Should you hire a Case Study writer or create Case Studies yourself? This article provides the pros, cons, and costs of each of your options so you can make a decision that’s best for your business.
Writing Your Own Case Studies vs. Hiring a Case Study Writer
Doing It Yourself
There are upsides to writing your own Case Studies. For one, you have full control over the project and its timeline. You can also, of course, offer deep, contextual knowledge about your business and your clients. Furthermore, in-house Case Study creation can save your company money since you’ll be relying on your internal staff (and following our Ultimate Guide to creating Case Studies).
But all the same benefits of writing your own Case Studies can just as easily be downsides. Having full control of the project can be a pitfall if there’s a lack of organization or an influx of unexpected distractions; the project may never wind up completed. If you’re too informed about your business and clients, you may get bogged down by details.
Finally, you may actually overpay for the project. Case Study creation requires several skill sets, not to mention time, effort, and resources. And if your internal team has never created Case Studies before, there’s no assurance that the end product will be successful.
Hiring a Case Study Writer
A Case Study writer can be an expensive option, speaking from a strictly financial perspective. In short, a single Case Study may cost you anywhere from $600 to $3,000. The price will climb if you need to hire multiple contract workers, use a big-name marketing agency, or the project experiences delays.
That said, you’re more likely to wind up with a stronger Case Study when you hire a writer that has experience in crafting Case Studies. Also, while the experts create your Case Study, your in-house team can focus on their own work. You can enjoy having peace of mind that everyone is doing what they do best.
The Different Case Study Writers
In addition to creating Case Studies yourself, there are three main Case Study writers. The options are contractors/freelancers, marketing agencies, and agencies that specialize in writing Case Studies.
In-House Team
You’re aware of the pros and cons of creating Case Studies in-house but you bravely want to proceed. Provided that you have experienced individuals to fill the following roles, you can tackle this project internally:
- The Project Manager is organized, has general knowledge of the Case Study creation process, and will coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to get the job done.
- The Interviewer crafts questions and conducts and records the client interview.
- The Writer uses the client interview recording to draft the text of the Case Study.
- The Editor confirms the text is free of spelling, grammar, and factual errors and may organize and rework the text to improve clarity and readability.
- The Graphic Designer creates an attractive layout for the Case Study and incorporates brand elements, images, icons, and other graphics.
Individuals can fulfill more than one role provided that they have the right skill sets. Your team can consult our Ultimate Guide to Creating Case Studies for B2B Sales and Marketing to learn more about what needs to be done and when. For additional help, you may want to rely on another business case study writing service option.
Contractors/Freelancers
Having contractors or freelancers fill any of the necessary roles is a good idea, especially if there are gaps in your in-house team’s skill set. It’s common to find a freelance writer and a graphic designer and manage the rest of the project internally. Such an approach depends on your business and internal employees though.
Hiring a freelancer or contractor is the least expensive Case Study writer option. This is good news for your project budget. Furthermore, a reliable, experienced contractor that regularly delivers results can prove valuable to your business.
But an external contractor still requires your management, so you can’t be completely hands-off. Additionally, finding the right person involves a degree of trial and error. It’s a risky and time-consuming process. This is especially true if the freelancer hasn’t done similar projects in your industry. You just don’t know what type of quality you’ll get.
Marketing Agencies
A high-quality marketing agency with some content creation capabilities can handle your B2B Case Studies. You’ll also end up with a high-quality finished product.
But experience and polish aside, a marketing agency is the Case Study writer with the most drawbacks. For starters, this choice really only makes sense if you have a preexisting relationship with the agency. You typically wouldn’t go through a marketing agency just for a Case Study. The agency is also unlikely to accept just that sole project.
In addition to very high costs, recognize that your Case Study project won’t be a high priority for the agency. This is because Case Studies aren’t typically marketing agencies’ specialty. Also, Case Studies require a high level of initiative and a streamlined process. A marketing agency is unlikely to have either when it comes to Case Study creation.
Specialized Case Study Agencies
An agency that specializes in writing Case Studies, like SuccessKit, is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a company that primarily creates Case Studies.
When it comes to hiring one of these agencies, anticipate the usual tedious tasks associated with onboarding any new partner. This includes signing contracts, making the necessary introductions, and sending assets. That said, there are substantial upsides.
For starters, the cost of a single Case Study from these experts is about half the price of that from a marketing agency. Also, the specialized agency already has the right team in place to handle any and all of your Case Studies from start to finish. It’s aware of best practices and manages the entire process for you—no oversight necessary. Your Case Study project is always a high priority to such an agency. And ultimately, you’ll wind up with a high-quality product to proudly use in your sales and marketing efforts.
Cost Guide to Hiring a Case Study Writer
How much does it cost to hire a Case Study writer? The answer depends on which Case Study writer you choose. The prices we cite in this section are based on our own conversations with prospects. Your own research may vary from our findings.
Again, writing Case Studies yourself may be your cheapest option—or it might not be. There’s no telling how the Case Study will turn out or how long it will take, especially if your internal team isn’t familiar with Case Study creation. It could result in a loss of time, effort, and resources that would’ve been better spent elsewhere.
Hiring a contractor or a freelancer to create your Case Studies is the next least expensive option. The estimated total cost of your Case Study project using contractors is $600–$1,200. This price could be a huge value if you find the right freelancers. But it could be a huge loss if you don’t.
The most expensive Case Study writer is the marketing agency. The estimated total cost of a single Case Study from a marketing agency is $3,000. This option may be right for you if your company budget allows for it and you already have a relationship with a marketing agency.
The agency specializing in Case Studies offers the best value with an estimated total cost of $1,950. Included in the price is a polished, professional Case Study, as well as the complete management of your Case Study project.
Take a look at the table to quickly compare costs and other aspects of different Case Study writers.
| In-House Team | Contractors/Freelancers | Specialized Case Study Agency | Marketing Agency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Estimated Cost for a Single Case Study | Variable ($2,000–$3,000) ($$$–$$$$) | $600–$1,200 ($$) | $1,950 ($$$) | $3,000 ($$$$) |
| Timeliness | Variable | Slow | Fast | Medium |
| Level of Internal Project Management | High | Medium | None | Low/Medium |
| Level of External Project Management | Low | High | Medium | Medium |
| Product Quality | Variable | Medium | High | High |
| Overall Value | Variable | Medium | High | Low/Medium |
Conclusion
Creating your own Case Studies in-house is certainly doable. But keep in mind that you have options when it comes to hiring a Case Study writer.
You may choose to rely on a contractor/freelancer or a marketing agency to write your Case Studies. However, an agency that specializes in Case Studies—such as SuccessKit—offers the greatest value. Such a company will manage the entire Case Study creation process for you and provide you with a high-quality sales and marketing asset.
To learn more, contact us at [email protected].
