Comments on: Case Studies vs. White Papers, What’s the Difference?

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:35:57 +0000

Ok, so if you are a white paper writer, what’s wrong with including a related case study with it or vice versa? You give your client more marketing ammunition and you make more money.

So you really need to be good at writing both white papers and case studies.

By: Natalie Brahan

Natalie Brahan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:19:31 +0000

I do agree

By: Swapnil

Swapnil — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 07:05:33 +0000

Great !!
Absolutely appropriate

By: Shannon Walker-Lembke

Shannon Walker-Lembke — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 14:32:24 +0000

Like Jonathan I often incorporate a case study summary in a white paper as a side bar. It helps to validate the approach or solution you are putting forward in the white paper.

For a writer it can also mean some additional work either by improving existing case studies that clients have or getting to write them from scratch.

By: Jonathan Kantor

Jonathan Kantor — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 22:18:35 +0000

I agree with most of the views here. Another aspect that should be considered is whether the case study is created as a stand-alone document or integrated within a white paper.

When used inside a white paper, the case study validates theoretical solution points by presenting real life challenges and how the solution solved those challenges.

On my blog, I discussed the components of a good case study, entitled “A Case for the Case Study”.

http://www.whitepapercompany.com/blog/?p=96

By: Whitney

Whitney — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:08:20 +0000

RainToday also provides their take on writing case studies at:

http://www.raintoday.com/pages/2118_4_simple_steps_to_creating_an_effective_case_study.cfm?broadcastID=521&linkID=10175&ID=62288

Guarav — if you’re writing white papers for the first time, you DEFINITELY want to buy Mike’s book. Highly readable, extremely informative. More than worth the cover price.

By: Michael Stelzner

Michael Stelzner — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:26:12 +0000

Martin, David and Janice - Thanks for your addition to the discussion.

Gaurav - Keep reading and you will learn.

By: gaurav Vashsist

gaurav Vashsist — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 05:40:11 +0000

Thanks all of you for nice discussion…
i am learning slowly slowly …

By: Martin Middlewood

Martin Middlewood — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 01:13:49 +0000

Liked the article and discussion about the differences between white papers and case studies. Let me note one thing. Case study writers need to be prepared to make a business case in their case studies just as white paper writers do. This is particularly true when large ticket items are involved, like enterprise software. Case study writers need to dig out the business problem and why the case featured made a change. And whenever possible, they need to back that business case up with hard or soft return on investment.

For case study writing tips, case study marketing and critiques of case studies check out www.casestudy411.com. And if you’ve got any feedback, I’d appreciate it if you post any comments.

By: David Leland

David Leland — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 23:49:56 +0000

Great topic. Lemme jump in. I’ve written dozens of case studies for clients during the past 15 years or so.

Case studies are about people. Told in a narrative fashion, a good case (also known as a testimonial or success story) study pulls at the emotional strings of a reader — much like a good novel tugs at its reader.

Both white papers and case studies are vital parts of a marketing push. When I write a case study, I’m typically trying to stimulate the reader’s interest so they want to learn more about the solution. Where do they go? The white paper, of course.

For more tips on writing case studies, check out my blog at:

http://writing-killer-case-studies.blogspot.com/