Technology case study writing
Case history articles, also known as application stories or testimonials, are a great way to interest others in your product or service. But case histories are often viewed as being very difficult to complete, largely because of the need to gain cooperation from the customer who is featured.
Here are a few tips on how to make them happen. The first step is getting your customers to agree to work with you. Try approaching your customers as if you have something to offer them. For example: "We see the opportunity to get some favorable publicity in major trade journals for both of our companies based on the success of this application."
The job of the writer is to make everyone in the process feel that they have been positively and fairly portrayed without going so far that the article lacks credibility and becomes difficult or impossible to publish in reputable trade journals. Find a writer with experience in creating an article that simultaneously promotes your company, makes the customer feel comfortable, and fits the requirements of your target magazines or websites.
The rest of the job consists of presenting the first draft to all involved parties and making changes to win their approval, collecting illustrations and obtaining written approval from the customer. Make sure that you have either allocated the time to do it within your organization or selected a partner with the experience and resources to get it done.
If you create professionally-written and reasonably objective sounding case histories, magazines will bring them to the attention of tens or even hundreds of thousands of readers at no cost to you. The articles can often be placed in more than one non-competing publication by writing them with several audiences in mind. Case studies also can generate traffic and backlinks on your website and serve as great printed handouts.
Jerry Fireman has written over 5,000 case history articles on a wide range of technical subjects. He and his team handle the complete job including interviews, approvals, images, placement or whatever part of the job you would like to outsource. The cost is $300 plus $1 per word or $1800 for a 1500 word article.