Write About Real-Life 'Happy Endings' and Get Paid $1,500 to $2,000
Per Project!
By Rebecca Matter

"If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten."

I love this quote from Rudyard Kipling, because it rings true for virtually everything we read, listen to, or watch on television.

Wherever a good story is involved, we're more likely to enjoy what we're hearing or reading, and (importantly), we're much more likely to remember it.

That's why the business world is so big on stories. Because when it comes to attracting new customers and letting those customers know about the quality of their products or services, stories rank among the most effective types of communication.

If you enjoy writing stories but want to get paid significantly well to do so (as much as $200 to $300 an hour), you'll love this writing opportunity on case studies …

A Gripping Golden Key to Problem Solving

A case study is basically a "success story" about a company's product or service. Think of it as a longer, professionally written testimonial or a "customer review" presented and crafted as a story.

But a case study does more than just talk about the product or service. Typically, it involves taking a problem that a customer might be having and then presenting the product or service as the key to solving that problem.

Instead of just saying, "We can solve your problem," the case study presents the piece as a "before and after" story.

Case studies are typically short — around one or two pages. Putting one together usually requires just an interview to get the facts, then some time massaging the details into a simple-to-follow formula.

The B2B (Business-to-Business) world is one of the biggest sources for case study writing projects. And because B2B copy is mainly educational, case studies tend to be as well. Overall, they're meant to entertain and provide the reader with a solution to their problem — not to sell.

Like Inviting a Stranger for Tea and Leaving Best Friends

To understand just how powerful case studies can be, imagine that you're a purchasing manager at a manufacturing company …

Last week, one of your floor managers stopped by your office to voice concerns about the quality of the supplies you purchased.

You decide to see if there are better products for what you need. While you're reading up on options, you come across a compelling story. It's about a company similar to yours … and they had a similar problem.

At the end of the story, you read about how they found the solution to their problem.

That solution was ABC Material Supplies — a company with great-quality supplies at a better price than what they were paying!

At this point, you're likely to give ABC Material Supplies a call to find out how they can help you.

What just happened?

You had a problem. You were presented with a compelling story — also known as a case study — and you found the solution to your problem with ABC Material Supplies.

Now think of all the other purchasing managers with the same issue …

They are also likely to find the case study from ABC Material Supplies and become customers.

And that's the power of a good case study!

So … what can you expect to make when you write a case study?

English Lit Grads Would Be Shocked!

Case studies are really a lot like creative short stories with a happy ending — except they pay quite well. Because case studies help influence potential customers' beliefs and decisions, clients find them very valuable.

How valuable?

Well, let's take a look at Ed Gandia's experience with case studies to find out …

Ed is a successful B2B copywriter. One of his specialties is writing case studies for his clients.

Ed would typically get paid $1,500–$2,000 per case study. With his storytelling formula, he can easily complete each case study in just 5-7 hours …

When you break that down, Ed is pulling in $200–$300 per hour … every time he helps a company tell their story!

Case studies play a huge role in a company's sales process. Also, since clients need a lot of these stories, case studies are a reliable way to create a predictable income as a writer.

An Introvert-Friendly Plug-and-Play System

The process for writing a winning case study is as easy as following a basic template. In other words, you'd simply use a proven formula that doesn't change very much from project to project, and you can do it all writing from the quiet comfort of your own home. Here it is:

1. "Brian, meet Sasha." First, you introduce the client and talk about their background, or the background of the company.

This could include their location, what they manufacture or supply, high-profile client names, or how long they've been in business. This information varies, depending on the target audience and the problem you're solving.

2. "Do you get this crick in your neck too?" Next, introduce the problem the client was facing. The most powerful case studies stick to just one problem at a time. (If your client offers multiple solutions, you can propose multiple case studies — and further increase your earnings.)

The "challenge" in a case study is essentially the "conflict" of the plot. This is what makes readers relate to the case study. The conflict stirs their emotions.

By the time you finish this part, your reader will be eager for a solution …

3. "So I walked through the door, and then … " Now it's time to introduce the solution to the problem — which is your client's product or service.

Keep in mind that case studies are stories. If the client's journey to find the solution involved certain details, include them. It makes the solution more desirable!

"After all," Ed says, "the solution didn't just fall from the sky. There was work involved in finding the right product or service."

Also, don't forget: A case study is not a sales letter.

Your job as a case study writer is to educate and teach the reader what the product is, how it works, the problems it solves, and why it's better than other products. But the focus in your writing is more on facts than persuasion.

4. "And now I'm doing cartwheels!" Finally, explain the results of the client finding the solution. In other words, what did the solution deliver? Ideally, it didn't just fix the problem — it fixed it in a big way!

Maybe the solution made them "four times more profitable" or maybe it "allowed them to operate with 10% fewer employees" (saving money and management time).

The case study should focus on the results that are both specific and relevant to the target audience. Include tangible information and numbers, because providing strong proof makes the case study more effective.

For instance, instead of saying "Product X saved Company Y money on every transaction" …

Present the information as specifically as possible:

"Product X saved Company Y 55 cents per transaction."

But don't stop there. If they average 124,567 transactions a month, say so.

That's more than $68,000 per month — an important figure that will make the case study work better. In fact, that result could be featured in the headline!

Pretty simple formula, right?

Now, the quickest way to get up and running as a case study writer is to actually write a case study …

Just Do the Next Right Thing

It's impressively easy to get started in the world of case study writing, even if you have no experience. Here's what I recommend:

1. Hunt and gather. First, collect your facts. A case study involving an experience you had with one of your clients — or a previous employer — is a great way to show prospective clients the effect you can have on their business. Plus, you'll show off your writing skills at the same time.

Here's how an example for a case study specialist might look:

a) Share the client's background — "Before I worked with Company A, they were spending $1,500 per month on Facebook advertising and generating just 15 leads per month."

b) Explain the challenge they faced — "People were clicking on their ads but leaving their site without opting in to their list."

c) Unveil the solution they found — "I helped them create a case study about their service to capture attention and get more leads."

d) Reveal the results of the solution — "Now they are generating 398 leads per month from Facebook advertising. Because each lead is worth an average of $58, Company A is now seeing a profit of $23,084 per month!"

2. "Help! Please." Next, get some feedback. Once your case study is finished, reach out to a fellow writer for their opinion. Then, incorporate the edits and put the final touches on it.

3. Open the door as often as you please. When it comes time to market your new service, simply reach out to potential clients via email, social media, direct mail, or even a phone call.

Once you secure a few clients, you'll likely have all the work you can handle. As Ed says, "Once you become your clients' 'go-to' case study writer, they won't want to work with anyone else. And you'll often be the first person they approach about other lucrative projects such as white papers, articles for trade journals, web copy, and many others. It's one of the best ways to get in the door with a client … and keep them for the long run."