Updated August 2024: Well done for getting a happy SaaS customer teed up to participate in a case study with you. Whether you’re working with an in-house writer, agency writer or freelancer, it’s a good idea to create a detailed case study brief.
Use our free case study brief template.
Why a case study brief is important
A well-prepared case study brief:
- provides clear context and direction
- lays out your expectations and goals
- provides clarity on messaging and the focus of the story
- allows you to be hands off, knowing your writer has what they need to produce on-point content
A good case study brief will smooth out the content creation process and save both you and the writer time. You’ll be more likely to get a story you can publish faster—and the writer will have more confidence in their work.
As a bonus, preparing a case study brief will help you hone in on exactly what you want your case study to achieve.
This post is part of a series on how to write a compelling case study.
6 components every case study brief needs to include
Your case study brief needs to clearly outline the direction you’d like the story to take. It also needs to provide context for the writer, who likely hasn’t been involved with this customer yet.
To get content that will resonate with your potential SaaS customers, be clear on your purpose and your goals, and communicate these to your writer. In the case study brief, you need to:
1. Introduce the interviewee
Who will the writer be interviewing? What is their name, job title and company name? Provide a link to their LinkedIn profile. Briefly note why the writer will be interviewing this particular person as opposed to someone else.
2. List industries, use cases and products
Provide the writer with details on which industries and use cases you want this case study to focus on. Also include the products (from your company) that your customer is currently using. By knowing this information, the writer can ensure the story showcases these elements.
3. Provide core challenges
In your view, what were the core challenges your customer was facing before they reached out to you? Sharing this information with the writer ahead of the interview will help the writer ask more pointed questions and dig a bit deeper with follow-up questions.
4. Outline key marketing messages
What key marketing messages do you want this story to communicate? Provide them to your writer in bullet point form and make sure they tie back to your company’s goals and objectives.
5. share why you want to tell this story
What is it about this particular customer’s experience that stands out to you? Why did you want to tell this customer’s story? Do you have a specific angle in mind for this story?
6. Provide guidance on metrics
Are there any case study metrics available? If so, provide them to the writer before the interview. Also tell the writer what kind of metrics you’re hoping they can elicit from the customer.
And 2 things to avoid in your case study brief
Don’t write the whole story yourself!
Be concise. Try to limit yourself to a 1-page case study brief.
Don’t take shortcuts
An incomplete or vague case study brief is only going to lead to more questions from your writer or, even worse—unfocused, unenthusiastic and off-brand content. A well-briefed writer will ensure a smooth production process, and an engaging and effective case study.
Use this case study brief template
Make a copy of this free case study brief template and use it for your next story.
Need help with your case study?
At Uplift Content, we work with high-growth SaaS companies to share their untold success stories and showcase how their products enable their customers to solve tough problems. Check out our case study writing service.
