "Everything you've got" is too vague for many B2B clients. And, for most B2B case studies, you don't need "everything"; you just need the relevant information to make your case persuasively.

        So I find that giving my clients specifics usually gets better results for them and me.

        Call it my way of helping them help me to help them.

        Most B2B case studies follow a 'formula' outline - describe the:

        - customer
        - challenge
        - problem
        - process
        - discovery
        - solution
        - implementation
        - results

        This makes it easier for you to know what supporting material you'll need.
        Typically, you'll need background information on the problem to be presented, past attempts to correct the problem, the results of those attempts, how your client solved the problem, and the results of that solution then and now.

        Depending on what and who you're writing for, past and present brochures, sell sheets, key bios, web copy, sales letters, any direct mail they're using or have used, research reports, client feedback, customer feedback, customer or client interviews, emails, published or printed sources relevant to what you're writing about, copies of television, print, or radio ads, all metrics the client can provide - any of these can contain the information you need for a good case study.

        In the client consultation, you can give the client examples of the kind of documentation you'll be needing. Then, in your follow-up, you simply reiterate in writing what you asked for. That's your 'checklist'.

        It's a pretty simple, low-key approach to acquiring supporting information, but it's worked for me and my clients for 15 years.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2172291].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author saleswriter101
    Thanks, Rick, that's GREAT help!

    As case studies are essentially success stories of how a business has helped a client beat a challenge or problem, I'm guessing any further information would be gained from interviewing individual(s) from the business, and perhaps that business' client re. the problem specifics, how the solution was implemented, and the solution's impact.

    I suppose general information on the subject matter might be sought from trade journals and other sorts of industry specific research.

    Any estimate on the amount of time you'd typically spend collecting information as compared to time spent writing? (And how much time, in total, would you allot to do a case study?)

    Just trying to get my head around this before diving in...
    Signature

    Easiest Way to BOOST Your Sales?
    Pump Up Your Ad's PERSUASIVE POWER with a COPY CRITIQUE!

    82% Off for Warrior Forum Members. (Reg. $97. WF members: $17.)
    You get a FREE CUSTOM SAMPLE first. Testimonial and details here...

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2172202].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author abhinav
    Thanks all for providing your inputs. Nice key points to take note! Thanks Rick for awesome cut to list tip!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2172594].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author saleswriter101
    Wow, Collette.. that is very comprehensive and tremendously helpful.. I am confident to take this on now.. thank you, thank you .
    Signature

    Easiest Way to BOOST Your Sales?
    Pump Up Your Ad's PERSUASIVE POWER with a COPY CRITIQUE!

    82% Off for Warrior Forum Members. (Reg. $97. WF members: $17.)
    You get a FREE CUSTOM SAMPLE first. Testimonial and details here...

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2173861].message }}

Trending Topics