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How to Create Highly Effective Case Study Videos

Case study videos and customer testimonials are a powerful way to highlight your customers' successes—along with how your company helps.

Case study videos are powerful tools for businesses looking to attract new clients and drive revenue. By using video, you add a personal element that’s difficult to achieve with a traditional, text-based case study.

Interviewing clients in case study videos humanizes your work and allows potential customers to better understand how your products and services solve real-world problems. When properly executed, a case study video showcases the value of your work and helps grow your business.

What is a Case Study Video?

What are the benefits of case study videos, the 3 types of case study videos, how to make a case study video in 10 simple steps, where to use case study videos, 3 of the best case study videos to inspire you.

A case study video is a piece of persuasive content that businesses use to illustrate the value of their products or services, through the telling of real customer success stories. It’s a customer testimonial video that adds authenticity to your marketing efforts.

Successful case study videos:

• Include on-camera interviews with customers
• Show how your business solves a specific customer problem
• Use stats and figures to back up the customer’s story
• Focus on the benefits, not the features

They’re an incredibly important type of video to have in your arsenal.

Blake Smith, Vidyard’s Creative Director, deep dives into the world of case study videos, explaining what they are and how to make an effective one. Along with Mat King, Vidyard’s Video Production Manager, he breaks down an example customer testimonial video to highlight what goes into creating a good one.

Case study videos can benefit your business by raising awareness about what you do and attracting new customers. Here are some of the reasons you should consider creating a case study video:

They’re persuasive: Having your customers deliver compelling reasons why your product works is powerful. Video is a direct and persuasive medium; viewers retain 95% of your messag e when they watch it in a video, and only 10% when reading it in text.

They’re engaging: Your target audience is more likely to watch a short video case study than to read a text version of it. That’s because video marketing is more engaging. Most buyers prefer to learn about a product through video compared with any other medium.

They’re emotional: Video case studies deliver personal testimonials directly from your customers, which helps establish an emotional connection with the viewer. Connecting a human face to a story is powerful, and 95% of our decisions are subconsciously driven by our emotions.

They’re versatile: You can use a video case study across a variety of marketing channels, and you can even edit specific scenes and lines to use for other purposes, like for social media. Unless your products change drastically, case study videos offer evergreen content that stays relevant for years.

There are three main types of case study video that your business can produce, with different levels of complexity:

• Customer Testimonial: A customer testimonial is a straightforward, to-the-point video interview where you ask questions to the customer about their experience with your products. You’ll only need one shoot location and minimal editing to deliver a finished video.
• Customer Review: A customer review video is another simple but effective execution. Instead of focusing on a clear narrative, your customer can speak to specific features of your products, and how they benefited from using those features.
• Case Study Narrative: A case study narrative is the most complex type of case study video. It involves a mix of on-camera interviews with customers, B-roll visuals and can even include graphics and font treatments. It requires more shoot time and editing than the other video types.

With the correct approach and proper planning, your case study video can boost your sales and bring in new business. Follow these 10 steps to make a compelling case study video for your company.

1. Think Like a Potential Customer

The first step in creating a case study video is to develop a detailed plan with your target audience in mind. The more specific you can be in identifying the intended audience, the better prepared you’ll be to address their specific goals and pain points. Even if your product appeals to a wide audience, your case study should speak to one specific segment of that market.

2. Ask the Important Questions

Ask yourself what problem your target audience is experiencing, and how your business solves that problem. This will help you develop the key message of your video, and build a story around it. To help identify these problems and solutions, ask yourself questions such as:

• What do my customers care about?
• What do I offer customers that competitors don’t?
• Why do customers use my products and services?
• What do I help customers achieve?

3. Choose the Right Customer

Now that you have key messaging for your video, you can start identifying customers who suit the narrative you developed. The following criteria can help you narrow down your cast of possible characters:

• They should fit with the video’s target audience
• They should have a compelling, personal story to share
• They should be comfortable and engaging on camera
• They should have statistics to back up their story

Once you’ve identified a perfect fit, you’ll need to approach them with your request. When you approach a customer, be clear about what you’re asking them to do, ease their concerns and let them be involved in the process. You can also sweeten the deal by offering something in return: Maybe the B-roll you gather would be valuable for their own marketing efforts, for example.

Another option is to ask customers to record video testimonials on their own time, with easy-to-use software like Vidyard Chrome extension . That way they can shoot the video when it’s convenient, and quickly share the link with you.

Global human capital management (HCM) software company Ceridian, put the human impact of their products front and center in this case study video featuring the Blue Man Group.

Ceridian’s video does a particularly good job of using B-roll to highlight the creative nature of their customer’s business and explain the challenges they experience—along with how their product helps.

4. Plan Out the Story Arc

Case study videos need to tell a story. Developing a story arc helps translate your key messaging into a compelling narrative for viewers. A recent study on the power of brand storytelling found that nearly 80% of adults think brands should tell stories as part of their marketing efforts. In developing your story arc, you should map out your video’s four main stages:

• Introduce the character: Identify the hero of your video. For a video case study, the protagonist will be your customer. Though the video may include more than one person from the featured company, choose one person to focus your narrative on. Your main character should be relatable and engaging.
• Identify the problem: Next, establish the story’s conflict. With a brand story video, the conflict is the pain point your main character experiences. It’ll make your case study more relevant to your target audience.
• Explain the solution: The solution shows viewers how your product helped the customer overcome challenges. While the narrative is crucial, you may also want to use statistics to back up your customer’s success to make the point even more persuasive.
• Provide a resolution: The resolution of your story should include next steps for the viewer. What do you want them to do next? Include a clear call to action at the end of the video.

5. Conduct Background Interviews

Before you start shooting, conduct background interviews with your customer. This will give you a better sense of the responses you’ll get on camera and how they fit into your narrative.

Conducting pre-interviews will familiarize your customer with the questions you’ll ask them, so they can hone their storytelling before appearing on camera. It’ll also help you perfect your list of interview questions.

Here are some questions to consider:

• What does your business do? Who are your customers?
• Where are you located? How long have you been in business?
• What challenges did you face before coming to us?
• Why did you decide to use our products?
• What differentiates us from our competitors?
• What’s it like to use our products?
• What’s it like to work with us?
• How have you benefited from using our product?

If possible, conduct your background interview(s) over video conferencing software or in-person. This will give you a good sense of how comfortable your potential subjects might be on camera and help you to choose people to feature in your case study video.

6. Write Your Script

You don’t have to be a professional writer to develop a script for your video. Using your story arc as a guide, build out a script that tells the story of your case study.

Introduce the character, give background information, outline the details of the problems they faced and how your product helped address those problems.

Stick to the point and use a concise, conversational style. After all, 68% of people prefer to learn about products and services through short-form videos.

Pro Tip:  Use Vidyard’s free video script timer tool to find out how long your script will be when you read it out loud (and edit accordingly).

7. Back it Up With Stats

While developing your script, identify areas where you can back up the story with hard facts. If your customer has statistics about how your product increased sales, drove conversions, or resulted in other measurable outcomes, include those numbers in your script.

Consider using graphs or other visual elements to highlight the figures on screen. Whether you get the customer to physically stand in front of a chart or you add it in post-production, this can be a great way to highlight the value of your offering.

8. Choose a Shoot Location

Where you shoot is a big part of the overall look and feel of your final case study video. Determine what location is best suited for the particular story your video will tell.

The shoot location may depend on your customer’s industry: If they work in tech, it probably makes sense to shoot in their office. But, if your customer works in a hands-on field like construction or community development, you might want to film outdoors to capture the action.

9. Develop a Shot List

Plan ahead by putting together a list of all the shots you’d like to record. For every scene in your script, identify how it should be shot. Your script can help guide your shot list.

For interview videos , you may want to try a variety of angles and shot sizes, from close ups to medium shots. Plan out B-roll shots as well, so you don’t miss any important content.

10. Sweat the Details on the Day of the Shoot

There are also a few key considerations you’ll want to remember on the day of the shoot, to make sure everything runs smoothly. Don’t forget to:

• Choose a quiet, well-lit location for your on-camera interviews
• Instruct interview subjects to answer your questions using full sentences, since the questions will be edited out of the final cut
• Gather a variety of B-roll footage that shows the shoot location, the character working, shots of your products in use, and more—it will come in handy when you’re looking to add interesting visuals to the final cut.
• Overestimate the amount of time you’ll need to shoot so you aren’t rushing to capture everything

Don’t have room in your budget for a full-out case study video? You don’t have to have professional camera equipment or the funds to visit a customer in another location to get the value out of this type of video.

Try asking happy customers to record a short testimonial video using their webcam. You can provide them with a list of basic questions to direct what topics they focus on.

Vidyard’s Chrome extension is a free, easy-to-use tool that makes creating customer testimonial videos a breeze.

Once you have a compelling final product, you’ll need to consider how to get it in front of your target audience. Luckily, case study videos are versatile pieces of content that you can use across a variety of marketing channels. Here are some options to consider:

• Embed the case study video on your website, either on the homepage or a dedicated case study page
• Include the video in a marketing email to send out to your leads
• Share the case study on your social media accounts
• Incorporate the video into sales pitches and presentations
• Expand your reach by promoting the video in a digital ad campaign

These three compelling case study video examples can help motivate you to create captivating testimonials of your own.

1. Zoom Testimonial from Zendesk

This is a great example of a well-produced, well-told case study narrative. It provides a good mix of interviews with customers and B-roll showing how they use the product. The interviews focus on problems the company faced and how Zoom solved those issues, rather than listing its features. The video is short enough that viewers won’t lose interest, but that it still tells a full story.

2. Google AdWords Case Study

This video is a great example of how getting out of an office setting can make for a visually engaging case study video. The main character is relatable and comfortable on camera. She’s great at telling the story of how Google AdWords helped grow her business and seamlessly includes stats in her narrative. The supporting cast of dog extras doesn’t hurt, either.

3. Slack’s Unique Take on the Case Study

If you still aren’t convinced that case study videos can be fun and engaging, this humorous example from Slack should do the trick. This is a different kind of case study video, because it’s fully scripted, but it shows how important it is to tell a strong, relatable story. The video does a great job of integrating Slack’s features and benefits into on-camera interviews. And it illustrates how a bit of humor can go a long way toward convincing customers to invest in your product.

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7 Case Study Video Examples [Updated 2023]

Case studies are a valuable in video marketing, social media marketing, and sales. They make your features and benefits more tangible for prospects. And they help viewers digest and remember key points.

The question is, what does a good case study video look like?

Below, we give you answers in the form of our favorite case studies. We cover video content from giants like Freshbooks as well as SMBs like Moovs. But first, let's talk about...

What is a Case Study Video?

A case study video is a piece of content that shows prospects how others are using - and succeeding with - a product. They usually feature some or all of the following...

• A customer story
• Testimonials
• Use cases, e.g. helping sales teams drive more revenue for Sendspark
• Stats and figures
• Before/after stories
• Benefit-driven narratives
• Problem resolution scenarios

Case studies can be used to sell to a potential customer, help retain current customers, and more. They are easy to use across all channels; social media, email marketing campaigns , etc.

5 Features of Successful Case Study Videos

Case study videos, including the 8 below, tend to have a few recurring features. These are...

• They’re customer-centric . A case study video isn’t really about your brand. It’s about your customer, their story, and how the product figures in that story. 
• They cover important information . Viewers retain 9.5x more information when viewing videos ( WordStream ). That’s why it’s important to address key points, yourself or through customers, with case study videos. 
• They are mobile-optimized . 75% of all videos views come from mobile devices ( eMarketer ). You need to avoid small type, distant shots, and overwhelming images where too much is happening all at once. Record desktop ; think mobile. 
• They’re big on emotions . 95% of communication comes from non-verbal cues. Customers’ gestures, facial expressions, body language and voice tone all have a huge impact ( Inc.com ). Use them!
• They’re engaging . Make things fun. Create an exciting narrative around the customer story. Go through slides or shots without stalling to avoid dragging out the video.

Now let's dive into the actual examples!

7 Case Study Video Examples

1. freshbooks case study (sarah).

Case Study Type: Testimonial

This is a short, benefit-driven testimonial video. It features Sarah: an SMB owner using Freshbooks for 2 years. 

Sarah explains how she benefits from using Freshbooks. For example, she... 

• Gets an extra 12 hours each week
• Always knows who owes her money
• Can use the app from her mobile phone

Any busy entrepreneur can relate to Sarah. She turns dry accounting software features into attractive benefits. Her messaging is a lot more persuasive than anything Freshbooks could tell you. 

The main takeaway is that testimonials from happy customers add a new dimension to case studies. And asking for them doesn’t have to be hard; all you need is a free Sendspark account and the Request Videos feature. 

2. Slack Case Study (Sendie)

Case Study Type: Customer Success Story

In this video, Sendie - a hybrid company - has its COO, CPO, and CTO talk about Slack. They explain how the software helps them manage distributed teams and remote workers across time zones. 

The CTO talks about Slack enabling a virtual “open door policy” remotely. The COO covers asynchronous communication with partners and employees. 

The video itself is standard (if very well-made). What’s special is its timing. It was released at the height of the pandemic, when most teams were looking for new ways to collaborate online. This made it a valuable way to showcase how Slack can help remote teams work better. 

The takeaway is that using customers to address hot topics - like “how do we work remotely postpandemic?” here - makes for powerful case studies. 

3. Resource/Ammirati Case Study (Wendy’s)

Case Study Type: Video Infographic 

This video explains how Resource/Ammirate created a valuable app for Wendy’s. It covers: 

• App features (e.g. mobile payment)
• App user experience (e.g. nutrition-based orders)
• Value-adds (e.g. customized meal orders)

By showing off the app’s key features and benefits, Resource/Ammirati give viewers a taste of what they can do. 

What makes this app stand out is the visuals. Graphics, stats, and screenshots are all used to emphasize and imprint talking points. For example: 

The takeaway is that you don’t need high production values to create a visually appealing case study video. You can simply just a Google Slide presentation and go through it using Sendspark’s screen recorder feature - all for free. 

4. Zappos Case Study Video

Case Study Type: Combo Video

This video has a bit of everything. Zappo’s corporate history, customer service recordings, puppets... It’s all there. 

The one thing that really shines through is Zappo’s fun, helpful energy. You can tell the brand cares about serving customers and entertaining you with this odd-but-fun case study. 

We have two main takeaways here. One is that you can combine different video types to make a case study. The second is that being informal and letting your personality shine through can make for good case studies; especially in the B2C space. 

5. GoPro Case Study

Case Study Type: User-Generated Content Case Study

This GoPro case study combines customer testimonials with user-generated content. The result is a fun, fast-paced case study. GoPro is positioned as a gamechanging technology as we see early adopters use it. 

The takeaway here is to use a combination of product videos and in-person footage. Seeing people use a product in real-time offers a preview of what using it for yourself is like. 

The cool part is that creating UGC for digital products is very easy. All you have to do is request a video using SendSpark , asking customers to show themselves using the product. 

6. Google Ads (Princess Polly)

Princess Polly is an environmentally conscious e-commerce company. Their case study explains how they used Google ads to scale their business by appearing top of page 1 for target keywords. 

This video has a different feel to most of the ones on this page. Its focus is on warming up leads instead of introducing them to the product. Its talking points overcome objections while positioning Ads as the perfect product for e-commerce and SMB customers.

The takeaway is to use case studies to qualify leads, highlight benefits, close sales, and overcome objections - not just generate leads. 

7. Duda Case Study (Moovs)

Case Study Type: Feature Review

In this video, Duda customer Amir Ghorbani explains how they whitelabel the software to serve their 200+ customers. Unlike most case studies, this one focuses on features; not benefits. Amir goes through key features that made whitelabeling preferable to building in-house. 

This kind of video is useful when you’re deep into the customer journey. It helps close sales and warm up leads who are already in the sales pipeline. 

The takeaway here is that you can make feature-focused case studies to help convert leads into customers. User testimonials and product demos - or a combination of both - work well for that purpose. 

8. HubSpot with EZ Texting

Case Study Type: In-Depth Use Case

This video focuses on one person - Shawn Lucas, Director of Sales Operations - and one use case: sales. 

This makes this video unique. It’s a deep dive into one specific customer avatar’s needs and benefits. It’s highly persuasive - but only if your work is somehow connected to sales, marketing, and customer-facing operations. 

The takeaway is that you don’t have to make case studies with everyone in mind. Given how easy it is to create and upload videos, you can make a bunch of videos for different situations and target audiences. 

Now you know how big brands make case study videos. Use the examples above to inspire your sales team, improve video marketing efforts, and impress your target audience.

Just remember: you don't need a huge budget to get huge results from your case studies. All you need to get started is a webcam and a free Sendspark account .

With our software, you can put together beautiful, personalized videos that combine selfie shots and screen recordings. You can also ask customers to send their stories and testimonials in using the request video feature .

If you want to see more videos from cool brands, check out our article on prospecting video examples. Thank you for reading!

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How to Create a Case Study Video in 10 Steps (Plus 7 Top Examples)

Written by samantha ferguson.

Last updated on 29th November 2023

In this article we’re going to take a look at how to create a case study video in just 10 simple steps.

More and more shoppers conduct extensive research before they make a purchase. The reasons are plentiful, everything from wanting to purchase from brands that have similar values to their own to simply wanting to get the best deal. But the fact remains that consumers are more conscious of where they spend their money these days. 

In fact, according to a study by Google , 53% of shoppers say they always do research before they buy to ensure they are making the best possible choice . 

When potential customers are doing that research a case study video can really help your, well, case ! 

Case study videos help to increase trust and can ultimately result in more sales for your business. 

So, let’s take a look at how to make a case study video in 10 steps.

What is a case study video?

A case study video is a video that focuses on real customer success stories as a way to demonstrate the value of a company’s products or services. 

Here’s an example that we made with one of our customers: 

Case study video benefits

1. increase trust & credibility.

Brand trust is not something to be underestimated. According to a study by Accenture of more than 7,000 companies, trust is as important as growth and profitability when it comes to the financial health of a company. 

This is especially important when it comes to customers from younger generations. An American study from Morning Consult found that 42% of Gen Z and 30% of millennials do not trust the average American company and instead stated “ they have to earn my trust ”. 

One of the biggest benefits of creating a case study video is that it adds a level of authenticity and credibility to your brand which can increase trust among leads and help convert them into new customers. 

2. Relate to your customers

“ People buy from people ” might be an old saying but it seems more and more relevant as we move into an era where consumers are growing tired of faceless corporations and turning to influencers that they know and trust instead. 

According to a survey of 1,000 consumers by Sprout Social , 64% of consumers want brands to connect with them . And when they feel more connected to brands it results in a whole host of benefits: 

When asked to rank which channels brands should use to create the best opportunity to connect with customers, video came in 2nd place (beaten only by social media). 

Creating videos, especially case study videos that aren’t overly salesly, can really help you to relate to your customers and build a stronger bond that could encourage them to spend more, stay loyal, and give you positive word of mouth marketing. 

3. Boost sales

Case study videos basically showcase how amazing your brand, product, or service is by proving the benefits that you’ve given to one of your happiest customers. This is a great tool for boosting sales because it gives viewers someone to identify with and makes them think “ huh, if that happened for them then maybe it can happen for me. ” 

According to our Video Marketing Statistics 2022 , 2 out of 3 people say they’d be more likely to make a purchase after watching a testimonial video demonstrating how a business, product or service had helped another person like them.

So it’s simple really. The more people feel confident in your brand, the more people are likely going to buy from you.

4. They’re easy & inexpensive to make

You can make a case study video with literally just your smartphone. All you really need is one of your customers talking to-camera and some simple editing software to cut it all together and maybe add a nice soundtrack. 

With video apps like TikTok on the rise and incredibly easy to use, you could even throw together a case study video on there! 

Of course, the better your video looks the more credibility you’ll have. It’s always a good idea to cut together some B-roll with your to-camera interviews to make your video more professional and engaging. But even with these additions, case study videos are still much quicker, easier, and cost effective than most other types of videos out there. 

5. Strengthen your relationship with existing customers

Last but certainly not least, creating case study videos can really strengthen your relationship with existing customers. 

When you reach out to a happy customer and they agree to take part in your case study video, that shows a lot of belief and loyalty for your brand on their side. 

The process of creating a video together could strengthen your relationship even more and could result in the customer becoming an even bigger fan of your company! 

How to create a case study video in 10 steps

1. decide on a goal.

First you need to define a goal for your video. Think about what you’d like the outcome to be. Of course, the answer is probably in the realm of “increase sales” because that’s the main goal for any business, but try and drill down deeper before you get started. 

For example, consider if there is a specific hurdle you’re trying to overcome. Ask yourself what is the biggest barrier to purchase that your product or service has – perhaps it’s that people struggle to see the value upfront or maybe think your product is okay but not a necessity for them – whatever the issues may be, try to use your case study video to eliminate those doubts. 

2. Identify your target audience

In addition to identifying a goal for the video you need to identify your target audience, and keep them in mind during the early stages of development.

For example, think about the following: What motivates your target audience? What’s important to them? What do they want to know? 

By keeping the answers to these questions in mind you’ll be able to craft your video to speak directly to your target audience and increase your chances of success. 

3. Choose the right customer

This one’s important! You need to decide which one of your customers would be a perfect fit for your case study video. 

This doesn’t necessarily mean picking your happiest, most complimentary customer. Now that you have your goal and target audience in mind you need to select a customer whose journey best fits the narrative that you’re looking to create. 

Approach your customer politely with an email or a friendly chat and ask if they’d like to be in your video. And remember to make it easy for them to say yes! Let them choose a time that’s convenient, offer to cover travel expenses (if required), and to really sweeten the deal you could always give them a discount code or free gift for being such a great customer.

4. Write a script

Your script will be the roadmap for your video. Of course, you don’t have to write everything down word-for-word – that’s certainly not what case study videos are about. Case study videos should be natural and authentic, giving customers time to speak about their experience in their own words. 

However, it’s still important to have a script that will act as a rough plan to help you guide the day of shooting and create the bare bones of a narrative for your video. 

For example, you’ll probably want the customer to start by outlining their problem before they found your company. Then explain how your company helped them, and finally round off with some key benefits. 

5. Add stats where possible

When talking about the benefits that your company has brought to the case study customer, stats and figures always help. 

This is especially important if you’re in the B2B space. Solid figures that show a clear benefit will make it easier for buyers to present your case study video to their employer and say “ we need this .”

You may find that your customer has done this research themselves already – as they may have wanted to calculate the benefit. If not, it could be a good idea to invest in some research yourself as tangible figures that prove the benefit of your product or service can really elevate the video and improve your credibility with viewers. 

6. Find the perfect location

The setting of your video can make such a difference to the viewer experience, so it’s important to find the perfect place. This could be your office, your customer’s place, or a neutral location. 

The location needs to tick two boxes – it needs to match the look and feel that you want to portray in your video and it needs to be convenient for everyone to get to. 

Most great testimonial videos will usually have a couple of establishing shots in there to really set the scene, so you shouldn’t underestimate the power of a great setting. 

7. Create a shot list

When you’ve decided on a location and you have a solid script , you can start to create a shot list.

A shot list is a document that maps out each scene that you want to see in your video. Here’s a quick and rough example: 

• Establishing shot of the building
• B-roll of the team eating lunch together
• To-camera interview with X person

A shot list is important because it will help your day of shooting go more efficiently. And it’s especially important if you aren’t going to be there and you’re handing over the responsibility to an external film crew.  

A shot list will make sure you get all of the shots you need for your video without forgetting anything. No one wants to forget an important shot and have to rebook the space and rearrange a date for everyone to meet again – that’s a lot of wasted time and money. 

8. Shoot your video!

The next step is of course to shoot your video! Set your cameras up, grab your script and your shot list and make sure you get everything you need. 

It’s also worth double-checking that you have everything you want on film before you leave. 

A top tip for this step of creating a case study video is to make sure your customer feels comfortable . 

The reality is, most people don’t feel comfortable having a camera pointed at them. You can help make things easier in simple ways, such as getting everything set up before they arrive. So all they have to do is sit or stand on their mark. 

Another way to make your customer feel comfortable is to break the ice first. Hit record and then talk about some normal things to calm their nerves. Maybe give them a couple of tries at introducing themselves. 

Patience is key here – if you give your customer the time they need to feel comfortable then your case study video is going to look 10x better! 

9. Edit your video

After the shoot comes the edit. If you’re new to the world of video you may be surprised at just how much of a difference editing can make. 

A great edit that cuts between different camera angles and shots, includes a fitting soundtrack, and maybe even some title slides or animations that help to emphasise certain points will really elevate your video. 

The main aim here is to edit your video in a way that will increase viewer engagement. You can work with a video company to help you create a professional edit or you could have a go at editing yourself! 

There are tons of apps available for all different devices. Check out our roundup of top video editing software to find out more.

10. Share your video

When you’re happy with your video it’s time to share it with the world. It’s best to create a specific landing page on your site for your case study videos, but the promotion of your  video doesn’t have to end there. 

Make sure you post your video in as many places as possible: Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube. The more places you post, the more views you’re likely to get. 

7 Top examples of case study videos

1. wyzowl – uberflip.

We made this case study video with our great friends at Uberflip after we worked with them to create some marketing videos for their company. 

This is a relatively simple case study video that features different shots cut together while Randy (one of Uberflip’s co-founders) talks naturally about his experience with Wyzowl. 

We thought we’d include it on this list as it goes to show you don’t need lots of bells and whistles to create an authentic and engaging case study video. 

2. Google Ads – Chuckling Goat

It might be a bold statement but we’re going to say it anyway: this case study video is perfect! 

It has all of the ingredients you need to create an amazing video, from the gorgeous establishing shots at the start that drop the viewer into the world of Chuckling Goat to the light-hearted joke at the end. 

Instead of making Google Ads the focus, this video allows Chuckling Goat to tell their story before weaving Google Ads into the narrative naturally. 

The animated graphic that accompanies the growth Google Ads facilitated for the company is a great touch!  

3. Zoom – Customer Stories

Zoom showed with this fun, quickfire video that you don’t need to focus on just one customer to make a great case study video. Instead, they decided to include multiple customers. 

The result is a really cool and varied collection of benefits that Zoom has brought to different customers. 

Another nice touch is that all of the customers appear to have recorded their portion of the video using Zoom!  

4. Wyzowl – Oxford University Press

This is another case study video we created, this time with Oxford University Press. With this video, we added dynamic title screens and name cards to make the content more engaging and also easier for viewers to skip through if they want an answer to a specific question.

It’s also great that the animated video we made for Oxford University Press is featured in the case study video, along with the results that were achieved. 

5. Samsung – Superdry

This case study video is for Samsung Display Solutions so it has to look great – and it does! The opening timelapse of Norway is crystal clear and really sets the scene. 

As we get into the meat of the video, it’s great to hear what the Superdry staff have to say about the Samsung screens while we (as the viewers) get to see them in action.

6. Hubspot – Avison Young

One of the best things about this video isn’t part of the video at all. It’s in the title:  

Including the impressive results of Avison Young’s partnership with HubSpot in the title encourages viewers not just to click on the video but to keep watching in order to find out how that happened. 

In addition to that, this video does a great job of laying out the customer’s initial problem before introducing HubSpot as the perfect solution.

7. Claranet – Pets at Home

This case study video, while long, manages to keep viewer attention with help from a heartwarming soundtrack and clips of various cute animals. 

The video also uses animation to emphasise the role that Claranet has played in helping Pets at Home to grow. 

Final thoughts

Case study and testimonial videos can give your brand a HUGE credibility boost. If you want to create an amazing case study video like the ones seen in this article, head to our Testimonial Video Production page to find out more.

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Trust is one of the most important things for your brand, and one of the best ways to generate trust is through testimonial videos. Here are 20 of the best.

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5 impactful case study video examples you can make in 5 minutes

Mattison Hofstedt

November 15, 2023

Think creating impactful case study videos requires hours of filming and editing? Think again! We're about to show you that it's possible to craft compelling case study videos in as little as five minutes, using resources you already have.

In this article, we're excited to showcase five outstanding examples of case study videos that were crafted in mere minutes. Each example demonstrates how you can turn existing written content into a visually engaging and persuasive narrative, proving that effective marketing doesn't always require a lot of time or resources. Let's dive in!

Why case study videos matter

But first, let's address a crucial question: Why are case study videos so important? These videos are not just another marketing tool; they are a powerhouse of storytelling that can significantly boost your brand's credibility and customer engagement.

89% say that watching a video convinced them to buy something.

Videos can simplify complex information, making it easier for potential clients to understand the value proposition. A well-executed case study video can act as a persuasive testimonial, driving more leads to convert. 

91% of folks want to see more videos from brands in 2023.

Sharing success stories humanizes a brand. When existing clients see their stories being showcased, it fosters a sense of pride and loyalty. For potential clients, seeing real-life success stories in video builds trust and credibility.

Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to 10% when reading it in text

Videos are more engaging than text. With the right storytelling techniques, a case study video can keep viewers hooked till the end, increasing the chances of them taking the desired action.

Myth busting: You don't need client footage

Now, let's debunk a common myth: You don't need extensive footage of your clients speaking to create an impactful case study video. The secret lies in leveraging the written case studies you already possess. 

By combining this existing text with relevant images, be it supporting visuals or simple headshots of your clients, you can narrate a compelling story. This approach not only eases the process for you but also respects the privacy and time constraints of your clients, who may be hesitant or unable to participate in video recordings.

5 fast and effective case study video examples

Now we’re going to show you 5 outstanding case study video examples crafted in mere minutes. Each demonstrates turning written content into engaging, persuasive narratives, proving effective marketing doesn't always need extensive resources.

Example 1: Challenge, Solution, Impact

The structured approach.

The Challenge-Solution-Impact format is a classic yet powerful structure for case study videos. It's simple: just fill in key details under each heading. We combine industry-relevant footage with images of the individuals behind each case study, creating a compelling narrative that resonates with viewers.

Example 2: Authentic Testimonials

Customer voices amplify your brand.

There's nothing quite like a customer's perspective to make your offerings relatable. Quick testimonial videos lend credibility and build trust in your brand. Easily produced, these videos gather customer insights through emails or forms, showcasing genuine experiences in a straightforward format.

Example 3: Powerful Single Quotes

A quote that speaks volumes.

Sometimes, a single, strong quote is all it takes to captivate and encourage further exploration. This format focuses on a standout quote that represents the essence of the customer's experience, making a lasting impression with just a few impactful words.

Example 4: Results-driven stories

Highlighting success stories.

Start with the end in mind - showcase the tangible results achieved by your clients. Whether it's a significant increase in LinkedIn followers or other measurable successes, using results as a narrative driver, complemented by supporting visuals, creates a compelling and aspirational story.

Example 5: Narrative storytelling

Engage with a story.

Narrate the customer journey as a story. This approach tends to capture attention more effectively than plain text, inviting viewers to follow a relatable and engaging narrative from start to finish.

Effortless case study video creation with Storykit AI

As we've explored these diverse and engaging case study video examples, a key theme emerges: simplicity and efficiency in video production. 

This is where Storykit AI becomes your invaluable tool. Imagine the convenience of creating these compelling videos by simply copying and pasting text from your existing case studies into Storykit AI. It's a game-changer.

Quick and user-friendly process

Storykit AI streamlines the video creation process, making it accessible even for those with no prior video editing experience. The process is as simple as it sounds: take your written case study, copy the text, and paste it into the Storykit platform. Within minutes, you have a foundational video ready.

Personalization and flexibility

But it doesn't stop at just generating a video; Storykit AI offers the flexibility to tailor and edit. If there's something in the automatically generated video that doesn't quite fit your vision, you can easily make adjustments. This customization aspect ensures that the end product is not just quick to create but also aligns perfectly with your brand's message and aesthetic.

A five-minute transformation

The most striking aspect of using Storykit AI is the speed. In about the time it takes to enjoy a coffee break, you can transform a written case study into a visually engaging video narrative. This efficiency doesn't come at the cost of quality either. The platform is designed to produce professional-level videos that are ready to captivate your audience.

Case study videos will be a game changer when it comes to your marketing game, and if you have Storykit AI by your side, there is no reason not to be creating them. Whether you're looking to create a structured case study, a powerful testimonial, or a story-driven video, Storykit AI equips you to do so in a matter of minutes, not hours. Embrace this tool and watch as your case studies come to life in a whole new way, engaging and inspiring your audience like never before.

Ready to create high quality videos? Try Storykit today . First time here?

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The video experts blog

How to create case study videos that convert new customers.

Video is a powerful sales tool, and using the words of your satisfied customers in a video makes your videos even more successful.

Showing potential customers the experiences of others just like themselves on tape lends a humanizing quality to your business. Your potential customers see that your product or service does what you promise on your website, making them more likely to do business with you.

In this article, we’ll cover the basics of what case study videos are, why they’re important for your business, and how to create your own creative testimonial videos: 

Table of Contents

What is a case study video, why case study videos are important, types of case study videos to use, case study video template: creative case study videos in 10 steps, where to use your case study videos.

A case study video is a persuasive video businesses use to showcase the value of their products and services by utilizing real customer stories. These customer stories, known as testimonials, give your case study videos — and your claims about your business’s offerings — authenticity.

To be considered a great testimonial video, it must:

• Include on-camera interviews with customers, telling stories of their experience with your product or service
• Show how your business solves a specific customer issue
• Use statistics, figures, and information that back up the story the customer tells
• Focus on the benefits of your product or service, not its features

Case study videos can be created for virtually any industry or type of business, and they offer a variety of benefits that other types of marketing videos and materials cannot.

When you create and share a case study video, it raises awareness about the impact of your product or service, not just the features that you tout in your other marketing materials.

Here are some reasons you should make creating customer testimonial videos part of your video marketing strategy :

They’re Persuasive

It’s all well and good for you to tell your potential customers how they’ll benefit from using your product or service, but the stories your satisfied customers can tell are far more persuasive.

In addition to the words spoken in your case study video, choosing video over text testimonials is powerful.

Studies show that people retain only about 10% of what they read. So no matter how compelling the story you tell via the written word is, your visitors won’t retain much of the information.

Contrast that to a retention rate of about 95% for video and it’s easy to see why video case studies are influential for helping you meet your business goals.

They’re Engaging

For many consumers, reading an article is a time commitment they just don’t want to make. Instead, the vast majority – 72% by some accounts – would much rather watch a video containing the same information as a written article.

By putting your customer testimonials in a video, you get higher engagement from visitors , thereby making your efforts more effective in the long run.

They’re Emotional

Customer testimonial videos feature your customers’ experiences, helping them establish an emotional connection to the viewer.

Putting a human face to a story, especially one that focuses on how your products or services have helped the person in the video, is a powerful tool for marketing your business. 

Your video doesn’t have to immediately impact a viewer to be a worthy part of your marketing. An estimated 95% of purchasing decisions are subconsciously tied to emotions, so if your video can affect any emotional response in your viewers, it could lead to increased sales for you .

They’re Versatile

Video testimonials are endlessly useful across a variety of marketing channels.

You can post them on your website , share them on social media, and embed them in emails. But you don’t always have to use the entire video. You can edit specific scenes to utilize in social media campaigns or to add to other marketing videos.

There are three major types of case study videos you should consider adding to your video marketing strategy:

Customer Testimonial Video

This type of video is a fairly straightforward production and is among the easiest type of case study videos to produce.

In a customer testimonial video, you ask your customers questions about their experience with your business and how it impacted their life. Because the testimonial only requires you to sit down with your customer, you only need one shoot location and minimal editing to produce a video.

Customer Review Video

Similar to a customer testimonial video , a customer review video simply features one of your satisfied customers talking about your product or service.

However, a review video differs from a testimonial video in that, in a review video, your customer should focus more on the features of the product or service they’re reviewing instead of the value that product or service provided them.

Depending on your plans, this video may or may not include footage of the customer utilizing your product on camera.

The interview portion of the customer testimonial video requires just one shoot location and some minor editing. If you add footage of your product in use, the complexity of the shoot and editing increases.

Case Study Narrative Video

This is the most complex type of case study video.

A case study narrative video should include on-camera interviews with customers and some B-roll visuals, such as the customer using your product, or your team interacting with the customer. This type of video also may include graphics and font treatments.

Because it’s more complex, it requires more shoot time and strategy and a higher amount of editing.

Once you have determined the type of case study video you want to create, it’s time to move into the planning stage.

Even if you think you’re just shooting a simple customer testimonial video and you can “wing it,” taking some time upfront to plan and prepare for the video creation process will pay off in the long run.

Here’s how to make a great testimonial video in 10 easy steps:

Think Like Your Ideal Custome r

Like any other marketing materials, you need to plan your case study video with your ideal customer in mind.

Be as specific as you can when thinking of your intended audience, as this will help you better plan, shoot, and edit the video so it has maximum impact. This includes identifying as many specific goals and pain point your ideal customer has, allowing you to ensure that you cover those items when shooting the video.

Even if your product appeals to a very wide audience, the more focused and narrow you can make the targeting on an individual video, the better your results will be.

Ask the Right Questions

To help you develop the key message of your video, you need to really understand the problem your target audience experiences and how your offering solves that problem.

Crafting this message means you need to ask yourself several questions, including:

• What do my customers care about?
• What does my business offer customers that our competition doesn’t?
• Why do customers use my products or services?
• What does my business help customers achieve?

As you answer these questions, you should see a pattern begin to emerge that points to a specific subset of your audience your video needs to target.

Choose the Right Featured Customer

With the key messaging for your video decided, identifying what customer to present your message to is the next important step.

To help you narrow down your list of options, use the following criteria:

• They should fit with the video’s target audience. This could be because of a match in demographics, a shared problem, or other key characteristics both your customer and the audience share.
• They should have a compelling personal story to share.
• They should be comfortable talking and appearing on camera.
• There should be data and information to back up their story, either provided by the customer or kept by your company.

After you’ve identified the best person for your customer testimonial video, approach them with your request. These requests are better done in person or over the phone, lending a personal touch to the request, but email will suffice in a pinch.

When you ask if they’d be willing to participate, be clear about what you’re asking them to do, including the amount of time they’ll need to dedicate to the process. Answer questions to alleviate their concerns, and let them be involved in the planning process as much as possible.

If necessary, you can offer something to help entice them to participate, such as a discount or even the B-roll video shot for your video which they can use in their own marketing.

For those who want to participate but may not be able to shoot in person due to distance or scheduling, you can ask them to record their own video testimonial and send it to you.

Plan Out Your Video

Part of what makes case study videos so compelling is the stories they tell.

To ensure that your video is telling the right story, you need to take time to plan out the story arc so everything makes sense.

As you plan out your video, keep the following four stages in mind:

• Character introduction: The central “character” of your video should be the customer whose testimonial you are featuring. Make sure they are engaging and can tell a story that will resonate with your audience. While you may also include other people in your video, there should still be one central character who is the focus.
• Establish conflict: Your video needs to present a conflict that your business helped your customer overcome. This conflict will be the main pain point that brought your customer to your business, the problem they were looking to solve.
• Explain the solution: The solution shows your viewers how your product or service helped solve your customer’s problem. Even though the narrative of your customer’s story should be central to your video, backing up the things they’re saying with data and statistics makes the video more compelling.
• Provide a resolution: Once you’ve shown how you solved your customer’s problem, you need to provide a way for the viewer to take action of their own. Whether you want them to book a consultation call, fill out a form, or purchase a product, make sure your video ends with a clear call-to-action and set of next steps.

Gather Background Interviews

Now that you have the video’s arc planned out, you want to shoot a series of test background interviews with your customer.

These videos will give you a better idea of the responses you’ll get on camera when you’re actually shooting the video and can help you better define your video’s script. Additionally, these videos are a way to help familiarize your customer with the questions you’ll be asking and how they can answer those questions in a way that’s camera-friendly.

Whenever possible, conduct these background interviews in-person or over video conferencing software to get your subject used to answering questions for a camera.

Some questions to consider asking during this stage include:

• What does your business do?
• Who are your customers?
• Where are you located, and how long have you been in business?
• What challenges did you face before coming to us?
• Why did you decide to use our products or services?
• What makes us different from our competitors?
• What’s it like to use our products or to work with us?
• How have you benefited from using our products or services?

Write the Script

You may be tempted to hire a professional writer to handle this portion of your video planning process, but you don’t need to be a pro to write a great customer testimonial video script! In fact, you may be better suited than an outsider to write your video’s script because of your intimate knowledge of your business and what brought your customer in your door.

Using the story arc you planned out and the background interviews you conducted as a guide, put pen to paper and write down the script for your video. Make sure you follow your arc and leave space for the interview portions of your script.

As you’re writing, remember that you don’t have to be long-winded to be effective; in fact, a majority of consumers prefer short-form videos to longer ones .

If you’re concerned with how long your video will be in the end, time yourself slowly reading the script and cut as needed to get it within the time limit you’re shooting for.

Add in Stats and Facts

Your customer’s story is a powerful marketing tool, but the ability to add in facts and data about how your product or service helped them only amplifies its impact.

As you’re writing and revising your script, look for places where you can add facts and figures that either you or the client provides. This information should relate to things such as how your product or service helped them increase sales, increase customer conversions, or some other measurable action.

While you could just read these numbers out during your video, they will stick more in the minds of your viewers if you put them on the screen somehow. Consider either putting a chart physically next to your customer as they talk about the stats, or adding a graphic during post-production.

Choose Your Shoot Location

Where you opt to shoot your video has a big impact on the overall look and feel of your case study video.

You want to choose a location that’s not too visually boring, but also not so busy that it distracts from the subject of your video. You also need to find a place that’s not going to be so noisy it will cause issues with the sound as you’re shooting.

The industry your customer works in may help determine your shooting location, too.

If they’re an attorney, shooting in their office may be ideal. For someone who works a more active job, such as construction, shooting outdoors might make sense.

Draw up a Shot List

Sit down with your video script and plan out a list of the shots you want to get, including angles, so you can walk into the shoot ready to go.

For your interview segments, try to plan out a variety of angles and shot sizes to create some visual interest since they’ll all include your customer. Also, plan out your B-roll video so that you don’t risk missing something that could really make your video pop.

Don’t Forget Day-of Details

As you wrap up the planning of your customer testimonial video and move into the filming stage, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Check the noise level and lighting of your location before you begin shooting. There’s nothing worse than having to re-shoot everything once you realize there’s too much background noise or that your subject is in shadow the whole time.
• Tell your interview subject to answer questions in full sentences, restating the question if necessary, rather than short words or phrases. Anything extra they say can be edited out of the video in post-production.
• Plan to spend a significant amount of time collecting B-roll footage, including your customer at work, your products or services in action, and the shoot location. This video will come in handy as you’re editing your video to provide some visual interest.
• Overestimate the amount of time you build into your schedule to shoot. It’s much better to wrap up early because you were able to capture everything than it is to rush to stay on schedule and worry about getting all the shots you need.

Once your video is shot and edited, you need to think about how to get it in front of your potential customers.

The good news is that case study videos are incredibly versatile, allowing you to use them in a variety of your marketing efforts.

Some ways to utilize your new corporate testimonial video include:

• Embed it on your website, either on your homepage, on a specific product page, or on a page dedicated to customer testimonials
• Include the video in marketing emails you send out to potential customers
• Share it on your social media accounts
• Add the video to your sales pitches and presentations
• Promote the video in a digital advertising campaign

Creating a captivating, engaging customer focus video can help you sell your products and services more easily to new customers. Your customers already patronize your business, and they can tell great stories that will resonate with others who face similar problems.

While it may seem daunting at first to plan and shoot your own case study video, with a little bit of time and planning, you can create a video that will be useful for a variety of marketing purposes and help you increase your leads and sales.

If you’re looking for a video training platform that helps you store, organize, and share your customer testimonial videos, give Dacast a try. Try it free for 14 days with access to everything Dacast has to offer. You won’t have to pay hefty start-up fees, sign a contract, or give us your credit card number.

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Harmonie Duhamel

Harmonie is a Senior digital marketer with over 6 years in the Tech Industry. She has a strong marketing and sales background and loves to work in multilingual environments.

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10 Best Case Study Video Examples You Can Copy to Build Trust for Your SaaS Business

• October 26, 2022
• Content Strategy

The play button is the most compelling call-to-action on the web. Michael Litt

Your SaaS business might be sleeping on an underrated approach to showcase notable success stories – case study videos. This claim is well-founded too!

A joint survey report by Vidyard and Content Marketing Institute, released in the fall of 2021, revealed that an overwhelming majority of content marketers believe that video has become more important to their organizations.

51% of the respondents shared that they use video to present case studies or customer stories. Moreover, 48% of respondents believed these videos produced the best content marketing results in the previous 12 months.

Moreover, according to G2 , 84% of marketers say video marketing improves lead generation. On the other side of the counter, 94% of users say that videos help them make purchase decisions.

Underutilization of Case Study Videos

However, many SaaS businesses need to pay more attention to the power of case study videos.

Why do we say so? While conducting extensive research for this content piece, we combed through dozens of SaaS websites and noticed fewer case study videos than traditional text-based ones tangibly.

Moreover, we have yet to find SaaS businesses habitually embedding such videos to supplement their blog-style case studies. This golden practice can improve the chances of Google indexing your case study video and encourage visitors to stay on your site longer.

Pro tip: If you need 30 standout SaaS growth hacks to attain double the growth for your SaaS business, fill out the form below!

But before you move ahead with a case study video to showcase the value of your work and grow your business, it will be beneficial to understand the building blocks of a case study video.

Elements of a Successful Case Study Video

Seven elements go into making a case study video, which can state having “hit the home run.” Let’s touch upon them briefly.

#1 – Compelling storytelling

It helps to present your case study video by incorporating storytelling frameworks. One such example is “The Hero’s Journey” framework. You can read our article on how this framework can help us decode why the Squid Game is so popular .

#2 – Relatable pain points

Your case study video is more effective if it highlights your ideal customer profile’s pain points. For example, a case study on software targeted towards small and medium-sized businesses will resonate more if it showcases related users who discuss their pain points and hurdles.

#3 – Backed with data

A case study video doesn’t have to be devoid of numbers! Armed with credible statistics, your clients can mention, as a “matter of fact,” the efficiency their business has achieved from your services – man-hours saved, reduced operating costs, and increased revenues.

#4 – Embedded with social proof

A case study video allowing multiple stakeholders to talk about your service adds to social proof. It’s contagious!

#5 – Video elements – script, music, visuals

A case study video allows you to add emotion to the storytelling. You have the leeway to add stage-appropriate sound effects and compelling visuals. This is an addition to your primary arsenal, the script.

#6 – SaaS product showcasing

A well-produced case study video also allows you to give your prospects a peek behind the curtains and showcase how your SaaS product looks and works.

#7 – Ideal duration

What is the optimal video length? Take it from the leading SaaS internet video hosting and analytics company, Wistia – 2 minutes is the sweet spot .

10 Best Case Study Video Examples You Can Copy

Now that we have established the vital elements of a case study video, let’s learn from some examples from the past twelve months. Additionally, we’ll explain why we chose to present the selected video case studies.

#1 – Tableau

#2 – slack, #3 – drift, #4 – canva, #5 – xero, #6 – grammarly, #7 – hubspot, #8 – salesforce, #9 – workday, #10 – dropbox.

In the Tableau case study video, viewers can delight themselves by viewing stunning visuals aided by tight-knit storytelling.

The case study highlights why the product is a perfect fit for solving the client’s pain point of visualizing constant streams of vast and disparate data. Their client’s goal is to deliver a superior customer experience. Viewers can easily understand how the data visualization software helped the client achieve their business goals.

The case study allows employees throughout the hierarchy to share how Tableau makes their work more efficient and productive.

The case study showcases snapshots of the software and provides actionable use cases.

The video wraps up in just over 2 minutes.

In the Slack case study video, one can see an authoritative thumbs up from Samsung’s Vice President of Framework R&D Group of its mobile communications division.

The case study discusses the pain points of using Slack alternatives like email and messengers. To support these claims, the client talks about the positive effects of adopting Slack, like smoother communication, a stronger organizational culture, and a boost in productivity.

The client inadvertently provides social proof of Slack and its credibility by mentioning it received adoption from a giant like Samsung since many other high-profile businesses vouched for it.

Viewers can also receive a walkthrough of the application and its custom use cases, such as creating topic-specific “channels” and creating bots.

This case study is shy of 5 minutes in length but an engaging and pleasant watch.

In the Drift case study video, target users can immediately relate to critical sales metrics that Drift helps to improve.

The customer discusses how Drift helped improve common pain points, such as the “engagement and connection with the customers and prospects” and “help in pipeline acceleration.”

Moreover, it provides a use case of Drift to better engage with customers and prospects in a highly personalized way.

To add weight to their claims, the client also shares increased sales figures after implementing the software (>$1 Billion) and improved response time by sales development representatives (<5 minutes).

It is a simple case study video with minimal post-production efforts.

The case study spans just under 3 minutes in length.

In the Canva case study video, viewers can immerse themselves in a fast-paced video filled with popping visuals.

The case study brilliantly captures the brand’s vibe and target audience.

Wondering how?

It showcases how the software allows small businesses and non-tech-savvy people to follow their dreams and be creative. Viewers also receive a walkthrough of the software to see how intuitive and seamless it can be to use.

The case study is a minute and a half in length.

In the Xero case study video, viewers can immediately identify the target audience of “accounting software for small businesses and their advisors.”

This light, breezy case study provides context around the client’s business and which offerings it is using from the Xero product suite.

The case study carefully mentions common pain points that the software resolves by stating features like “cloud-based,” “synchronization,” and “user-friendly,” which “helps to streamline operations and be efficient.”

The case study also gives an example of a typical use case by the client and the efficiencies it achieved (saving more than 200 man-hours per year.)

The case study is just under two minutes in length.

In the Grammarly case study video, viewers can learn from an appropriate user base, the client’s content marketing team, who advocate for its usefulness and efficacy.

The case study offers pleasing visuals and a soothing background score.

The client vouches for the software by allowing different employees to share how they managed to communicate the brand voice and tone in an intended manner.

The case study uses motion graphics to show how the software operates in real time. These visual cues are incorporated in parallel as employees share critical statistics about “style guide suggestions” from Grammarly.

Moreover, to provide concrete social proof, The client calls Grammarly an extension of their team.

The case study is just under three minutes in length.

In the HubSpot case study video, prospects can learn about the software’s capabilities and dependability in a crystal clear manner. The case study seamlessly narrates what prompted the need to adopt HubSpot, its onboarding, and its ensuing benefits.

The case study addresses common pain points faced by the client’s sales team – working in silos – to how HubSpot allowed them to “talk to one another” and ensure consolidation and simplification.

The client champions the ease of transition without requiring lengthy delays and hiring expensive outside talent. Moreover, a product walkthrough highlights the different features which have led to better user experience and dramatically driven product adoption.

Giving a confident thumbs up for HubSpot, the client also sheds light on how they aim to integrate HubSpot deeply in the future.

This case study is just over two minutes long.

In the Salesforce case study video, viewers can enjoy a fast-paced, well-produced case study of two business partners working together towards a common goal.

In addition to giving an overview of the vast scale of operations conducted by Dell, the case study spotlights the Chief Information Office and Chief Data Officer of Dell to lend authority to the case study.

The case study gives statistics on how many Dell employees used Salesforce at the onset of the pandemic—a whopping 150,000.

Employees at different levels of the organizational chart mention important aspects enabled by Salesforce – “structured processes,” making the “sales organization more productive,” “providing a 360-degree view of the sales cycle,” and “offering a single source of truth information at their fingertips.”

To add social proof, a senior Dell employee states that she works for “two companies” – since Dell and Salesforce dedicate themselves to achieving a common goal.

The Workday case study video is a noteworthy example of letting each stakeholder present an honest review of using a product or service.

This case study offers a pleasant viewing experience.

It establishes context around the client and the core issue of improving the experiences of students, faculty, and staff – fulfilling their basic “expectations.”

The case study gives a product walkthrough and presents a before and after picture. Then, stakeholders establish social proof by describing the software using terms like “integrated, accessible, responsive, and user-friendly.”

The case study is three minutes in length.

Consider the Dropbox case study video as a short film, if you will!

It utilizes beautiful storytelling and high production value to present the “rising from the ashes” effect of the software on a stagnating town.

With the odds heavily stacked against the “protagonist,” the case study provides context around the product’s adoption and subsequent dependency.

Aided with a product walkthrough, the client presents use cases of how the software helped lay the foundation for their small business and build and catapult it to success.

The case study ends poignantly, showcasing how the client and their local community thrived in trying times because of Dropbox.

The software helped them become “anti-fragile.”

This case study is just over four minutes long.

Parting Thoughts

To round up this piece, here are some important takeaways on publishing case study videos your SaaS business should consider implementing from the get-go:

• Establish from the outset how to implement the seven successful elements in your case study video
• Build relatability by shedding the spotlight on your ideal customer profile and presenting credible statistics of your SaaS product solving their common pain points
• Demonstrate how your product works using walkthroughs
• Bring out your creativity! Don’t underestimate the power of catchy visuals, sound effects, and tight-knit storytelling to drive home your point

Side note: Are you just getting started with making case studies? Consider reading our piece on 8 B2B SaaS case study best practices to get more leads and customers !

We are a content marketing agency that brings business, not just website traffic. We curate well-researched and engaging content as per your company’s requirements and philosophy because we believe in the power of meaningful information.

Does your B2B (SaaS) business want a case study prepared to get more leads and users? Let’s connect over a short call. Block our calendar today!

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7 Favorite Business Case Studies to Teach—and Why

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• Case Teaching
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FEATURED CASE STUDIES

The Army Crew Team . Emily Michelle David of CEIBS

ATH Technologies . Devin Shanthikumar of Paul Merage School of Business

Fabritek 1992 . Rob Austin of Ivey Business School

Lincoln Electric Co . Karin Schnarr of Wilfrid Laurier University

Pal’s Sudden Service—Scaling an Organizational Model to Drive Growth . Gary Pisano of Harvard Business School

The United States Air Force: ‘Chaos’ in the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron . Francesca Gino of Harvard Business School

Warren E. Buffett, 2015 . Robert F. Bruner of Darden School of Business

To dig into what makes a compelling case study, we asked seven experienced educators who teach with—and many who write—business case studies: “What is your favorite case to teach and why?”

The resulting list of case study favorites ranges in topics from operations management and organizational structure to rebel leaders and whodunnit dramas.

1. The Army Crew Team

Emily Michelle David, Assistant Professor of Management, China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)

“I love teaching  The Army Crew Team  case because it beautifully demonstrates how a team can be so much less than the sum of its parts.

I deliver the case to executives in a nearby state-of-the-art rowing facility that features rowing machines, professional coaches, and shiny red eight-person shells.

After going through the case, they hear testimonies from former members of Chinese national crew teams before carrying their own boat to the river for a test race.

The rich learning environment helps to vividly underscore one of the case’s core messages: competition can be a double-edged sword if not properly managed.

Executives in Emily Michelle David’s organizational behavior class participate in rowing activities at a nearby facility as part of her case delivery.

Despite working for an elite headhunting firm, the executives in my most recent class were surprised to realize how much they’ve allowed their own team-building responsibilities to lapse. In the MBA pre-course, this case often leads to a rich discussion about common traps that newcomers fall into (for example, trying to do too much, too soon), which helps to poise them to both stand out in the MBA as well as prepare them for the lateral team building they will soon engage in.

Finally, I love that the post-script always gets a good laugh and serves as an early lesson that organizational behavior courses will seldom give you foolproof solutions for specific problems but will, instead, arm you with the ability to think through issues more critically.”

2. ATH Technologies

Devin Shanthikumar, Associate Professor of Accounting, Paul Merage School of Business

“As a professor at UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business, and before that at Harvard Business School, I have probably taught over 100 cases. I would like to say that my favorite case is my own,   Compass Box Whisky Company . But as fun as that case is, one case beats it:  ATH Technologies  by Robert Simons and Jennifer Packard.

ATH presents a young entrepreneurial company that is bought by a much larger company. As part of the merger, ATH gets an ‘earn-out’ deal—common among high-tech industries. The company, and the class, must decide what to do to achieve the stretch earn-out goals.

ATH captures a scenario we all want to be in at some point in our careers—being part of a young, exciting, growing organization. And a scenario we all will likely face—having stretch goals that seem almost unreachable.

It forces us, as a class, to really struggle with what to do at each stage.

After we read and discuss the A case, we find out what happens next, and discuss the B case, then the C, then D, and even E. At every stage, we can:

see how our decisions play out,

figure out how to build on our successes, and

address our failures.

The case is exciting, the class discussion is dynamic and energetic, and in the end, we all go home with a memorable ‘ah-ha!’ moment.

I have taught many great cases over my career, but none are quite as fun, memorable, and effective as ATH .”

3. Fabritek 1992

Rob Austin, Professor of Information Systems, Ivey Business School

“This might seem like an odd choice, but my favorite case to teach is an old operations case called  Fabritek 1992 .

The latest version of Fabritek 1992 is dated 2009, but it is my understanding that this is a rewrite of a case that is older (probably much older). There is a Fabritek 1969 in the HBP catalog—same basic case, older dates, and numbers. That 1969 version lists no authors, so I suspect the case goes even further back; the 1969 version is, I’m guessing, a rewrite of an even older version.

There are many things I appreciate about the case. Here are a few:

It operates as a learning opportunity at many levels. At first it looks like a not-very-glamorous production job scheduling case. By the end of the case discussion, though, we’re into (operations) strategy and more. It starts out technical, then explodes into much broader relevance. As I tell participants when I’m teaching HBP's Teaching with Cases seminars —where I often use Fabritek as an example—when people first encounter this case, they almost always underestimate it.

It has great characters—especially Arthur Moreno, who looks like a troublemaker, but who, discussion reveals, might just be the smartest guy in the factory. Alums of the Harvard MBA program have told me that they remember Arthur Moreno many years later.

Almost every word in the case is important. It’s only four and a half pages of text and three pages of exhibits. This economy of words and sparsity of style have always seemed like poetry to me. I should note that this super concise, every-word-matters approach is not the ideal we usually aspire to when we write cases. Often, we include extra or superfluous information because part of our teaching objective is to provide practice in separating what matters from what doesn’t in a case. Fabritek takes a different approach, though, which fits it well.

It has a dramatic structure. It unfolds like a detective story, a sort of whodunnit. Something is wrong. There is a quality problem, and we’re not sure who or what is responsible. One person, Arthur Moreno, looks very guilty (probably too obviously guilty), but as we dig into the situation, there are many more possibilities. We spend in-class time analyzing the data (there’s a bit of math, so it covers that base, too) to determine which hypotheses are best supported by the data. And, realistically, the data doesn’t support any of the hypotheses perfectly, just some of them more than others. Also, there’s a plot twist at the end (I won’t reveal it, but here’s a hint: Arthur Moreno isn’t nearly the biggest problem in the final analysis). I have had students tell me the surprising realization at the end of the discussion gives them ‘goosebumps.’

Finally, through the unexpected plot twist, it imparts what I call a ‘wisdom lesson’ to young managers: not to be too sure of themselves and to regard the experiences of others, especially experts out on the factory floor, with great seriousness.”

4. Lincoln Electric Co.

Karin Schnarr, Assistant Professor of Policy, Wilfrid Laurier University

“As a strategy professor, my favorite case to teach is the classic 1975 Harvard case  Lincoln Electric Co.  by Norman Berg.

I use it to demonstrate to students the theory linkage between strategy and organizational structure, management processes, and leadership behavior.

This case may be an odd choice for a favorite. It occurs decades before my students were born. It is pages longer than we are told students are now willing to read. It is about manufacturing arc welding equipment in Cleveland, Ohio—a hard sell for a Canadian business classroom.

Yet, I have never come across a case that so perfectly illustrates what I want students to learn about how a company can be designed from an organizational perspective to successfully implement its strategy.

And in a time where so much focus continues to be on how to maximize shareholder value, it is refreshing to be able to discuss a publicly-traded company that is successfully pursuing a strategy that provides a fair value to shareholders while distributing value to employees through a large bonus pool, as well as value to customers by continually lowering prices.

However, to make the case resonate with today’s students, I work to make it relevant to the contemporary business environment. I link the case to multimedia clips about Lincoln Electric’s current manufacturing practices, processes, and leadership practices. My students can then see that a model that has been in place for generations is still viable and highly successful, even in our very different competitive situation.”

5. Pal’s Sudden Service—Scaling an Organizational Model to Drive Growth

Gary Pisano, Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School

“My favorite case to teach these days is  Pal’s Sudden Service—Scaling an Organizational Model to Drive Growth .

I love teaching this case for three reasons:

1. It demonstrates how a company in a super-tough, highly competitive business can do very well by focusing on creating unique operating capabilities. In theory, Pal’s should have no chance against behemoths like McDonalds or Wendy’s—but it thrives because it has built a unique operating system. It’s a great example of a strategic approach to operations in action.

2. The case shows how a strategic approach to human resource and talent development at all levels really matters. This company competes in an industry not known for engaging its front-line workers. The case shows how engaging these workers can really pay off.

3. Finally, Pal’s is really unusual in its approach to growth. Most companies set growth goals (usually arbitrary ones) and then try to figure out how to ‘backfill’ the human resource and talent management gaps. They trust you can always find someone to do the job. Pal’s tackles the growth problem completely the other way around. They rigorously select and train their future managers. Only when they have a manager ready to take on their own store do they open a new one. They pace their growth off their capacity to develop talent. I find this really fascinating and so do the students I teach this case to.”

6. The United States Air Force: ‘Chaos’ in the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron

Francesca Gino, Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School

“My favorite case to teach is  The United States Air Force: ‘Chaos’ in the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron .

The case surprises students because it is about a leader, known in the unit by the nickname Chaos , who inspired his squadron to be innovative and to change in a culture that is all about not rocking the boat, and where there is a deep sense that rules should simply be followed.

For years, I studied ‘rebels,’ people who do not accept the status quo; rather, they approach work with curiosity and produce positive change in their organizations. Chaos is a rebel leader who got the level of cultural change right. Many of the leaders I’ve met over the years complain about the ‘corporate culture,’ or at least point to clear weaknesses of it; but then they throw their hands up in the air and forget about changing what they can.

Chaos is different—he didn’t go after the ‘Air Force’ culture. That would be like boiling the ocean.

Instead, he focused on his unit of control and command: The 99th squadron. He focused on enabling that group to do what it needed to do within the confines of the bigger Air Force culture. In the process, he inspired everyone on his team to be the best they can be at work.

The case leaves the classroom buzzing and inspired to take action.”

7. Warren E. Buffett, 2015

Robert F. Bruner, Professor of Business Administration, Darden School of Business

“I love teaching   Warren E. Buffett, 2015  because it energizes, exercises, and surprises students.

Buffett looms large in the business firmament and therefore attracts anyone who is eager to learn his secrets for successful investing. This generates the kind of energy that helps to break the ice among students and instructors early in a course and to lay the groundwork for good case discussion practices.

Studying Buffett’s approach to investing helps to introduce and exercise important themes that will resonate throughout a course. The case challenges students to define for themselves what it means to create value. The case discussion can easily be tailored for novices or for more advanced students.

Either way, this is not hero worship: The case affords a critical examination of the financial performance of Buffett’s firm, Berkshire Hathaway, and reveals both triumphs and stumbles. Most importantly, students can critique the purported benefits of Buffett’s conglomeration strategy and the sustainability of his investment record as the size of the firm grows very large.

By the end of the class session, students seem surprised with what they have discovered. They buzz over the paradoxes in Buffett’s philosophy and performance record. And they come away with sober respect for Buffett’s acumen and for the challenges of creating value for investors.

Surely, such sobriety is a meta-message for any mastery of finance.”

More Educator Favorites

Emily Michelle David is an assistant professor of management at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS). Her current research focuses on discovering how to make workplaces more welcoming for people of all backgrounds and personality profiles to maximize performance and avoid employee burnout. David’s work has been published in a number of scholarly journals, and she has worked as an in-house researcher at both NASA and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Devin Shanthikumar  is an associate professor and the accounting area coordinator at UCI Paul Merage School of Business. She teaches undergraduate, MBA, and executive-level courses in managerial accounting. Shanthikumar previously served on the faculty at Harvard Business School, where she taught both financial accounting and managerial accounting for MBAs, and wrote cases that are used in accounting courses across the country.

Robert D. Austin is a professor of information systems at Ivey Business School and an affiliated faculty member at Harvard Medical School. He has published widely, authoring nine books, more than 50 cases and notes, three Harvard online products, and two popular massive open online courses (MOOCs) running on the Coursera platform.

Karin Schnarr is an assistant professor of policy and the director of the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program at the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada where she teaches strategic management at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive levels. Schnarr has published several award-winning and best-selling cases and regularly presents at international conferences on case writing and scholarship.

Gary P. Pisano is the Harry E. Figgie, Jr. Professor of Business Administration and senior associate dean of faculty development at Harvard Business School, where he has been on the faculty since 1988. Pisano is an expert in the fields of technology and operations strategy, the management of innovation, and competitive strategy. His research and consulting experience span a range of industries including aerospace, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, health care, nutrition, computers, software, telecommunications, and semiconductors.

Francesca Gino studies how people can have more productive, creative, and fulfilling lives. She is a professor at Harvard Business School and the author, most recently, of  Rebel Talent: Why It Pays to Break the Rules at Work and in Life . Gino regularly gives keynote speeches, delivers corporate training programs, and serves in advisory roles for firms and not-for-profit organizations across the globe.

Robert F. Bruner is a university professor at the University of Virginia, distinguished professor of business administration, and dean emeritus of the Darden School of Business. He has also held visiting appointments at Harvard and Columbia universities in the United States, at INSEAD in France, and at IESE in Spain. He is the author, co-author, or editor of more than 20 books on finance, management, and teaching. Currently, he teaches and writes in finance and management.

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Top 40 Most Popular Case Studies of 2021

Two cases about Hertz claimed top spots in 2021's Top 40 Most Popular Case Studies

Two cases on the uses of debt and equity at Hertz claimed top spots in the CRDT’s (Case Research and Development Team) 2021 top 40 review of cases.

Hertz (A) took the top spot. The case details the financial structure of the rental car company through the end of 2019. Hertz (B), which ranked third in CRDT’s list, describes the company’s struggles during the early part of the COVID pandemic and its eventual need to enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 

The success of the Hertz cases was unprecedented for the top 40 list. Usually, cases take a number of years to gain popularity, but the Hertz cases claimed top spots in their first year of release. Hertz (A) also became the first ‘cooked’ case to top the annual review, as all of the other winners had been web-based ‘raw’ cases.

Besides introducing students to the complicated financing required to maintain an enormous fleet of cars, the Hertz cases also expanded the diversity of case protagonists. Kathyrn Marinello was the CEO of Hertz during this period and the CFO, Jamere Jackson is black.

Sandwiched between the two Hertz cases, Coffee 2016, a perennial best seller, finished second. “Glory, Glory, Man United!” a case about an English football team’s IPO made a surprise move to number four.  Cases on search fund boards, the future of malls,  Norway’s Sovereign Wealth fund, Prodigy Finance, the Mayo Clinic, and Cadbury rounded out the top ten.

Other year-end data for 2021 showed:

• Online “raw” case usage remained steady as compared to 2020 with over 35K users from 170 countries and all 50 U.S. states interacting with 196 cases.
• Fifty four percent of raw case users came from outside the U.S..
• The Yale School of Management (SOM) case study directory pages received over 160K page views from 177 countries with approximately a third originating in India followed by the U.S. and the Philippines.
• Twenty-six of the cases in the list are raw cases.
• A third of the cases feature a woman protagonist.
• Orders for Yale SOM case studies increased by almost 50% compared to 2020.
• The top 40 cases were supervised by 19 different Yale SOM faculty members, several supervising multiple cases.

CRDT compiled the Top 40 list by combining data from its case store, Google Analytics, and other measures of interest and adoption.

All of this year’s Top 40 cases are available for purchase from the Yale Management Media store .

And the Top 40 cases studies of 2021 are:

1.   Hertz Global Holdings (A): Uses of Debt and Equity

2.   Coffee 2016

3.   Hertz Global Holdings (B): Uses of Debt and Equity 2020

4.   Glory, Glory Man United!

5.   Search Fund Company Boards: How CEOs Can Build Boards to Help Them Thrive

6.   The Future of Malls: Was Decline Inevitable?

7.   Strategy for Norway's Pension Fund Global

8.   Prodigy Finance

9.   Design at Mayo

10. Cadbury

11. City Hospital Emergency Room

13. Volkswagen

14. Marina Bay Sands

15. Shake Shack IPO

16. Mastercard

17. Netflix

18. Ant Financial

19. AXA: Creating the New CR Metrics

20. IBM Corporate Service Corps

21. Business Leadership in South Africa's 1994 Reforms

22. Alternative Meat Industry

23. Children's Premier

24. Khalil Tawil and Umi (A)

25. Palm Oil 2016

26. Teach For All: Designing a Global Network

27. What's Next? Search Fund Entrepreneurs Reflect on Life After Exit

28. Searching for a Search Fund Structure: A Student Takes a Tour of Various Options

30. Project Sammaan

31. Commonfund ESG

32. Polaroid

33. Connecticut Green Bank 2018: After the Raid

34. FieldFresh Foods

35. The Alibaba Group

36. 360 State Street: Real Options

37. Herman Miller

38. AgBiome

39. Nathan Cummings Foundation

40. Toyota 2010

28 Case Study Examples Every Marketer Should See

Published: March 08, 2023

Putting together a compelling case study is one of the most powerful strategies for showcasing your product and attracting future customers. But it's not easy to create case studies that your audience can’t wait to read.

In this post, we’ll go over the definition of a case study and the best examples to inspire you.

What is a case study?

A case study is a detailed story of something your company did. It includes a beginning — often discussing a conflict, an explanation of what happened next, and a resolution that explains how the company solved or improved on something.

A case study proves how your product has helped other companies by demonstrating real-life results. Not only that, but marketing case studies with solutions typically contain quotes from the customer. This means that they’re not just ads where you praise your own product. Rather, other companies are praising your company — and there’s no stronger marketing material than a verbal recommendation or testimonial. A great case study is also filled with research and stats to back up points made about a project's results.

There are myriad ways to use case studies in your marketing strategy . From featuring them on your website to including them in a sales presentation, a case study is a strong, persuasive tool that shows customers why they should work with you — straight from another customer. Writing one from scratch is hard, though, which is why we’ve created a collection of case study templates for you to get started.

Fill out the form below to access the free case study templates.

Free Case Study Templates

Showcase your company's success using these three free case study templates.

• Data-Driven Case Study Template
• Product-Specific Case Study Template
• General Case Study Template

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

There’s no better way to generate more leads than by writing case studies . But without case study examples to draw inspiration from, it can be difficult to write impactful studies that convince visitors to submit a form.

Marketing Case Study Examples

To help you create an attractive and high-converting case study, we've put together a list of some of our favorites. This list includes famous case studies in marketing, technology, and business.

These studies can show you how to frame your company offers in a way that is both meaningful and useful to your audience. So, take a look, and let these examples inspire your next brilliant case study design.

These marketing case studies with solutions show the value proposition of each product. They also show how each company benefited in both the short and long term using quantitative data. In other words, you don’t get just nice statements, like "This company helped us a lot." You see actual change within the firm through numbers and figures.

You can put your learnings into action with HubSpot's Free Case Study Templates . Available as custom designs and text-based documents, you can upload these templates to your CMS or send them to prospects as you see fit.

1. " How Handled Scaled from Zero to 121 Locations with the Help of HubSpot ," by HubSpot

What's interesting about this case study is the way it leads with the customer. That reflects a major HubSpot cornerstone, which is to always solve for the customer first. The copy leads with a brief description of why the CEO of Handled founded the company and why he thought Handled could benefit from adopting a CRM. The case study also opens up with one key data point about Handled’s success using HubSpot, namely that it grew to 121 locations.

Notice that this case study uses mixed media. Yes, there is a short video, but it's elaborated upon in the other text on the page. So while your case studies can use one or the other, don't be afraid to combine written copy with visuals to emphasize the project's success.

Key Learnings from the HubSpot Case Study Example

• Give the case study a personal touch by focusing on the CEO rather than the company itself.
• Use multimedia to engage website visitors as they read the case study.

2. " The Whole Package ," by IDEO

Here's a design company that knows how to lead with simplicity in its case studies. As soon as the visitor arrives at the page, they’re greeted with a big, bold photo and the title of the case study — which just so happens to summarize how IDEO helped its client. It summarizes the case study in three snippets: The challenge, the impact, and the outcome.

Immediately, IDEO communicates its impact — the company partnered with H&M to remove plastic from its packaging — but it doesn't stop there. As the user scrolls down, the challenge, impact, and progress are elaborated upon with comprehensive (but not overwhelming) copy that outlines what that process looked like, replete with quotes and intriguing visuals.

Key Learnings from the IDEO Case Study Example

• Split up the takeaways of your case studies into bite-sized sections.
• Always use visuals and images to enrich the case study experience, especially if it’s a comprehensive case study.

3. " Rozum Robotics intensifies its PR game with Awario ," by Awario

In this case study, Awario greets the user with a summary straight away — so if you’re feeling up to reading the entire case study, you can scan the snapshot and understand how the company serves its customers. The case study then includes jump links to several sections, such as "Company Profile," "Rozum Robotics' Pains," "Challenge," "Solution," and "Results and Improvements."

The sparse copy and prominent headings show that you don’t need a lot of elaborate information to show the value of your products and services. Like the other case study examples on this list, it includes visuals and quotes to demonstrate the effectiveness of the company’s efforts. The case study ends with a bulleted list that shows the results.

Key Learnings from the Awario Robotics Case Study Example

• Create a table of contents to make your case study easier to navigate.
• Include a bulleted list of the results you achieved for your client.

4. " Chevrolet DTU ," by Carol H. Williams

If you’ve worked with a company that’s well-known, use only the name in the title — like Carol H. Williams, one of the nation’s top advertising agencies, does here. The "DTU," stands for "Discover the Unexpected." It generates interest because you want to find out what the initials mean.

They keep your interest in this case study by using a mixture of headings, images, and videos to describe the challenges, objectives, and solutions of the project. The case study closes with a summary of the key achievements that Chevrolet’s DTU Journalism Fellows reached during the project.

Key Learnings from the Carol H. Williams Case Study Example

• If you’ve worked with a big brand before, consider only using the name in the title — just enough to pique interest.
• Use a mixture of headings and subheadings to guide users through the case study.

5. " How Fractl Earned Links from 931 Unique Domains for Porch.com in a Single Year ," by Fractl

Fractl uses both text and graphic design in their Porch.com case study to immerse the viewer in a more interesting user experience. For instance, as you scroll, you'll see the results are illustrated in an infographic-design form as well as the text itself.

Further down the page, they use icons like a heart and a circle to illustrate their pitch angles, and graphs to showcase their results. Rather than writing which publications have mentioned Porch.com during Fractl’s campaign, they incorporated the media outlets’ icons for further visual diversity.

Key Learnings from the Fractl Case Study Example

• Let pictures speak for you by incorporating graphs, logos, and icons all throughout the case study.
• Start the case study by right away stating the key results, like Fractl does, instead of putting the results all the way at the bottom.

6. " The Met ," by Fantasy

What's the best way to showcase the responsiveness and user interface of a website? Probably by diving right into it with a series of simple showcases— which is exactly what Fantasy does on their case study page for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They keep the page simple and clean, inviting you to review their redesign of the Met’s website feature-by-feature.

Each section is simple, showing a single piece of the new website's interface so that users aren’t overwhelmed with information and can focus on what matters most.

If you're more interested in text, you can read the objective for each feature. Fantasy understands that, as a potential customer, this is all you need to know. Scrolling further, you're greeted with a simple "Contact Us" CTA.

Key Learnings from the Fantasy Case Study Example

• You don’t have to write a ton of text to create a great case study. Focus on the solution you delivered itself.
• Include a CTA at the bottom inviting visitors to contact you.

7. " Rovio: How Rovio Grew Into a Gaming Superpower ," by App Annie

If your client had a lot of positive things to say about you, take a note from App Annie’s Rovio case study and open up with a quote from your client. The case study also closes with a quote, so that the case study doesn’t seem like a promotion written by your marketing team but a story that’s taken straight from your client’s mouth. It includes a photo of a Rovio employee, too.

Another thing this example does well? It immediately includes a link to the product that Rovio used (namely, App Annie Intelligence) at the top of the case study. The case study closes with a call-to-action button prompting users to book a demo.

Key Learnings from the App Annie Case Study Example

• Feature quotes from your client at the beginning and end of the case study.
• Include a mention of the product right at the beginning and prompt users to learn more about the product.

8. " Embracing first-party data: 3 success stories from HubSpot ," by Think with Google

Google takes a different approach to text-focused case studies by choosing three different companies to highlight.

The case study is clean and easily scannable. It has sections for each company, with quotes and headers that clarify the way these three distinct stories connect. The simple format also uses colors and text that align with the Google brand.

Another differentiator is the focus on data. This case study is less than a thousand words, but it's packed with useful data points. Data-driven insights quickly and clearly show how the value of leveraging first-party data while prioritizing consumer privacy.

Key Learnings from the Think with Google Case Study Example

• A case study doesn’t need to be long or complex to be powerful.
• Clear data points are a quick and effective way to prove value.

9. " In-Depth Performance Marketing Case Study ," by Switch

Switch is an international marketing agency based in Malta that knocks it out of the park with this case study. Its biggest challenge is effectively communicating what it did for its client without ever revealing the client’s name. It also effectively keeps non-marketers in the loop by including a glossary of terms on page 4.

The PDF case study reads like a compelling research article, including titles like "In-Depth Performance Marketing Case Study," "Scenario," and "Approach," so that readers get a high-level overview of what the client needed and why they approached Switch. It also includes a different page for each strategy. For instance, if you’d only be interested in hiring Switch for optimizing your Facebook ads, you can skip to page 10 to see how they did it.

The PDF is fourteen pages long but features big fonts and plenty of white space, so viewers can easily skim it in only a few minutes.

Key Learnings from the Switch Case Study Example

• If you want to go into specialized information, include a glossary of terms so that non-specialists can easily understand.
• Close with a CTA page in your case study PDF and include contact information for prospective clients.

10. " Gila River ," by OH Partners

Let pictures speak for you, like OH Partners did in this case study. While you’ll quickly come across a heading and some text when you land on this case study page, you’ll get the bulk of the case study through examples of actual work OH Partners did for its client. You will see OH Partners’ work in a billboard, magazine, and video. This communicates to website visitors that if they work with OH Partners, their business will be visible everywhere.

And like the other case studies here, it closes with a summary of what the firm achieved for its client in an eye-catching way.

Key Learnings from the OH Partners Case Study Example

• Let the visuals speak by including examples of the actual work you did for your client — which is especially useful for branding and marketing agencies.
• Always close out with your achievements and how they impacted your client.

11. " Facing a Hater ," by Digitas

Digitas' case study page for Sprite’s #ILOVEYOUHATER campaign keeps it brief while communicating the key facts of Digitas’ work for the popular soda brand. The page opens with an impactful image of a hundred people facing a single man. It turns out, that man is the biggest "bully" in Argentina, and the people facing him are those whom he’s bullied before.

Scrolling down, it's obvious that Digitas kept Sprite at the forefront of their strategy, but more than that, they used real people as their focal point. They leveraged the Twitter API to pull data from Tweets that people had actually tweeted to find the identity of the biggest "hater" in the country. That turned out to be @AguanteElCofler, a Twitter user who has since been suspended.

Key Learnings from the Digitas Case Study Example

• If a video was part of your work for your client, be sure to include the most impactful screenshot as the heading.
• Don’t be afraid to provide details on how you helped your client achieve their goals, including the tools you leveraged.

12. " Better Experiences for All ," by HermanMiller

HermanMiller sells sleek, utilitarian furniture with no frills and extreme functionality, and that ethos extends to its case study page for a hospital in Dubai.

What first attracted me to this case study was the beautiful video at the top and the clean user experience. User experience matters a lot in a case study. It determines whether users will keep reading or leave. Another notable aspect of this case study is that the video includes closed-captioning for greater accessibility, and users have the option of expanding the CC and searching through the text.

HermanMiller’s case study also offers an impressive amount of information packed in just a few short paragraphs for those wanting to understand the nuances of their strategy. It closes out with a quote from their client and, most importantly, the list of furniture products that the hospital purchased from the brand.

Key Learnings from the HermanMiller Case Study Example

• Close out with a list of products that users can buy after reading the case study.
• Include accessibility features such as closed captioning and night mode to make your case study more user-friendly.

13. " Capital One on AWS ," by Amazon

Do you work continuously with your clients? Consider structuring your case study page like Amazon did in this stellar case study example. Instead of just featuring one article about Capital One and how it benefited from using AWS, Amazon features a series of articles that you can then access if you’re interested in reading more. It goes all the way back to 2016, all with different stories that feature Capital One’s achievements using AWS.

This may look unattainable for a small firm, but you don’t have to go to extreme measures and do it for every single one of your clients. You could choose the one you most wish to focus on and establish a contact both on your side and your client’s for coming up with the content. Check in every year and write a new piece. These don’t have to be long, either — five hundred to eight hundred words will do.

Key Learnings from the Amazon AWS Case Study Example

• Write a new article each year featuring one of your clients, then include links to those articles in one big case study page.
• Consider including external articles as well that emphasize your client’s success in their industry.

14. " HackReactor teaches the world to code #withAsana ," by Asana

While Asana's case study design looks text-heavy, there's a good reason. It reads like a creative story, told entirely from the customer's perspective.

For instance, Asana knows you won't trust its word alone on why this product is useful. So, they let Tony Phillips, HackReactor CEO, tell you instead: "We take in a lot of information. Our brains are awful at storage but very good at thinking; you really start to want some third party to store your information so you can do something with it."

Asana features frequent quotes from Phillips to break up the wall of text and humanize the case study. It reads like an in-depth interview and captivates the reader through creative storytelling. Even more, Asana includes in-depth detail about how HackReactor uses Asana. This includes how they build templates and workflows:

"There's a huge differentiator between Asana and other tools, and that’s the very easy API access. Even if Asana isn’t the perfect fit for a workflow, someone like me— a relatively mediocre software engineer—can add functionality via the API to build a custom solution that helps a team get more done."

Key Learnings from the Asana Example

• Include quotes from your client throughout the case study.
• Provide extensive detail on how your client worked with you or used your product.

15. " Rips Sewed, Brand Love Reaped ," by Amp Agency

Amp Agency's Patagonia marketing strategy aimed to appeal to a new audience through guerrilla marketing efforts and a coast-to-coast road trip. Their case study page effectively conveys a voyager theme, complete with real photos of Patagonia customers from across the U.S., and a map of the expedition. I liked Amp Agency's storytelling approach best. It captures viewers' attention from start to finish simply because it's an intriguing and unique approach to marketing.

Key Learnings from the Amp Agency Example

• Open up with a summary that communicates who your client is and why they reached out to you.
• Like in the other case study examples, you’ll want to close out with a quantitative list of your achievements.

16. " NetApp ," by Evisort

Evisort opens up its NetApp case study with an at-a-glance overview of the client. It’s imperative to always focus on the client in your case study — not on your amazing product and equally amazing team. By opening up with a snapshot of the client’s company, Evisort places the focus on the client.

This case study example checks all the boxes for a great case study that’s informative, thorough, and compelling. It includes quotes from the client and details about the challenges NetApp faced during the COVID pandemic. It closes out with a quote from the client and with a link to download the case study in PDF format, which is incredibly important if you want your case study to be accessible in a wider variety of formats.

Key Learnings from the Evisort Example

• Place the focus immediately on your client by including a snapshot of their company.
• Mention challenging eras, such as a pandemic or recession, to show how your company can help your client succeed even during difficult times.

17. " Copernicus Land Monitoring – CLC+ Core ," by Cloudflight

Including highly specialized information in your case study is an effective way to show prospects that you’re not just trying to get their business. You’re deep within their industry, too, and willing to learn everything you need to learn to create a solution that works specifically for them.

Cloudflight does a splendid job at that in its Copernicus Land Monitoring case study. While the information may be difficult to read at first glance, it will capture the interest of prospects who are in the environmental industry. It thus shows Cloudflight’s value as a partner much more effectively than a general case study would.

The page is comprehensive and ends with a compelling call-to-action — "Looking for a solution that automates, and enhances your Big Data system? Are you struggling with large datasets and accessibility? We would be happy to advise and support you!" The clean, whitespace-heavy page is an effective example of using a case study to capture future leads.

Key Learnings from the Cloudflight Case Study Example

• Don’t be afraid to get technical in your explanation of what you did for your client.
• Include a snapshot of the sales representative prospects should contact, especially if you have different sales reps for different industries, like Cloudflight does.

18. " Valvoline Increases Coupon Send Rate by 76% with Textel’s MMS Picture Texting ," by Textel

If you’re targeting large enterprises with a long purchasing cycle, you’ll want to include a wealth of information in an easily transferable format. That’s what Textel does here in its PDF case study for Valvoline. It greets the user with an eye-catching headline that shows the value of using Textel. Valvoline saw a significant return on investment from using the platform.

Another smart decision in this case study is highlighting the client’s quote by putting it in green font and doing the same thing for the client’s results because it helps the reader quickly connect the two pieces of information. If you’re in a hurry, you can also take a look at the "At a Glance" column to get the key facts of the case study, starting with information about Valvoline.

Key Learnings from the Textel Case Study Example

• Include your client’s ROI right in the title of the case study.
• Add an "At a Glance" column to your case study PDF to make it easy to get insights without needing to read all the text.

19. " Hunt Club and Happeo — a tech-enabled love story ," by Happeo

In this blog-post-like case study, Happeo opens with a quote from the client, then dives into a compelling heading: "Technology at the forefront of Hunt Club's strategy." Say you’re investigating Happeo as a solution and consider your firm to be technology-driven. This approach would spark your curiosity about why the client chose to work with Happeo. It also effectively communicates the software’s value proposition without sounding like it’s coming from an in-house marketing team.

Every paragraph is a quote written from the customer’s perspective. Later down the page, the case study also dives into "the features that changed the game for Hunt Club," giving Happeo a chance to highlight some of the platform’s most salient features.

Key Learnings from the Happeo Case Study Example

• Consider writing the entirety of the case study from the perspective of the customer.
• Include a list of the features that convinced your client to go with you.

20. " Red Sox Season Campaign ," by CTP Boston

What's great about CTP's case study page for their Red Sox Season Campaign is their combination of video, images, and text. A video automatically begins playing when you visit the page, and as you scroll, you'll see more embedded videos of Red Sox players, a compilation of print ads, and social media images you can click to enlarge.

At the bottom, it says "Find out how we can do something similar for your brand." The page is clean, cohesive, and aesthetically pleasing. It invites viewers to appreciate the well-roundedness of CTP's campaign for Boston's beloved baseball team.

Key Learnings from the CTP Case Study Example

• Include a video in the heading of the case study.
• Close with a call-to-action that makes leads want to turn into prospects.

21. " Acoustic ," by Genuine

Sometimes, simple is key. Genuine's case study for Acoustic is straightforward and minimal, with just a few short paragraphs, including "Reimagining the B2B website experience," "Speaking to marketers 1:1," and "Inventing Together." After the core of the case study, we then see a quote from Acoustic’s CMO and the results Genuine achieved for the company.

The simplicity of the page allows the reader to focus on both the visual aspects and the copy. The page displays Genuine's brand personality while offering the viewer all the necessary information they need.

• You don’t need to write a lot to create a great case study. Keep it simple.
• Always include quantifiable data to illustrate the results you achieved for your client.

22. " Using Apptio Targetprocess Automated Rules in Wargaming ," by Apptio

Apptio’s case study for Wargaming summarizes three key pieces of information right at the beginning: The goals, the obstacles, and the results.

Readers then have the opportunity to continue reading — or they can walk away right then with the information they need. This case study also excels in keeping the human interest factor by formatting the information like an interview.

The piece is well-organized and uses compelling headers to keep the reader engaged. Despite its length, Apptio's case study is appealing enough to keep the viewer's attention. Every Apptio case study ends with a "recommendation for other companies" section, where the client can give advice for other companies that are looking for a similar solution but aren’t sure how to get started.

Key Learnings from the Apptio Case Study Example

• Put your client in an advisory role by giving them the opportunity to give recommendations to other companies that are reading the case study.
• Include the takeaways from the case study right at the beginning so prospects quickly get what they need.

23. " Airbnb + Zendesk: building a powerful solution together ," by Zendesk

Zendesk's Airbnb case study reads like a blog post, and focuses equally on Zendesk and Airbnb, highlighting a true partnership between the companies. To captivate readers, it begins like this: "Halfway around the globe is a place to stay with your name on it. At least for a weekend."

The piece focuses on telling a good story and provides photographs of beautiful Airbnb locations. In a case study meant to highlight Zendesk's helpfulness, nothing could be more authentic than their decision to focus on Airbnb's service in such great detail.

Key Learnings from the Zendesk Case Study Example

• Include images of your client’s offerings — not necessarily of the service or product you provided. Notice how Zendesk doesn’t include screenshots of its product.
• Include a call-to-action right at the beginning of the case study. Zendesk gives you two options: to find a solution or start a trial.

24. " Biobot Customer Success Story: Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida ," by Biobot

Like some of the other top examples in this list, Biobot opens its case study with a quote from its client, which captures the value proposition of working with Biobot. It mentions the COVID pandemic and goes into detail about the challenges the client faced during this time.

This case study is structured more like a news article than a traditional case study. This format can work in more formal industries where decision-makers need to see in-depth information about the case. Be sure to test different methods and measure engagement .

Key Learnings from the Biobot Case Study Example

• Mention environmental, public health, or economic emergencies and how you helped your client get past such difficult times.
• Feel free to write the case study like a normal blog post, but be sure to test different methods to find the one that best works for you.

25. " Discovering Cost Savings With Efficient Decision Making ," by Gartner

You don't always need a ton of text or a video to convey your message — sometimes, you just need a few paragraphs and bullet points. Gartner does a fantastic job of quickly providing the fundamental statistics a potential customer would need to know, without boggling down their readers with dense paragraphs. The case study closes with a shaded box that summarizes the impact that Gartner had on its client. It includes a quote and a call-to-action to "Learn More."

Key Learnings from the Gartner Case Study Example

• Feel free to keep the case study short.
• Include a call-to-action at the bottom that takes the reader to a page that most relates to them.

26. " Bringing an Operator to the Game ," by Redapt

This case study example by Redapt is another great demonstration of the power of summarizing your case study’s takeaways right at the start of the study. Redapt includes three easy-to-scan columns: "The problem," "the solution," and "the outcome." But its most notable feature is a section titled "Moment of clarity," which shows why this particular project was difficult or challenging.

The section is shaded in green, making it impossible to miss. Redapt does the same thing for each case study. In the same way, you should highlight the "turning point" for both you and your client when you were working toward a solution.

Key Learnings from the Redapt Case Study Example

• Highlight the turning point for both you and your client during the solution-seeking process.
• Use the same structure (including the same headings) for your case studies to make them easy to scan and read.

27. " Virtual Call Center Sees 300% Boost In Contact Rate ," by Convoso

Convoso’s PDF case study for Digital Market Media immediately mentions the results that the client achieved and takes advantage of white space. On the second page, the case study presents more influential results. It’s colorful and engaging and closes with a spread that prompts readers to request a demo.

Key Learnings from the Convoso Case Study Example

• List the results of your work right at the beginning of the case study.
• Use color to differentiate your case study from others. Convoso’s example is one of the most colorful ones on this list.

28. " Ensuring quality of service during a pandemic ," by Ericsson

Ericsson’s case study page for Orange Spain is an excellent example of using diverse written and visual media — such as videos, graphs, and quotes — to showcase the success a client experienced. Throughout the case study, Ericsson provides links to product and service pages users might find relevant as they’re reading the study.

For instance, under the heading "Preloaded with the power of automation," Ericsson mentions its Ericsson Operations Engine product, then links to that product page. It closes the case study with a link to another product page.

Key Learnings from the Ericsson Case Study Example

• Link to product pages throughout the case study so that readers can learn more about the solution you offer.
• Use multimedia to engage users as they read the case study.

Start creating your case study.

Now that you've got a great list of examples of case studies, think about a topic you'd like to write about that highlights your company or work you did with a customer.

A customer’s success story is the most persuasive marketing material you could ever create. With a strong portfolio of case studies, you can ensure prospects know why they should give you their business.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in August 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Don't forget to share this post!

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7 Video Marketing Case Studies You Must Look at

• Video strategies
• Trends & Insights

Nupur Mittal

Gurus on the internet will give you 100 reasons why you should use videos. But we’ve personally seen so many video marketing campaigns fail due to poor implementation.

To achieve success with video marketing, you need to do it right.

To inspire your campaign, I’ve put together seven successful video marketing case studies showcasing how different companies have used videos to hit their KPIs.

Let’s dive in.

7 amazing video marketing case studies

Let’s deep dive into some of the companies which are crushing it with video marketing.

The list includes:

1. Ava Estell

2. dollar shave club, 5. coca-cola.

Industry: Skincare

Ava Estell has become a leading brand focused on making people more confident in their skin tone. The brand caters to people with darker skin complexions and specific skin concerns . Ava Estell had two challenges to overcome:

Reduce their customers' research time by showing them the benefits their skincare products can deliver.

Use video content to create an interactive shopping experience without impacting website speed.

How has Ava Estell resolved these challenges using Videowise?

Ava Estell used Videowise, an eCommerce video marketing platform , to embed existing product videos on their Shopify store without any impact on page speed. These videos showed detailed product information (such as skin conditions they're for, before and after results of using their products, etc.), and each video was linked to their product pages.

Apart from product videos, they also used customer testimonial videos and video reviews to build trust among potential customers. They didn't stop there. With Videowise, the team imported Instagram Reels and TikTok videos and used them on their site, taking an efficient approach to video marketing.

The results

The Ava Estell team built trust among their audience by creating and using existing videos related to their products. The results they derived using Videowise are as follows:

They have generated more than £743K at an average conversion rate of 7% since February 2022.

Their conversion rate jumped up to 21% after embedding interactive product videos in their Shopify store.

Their on-site engagement was up 15.67%.

Don't limit your video content's reach by keeping it on one platform. Repurpose it or do cross-channel promotion to bring it in front of your audience.

Focus on the ultimate benefit but also related benefits. For instance, Ava Estell didn't just show the benefit of their product but also educated their audience by creating informative videos related to skincare concerns.

Intriguing? Read the Ava Estell complete case study here.

Industry: Retail

Dollar Shave Club started by selling razors for $1 and now offers services from head to toe. Basically, they help their customers groom well.

Dollar Shave Club has established its brand image as fun, clear, and witty, which is clearly evident across all its video marketing campaigns. They focus on delivering their message in the most subtle and relevant way possible.

For instance, in many videos, they use a scenario to build a narrative which is also a pain point for their potential customers. Then, they pitch their products.

Here's an example of one such video:

A glance at their YouTube channel will show you that the team has created different types of videos: From how-to groom well to product-led videos, there is a mix of related videos.

Their short video marketing strategies have earned them a subscriber base of 39k+ and thousands of views.

A strong understanding of your audience is crucial, as humorous content that works for Dollar Shave Club might not work with your audience.

Not every video you post will generate leads or engagement as you desire. Experiment and double down on videos that do.

Industry: SaaS

Ahrefs is one of the best search engine optimization (SEO) tools on the market. It initially started as a backlink analyzer and is now a full-fledged SEO tool. From keyword research to website organic ranking tracker, this search tool has become integral to every marketing tool stack.

Ahrefs uses YouTube marketing to create engaging video content such as explainer videos, product-led videos, and how-to videos related to SEO and content marketing. The majority of these videos aim to educate anyone starting out in these niches or who wants to boost their skills.

Apart from delivering value to their audience, the Ahrefs team has mastered the art of engaging their audience with a few tricks:

Creating consistent and eye-catching YouTube video thumbnails consistent with their brand voice and color. (The orange and blue color theme with Ahrefs standard font is easily recognizable)

Each thumbnail has a human face, which attracts more users.

Using short yet descriptive titles that give a gist of what the video will discuss.

Apart from delivering unique videos, Ahrefs strategically interlink relevant videos to their home page to drive traffic from one medium to another. (Notice how they've used the same thumbnail in their blog post)

This video marketing strategy and putting their audience first has made them reach a subscriber base of 418k over the years, with each video generating thousands of views.

Don't underestimate the power of consistent branding, compelling video thumbnails, and eye-catching titles. Before your audience consumes your videos, they need a strong reason to watch them. All these nuances are the key to building that strong hook.

Create videos that cater to audiences at different stages in the marketing funnel by studying your audience deeply. Even though it might not generate leads, this approach will build brand authority.

GoPro is a camera company that sells action cameras and software, and equipment. Professional photographers, sports professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts are the company's main target audience.

GoPro has cracked the code of creating thrilling and entertaining videos that create an immersive experience for the viewer. The majority of their videos are user-generated, meaning they're offering real experiences and insights to their potential customers - the ultimate form of social proof.

I was hooked throughout these 2:45 minutes of this person jumping off the cliff; completely nerve-wracking and captivating.

GoPro continues to invest in challenges to involve their community and promote their products. Their 2018 Million Dollar video marketing campaign was one such success. They chose to reward the winning creators with $1 million for creating highlight reels for their Hero7 Black camera series. It received 25,000 submissions, out of which 56 creators from 22 countries were selected. They not only engaged a large audience but also amassed 3M+ views across social media.

Have a sneak-peak at their challenge highlights. (How can you not find this content engaging?)

Zero in on user-generated content as you'll involve your audience, building trust and brand authority.

Keep your brand's values and messaging at the core of every video you create.

Coca-Cola is a multi-national brand serving carbonated soft drinks across the globe. A variety of drinks are offered by the company, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, and others. The brand's mission revolves around creating moments of happiness in people's lives, which can be seen reflected in many of its video campaigns.

Coca-Cola has powered its video marketing strategy by focusing on creating a personal and emotional connection with its audience. Their videos focus on two things:

Emotional storytelling

Coca-Cola focuses on evoking strong emotions by building a relatable narrative that connects its audience with its campaigns. 

For instance, their Share a Coke video campaign launched across the globe in 2014 aimed to promote shared happiness by encouraging people to share their Coke with others. The campaign was so successful that another variation was adopted in the US -- Share a Coke and a song . (How can you not buy a Coke with your favorite son's lyrics on it, right?)

Paid collaborations

The Coca-Cola brand collaborates strategically with famous celebrities in their videos. As the brand's audience spans multiple countries, each collaboration features a celebrity well-known in that country. Further, the narrative they build in their videos reflects the geographic location of their audience.

For example, in India, they have collaborated with Diljit Dosanjh, a globally recognized singer, and famous cricketers such as MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Some of the world's most recognized celebrities have worked with them, including Gigi Hadid, Kendal Jenner, and Selena Gomez.

They featured Gigi Hadid in one of their videos, showing how their product, Coke, is at the center of every conversation.

You must choose celebrities or creators who have a lot of influence over your target market.

Think about the emotions your video will evoke in your audience as it will engage them and compel them to take the desired action.

Industry: Exercise equipment

Peloton is an exercise and workout equipment company encouraging individuals to stay fit by offering treadmills, bikes, and workout accessories such as Dumbbells, Mats, Earplugs, and more. They sell a paid subscription to sell their classes and encourage their audience to work out consistently.

Peloton's video marketing strategy revolves around curated educational videos taught by professionals, such as strength classes, meditation, and cardio classes. Both on their website and mobile app, there is a huge collection of such videos.

On their mobile app, the videos take it even further due to gamification . Peloton's team created various challenges and rewards to encourage users to take classes and track their progress. The workout is marked as completed when a customer reaches 50% of the way through. This strategy has helped them grow subscriber engagement 2.65x over the last four fiscal years (June 2017 – June 2021).

Here is a snapshot of some of the video classes Peloton offers to its customers:

Become a part of your audience's life by offering them exactly what they need to get the best out of your products. (But in video format)

Use a challenge and reward model to encourage participation.

Industry: Apparel and Footwear

Apolla is an all-female-owned company that aims to change how people buy and wear socks. Their target audience is dancers and choreographers.

One key challenge that the Apolla team faced was to highlight their product's value proposition in action to their target audience. The team wanted to offer an interactive and more immersive shopping experience to their audience by embedding videos directly on their Shopify store.

How has Apolla resolved these challenges using Videowise?

For Apolla, displaying videos was never an issue since their brand advocates and supporters have already gathered a lot of user-generated content. Videowise scraped Apolla's YouTube videos that showcased their products and automatically sort them with the right product list of their Shopify store.

Not only this, the videos were embedded with a purchase option below them, so it didn't interfere with the shopping experience. Cool, right?

21.47% video engagement and 9.94% video conversion rate with 90.54X ROI.

An increase in time-on-site with 63+ videos watched, an average of 2m 37s per video watched.

Check out the entire case study of Apolla and how they generated such tremendous results with Videowise.

People trust people. By showing them testimonials or reviews from people who have already used the product, and that too in the form of video content, you gain their confidence and trust.

Minimize friction points as Apolla did by embedding a purchase option below each video. On the same screen, the customer can experience the product in action and buy it instantly.

Drive unmatchable results: Get started with video marketing

All the video marketing case studies discussed above support driving business results using engaging and relevant video content . One key element that emerged from these case studies is that if you want a video marketing campaign to succeed, involve your audience. Whether it's by launching a challenge or encouraging testimonials, videos are revolutionizing the business world.

And, even a step further is interactive videos , as we see in the case of Ava Estell and Apolla. If you'd like to bring such an experience to your website, give Videowise a try today .

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How to Write a Business Case (Template Included)

Table of Contents

What is a business case, how to write a business case, business case template, watch our business case training video, key elements of a business case, how projectmanager helps with your business case.

A business case is a project management document that explains how the benefits of a project overweigh its costs and why it should be executed. Business cases are prepared during the project initiation phase and their purpose is to include all the project’s objectives, costs and benefits to convince stakeholders of its value.

A business case is an important project document to prove to your client, customer or stakeholder that the project proposal you’re pitching is a sound investment. Below, we illustrate the steps to writing one that will sway them.

The need for a business case is that it collects the financial appraisal, proposal, strategy and marketing plan in one document and offers a full look at how the project will benefit the organization. Once your business case is approved by the project stakeholders, you can begin the project planning phase.

Projects fail without having a solid business case to rest on, as this project document is the base for the project charter and project plan. But if a project business case is not anchored to reality, and doesn’t address a need that aligns with the larger business objectives of the organization, then it is irrelevant.

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Use this free Business Case Template for Word to manage your projects better.

The research you’ll need to create a strong business case is the why, what, how and who of your project. This must be clearly communicated. The elements of your business case will address the why but in greater detail. Think of the business case as a document that is created during the project initiation phase but will be used as a reference throughout the project life cycle.

Whether you’re starting a new project or mid-way through one, take time to write up a business case to justify the project expenditure by identifying the business benefits your project will deliver and that your stakeholders are most interested in reaping from the work. The following four steps will show you how to write a business case.

Step 1: Identify the Business Problem

Projects aren’t created for projects’ sake. They should always be aligned with business goals . Usually, they’re initiated to solve a specific business problem or create a business opportunity.

You should “Lead with the need.” Your first job is to figure out what that problem or opportunity is, describe it, find out where it comes from and then address the time frame needed to deal with it.

This can be a simple statement but is best articulated with some research into the economic climate and the competitive landscape to justify the timing of the project.

Step 2: Identify the Alternative Solutions

How do you know whether the project you’re undertaking is the best possible solution to the problem defined above? Naturally, prioritizing projects is hard, and the path to success is not paved with unfounded assumptions.

One way to narrow down the focus to make the right solution clear is to follow these six steps (after the relevant research, of course):

• Note the alternative solutions.
• For each solution, quantify its benefits.
• Also, forecast the costs involved in each solution.
• Then figure out its feasibility .
• Discern the risks and issues associated with each solution.
• Finally, document all this in your business case.

Step 3: Recommend a Preferred Solution

You’ll next need to rank the solutions, but before doing that it’s best to set up criteria, maybe have a scoring mechanism such as a decision matrix to help you prioritize the solutions to best choose the right one.

Some methodologies you can apply include:

• Depending on the solution’s cost and benefit , give it a score of 1-10.
• Base your score on what’s important to you.
• Add more complexity to your ranking to cover all bases.

Regardless of your approach, once you’ve added up your numbers, the best solution to your problem will become evident. Again, you’ll want to have this process also documented in your business case.

Step 4: Describe the Implementation Approach

So, you’ve identified your business problem or opportunity and how to reach it, now you have to convince your stakeholders that you’re right and have the best way to implement a process to achieve your goals. That’s why documentation is so important; it offers a practical path to solve the core problem you identified.

Now, it’s not just an exercise to appease senior leadership. Who knows what you might uncover in the research you put into exploring the underlying problem and determining alternative solutions? You might save the organization millions with an alternate solution than the one initially proposed. When you put in the work on a strong business case, you’re able to get your sponsors or organizational leadership on board with you and have a clear vision as to how to ensure the delivery of the business benefits they expect.

Our business case template for Word is the perfect tool to start writing a business case. It has 9 key business case areas you can customize as needed. Download the template for free and follow the steps below to create a great business case for all your projects.

One of the key steps to starting a business case is to have a business case checklist. The following is a detailed outline to follow when developing your business case. You can choose which of these elements are the most relevant to your project stakeholders and add them to our business case template. Then once your business case is approved, start managing your projects with a robust project management software such as ProjectManager.

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary is a short version of each section of your business case. It’s used to give stakeholders a quick overview of your project.

2. Project Definition

This section is meant to provide general information about your projects, such as the business objectives that will be achieved and the project plan outline.

3. Vision, Goals and Objectives

First, you have to figure out what you’re trying to do and what is the problem you want to solve. You’ll need to define your project vision, goals and objectives. This will help you shape your project scope and identify project deliverables.

4. Project Scope

The project scope determines all the tasks and deliverables that will be executed in your project to reach your business objectives.

5. Background Information

Here you can provide a context for your project, explaining the problem that it’s meant to solve, and how it aligns with your organization’s vision and strategic plan.

6. Success Criteria and Stakeholder Requirements

Depending on what kind of project you’re working on, the quality requirements will differ, but they are critical to the project’s success. Collect all of them, figure out what determines if you’ve successfully met them and report on the results .

7. Project Plan

It’s time to create the project plan. Figure out the tasks you’ll have to take to get the project done. You can use a work breakdown structure template  to make sure you are through. Once you have all the tasks collected, estimate how long it will take to complete each one.

Project management software makes creating a project plan significantly easier. ProjectManager can upload your work breakdown structure template and all your tasks are populated in our tool. You can organize them according to your production cycle with our kanban board view, or use our Gantt chart view to create a project schedule.

8. Project Budget

Your budget is an estimate of everything in your project plan and what it will cost to complete the project over the scheduled time allotted.

9. Project Schedule

Make a timeline for the project by estimating how long it will take to get each task completed. For a more impactful project schedule , use a tool to make a Gantt chart, and print it out. This will provide that extra flourish of data visualization and skill that Excel sheets lack.

10. Project Governance

Project governance refers to all the project management rules and procedures that apply to your project. For example, it defines the roles and responsibilities of the project team members and the framework for decision-making.

11. Communication Plan

Have milestones for check-ins and status updates, as well as determine how stakeholders will stay aware of the progress over the project life cycle.

12. Progress Reports

Have a plan in place to monitor and track your progress during the project to compare planned to actual progress. There are project tracking tools that can help you monitor progress and performance.

Again, using a project management tool improves your ability to see what’s happening in your project. ProjectManager has tracking tools like dashboards and status reports that give you a high-level view and more detail, respectively. Unlike light-weight apps that make you set up a dashboard, ours is embedded in the tool. Better still, our cloud-based software gives you real-time data for more insightful decision-making. Also, get reports on more than just status updates, but timesheets, workload, portfolio status and much more, all with just one click. Then filter the reports and share them with stakeholders to keep them updated.

13. Financial Appraisal

This is a very important section of your business case because this is where you explain how the financial benefits outweigh the project costs . Compare the financial costs and benefits of your project. You can do this by doing a sensitivity analysis and a cost-benefit analysis.

14. Market Assessment

Research your market, competitors and industry, to find opportunities and threats

15. Competitor Analysis

Identify direct and indirect competitors and do an assessment of their products, strengths, competitive advantages and their business strategy.

16. SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis helps you identify your organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The strengths and weaknesses are internal, while the opportunities and threats are external.

17. Marketing Strategy

Describe your product, distribution channels, pricing, target customers among other aspects of your marketing plan or strategy.

18. Risk Assessment

There are many risk categories that can impact your project. The first step to mitigating them is to identify and analyze the risks associated with your project activities.

ProjectManager , an award-winning project management software, can collect and assemble all the various data you’ll be collecting, and then easily share it both with your team and project sponsors.

Once you have a spreadsheet with all your tasks listed, you can import it into our software. Then it’s instantly populated into a Gantt chart . Simply set the duration for each of the tasks, add any dependencies, and your project is now spread across a timeline. You can set milestones, but there is so much more you can do.

You have a project plan now, and from the online Gantt chart, you can assign team members to tasks. Then they can comment directly on the tasks they’re working on, adding as many documents and images as needed, fostering a collaborative environment. You can track their progress and change task durations as needed by dragging and dropping the start and end dates.

But that’s only a taste of what ProjectManager offers. We have kanban boards that visualize your workflow and a real-time dashboard that tracks six project metrics for the most accurate view of your project possible.

Try ProjectManager and see for yourself with this 30-day free trial .

If you want more business case advice, take a moment to watch Jennifer Bridges, PMP, in this short training video. She explains the steps you have to take in order to write a good business case.

Here’s a screenshot for your reference.

Transcription:

Today we’re talking about how to write a business case. Well, over the past few years, we’ve seen the market, or maybe organizations, companies or even projects, move away from doing business cases. But, these days, companies, organizations, and those same projects are scrutinizing the investments and they’re really seeking a rate of return.

So now, think of the business case as your opportunity to package your project, your idea, your opportunity, and show what it means and what the benefits are and how other people can benefit.

We want to take a look today to see what’s in the business case and how to write one. I want to be clear that when you look for information on a business case, it’s not a briefcase.

Someone called the other day and they were confused because they were looking for something, and they kept pulling up briefcases. That’s not what we’re talking about today. What we’re talking about are business cases, and they include information about your strategies, about your goals. It is your business proposal. It has your business outline, your business strategy, and even your marketing plan.

Why Do You Need a Business Case?

And so, why is that so important today? Again, companies are seeking not only their project managers but their team members to have a better understanding of business and more of an idea business acumen. So this business case provides the justification for the proposed business change or plan. It outlines the allocation of capital that you may be seeking and the resources required to implement it. Then, it can be an action plan . It may just serve as a unified vision. And then it also provides the decision-makers with different options.

So let’s look more at the steps required to put these business cases together. There are four main steps. One, you want to research your market. Really look at what’s out there, where are the needs, where are the gaps that you can serve? Look at your competition. How are they approaching this, and how can you maybe provide some other alternatives?

You want to compare and finalize different approaches that you can use to go to market. Then you compile that data and you present strategies, your goals and other options to be considered.

And then you literally document it.

So what does the document look like? Well, there are templates out there today. The components vary, but these are the common ones. And then these are what I consider essential. So there’s the executive summary. This is just a summary of your company, what your management team may look like, a summary of your product and service and your market.

The business description gives a little bit more history about your company and the mission statement and really what your company is about and how this product or service fits in.

Then, you outline the details of the product or service that you’re looking to either expand or roll out or implement. You may even include in their patents may be that you have pending or other trademarks.

Then, you want to identify and lay out your marketing strategy. Like, how are you gonna take this to your customers? Are you going to have a brick-and-mortar store? Are you gonna do this online? And, what are your plans to take it to market?

You also want to include detailed information about your competitor analysis. How are they doing things? And, how are you planning on, I guess, beating your competition?

You also want to look at and identify your SWOT. And the SWOT is your strength. What are the strengths that you have in going to market? And where are the weaknesses? Maybe some of your gaps. And further, where are your opportunities and maybe threats that you need to plan for? Then the overview of the operation includes operational information like your production, even human resources, information about the day-to-day operations of your company.

And then, your financial plan includes your profit statement, your profit and loss, any of your financials, any collateral that you may have, and any kind of investments that you may be seeking.

So these are the components of your business case. This is why it’s so important. And if you need a tool that can help you manage and track this process, then sign up for our software now at ProjectManager .

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The larger the nonprofit, the more likely it is run by a white man, says new Candid diversity report

Glenn Gamboa

Associated Press

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Candid CEO Ann Mei Chang poses for a photo at the nonprofit's headquarters on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in New York. Chang, CEO since 2021, believes her organization can help the philanthropic sector work more efficiently by making more data from donors and grantees available to the public.(AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)

NEW YORK – White men are most likely to lead the largest, best-funded nonprofits, while women of color tend to lead the organizations with the fewest financial resources, according to a study from the nonprofit data research organization Candid.

“ The State of Diversity in the U.S. Nonprofit Sector ” report released by Candid on Thursday is the largest demographic study of the nonprofit sector, based on diversity information provided by nearly 60,000 public charities.

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According to the study, white CEOs lead 74% of organizations with more than $25 million in annual revenue, with white men heading 41% of those nonprofits, despite being only about 30% of the population. Women of color, who make up about 20% of the U.S. population, lead 14% of the organizations with more than $25 million in revenue and 28% of the smallest nonprofits — those with less than $50,000 in revenue.

The Candid report provides data for nonprofits who have complained for years that minority-led nonprofits attract fewer donations, government resources and sales, even after the racial reckoning following the murder of George Floyd and promises from funders of all sizes seeking change. Many groups argue that when the leadership of a charity comes from the community it is serving, its needs are met more effectively. According to a report from the Ms. Foundation for Women and the consulting group Strength in Numbers, less than 1% of the $67 billion that foundations donated in 2017 was earmarked specifically for minority women and girls.

“Our mission is to use data to help make the whole sector more efficient, effective and equitable,” Candid CEO Ann Mei Chang told The Associated Press. “We think that data is a force for good and can help everybody trying to do good, to do good better.”

The report’s findings are based on data gathered from the Demographics via Candid initiative, where nonprofits voluntarily report the diversity numbers of their organizations. Cathleen Clerkin, Candid's associate vice president of research, said authors of the report compared its findings to other sector-wide data and found them to be consistent.

Because the diversity information was self-reported, Clerkin said Candid studied whether nonprofits would be more likely to share their information because they were more diverse, but found that was not the case. What was more likely to determine whether a nonprofit reported its diversity information was how much they depended on outside donations, said Clerkin, adding that Candid hopes the report will encourage more charities to provide its organization's information.

The report found that environmental and animal welfare groups were least likely to have diverse leadership, with 88% having a white CEO. Nearly three-quarters of religious nonprofits had white CEOs, according to the report.

Portia Allen-Kyle, chief of staff and interim head of external affairs at the racial justice nonprofit Color of Change, said the report's findings were not surprising. “The backsliding of Black leadership and other underrepresented populations is exactly what we unfortunately expect to see in an era of attacks on the tools of Black power like affirmative action, like DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), et cetera,” she said. ”It's a nonprofit space where disproportionately white leaders disproportionately receive resources from these white, ultrawealthy donors, while Black leaders from the most impacted communities are expected to often turn water into wine, using nothing but pennies on the dollar."

Allen-Kyle said the fact that the report also finds that women of color are overrepresented as leaders of the smallest charities is also not a surprise. "With these small nonprofits, especially with advocacy, Black women are going to be doing this work regardless and they’re doing it on nothing and whether or not they get paid because they believe in it,” she said.

The report also found that Latinos were underrepresented as nonprofit CEOs in nearly every state.

“We have been talking about that for decades,” said Frankie Miranda, president and CEO of the Hispanic Federation, which supports Latino communities and nonprofits. "It's the reason the Hispanic Federation was created in 1990 — to advocate for Latino-led, Latino-serving providers because we were not part of the conversation when decision-making around funding and support was happening.”

That has led to Hispanic Federation becoming one of the nation's largest grantmakers for Latino nonprofits. However, even though its findings are not unexpected, the Candid study is still extraordinarily valuable, Miranda said.

“This study will validate our argument," he said. “This is critically important for us to be able to say, ‘Here’s the proof.’ It's proof for major donors that you need to do better when it comes to diversity within your organization. Your institution needs to have the cultural competency to understand the importance of investing in our organizations, the importance of getting to know these organizations. They know how to serve these communities.”

Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy .

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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