life is good case study

The fascinating story of how 2 brothers went from running a failing business out of a van to building a $100 million company

What are we going to do with our lives?

That's the question Bert and John Jacobs were trying to answer when they decided to take a seven-week road trip  from California to Boston in 1988.

The brothers — 20 and 23 at the time — say that the trip forever changed their lives.

John, who has since founded the Life is Good apparel company with his brother, tells Business Insider that it was during the road trip that he and Bert decided to pursue a new — and less traditional — career path: selling T-shirts.

They initially named their company Jacob's Gallery, and  tirelessly traveled up and down the East Coast selling shirts to college kids  out of their  used   Plymouth Voyager . B ut the business struggled, and at one point the brothers has just $78 in the bank.

But everything changed when they added an optimistic message to their shirts in 1994. 

"We were searching for so many years for, 'What do we stand for?'" John says. "Then when we put out this new design, the response was so immediate. It was exactly what we had hoped for."

They rebranded and relaunched their company under the name Life Is Good, and within three years,  they broke $1 million in sales. Now they're up to $100 million — selling their products in about 4,500 retail stores.

Here's the story of how these brothers went from running a struggling business to a successful one:

Their childhood was 'perfectly imperfect.'

John and Bert Jacobs  grew up as the youngest of six children in the Boston suburb of Needham, Massachusetts. They describe their childhood as "perfectly imperfect" in their new book, " Life Is Good ."

The second floor of their $15,000, 720-square-foot house had no heating because, according to their father, a World War II and Korean War veteran, "heat rises, and you kids hang out mostly downstairs in the winter."

They learned early on to always see the good in things.

After playing outside all day, they would run to the dinner table, where their mother would say something that later inspired their business: " Tell me something good that happened today ."

"Rather than complaining about the day, commiserating about struggles or opening up the possibility of a fight, she focused everyone on the positive," the brothers write.

Tragedy struck the family — but they remained optimistic.

This optimism was especially important for the boys in elementary school, when their parents were in a near-death car accident from which their mother managed to escape with just a few broken bones — but their father lost the use of his right hand.

The stress and frustration from his physical therapy caused him to develop a harsh temper.

"He did a lot of yelling when we were in grade school," John says.

But even when difficult things were happening around the house, their mother would still be singing, telling stories, and acting out children's books for them.

"That optimism was something that our family always had, even when we had little else," they write.

They took a cross-country road trip that changed everything.

In 1988, the adventurous brothers decided to take a seven-week road trip from California, where John was in school on  an exchange program, back to Boston. The purpose: to  figure out what  to do with the rest of their lives.

"We began with a thin stack of cash, a map of the United States, some mix tapes custom-made by our big brother Allan, and a strict plan of no plan," they write.

And, according to John, it worked.

Not only did they spend their days swimming in beautiful Southern California, meeting amazing friends, and playing pickup basketball in Venice Beach — they also discovered what to do with their lives: start a business together that let them be creative.

"If we hadn't taken that trip that let us explore new places, new people, and new experiences, maybe we wouldn't have gotten to such an open mindset where we're thinking there's no reason why we wouldn't take a shot at starting a business together — even if it sounded a little crazy to some of our friends," John says.

Jacob's Gallery was born, but it wasn’t an instant hit.

When they got home, the brothers moved back in with their parents and started selling a variety of T-shirt designs under the name "Jacob's Gallery" in college dorms and at street fairs around Boston.

"Instant hit? Not even close," they write.

They stepped up their game.

The brothers knew college students could be a good audience to target, but they weren't connecting with them.

Never ones to back down, the brothers decided to up their game by purchasing a used Plymouth Voyager van for $2,100 so they could travel up and down the East Coast to a different college nearly every night.

It was nicknamed "The Enterprise" because it literally contained their entire enterprise: their T-shirts and them.

" Everybody else thinks it was a cool van, like a VW. It really wasn't. It was like a Plymouth Voyager — a soccer mom van," Bert told The Huffington Post .

The brothers tried and failed ... again and again.

"We tried and failed a thousand times," they write about their T-shirt-selling road trips.

They tried to figure out if it was because the designs were bad, students had no money, or they were waking them up at 1 a.m. to ask, "Wanna buy a T-shirt?"

"When you try, you either succeed or you learn. In both, you win," they write.

People doubted them, but they didn’t listen.

Soon the brothers transitioned into their late 20s and were still living paycheck to paycheck.

Bert's girlfriend broke up with him after her mom gave her a quick dose of reality.

"He's almost 30 years old, and he still shares a van with his brother. You need to get real," she told her.

But the brothers knew that if they listened to the doubters, they would also have to come back down to reality, take the safe route, and miss out on realizing their full potential.

They threw parties to get honest feedback.

This mindset gave the brothers the motivation to host an old-fashioned keg party after they returned from each road trip — no matter how discouraging the sales were.

The parties were a win-win because the brothers would provide free beer and entertaining stories from their trips and friends would provide honest feedback on new T-shirt ideas.

With just $78 in the back, they gave it one more shot.

After one such discouraging road trip that left them with $78 in the bank, John and Bert mustered up the courage to throw another party, perhaps their last.

They shared a design they had come up with on their way home while discussing  how much they disliked the negative news cycle. They talked about how difficult it was to stay positive in such a negative world.

" But what if there was someone who was always happy no matter what was happening? " they wondered.

So John drew that person, who ended up looking like  a bohemian guy with a beret and sunglasses and a big smile. The design was the hit of the party.

One comment on the wall next to the happy-face design captured why: "This guy's got life figured out."

So the brothers shortened that phrase to "Life Is Good," printed out 48 T-shirts, and brought them to a street fair in 1994 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

People finally 'got it.’

The T-shirts were sold out within an hour — even the two prints off their own backs.

"People 'got it' and they bought it. No explanation was necessary," they write.

The brothers were ecstatic — they had finally found the message they wanted to share and people loved it.

"We were searching for so many years for, 'What do we stand for?'" John says. "Then when we put out this design, the response was so immediate. It was exactly what we had hoped for."

Life is Good took off.

The brothers knew that this could be their big break if they got their design in front of more eyes. So they loaded up The Enterprise with high spirits and shopped the design all around Boston with no takers — until they came to a small flip-flop shop on Cape Cod.

Nancy, the owner, bought 24 shirts and asked, "What's the smiley guy's name?"

Thinking on the spot, they said, "Jake" because it was short for Jacobs. Later, they discovered that this was a stroke of genius because "jake" is an old term for "everything's all right."

The shirts sold out in two weeks. By the end of the year, Life Is Good had sold $87,000 worth of T-shirts.

They hired their first employee for $17,000.

With demand picking up for the feel-good shirts, the brothers decided to take a leap and hire their first employee: Kerrie Gross, the "adorable 23-year-old" who lived an apartment above the brothers.

When they hired her as "business manager," they asked her what the least amount of money she could earn to pay off her bills was. She said $17,000, and they agreed to that.

By the end of the year, the company had done $262,000 in top-line sales and had successfully paid their first employee.

They incorporated humor.

Confident in their sales, the brothers upgraded their office to a 40-foot shipping container on a dirt lot in 1996.

During this time, they sent unique invoices to their customers that included the photo above and this humorous note: "Please pay on time so we can keep these lights on and pay our hungry warehouse staff."

After three years, Life Is Good broke $1 million in sales.

In 1997, Life Is Good broke $1 million in sales, and they celebrated by hiring three new employees and moving into their first real office in Needham, Massachusetts, where they made it their mission to continue establishing a company culture that welcomed humor at the office.

"Because laughter relaxes us, it ambles us to think more clearly as well as communicate and solve problems more effectively," they write.

'It's not that life is easy or life is perfect. It's that life is good.'

Life Is Good — which has expanded its product line beyond T-shirts — now has about 160 employees, is doing $100 million in sales, sells in about 4,500 stores, and donates 10% of its annual profits to helping improve children's lives.

And the brothers attribute all of their company's success to the contagiousness of their mission, "To spread the power of optimism," which they learned from their mother early on .

"We want to spread this message and help people understand the depth of what that means," John said. "It's not that life is easy or life is perfect. It's that life is good."

• Main content

Pardon Our Interruption

As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. There are a few reasons this might happen:

• You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser.
• You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed.
• You've disabled cookies in your web browser.
• A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. Additional information is available in this support article .

To regain access, please make sure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled before reloading the page.

• TOP CATEGORIES
• AS and A Level
• University Degree
• International Baccalaureate
• Uncategorised
• 5 Star Essays
• Study Tools
• Study Guides
• Meet the Team
• Business Studies
• Business, Companies and Organisation, Activity

Case Study of the "Life is Good" clothing company.

Page  |

Case Application

More Than a Good Story

1.        Jake and Rocket a cartoon guy and his cartoon dog, can be found on most of the apparel and other branded products sold by the Life is Good Company.  With his perky beret (or other appropriate head gear), Jake has that contended look of being able to enjoy life as it is and finding reasons to be happy right now, and Rocket? Well he is just happy to be along for the ride. And what a ride it’s been  for the two! They’ve been part of the company growth to over $100 million in revenues. Company co-founders and brothers, Bert and John Jacobs have a personal and Business philosophy much like Jake; simplicity, humor and humility. However both understand that even this philosophy they need to be good managers throughout the organization in order to stay successful.

2.        Bert and John designed their first tee shirts in 1989 and sold them door-to-door in college dorms along the East Coast and in Boston where they’d set up shop using an old card table in locations on one way streets so they could pick up and move quickly if they needed to. They used this simple approach because like many young entrepreneurs, they couldn’t afford required business licenses. Although  they met a lot of wonderful people and heard a lot of good stories during those early years, sales weren’t that great. As the company legend goes, the brothers “lived on peanut butter and jelly, slept in their beat-up van, and showered when they could.” During one of their sales trip parties, Bert  and John asked some friends for advice on an assortment of images and slogans they had put together. Those friends (some of whom now work for the company) liked the “Life is Good” slogan and drawing of Jake that had been sketched by the John. So Bert and John printed up to 48 Jake shits for a local street fair in Cambridge, Massachusetts. By noon 48 shirts were gone, something that had never happened! The brothers were smart enough to recognize that they might be on to something. And, as the old saying goes…..the rest is history! Since that momentous day in 1994, they’ve sold nearly 20 million Life is Good shirts featuring Jake and Rocket. Bert attributes their success to his belief that the “ the ‘Life is Good’  message, coupled with the carefree image of Jake, was simple enough to swallow, light enough to be mistaken for preachy, and profound enough to matter.” He goes on to say that, “Note that we don’t say ‘Life is great!’ We say life is good, period. These simple words, People connect with it instantly.”

3.        Another important facet of Life is good is their commitment to good causes. And those aren’t just “words” to Bert and John; they act on their words. They are passionately involved with Project Joy, which is a nonprofit organization that fosters the development of at risk children through the art of play. Bert says their partnership with Project Joy aligns with Life is good’s philosophy. The financial commitment the company has made is supported by its Life is good Kids Foundation, which raises funds throughout the popular Life is good festivals and through sales of fundraising t-shirts and books at its retail stores.

4.        Today Life is Good, based in Boston has a product line of more than 900 items. The company continues to grow about 30-40 percent annually. Bert and John’s style of managing is guided by another of the company’s mottoes, “Do what you like, Like what you do.” As the company’s web site states, “In addition to knowledge, skills, and experience, we look to hire people who possess the same optimistic outlook on life that Jake has.” It’s an approach that seems to be working for Bert and John and for Jake and rocket.

This is a preview of the whole essay

Questions of Case Application

Question 1 .        As the top managers of their company what type of issues might Bert and John have to deal with? Be as specific as possible, which management functions might be most important to them? Why?

Answer 1 .        The number and type of issues may vary from time to time or may arise as influenced by many factors, however, few of the issues which they might face is as tabulated under.

1.         Issues . As the top managers of their company, Bert and John have to establish the plans and goals and make some big decisions, such as which market do they want to develop, how much money they want to earn next year, which partner they want to cooperate and so on. As the top managers of the company Bert and John might face following issues  :-

a.         Leadership

• Defining Leadership Style .           Though leadership may be hard to define, but as one characteristic remain common i.e. all leaders must have the ability to make things happen. Thus being the top mangers they must maintain their will to control events, charting out of course and implementing with the power to get job done using the skills and abilities of employees.
• Consistency in making Good Decision .        Being at the helms of affairs they are expected to maintain steadiness in achieving intended goal.

b.           Approach .        At some point they may have experience of being unavoidably entangled in following egoistic approach. This has to remain in control in order to achieve the desired goals. Few of the factors indicating problems with an out-of-control ego are:

• Consistently poor morale.
• Constant communication breakdowns
• Bad hiring decisions
• Acquisitions or mergers that go sour.
• High employee turnover.
• Consistently poor quality 
• Loss of market share.
• Vulnerability to competitors.
• Poor sales results.
• Decreasing profits from year to year.
• Consistently poor decisions.

c.         Motivational issue . No organization, be it formal or casual, will get far if its workers are not motivated. Workers who lack focus or are uninterested in the end goal are not usually very productive, and can often undermine a leader’s efforts and authority. Sometimes, the fix is as easy as clearly communicating the mission. Being top managers they must work with employees to figure out an effective incentive structure.

d.         Cultivating Leadership Approach . Being at the top It is a known fact that the hardest parts of running any sort of organization is ensuring that those in superior positions are actually capable of leading effectively.

e.         Communication .         At some point of time they may face communication gap between them and subordinate management. Effective teamwork depends on a culture of open communication, where superiors and subordinates can freely discuss progress and problems. Employees who feel that their bosses are distant or somehow “off limits” have a tendency to make mistakes that could have been avoided had parties felt more comfortable talking to each other.

f.         Creating Team Unity . Being Leaders they are often responsible for helping build unity between staff members. It can take a bit of time for workers to develop trusting relationships with one another, and the role of a supervisor or managers is to set the proper framework to encourage these relationships to grow.

2.         Most important management function . There are five basic functions  tabulated as under:

• Planning .         This function involves mapping out exactly how to achieve a particular goal.
• Organizing .          After a plan is in place, a manager needs to organize her team and materials according to her plan. Assigning work and granting authority are two important elements of organizing.
• Staffing .          After a manager discerns his area's needs, he may decide to beef up his staffing by recruiting, selecting, training, and developing employees.
• Leading .           A manager needs to do more than just plan, organize, and staff his team to achieve a goal. He must also lead. Leading involves motivating, communicating, guiding, and encouraging. It requires the manager to coach, assist, and problem solve with employees.
• Controlling .          After the other elements are in place. He needs to continuously check results against goals and take any corrective actions necessary to make sure that his area's plans remain on track.

3.        All managers at all levels of every organization perform these functions, but in this particular case Controlling   would be the most important function, which gives the basic drive to run the business. Because Life is good company is a mature company, which has mature rules, middle managers and first line managers. It also has mature markets. As the top managers, the most important function is controlling now.

Question 2 .        Using descriptions from the case, describe Bert and Jhon’s managerial style. Would this approach work for other organizations? Why or why not?

Answer 2 .        Bert and John’s managerial style is managing people who take action. It can work for other organizations as well. For Bert and John, they set up the motto and enhance the company’s culture to let employees feel themselves to be constructive parts of the company.

Question 3 .        How do you think the company’s motto “ Do what you like, Like what you do ” might affect how mangers manage? Be specific.

Answer 3 .         The motto “Do what you like. Like what you do.” might affect that which kind of employees the managers want to hire and how they encourage their employees to work hard. The motto is a kind of company’s culture. And it can help employees to identify the company. It can be claimed that the motto Do what you like. Like what you do      works as a catalyst in the positive growth of the company.

Question 4 .        What managerial challenges might there be in having friends work for your business? How could these challenges be kept inconsequential?

Answer 4 . The challenges in having friends work for your business might be hard to manage. Sometimes they don’t think you are the boss, they think you are just their friend. But it is easy to deal with talk to your friends and make sure they know their roles. Let them know here is the business, and there are rules in the company. Everybody should follow the rules, nobody except.  

Question 5 .        Would you want to work for a company like this? Why or why not?

Answer 5 .        To answer that would I work for a company like Life is Good?  yes would be my reply. Foremost of the reason would be that the company promotes and maintain a stress free environment for all employees. This good management style encourages the  employees to learn   new things and improve their performance and thus leading to a positive productivity note.

Question 6 .        In what ways would the Life is Good managers (corporate and retail stores) have to deal with the challenges of customer services, innovation and sustainability? Be specific in your description.

Answer 6 . Managers at Life is Good  are requires to utilize their skills and bring on the right amount of motivation to run the company.

1.         Challenges .         Mangers might have to deal with following challenges :

• Achieving Goal .          There are goals associated with objectives, and if organization is aggressive then those goals require more than the typical amount of effort. It’s going to take some careful planning to figure out   . Managers have to have to   , remove hurdles, and   .
• Getting the best out of employee .         To take on this challenge the manager may have to adopt following steps:-
• Provide a work environment that is appropriate for the work and conducive to employee well-being.
• Encourage employee communication and cooperation
• Dealing with Underperforming Employees .        Right and periodic provision of    and counseling by the managers will help the employees to improve upon their performance.
• Hiring the Right People .  To have the right person for a specific job is one one of the major contributor to company’s performance. It must be noted that an  of interviewee, however its going beyond the interview which is crucial.
• Crises Management . Planning is a part of managing, but when a crisis hits, manager have to be able to deal with it calmly, quietly and without being overwhelmed by stress.
• Continuous Improvement . There’s always a room for improvement or a change in a process, a better working environment, better employee motivation, more focus on the essentials. A manager must seek out these improvement through research or periodical overviews of workplace and respond correctly.

2.         Importance of innovation .        Innovation is a critical factor in a growth of a company, and it means doing things differently, exploring new territory and taking risks. Innovation can be the application of new ideas to the products, processes, or other aspects of the activities of a company that lead to increased “value.” For a company like Life is Good managers must be abreast with the latest ideas and global trends.  

3.         Importance of sustainability .   Sustainability is the ability to maintain a certain status or process in existing systems or company’s ability to achieve its business goals and increase long term shareholder value by integrating economic, environmental, and social opportunities into business strategy . For a company like Life is Good it becomes important because all the goals they pursue, and all the actions taken today will affect it in the future. Before sustainability can be fully integrated into a company’s core business, though, top managers have to take following important actions :

• Shaping consumer tastes to build a stronger market for sustainable products.
• Training management, employees and the next generation of leaders to deal with sustainability issues.
• Communicating with investors to create a better understanding of the impact of sustainability.
• Measuring performance on sustainability — and explaining the value of business in society.
• Working with governments to shape clearer regulation and create a level playing field.

  Management by Stephen P. Robbins, Chapter 1 Importance of sustainability to the Manager’s Job, Page 16.

Document Details

• Author Type Student
• Word Count 2616
• Page Count 8
• Subject Business Studies
• Type of work Homework assignment

Related Essays

Business Case study economics, marketing

school business case study

Business location case study - Richer Sounds and UKWeb co.

company law problem

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base

Methodology

• What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods

What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods

Published on May 8, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on November 20, 2023.

A case study is a detailed study of a specific subject, such as a person, group, place, event, organization, or phenomenon. Case studies are commonly used in social, educational, clinical, and business research.

A case study research design usually involves qualitative methods , but quantitative methods are sometimes also used. Case studies are good for describing , comparing, evaluating and understanding different aspects of a research problem .

Table of contents

When to do a case study, step 1: select a case, step 2: build a theoretical framework, step 3: collect your data, step 4: describe and analyze the case, other interesting articles.

A case study is an appropriate research design when you want to gain concrete, contextual, in-depth knowledge about a specific real-world subject. It allows you to explore the key characteristics, meanings, and implications of the case.

Case studies are often a good choice in a thesis or dissertation . They keep your project focused and manageable when you don’t have the time or resources to do large-scale research.

You might use just one complex case study where you explore a single subject in depth, or conduct multiple case studies to compare and illuminate different aspects of your research problem.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

Once you have developed your problem statement and research questions , you should be ready to choose the specific case that you want to focus on. A good case study should have the potential to:

• Provide new or unexpected insights into the subject
• Challenge or complicate existing assumptions and theories
• Propose practical courses of action to resolve a problem
• Open up new directions for future research

TipIf your research is more practical in nature and aims to simultaneously investigate an issue as you solve it, consider conducting action research instead.

Unlike quantitative or experimental research , a strong case study does not require a random or representative sample. In fact, case studies often deliberately focus on unusual, neglected, or outlying cases which may shed new light on the research problem.

Example of an outlying case studyIn the 1960s the town of Roseto, Pennsylvania was discovered to have extremely low rates of heart disease compared to the US average. It became an important case study for understanding previously neglected causes of heart disease.

However, you can also choose a more common or representative case to exemplify a particular category, experience or phenomenon.

Example of a representative case studyIn the 1920s, two sociologists used Muncie, Indiana as a case study of a typical American city that supposedly exemplified the changing culture of the US at the time.

While case studies focus more on concrete details than general theories, they should usually have some connection with theory in the field. This way the case study is not just an isolated description, but is integrated into existing knowledge about the topic. It might aim to:

• Exemplify a theory by showing how it explains the case under investigation
• Expand on a theory by uncovering new concepts and ideas that need to be incorporated
• Challenge a theory by exploring an outlier case that doesn’t fit with established assumptions

To ensure that your analysis of the case has a solid academic grounding, you should conduct a literature review of sources related to the topic and develop a theoretical framework . This means identifying key concepts and theories to guide your analysis and interpretation.

There are many different research methods you can use to collect data on your subject. Case studies tend to focus on qualitative data using methods such as interviews , observations , and analysis of primary and secondary sources (e.g., newspaper articles, photographs, official records). Sometimes a case study will also collect quantitative data.

Example of a mixed methods case studyFor a case study of a wind farm development in a rural area, you could collect quantitative data on employment rates and business revenue, collect qualitative data on local people’s perceptions and experiences, and analyze local and national media coverage of the development.

The aim is to gain as thorough an understanding as possible of the case and its context.

In writing up the case study, you need to bring together all the relevant aspects to give as complete a picture as possible of the subject.

How you report your findings depends on the type of research you are doing. Some case studies are structured like a standard scientific paper or thesis , with separate sections or chapters for the methods , results and discussion .

Others are written in a more narrative style, aiming to explore the case from various angles and analyze its meanings and implications (for example, by using textual analysis or discourse analysis ).

In all cases, though, make sure to give contextual details about the case, connect it back to the literature and theory, and discuss how it fits into wider patterns or debates.

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Normal distribution
• Degrees of freedom
• Null hypothesis
• Discourse analysis
• Control groups
• Mixed methods research
• Non-probability sampling
• Quantitative research
• Ecological validity

Research bias

• Rosenthal effect
• Implicit bias
• Cognitive bias
• Selection bias
• Negativity bias
• Status quo bias

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, November 20). What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods. Scribbr. Retrieved August 26, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/case-study/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, primary vs. secondary sources | difference & examples, what is a theoretical framework | guide to organizing, what is action research | definition & examples, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

Meet tia! Your AI-powered Knowledge Copilot that Drives Upsells and Closes Deals

Life is Good Playmakers are Spreading the Power of Optimism

Life is good playmakers partnered with thought industries to scale their training and improve learner engagement..

Life is Good Playmaker Program provides training and support to professionals serving children recovering from traumatic experiences. The Playmaker Program goes beyond the classroom into hospitals and social services to help children heal. The resources provided by the Life is Good Playmaker Program needed to be optimized so they could extend their reach even farther into the world.

Steve Gross, Chief Playmaker, Life is Good Playmakers

The Challenge

Life is Good Playmakers sought out a learning solution to scale and extend their current training impact. At the outset of their search, Life is Good Playmakers thought they needed a custom platform to meet their unique brand and cause. They were at the point of contract negotiations when they reached out to Thought Industries to see what a customizable platform could do for them.

That’s when they realized, what they wanted wasn’t a custom-built platform, but rather a highly customizable platform. They switched their entire strategy to focus on how a learning platform could help them scale without losing any of their uniqueness.

Ellen Lempereur Greaves, Head of Program Operations

The Solution

Life is Good Playmakers found in Thought Industries everything they needed to distribute training and learning to their learners. Through this, they’re able to support over a million children around the world.

Key contributors to their success include:

• Outstanding partnership and services provided by the Thought Industries Product and
• Support teams to get Life is Good Playmakers online
• Native Course Authoring tools that allow them to create immersive, interactive content that reflects their brand
• Blended Learning experiences that extend in-person courses into an online continued education path
• Customization that is as intuitive as it is flexible
• Boundless opportunities for continued growth

“Learning doesn’t stick with a single in-person experience. When we can reinforce that learning experience and create a continuum of learning… it deepens our impact.”

—Ellen Lempereur Greaves, Head of Program Operations, Life is Good Playmakers

Finally, a Third Way To Market—It’s Not Just A Method, It’s A Movement To Authentically Attract Your Dream Clients Without Selling Your Soul

“Life is Good” – a Case Study – Lessons in Soulful Marketing

Another fun Soulful Marketing Principles case study for you. This company has been my go-to for t-shirts for at least the last 15 years. I have over 30 of their t-shirts, from long sleeves to short sleeves to tank tops. And it’s not just because I love their fun designs, it’s also because it’s THE MOST comfortable cotton t-shirt I’ve ever worn. And the same size ALWAYS fits me.

Then there’s the ultra reason I love them because they created a brand and a community I absolutely connect with.  Their mission is simple “To spread the power of optimism.”

In 1994, Brothers Bert and John Jacobs, after 5 years of less-than-stellar sales, selling shirts out of their van in Massachusetts, came up with an idea – noticing how we’re inundated with negative media messages all the time.  What if they created a rallying cry for optimists with their t-shirts?

They created their new shirts, and in 45 minutes, they sold 48 t-shirts out of their van, and that’s when their official  “Life is Good”  business was born.

How cool is that?! They’ve been in business now for 28 years.

My personal favorite t-shirts are their “Jake & Rocket” and their dog-designed t-shirts. I just love all their bright colors and how comfy their cotton is, and how LONG they last. Plus, their holiday shirts are a hoot too, with the addition of Winnie The Pooh, the Grinch, and more… And now you can customize your t-shirts too – whhaaatt? I’m thinking holiday presents….hmmmmmm.

How Life is Good Uses Core Soulful Marketing Principles:

1. Connect Authentically With Your Dream Prospect & Clients: Life is Good is known for its authentic and transparent values, which they communicate through their storytelling and messaging. They strive to create a genuine connection with their audience by being open about their own struggles and encouraging others to find the silver lining in challenging situations.  Their brand isn’t just about catchy slogans; it’s about genuine heart-to-heart connections.  For those hungering for some positivity and genuine optimism, Life is Good feels like coming home.  They get their dream customers, not just on a surface level—deep down, where dreams and challenges coexist . It’s pure soulful marketing magic. Their messaging and storytelling reflect their genuine understanding of their dream customers.  Check out their Life is Good Super Power Kit . Its goal is to activate social and emotional learning in schools.

Ideas For Your Business:  You can showcase the real stories behind your product or service and the people involved.  Share your brand’s journey, including both victories and obstacles. When you showcase authenticity and transparency, it allows your dream customers to connect with your brand on a deeper level . Take the time to understand your dream prospects and clients deeply. Connect with them on a personal level by addressing their pain points and desires. Use language and imagery that speaks to their emotions and values. By connecting authentically with your audience, you build trust and loyalty.

2. Communicate & Connect to Your Dream Clients with Empathy: Life is Good listens actively and shows a genuine understanding of their customer’s experiences and aspirations. This empathy comes through in their marketing, which is designed to uplift and inspire their dream customers.  They create an emotional connection with positive emotions such as joy, optimism, and gratitude through their messaging, website, emails, and their products . Their use of vibrant colors, uplifting images, and relatable stories helps form a strong emotional bond with their dream customers.  Check out their “Good Stories”  from their Good Vibe Tribe that fuels them with optimism.

Idea For Your Business:  Practice empathy in your messaging and interactions with your clients. Truly listen to their concerns and challenges. Tailor your marketing to provide solutions that address their specific needs.  By demonstrating empathy in your communications, you create a strong bond with your audience and establish yourself as a trusted advisor.  Understand the emotions your dream client wants to experience when interacting with your brand. Use compelling visuals, storytelling, and relatable content to create an emotional connection.  Remember, emotional connections foster brand loyalty and help customers connect with your business’s mission and values.

3. Align with Your Mission, Core Values & Purpose Life is Good aligns all aspects of its business with its mission, core values, and purpose. Their commitment to spreading positivity, optimism, and playfulness is evident in their products, customer interactions, and social impact initiatives.  They actively promote the importance of gratitude, growth, and joy in everyday life .  Check out their “Good Vibe Tribe” Insta pictures .

And check out their  employee career page , where they celebrate Days of Gratitude, Jake Jams, The Art of Optimism, And Life is Good Kids Foundation.

Idea For Your Business:  Clearly define your mission, core values, and purpose. Ensure that everything you do is aligned with these guiding principles.  Let your mission and values drive your marketing decisions, product and/or service development, and customer interactions.  This alignment creates a cohesive and authentic brand identity. Show how your product or service can positively impact your dream clients’ lives. By being purpose-driven, you can attract customers who resonate with your mission.

4. Use Personalized Marketing in Your Business

Life is Good uses personalized marketing to make its dream customers feel seen and valued. They segment their dream customers based on their interests and preferences and tailor their messaging accordingly.  For example, they send personalized emails to customers based on their purchase history.  They also focus on building relationships by actively listening to customer feedback, engaging with their community, and involving dream customers in their marketing efforts.  For example, they had a “Life is Good Festival” and “Soulshine” where customers could come together and celebrate.

Ideas For Your Business:  Gather data and insights about your audience to create personalized marketing experiences.  Segment your audience based on demographics, behaviors, or interests. Deliver targeted messages and offers that resonate with each segment.  Personalizing your marketing efforts enhances the customer experience and increases engagement.  Prioritize your customers by actively listening to their feedback and engaging with them on social media.  Involve your customers in decision-making processes and encourage them to share their experiences. Building a customer-centric approach strengthens loyalty and fosters a sense of belonging.

5. Creating Authenticity & Transparency in Your Marketing & Messaging:

Life is Good  celebrates real stories of individuals who embrace the power of optimism and share them through various channels.  They also give insights into their social impact initiatives to foster trust and transparency.  They  “spread optimism one article at a time.”

Ideas For Your Business:  Be genuine and transparent in your marketing and messaging. Share real stories and experiences from both your team and customers. Showcasing the human side of your business builds trust and authenticity.  Additionally, openly share information about your business practices and social impact initiatives.  Transparent communication strengthens the bond with your audience.

6. Social Impact –  Life is Good is committed to making a positive impact. They work with various nonprofit organizations, support children in need, and donate a percentage of their profits to charitable causes.  Plus, they created their own  Playmaker Movement   – They provide transformative training, tools, and ongoing coaching, to support early childhood professionals as they build life-changing relationships with children in their care.

I dea For Your Business: Identify the social issues that align with your business values and find meaningful ways to contribute.  For example, you can partner with local nonprofits or create initiatives that support causes relevant to your industry.  Demonstrating a commitment to social impact can attract socially-conscious customers who value giving back.

Remember—  By incorporating these principles into your marketing strategy, you can authentically connect with your dream prospects and clients, communicate empathetically, align with your mission and values, use personalized marketing, and create transparency in your messaging.

These strategies, inspired by Life is Good’s successful approach, can help your business establish a strong connection with your audience and fuel growth.

August is here a blazing, and that’s not just heat. Unfortunately, we’ve had a lightning storm this week, and it has caused lots of wildfires. So far, all is well here. It’s just stinking hot – one more day at 112, and we get some relief this weekend. Hope you’re enjoying the last few weeks of summer!

Quote I’m Pondering:

“Ironically, negative emotions leash us to the very people we say we long to escape. They create the likelihood that we will magnetize them back again for another round through our sheer attachment, in this life or another. ~ Tosha Silver

Powerful Mantras to Inspire: I am more lighthearted and love to laugh and feel joy!

I am patient, loving, and present in the moment.

I am healthy and resilient, and I feel and look fantastic!

”What I’m Reading:

Make Your Idea Matter: Stand out with a better story  by Bernadette Jiwa

Weekly Photos: Emma’s learned the art of not having to hold her head up when a human is around. 😉 And I got some shots of  Alice who’s doing an fantastic job with the project in the back yard –  putting in some stairs. It’s not easy as our yard’s on a pretty steep slope. We need a better way to get to our fruit trees. (Besides tumbling or sliding down the hill.)  And she makes it look pretty easy. In addition to her skills as an orthopedic hospitalist, she’s also a part-time stair engineer. And of course, my job is to ensure I’ve documented these projects with photos and many accolades! (And refreshments and lots of water.)

Check out Emma, who always finds a new place  to hang out in the living room. And lastly, I finally got a picture of Alice’s new truck. I love how it rides more like an SUV, yet it’s still fun and very zippy with all its 6 cylinders. (Nissan Frontier 2023)

Whenever you are ready, below are three ways I can help you achieve success in your business.

• Jump on a complimentary  Call with me – I promise you will leave our call with at least 1 – 3 actions that will impact your business immediately.
• Get my 7-Step Soulful Marketing System.  It contains all my best stuff on creating and launching your products.  Plus, you get proven templates,  tools and worksheets valued at over $4,056!
• Looking for Guidance  –  One on One or Group Coaching-Consulting  – It’s your time to create the success you so deserve. Let me help you create your authentic and unique messaging, offers and more so you will get more clients/customers. Would love to see how I can help you.  Hit reply and let’s connect.

You May Also Like

Need a boost of productivity? I gotchu :-)

If only – a personal heartbreaking journey

This one question could make or break your business…

LG | Experience Happiness

Equipping teens with happiness skills, lg electronics usa, a leading global electronics and home appliance manufacturer, wanted to focus its varied cause marketing and corporate social responsibility efforts. lg has long been a participant in the un sustainable development goals as well as having strong philanthropic ties. however, the efforts had not been focused around a solidified company mission, until now..

LG wanted consumers to know what LG stood for as a brand and showcase specifically what the phrase “Life’s Good” meant to the company. The LG team believed a more focused philanthropic approach could help bring definition to the brand’s personality in the public eye.

The Solution

In 2017, Matchfire researched, outlined, designs, and launched the social impact and cause marketing initiative that focuses on happiness. The platform, called Experience Happiness, seeks to equip youth with the necessary skills to create sustainable happiness in their lives, in credit to science and research backed nonprofit partners. We initially conducted an extensive data intelligence phase and developed the strategic framework for the purpose platform including nonprofit partners, brand positioning, and consumer touchpoint opportunities. Once LG finalized the mission, we developed the Experience Happiness brand, look and feel, messaging, secondary logo family, and website.  

From there, Matchfire developed a go-to-market strategy, identifying opportunities for promotion through LG’s social media and email channels, retail partners, and internally with LG employees. After the Experience Happiness program was underway and making an impact in schools, a consumer-facing celebration was needed.

To celebrate reaching over 1.8 million students in the first year of the program, Matchfire held a celebration on International Happiness Day, at the top of One World Observatory in New York City, in partnership with Daybreaker, celebrity influencers, and students from local Experience Happiness schools. Experience Happiness is now in year four of the program and is on track to meet their 5-year goal of reaching 5.5 million students across the United States.  

Impact and Awards

Now on the fourth year of the program, Experience Happiness has touched the lives of over 4.5 million youth across the country.

LG’s platform has also churned out increases in brand perception, across the board including a 16% increase in positive consumers perception and a 22% increase in consumers who feel LG is making a positive social impact on the world.

The NAB Leadership Foundation honored LG with the 2019 Corporate Leadership award for the Life’s Good: Experience Happiness platform. This award recognizes an extraordinary focus on community service and corporate social responsibility. LG’s ongoing mission is to deliver sustainable happiness skills to over 5 million youth.

LG and Matchfire have also been awarded 2019’s Social Shorty Award for their International Day of Happiness event in partnership with Daybreaker. The Shorty Social Good Awards is an international awards program that honors the impactful work organizations are doing to make the world a better place. To learn more about the campaign, check out our blog post.

Matchfire has also been awarded an AVA Digital Award for Creative Website Design of the Experience Happiness website.

Footer links

Complete Case Study on the Marketing Strategy of LG (Life’s Good)

By Aditya Shastri

LG is an electronics-based multinational company established in South Korea that deals in the production of consumer electronic goods. Originally the company was focused on producing radio components but later shifted its focus to the electronics field and established itself as the tech giant it is today.

Wondering how the company managed to shift gears and establish itself as a major player in the industry? This case study on the Marketing Strategy of LG Electronics will help you to understand the entire marketing strategy, along with its marketing mix, target audience, and digital presence.

LG is short for “Lucky-Goldstar” and was founded by Koo In-Hwoi in 1958, started as a small company that domestically produced consumer and home appliances but later expanded its product line to newer technologies such as mobile phones, home entertainment systems and more which is now is present all over the world.

It is one of the second-largest TV manufacturers in the world. The company is known as a Digital Leader in electronic goods and equipment in this digital era with the company’s progression.

LG Target Audience:

In the competitive landscape of consumer electronics, LG has strategically positioned itself as a go-to business by tailoring its offering to a diverse yet well-defined target audience. LG targets middle to high-income households with its wide variety of home appliances and smartphones.

With its super economical price point and smooth UI/UX, LG has left no space in attracting tech-savvy millennials to busy families and seniors looking for simple yet effective appliances.

Apart from this, LG target audience includes environment-conscious people who are sensitive when it comes to nature by aligning LG marketing strategy with environmental-friendly ideas and concepts.

The company has also been successful in capturing middle to high-income earners who prioritize relying quite heavily on good-quality electronics.

Current News about the brand

• LG unveils QNED 83 series smart TVs in India
• LG launches XBoom series of speakers, Tone Fit TF7 wireless earphones
• India to see LG’s highest sales growth globally this year: MD Hong Ju Jeon
• LG launches webOS-based My View Smart Monitors in India.

User persona

Buyer’s Persona

James Smith

New York, USA

Profession:

Marketing Executive

• Ease of shopping.
• High-quality home appliances
• Cutting-edge technology
• Energy efficiency and sustainability

Interest & Hobbies

• Watching movies and TV shows
• Playing Guitar
• Cooking gourmet meals
• Gardening and indoor plants

Pain Points

• Inconsistent information on social media channels.
• Slow website and customer service response.
• Poor UI/UX of the website.
• Stock Availability.
• Difficulty in finding specific product details

Social Media Presence

Lg’s swot analysis.

LG Marketing Strategy: LG’s 4 P’s

Product: LG is a massy brand that aims to target a large segment of people. Starting from a smartphone to major household products like fridges, washing machines, and speakers, they have it all.

LG prices its products based on their consumer’s pocket size. Smartphones by LG are comparatively low compared to ACs, refrigerators, and washing machines. With a wide array of products, the company has positioned itself as a go-to brand for its user base.

Price: Despite being a big name in the market, products by LG are pocket-friendly and have competitive pricing. The pricing is generally based on the features of the products.

LG also provides financing options for its customers. With all these marketing tactics, LG ensures that they’ve something for everyone and no customer goes without purchasing LG.

Place: With a stronghold of market and distribution channels, LG has a strong presence in the market. One can easily find LG products at their nearest electronic retail stores, malls, or online marketplaces.

LG aims to deliver a smooth experience to its consumers. By having a good presence, the brand builds robust trust among its users, persuading them to be a customer of the brand.

Promotion: LG spends exorbitantly when it comes to marketing. LG communicates its brand message with a hint of emotional connection to its viewers. It has also created campaigns that target environment enthusiasts.

The brand uses multiple channels like traditional marketing, digital platforms, and experiential marketing to reach its target audience. With this, the brand leaves no stone unturned to get in touch with its potential users.

Do you feel stuck in your current career choice r? Digital marketing could be your game-changer. Enroll in our Post Graduation in Digital Marketing Program & launch your future!

Marketing Strategy Adopted by LG

Here is a list of some of the most popular marketing strategy of LG that I think have really worked well for their company:

Emotional Appeal

LG’s strongest marketing strategy is designing campaigns that connect on an emotional level with the audience through relatable experiences and beautiful visuals. This emotional connection helps build trust and further become loyal to the brand.

Advertising Strategy

The company believes in selling products directly to the customers, hence advertisement here plays a major role. The company has advertised on several channels like TV advertisements, magazines, newspapers, and the internet.

Influencer Marketing

The company’s marketing strategy combines various celebrity endorsements, ad campaigns, and sponsorship of major events to drive high sales and brand visibility in the market. In 2010, the company widened its marketing efforts by launching a series of products and enlisting famous personalities like Akshay Kumar to endorse its new launch, particularly the new LED range from LG.

The brand was promoting the new LED range from the LG stable on all National multi-mediums, according to a statement by the company, this was the first time the company has associated with any celebrity for endorsing its flat-panel displays.

The company chooses celebrities of the country and they in due course make them the brand ambassador. The reason behind this is that people will directly relate to the products available to them. The company also promotes its products through various sporting events being their sponsors. The company makes sure that the product is in the mind of the customers and therefore they consider the product to buy.

How does this brand use Digital Marketing in its strategy?

• Get ready for a thrilling sports experience with the LG UQ801C UHD Commercial TV. With Bluetooth Surround Ready, immerse yourself in the game and feel like you’re right on the sidelines. This post was done by LG for promoting their new LG UQ801C UHD Commercial TV, by making the customer feel like they are sitting in the Stadium. Presenting its Quality and its viewing experience.
• Win Exciting prizes by simply sharing a picture of the LG logo lurking in the most unique places, using #LGSpotted. This is a marketing technique used by LG to stay in the market and to attract consumers towards it, and free marketing and tagging in multiple posts by this campaign and using the Hashtags #LGSpotted.
• LG also measures the quality of digital marketing performances by analyzing data through various online sites and based on it establishing strategies to increase marketing effectiveness.

Marketing and advertising campaigns

• “Life’s Good” Slogan : LG’s most well-known tagline is “Life’s Good,” which reflects the company’s commitment to making products that enhance the quality of life for consumers. Recently the company took over popular landmarks to kick off its new Life’s Good campaign with a more young-looking visual identity.

LG SIGNATURE OLED M4 and LG OLED G4 TVs are equipped with the new α (Alpha) 11 AI processor, providing a 70% improved graphic performance and a 30% faster processing speed than its predecessor.

• LG Home Appliances : LG has run numerous campaigns highlighting its home appliances, focusing on features such as energy efficiency, smart technology, and convenience. They often showcase products like refrigerators, washing machines, and kitchen appliances in lifestyle settings.
• Mobile Phones : LG has marketed its smartphones, such as the LG G and LG V series, with campaigns that emphasize features like camera quality, unique design, and advanced technology. They have also collaborated with celebrities for endorsement deals in some regions.
• LG Signature Series : LG’s premium line of products under the “Signature” brand has been promoted through campaigns emphasizing sleek design, high-quality materials, and cutting-edge technology.

Top 6 Competitors of LG

• Samsung : It is one of LG’s primary competitors in various consumer electronics segments, including smartphones, televisions, home appliances, and display technologies.
• Sony : It is a major competitor in the consumer electronics industry, particularly in segments like televisions, audio equipment, and gaming consoles.
• Panasonic : It competes with LG in areas such as home appliances, televisions, and other consumer electronics.
• Haier : It is a Chinese company, that competes with LG in the home appliances market, offering a wide range of products such as refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners.
• TCL : It is known for its affordable televisions and is a notable competitor in the TV market. They also produce smartphones and other consumer electronics.
• Whirlpool : Whirlpool is an intercontinental home appliance brand present all across the board. This American multinational manufacturer has been ranked 199th by Forbes in the top global companies for its huge employee strength and high market potential leading to high market growth.

What is LG’s marketing strategy?

The company’s vision involves creating emotional connections with its customers by using a mix of traditional as well as digital marketing strategies showcasing its products via various channels such as campaigns, TV commercials, social media promotions, and influencer partnerships.

What does the LG logo stand for?

According to the company itself, LG stands for future, youth, humanity, and technology.

What is the revenue of LG?

The worldwide revenue of LG Electronics had been amounted to 63.3 billion dollars in 2023.

What is the market share of LG in India?

According to a report in The Economics Times, LG has 27% shares in television, 21% in AC units, and 31% in refrigerators.

Where are LG products manufactured in India?

LG’s manufacturing unit is located all around the country but its most eco-friendly unit among all the other plants is situated at Greater Noida.

Innovation always grabs the attention of the products, and LG should keep on sustaining itself to be a high-tech groundbreaking in the market. To maintain a competitive advantage over its competitors, LG must maintain its high brand visibility and should ensure that its products reach their customers whenever and wherever there is a demand.

In today’s digital world, a strong online presence is essential.  Stay ahead of the curve and build your business’s success with IIDE’s Online Digital Marketing Course .

Still unsure? Start with our Free Digital Marketing Masterclass! Get a taste of the content, explore your options, and see if it’s the perfect fit for you

Thank you for reading this blog, do share your thoughts in the comments section below on this case study.

Author's Note: My name is Aditya Shastri and I have written this case study with the help of my students from IIDE's online digital marketing courses in India . Practical assignments, case studies & simulations helped the students from this course present this analysis. Building on this practical approach, we are now introducing a new dimension for our online digital marketing course learners - the Campus Immersion Experience. If you found this case study helpful, please feel free to leave a comment below.

IIDE Course Recommendation

" * " indicates required fields

Get Syllabus

By providing your contact details, you agree to our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy

Aditya Shastri

Lead Trainer & Head of Learning & Development at IIDE

Leads the Learning & Development segment at IIDE. He is a Content Marketing Expert and has trained 6000+ students and working professionals on various topics of Digital Marketing. He has been a guest speaker at prominent colleges in India including IIMs...... [Read full bio]

a very impressive analysis! Looking forward to learning more from you.

Good article, Helped me with my project work

🔥 LG’s marketing game is on point! 🚀

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Submit Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Related Posts

Business Model of PayPal: A Comprehensive Case Study

by Aditya Shastri | Aug 26, 2024

The company works as a payment processor for online merchants, auction sites, and other commercial...

Case Study on the Valuable Business Model Of VISA with Full Explantation

by Aditya Shastri | Aug 20, 2024

Quick Read   Explore the business model of Visa Inc., a global leader in payment technology....

Here’s an In depth Analysis On the Business Model Of Yahoo

by Aditya Shastri | Aug 17, 2024

Looking for the business model of yahoo? Here's an in-depth analysis of it. Yahoo is one of the...

I’m Interested in This Masterclass

• All Headlines

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

• Design for Business
• Most Recent
• Presentations
• Infographics
• Data Visualizations
• Forms and Surveys
• Video & Animation
• Case Studies
• Digital Marketing
• Design Inspiration
• Visual Thinking
• Product Updates
• Visme Webinars
• Artificial Intelligence

15 Real-Life Case Study Examples & Best Practices

Written by: Oghale Olori

Case studies are more than just success stories.

They are powerful tools that demonstrate the practical value of your product or service. Case studies help attract attention to your products, build trust with potential customers and ultimately drive sales.

It’s no wonder that 73% of successful content marketers utilize case studies as part of their content strategy. Plus, buyers spend 54% of their time reviewing case studies before they make a buying decision.

To ensure you’re making the most of your case studies, we’ve put together 15 real-life case study examples to inspire you. These examples span a variety of industries and formats. We’ve also included best practices, design tips and templates to inspire you.

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

What is a case study, 15 real-life case study examples, sales case study examples, saas case study examples, product case study examples, marketing case study examples, business case study examples, case study faqs.

• A case study is a compelling narrative that showcases how your product or service has positively impacted a real business or individual. 
• Case studies delve into your customer's challenges, how your solution addressed them and the quantifiable results they achieved.
• Your case study should have an attention-grabbing headline, great visuals and a relevant call to action. Other key elements include an introduction, problems and result section.
• Visme provides easy-to-use tools, professionally designed templates and features for creating attractive and engaging case studies.

A case study is a real-life scenario where your company helped a person or business solve their unique challenges. It provides a detailed analysis of the positive outcomes achieved as a result of implementing your solution.

Case studies are an effective way to showcase the value of your product or service to potential customers without overt selling. By sharing how your company transformed a business, you can attract customers seeking similar solutions and results.

Case studies are not only about your company's capabilities; they are primarily about the benefits customers and clients have experienced from using your product.

Every great case study is made up of key elements. They are;

• Attention-grabbing headline: Write a compelling headline that grabs attention and tells your reader what the case study is about. For example, "How a CRM System Helped a B2B Company Increase Revenue by 225%.
• Introduction/Executive Summary: Include a brief overview of your case study, including your customer’s problem, the solution they implemented and the results they achieved.
• Problem/Challenge: Case studies with solutions offer a powerful way to connect with potential customers. In this section, explain how your product or service specifically addressed your customer's challenges.
• Solution: Explain how your product or service specifically addressed your customer's challenges.
• Results/Achievements : Give a detailed account of the positive impact of your product. Quantify the benefits achieved using metrics such as increased sales, improved efficiency, reduced costs or enhanced customer satisfaction.
• Graphics/Visuals: Include professional designs, high-quality photos and videos to make your case study more engaging and visually appealing.
• Quotes/Testimonials: Incorporate written or video quotes from your clients to boost your credibility.
• Relevant CTA: Insert a call to action (CTA) that encourages the reader to take action. For example, visiting your website or contacting you for more information. Your CTA can be a link to a landing page, a contact form or your social media handle and should be related to the product or service you highlighted in your case study.

Now that you understand what a case study is, let’s look at real-life case study examples. Among these, you'll find some simple case study examples that break down complex ideas into easily understandable solutions.

In this section, we’ll explore SaaS, marketing, sales, product and business case study examples with solutions. Take note of how these companies structured their case studies and included the key elements.

We’ve also included professionally designed case study templates to inspire you.

1. Georgia Tech Athletics Increase Season Ticket Sales by 80%

Georgia Tech Athletics, with its 8,000 football season ticket holders, sought for a way to increase efficiency and customer engagement.

Their initial sales process involved making multiple outbound phone calls per day with no real targeting or guidelines. Georgia Tech believed that targeting communications will enable them to reach more people in real time.

Salesloft improved Georgia Tech’s sales process with an inbound structure. This enabled sales reps to connect with their customers on a more targeted level. The use of dynamic fields and filters when importing lists ensured prospects received the right information, while communication with existing fans became faster with automation.

As a result, Georgia Tech Athletics recorded an 80% increase in season ticket sales as relationships with season ticket holders significantly improved. Employee engagement increased as employees became more energized to connect and communicate with fans.

Why Does This Case Study Work?

In this case study example , Salesloft utilized the key elements of a good case study. Their introduction gave an overview of their customers' challenges and the results they enjoyed after using them. After which they categorized the case study into three main sections: challenge, solution and result.

Salesloft utilized a case study video to increase engagement and invoke human connection.

Incorporating videos in your case study has a lot of benefits. Wyzol’s 2023 state of video marketing report showed a direct correlation between videos and an 87% increase in sales.

The beautiful thing is that creating videos for your case study doesn’t have to be daunting.

With an easy-to-use platform like Visme, you can create top-notch testimonial videos that will connect with your audience. Within the Visme editor, you can access over 1 million stock photos , video templates, animated graphics and more. These tools and resources will significantly improve the design and engagement of your case study.

Simplify content creation and brand management for your team

• Collaborate on designs , mockups and wireframes with your non-design colleagues
• Lock down your branding to maintain brand consistency throughout your designs
• Why start from scratch? Save time with 1000s of professional branded templates

Sign up. It’s free.

2. WeightWatchers Completely Revamped their Enterprise Sales Process with HubSpot

WeightWatchers, a 60-year-old wellness company, sought a CRM solution that increased the efficiency of their sales process. With their previous system, Weightwatchers had limited automation. They would copy-paste message templates from word documents or recreate one email for a batch of customers.

This required a huge effort from sales reps, account managers and leadership, as they were unable to track leads or pull customized reports for planning and growth.

WeightWatchers transformed their B2B sales strategy by leveraging HubSpot's robust marketing and sales workflows. They utilized HubSpot’s deal pipeline and automation features to streamline lead qualification. And the customized dashboard gave leadership valuable insights.

As a result, WeightWatchers generated seven figures in annual contract value and boosted recurring revenue. Hubspot’s impact resulted in 100% adoption across all sales, marketing, client success and operations teams.

Hubspot structured its case study into separate sections, demonstrating the specific benefits of their products to various aspects of the customer's business. Additionally, they integrated direct customer quotes in each section to boost credibility, resulting in a more compelling case study.

Getting insight from your customer about their challenges is one thing. But writing about their process and achievements in a concise and relatable way is another. If you find yourself constantly experiencing writer’s block, Visme’s AI writer is perfect for you.

Visme created this AI text generator tool to take your ideas and transform them into a great draft. So whether you need help writing your first draft or editing your final case study, Visme is ready for you.

3. Immi’s Ram Fam Helps to Drive Over $200k in Sales

Immi embarked on a mission to recreate healthier ramen recipes that were nutritious and delicious. After 2 years of tireless trials, Immi finally found the perfect ramen recipe. However, they envisioned a community of passionate ramen enthusiasts to fuel their business growth.

This vision propelled them to partner with Shopify Collabs. Shopify Collabs successfully cultivated and managed Immi’s Ramen community of ambassadors and creators.

As a result of their partnership, Immi’s community grew to more than 400 dedicated members, generating over $200,000 in total affiliate sales.

The power of data-driven headlines cannot be overemphasized. Chili Piper strategically incorporates quantifiable results in their headlines. This instantly sparks curiosity and interest in readers.

While not every customer success story may boast headline-grabbing figures, quantifying achievements in percentages is still effective. For example, you can highlight a 50% revenue increase with the implementation of your product.

Take a look at the beautiful case study template below. Just like in the example above, the figures in the headline instantly grab attention and entice your reader to click through.

Having a case study document is a key factor in boosting engagement. This makes it easy to promote your case study in multiple ways. With Visme, you can easily publish, download and share your case study with your customers in a variety of formats, including PDF, PPTX, JPG and more!

4. How WOW! is Saving Nearly 79% in Time and Cost With Visme

This case study discusses how Visme helped WOW! save time and money by providing user-friendly tools to create interactive and quality training materials for their employees. Find out what your team can do with Visme. Request a Demo

WOW!'s learning and development team creates high-quality training materials for new and existing employees. Previous tools and platforms they used had plain templates, little to no interactivity features, and limited flexibility—that is, until they discovered Visme.

Now, the learning and development team at WOW! use Visme to create engaging infographics, training videos, slide decks and other training materials.

This has directly reduced the company's turnover rate, saving them money spent on recruiting and training new employees. It has also saved them a significant amount of time, which they can now allocate to other important tasks.

Visme's customer testimonials spark an emotional connection with the reader, leaving a profound impact. Upon reading this case study, prospective customers will be blown away by the remarkable efficiency achieved by Visme's clients after switching from PowerPoint.

Visme’s interactivity feature was a game changer for WOW! and one of the primary reasons they chose Visme.

“Previously we were using PowerPoint, which is fine, but the interactivity you can get with Visme is so much more robust that we’ve all steered away from PowerPoint.” - Kendra, L&D team, Wow!

Visme’s interactive feature allowed them to animate their infographics, include clickable links on their PowerPoint designs and even embed polls and quizzes their employees could interact with.

By embedding the slide decks, infographics and other training materials WOW! created with Visme, potential customers get a taste of what they can create with the tool. This is much more effective than describing the features of Visme because it allows potential customers to see the tool in action.

To top it all off, this case study utilized relevant data and figures. For example, one part of the case study said, “In Visme, where Kendra’s team has access to hundreds of templates, a brand kit, and millions of design assets at their disposal, their team can create presentations in 80% less time.”

Who wouldn't want that?

Including relevant figures and graphics in your case study is a sure way to convince your potential customers why you’re a great fit for their brand. The case study template below is a great example of integrating relevant figures and data.

This colorful template begins with a captivating headline. But that is not the best part; this template extensively showcases the results their customer had using relevant figures.

The arrangement of the results makes it fun and attractive. Instead of just putting figures in a plain table, you can find interesting shapes in your Visme editor to take your case study to the next level.

5. Lyte Reduces Customer Churn To Just 3% With Hubspot CRM

While Lyte was redefining the ticketing industry, it had no definite CRM system . Lyte utilized 12–15 different SaaS solutions across various departments, which led to a lack of alignment between teams, duplication of work and overlapping tasks.

Customer data was spread across these platforms, making it difficult to effectively track their customer journey. As a result, their churn rate increased along with customer dissatisfaction.

Through Fuelius , Lyte founded and implemented Hubspot CRM. Lyte's productivity skyrocketed after incorporating Hubspot's all-in-one CRM tool. With improved efficiency, better teamwork and stronger client relationships, sales figures soared.

The case study title page and executive summary act as compelling entry points for both existing and potential customers. This overview provides a clear understanding of the case study and also strategically incorporates key details like the client's industry, location and relevant background information.

Having a good summary of your case study can prompt your readers to engage further. You can achieve this with a simple but effective case study one-pager that highlights your customer’s problems, process and achievements, just like this case study did in the beginning.

Moreover, you can easily distribute your case study one-pager and use it as a lead magnet to draw prospective customers to your company.

Take a look at this case study one-pager template below.

This template includes key aspects of your case study, such as the introduction, key findings, conclusion and more, without overcrowding the page. The use of multiple shades of blue gives it a clean and dynamic layout.

Our favorite part of this template is where the age group is visualized.

With Visme’s data visualization tool , you can present your data in tables, graphs, progress bars, maps and so much more. All you need to do is choose your preferred data visualization widget, input or import your data and click enter!

6. How Workato Converts 75% of Their Qualified Leads

Workato wanted to improve their inbound leads and increase their conversion rate, which ranged from 40-55%.

At first, Workato searched for a simple scheduling tool. They soon discovered that they needed a tool that provided advanced routing capabilities based on zip code and other criteria. Luckily, they found and implemented Chili Piper.

As a result of implementing Chili Piper, Workato achieved a remarkable 75–80% conversion rate and improved show rates. This led to a substantial revenue boost, with a 10-15% increase in revenue attributed to Chili Piper's impact on lead conversion.

This case study example utilizes the power of video testimonials to drive the impact of their product.

Chili Piper incorporates screenshots and clips of their tool in use. This is a great strategy because it helps your viewers become familiar with how your product works, making onboarding new customers much easier.

In this case study example, we see the importance of efficient Workflow Management Systems (WMS). Without a WMS, you manually assign tasks to your team members and engage in multiple emails for regular updates on progress.

However, when crafting and designing your case study, you should prioritize having a good WMS.

Visme has an outstanding Workflow Management System feature that keeps you on top of all your projects and designs. This feature makes it much easier to assign roles, ensure accuracy across documents, and track progress and deadlines.

Visme’s WMS feature allows you to limit access to your entire document by assigning specific slides or pages to individual members of your team. At the end of the day, your team members are not overwhelmed or distracted by the whole document but can focus on their tasks.

7. Rush Order Helps Vogmask Scale-Up During a Pandemic

Vomask's reliance on third-party fulfillment companies became a challenge as demand for their masks grew. Seeking a reliable fulfillment partner, they found Rush Order and entrusted them with their entire inventory.

Vomask's partnership with Rush Order proved to be a lifesaver during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rush Order's agility, efficiency and commitment to customer satisfaction helped Vogmask navigate the unprecedented demand and maintain its reputation for quality and service.

Rush Order’s comprehensive support enabled Vogmask to scale up its order processing by a staggering 900% while maintaining a remarkable customer satisfaction rate of 92%.

Rush Order chose one event where their impact mattered the most to their customer and shared that story.

While pandemics don't happen every day, you can look through your customer’s journey and highlight a specific time or scenario where your product or service saved their business.

The story of Vogmask and Rush Order is compelling, but it simply is not enough. The case study format and design attract readers' attention and make them want to know more. Rush Order uses consistent colors throughout the case study, starting with the logo, bold square blocks, pictures, and even headers.

Take a look at this product case study template below.

Just like our example, this case study template utilizes bold colors and large squares to attract and maintain the reader’s attention. It provides enough room for you to write about your customers' backgrounds/introductions, challenges, goals and results.

The right combination of shapes and colors adds a level of professionalism to this case study template.

8. AMR Hair & Beauty leverages B2B functionality to boost sales by 200%

With limits on website customization, slow page loading and multiple website crashes during peak events, it wasn't long before AMR Hair & Beauty began looking for a new e-commerce solution.

Their existing platform lacked effective search and filtering options, a seamless checkout process and the data analytics capabilities needed for informed decision-making. This led to a significant number of abandoned carts.

Upon switching to Shopify Plus, AMR immediately saw improvements in page loading speed and average session duration. They added better search and filtering options for their wholesale customers and customized their checkout process.

Due to this, AMR witnessed a 200% increase in sales and a 77% rise in B2B average order value. AMR Hair & Beauty is now poised for further expansion and growth.

This case study example showcases the power of a concise and impactful narrative.

To make their case analysis more effective, Shopify focused on the most relevant aspects of the customer's journey. While there may have been other challenges the customer faced, they only included those that directly related to their solutions.

Take a look at this case study template below. It is perfect if you want to create a concise but effective case study. Without including unnecessary details, you can outline the challenges, solutions and results your customers experienced from using your product.

Don’t forget to include a strong CTA within your case study. By incorporating a link, sidebar pop-up or an exit pop-up into your case study, you can prompt your readers and prospective clients to connect with you.

9. How a Marketing Agency Uses Visme to Create Engaging Content With Infographics

SmartBox Dental , a marketing agency specializing in dental practices, sought ways to make dental advice more interesting and easier to read. However, they lacked the design skills to do so effectively.

Visme's wide range of templates and features made it easy for the team to create high-quality content quickly and efficiently. SmartBox Dental enjoyed creating infographics in as little as 10-15 minutes, compared to one hour before Visme was implemented.

By leveraging Visme, SmartBox Dental successfully transformed dental content into a more enjoyable and informative experience for their clients' patients. Therefore enhancing its reputation as a marketing partner that goes the extra mile to deliver value to its clients.

Visme creatively incorporates testimonials In this case study example.

By showcasing infographics and designs created by their clients, they leverage the power of social proof in a visually compelling way. This way, potential customers gain immediate insight into the creative possibilities Visme offers as a design tool.

This example effectively showcases a product's versatility and impact, and we can learn a lot about writing a case study from it. Instead of focusing on one tool or feature per customer, Visme took a more comprehensive approach.

Within each section of their case study, Visme explained how a particular tool or feature played a key role in solving the customer's challenges.

For example, this case study highlighted Visme’s collaboration tool . With Visme’s tool, the SmartBox Dental content team fostered teamwork, accountability and effective supervision.

Visme also achieved a versatile case study by including relevant quotes to showcase each tool or feature. Take a look at some examples;

Visme’s collaboration tool: “We really like the collaboration tool. Being able to see what a co-worker is working on and borrow their ideas or collaborate on a project to make sure we get the best end result really helps us out.”

Visme’s library of stock photos and animated characters: “I really love the images and the look those give to an infographic. I also really like the animated little guys and the animated pictures. That’s added a lot of fun to our designs.”

Visme’s interactivity feature: “You can add URLs and phone number links directly into the infographic so they can just click and call or go to another page on the website and I really like adding those hyperlinks in.”

You can ask your customers to talk about the different products or features that helped them achieve their business success and draw quotes from each one.

10. Jasper Grows Blog Organic Sessions 810% and Blog-Attributed User Signups 400X

Jasper, an AI writing tool, lacked a scalable content strategy to drive organic traffic and user growth. They needed help creating content that converted visitors into users. Especially when a looming domain migration threatened organic traffic.

To address these challenges, Jasper partnered with Omniscient Digital. Their goal was to turn their content into a growth channel and drive organic growth. Omniscient Digital developed a full content strategy for Jasper AI, which included a content audit, competitive analysis, and keyword discovery.

Through their collaboration, Jasper’s organic blog sessions increased by 810%, despite the domain migration. They also witnessed a 400X increase in blog-attributed signups. And more importantly, the content program contributed to over $4 million in annual recurring revenue.

The combination of storytelling and video testimonials within the case study example makes this a real winner. But there’s a twist to it. Omniscient segmented the video testimonials and placed them in different sections of the case study.

Video marketing , especially in case studies, works wonders. Research shows us that 42% of people prefer video testimonials because they show real customers with real success stories. So if you haven't thought of it before, incorporate video testimonials into your case study.

Take a look at this stunning video testimonial template. With its simple design, you can input the picture, name and quote of your customer within your case study in a fun and engaging way.

Try it yourself! Customize this template with your customer’s testimonial and add it to your case study!

11. How Meliá Became One of the Most Influential Hotel Chains on Social Media

Meliá Hotels needed help managing their growing social media customer service needs. Despite having over 500 social accounts, they lacked a unified response protocol and detailed reporting. This largely hindered efficiency and brand consistency.

Meliá partnered with Hootsuite to build an in-house social customer care team. Implementing Hootsuite's tools enabled Meliá to decrease response times from 24 hours to 12.4 hours while also leveraging smart automation.

In addition to that, Meliá resolved over 133,000 conversations, booking 330 inquiries per week through Hootsuite Inbox. They significantly improved brand consistency, response time and customer satisfaction.

The need for a good case study design cannot be over-emphasized.

As soon as anyone lands on this case study example, they are mesmerized by a beautiful case study design. This alone raises the interest of readers and keeps them engaged till the end.

If you’re currently saying to yourself, “ I can write great case studies, but I don’t have the time or skill to turn it into a beautiful document.” Say no more.

Visme’s amazing AI document generator can take your text and transform it into a stunning and professional document in minutes! Not only do you save time, but you also get inspired by the design.

With Visme’s document generator, you can create PDFs, case study presentations , infographics and more!

Take a look at this case study template below. Just like our case study example, it captures readers' attention with its beautiful design. Its dynamic blend of colors and fonts helps to segment each element of the case study beautifully.

12. Tea’s Me Cafe: Tamika Catchings is Brewing Glory

Tamika's journey began when she purchased Tea's Me Cafe in 2017, saving it from closure. She recognized the potential of the cafe as a community hub and hosted regular events centered on social issues and youth empowerment.

One of Tamika’s business goals was to automate her business. She sought to streamline business processes across various aspects of her business. One of the ways she achieves this goal is through Constant Contact.

Constant Contact became an integral part of Tamika's marketing strategy. They provided an automated and centralized platform for managing email newsletters, event registrations, social media scheduling and more.

This allowed Tamika and her team to collaborate efficiently and focus on engaging with their audience. They effectively utilized features like WooCommerce integration, text-to-join and the survey builder to grow their email list, segment their audience and gather valuable feedback.

The case study example utilizes the power of storytelling to form a connection with readers. Constant Contact takes a humble approach in this case study. They spotlight their customers' efforts as the reason for their achievements and growth, establishing trust and credibility.

This case study is also visually appealing, filled with high-quality photos of their customer. While this is a great way to foster originality, it can prove challenging if your customer sends you blurry or low-quality photos.

If you find yourself in that dilemma, you can use Visme’s AI image edit tool to touch up your photos. With Visme’s AI tool, you can remove unwanted backgrounds, erase unwanted objects, unblur low-quality pictures and upscale any photo without losing the quality.

Constant Contact offers its readers various formats to engage with their case study. Including an audio podcast and PDF.

In its PDF version, Constant Contact utilized its brand colors to create a stunning case study design.  With this, they increase brand awareness and, in turn, brand recognition with anyone who comes across their case study.

With Visme’s brand wizard tool , you can seamlessly incorporate your brand assets into any design or document you create. By inputting your URL, Visme’s AI integration will take note of your brand colors, brand fonts and more and create branded templates for you automatically.

You don't need to worry about spending hours customizing templates to fit your brand anymore. You can focus on writing amazing case studies that promote your company.

13. How Breakwater Kitchens Achieved a 7% Growth in Sales With Thryv

Breakwater Kitchens struggled with managing their business operations efficiently. They spent a lot of time on manual tasks, such as scheduling appointments and managing client communication. This made it difficult for them to grow their business and provide the best possible service to their customers.

David, the owner, discovered Thryv. With Thryv, Breakwater Kitchens was able to automate many of their manual tasks. Additionally, Thryv integrated social media management. This enabled Breakwater Kitchens to deliver a consistent brand message, captivate its audience and foster online growth.

As a result, Breakwater Kitchens achieved increased efficiency, reduced missed appointments and a 7% growth in sales.

This case study example uses a concise format and strong verbs, which make it easy for readers to absorb the information.

At the top of the case study, Thryv immediately builds trust by presenting their customer's complete profile, including their name, company details and website. This allows potential customers to verify the case study's legitimacy, making them more likely to believe in Thryv's services.

However, manually copying and pasting customer information across multiple pages of your case study can be time-consuming.

To save time and effort, you can utilize Visme's dynamic field feature . Dynamic fields automatically insert reusable information into your designs.  So you don’t have to type it out multiple times.

14. Zoom’s Creative Team Saves Over 4,000 Hours With Brandfolder

Zoom experienced rapid growth with the advent of remote work and the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such growth called for agility and resilience to scale through.

At the time, Zoom’s assets were disorganized which made retrieving brand information a burden. Zoom’s creative manager spent no less than 10 hours per week finding and retrieving brand assets for internal teams.

Zoom needed a more sustainable approach to organizing and retrieving brand information and came across Brandfolder. Brandfolder simplified and accelerated Zoom’s email localization and webpage development. It also enhanced the creation and storage of Zoom virtual backgrounds.

With Brandfolder, Zoom now saves 4,000+ hours every year. The company also centralized its assets in Brandfolder, which allowed 6,800+ employees and 20-30 vendors to quickly access them.

Brandfolder infused its case study with compelling data and backed it up with verifiable sources. This data-driven approach boosts credibility and increases the impact of their story.

Bradfolder's case study goes the extra mile by providing a downloadable PDF version, making it convenient for readers to access the information on their own time. Their dedication to crafting stunning visuals is evident in every aspect of the project.

From the vibrant colors to the seamless navigation, everything has been meticulously designed to leave a lasting impression on the viewer. And with clickable links that make exploring the content a breeze, the user experience is guaranteed to be nothing short of exceptional.

The thing is, your case study presentation won’t always sit on your website. There are instances where you may need to do a case study presentation for clients, partners or potential investors.

Visme has a rich library of templates you can tap into. But if you’re racing against the clock, Visme’s AI presentation maker is your best ally.

15. How Cents of Style Made $1.7M+ in Affiliate Sales with LeadDyno

Cents of Style had a successful affiliate and influencer marketing strategy. However, their existing affiliate marketing platform was not intuitive, customizable or transparent enough to meet the needs of their influencers.

Cents of Styles needed an easy-to-use affiliate marketing platform that gave them more freedom to customize their program and implement a multi-tier commission program.

After exploring their options, Cents of Style decided on LeadDyno.

LeadDyno provided more flexibility, allowing them to customize commission rates and implement their multi-tier commission structure, switching from monthly to weekly payouts.

Also, integrations with PayPal made payments smoother And features like newsletters and leaderboards added to the platform's success by keeping things transparent and engaging.

As a result, Cents of Style witnessed an impressive $1.7 million in revenue from affiliate sales with a substantial increase in web sales by 80%.

LeadDyno strategically placed a compelling CTA in the middle of their case study layout, maximizing its impact. At this point, readers are already invested in the customer's story and may be considering implementing similar strategies.

A well-placed CTA offers them a direct path to learn more and take action.

LeadDyno also utilized the power of quotes to strengthen their case study. They didn't just embed these quotes seamlessly into the text; instead, they emphasized each one with distinct blocks.

Are you looking for an easier and quicker solution to create a case study and other business documents? Try Visme's AI designer ! This powerful tool allows you to generate complete documents, such as case studies, reports, whitepapers and more, just by providing text prompts. Simply explain your requirements to the tool, and it will produce the document for you, complete with text, images, design assets and more.

Still have more questions about case studies? Let's look at some frequently asked questions.

How to Write a Case Study?

• Choose a compelling story: Not all case studies are created equal. Pick one that is relevant to your target audience and demonstrates the specific benefits of your product or service.
• Outline your case study: Create a case study outline and highlight how you will structure your case study to include the introduction, problem, solution and achievements of your customer.
• Choose a case study template: After you outline your case study, choose a case study template . Visme has stunning templates that can inspire your case study design.
• Craft a compelling headline: Include figures or percentages that draw attention to your case study.
• Work on the first draft: Your case study should be easy to read and understand. Use clear and concise language and avoid jargon.
• Include high-quality visual aids: Visuals can help to make your case study more engaging and easier to read. Consider adding high-quality photos, screenshots or videos.
• Include a relevant CTA: Tell prospective customers how to reach you for questions or sign-ups.

What Are the Stages of a Case Study?

The stages of a case study are;

• Planning & Preparation: Highlight your goals for writing the case study. Plan the case study format, length and audience you wish to target.
• Interview the Client: Reach out to the company you want to showcase and ask relevant questions about their journey and achievements.
• Revision & Editing: Review your case study and ask for feedback. Include relevant quotes and CTAs to your case study.
• Publication & Distribution: Publish and share your case study on your website, social media channels and email list!
• Marketing & Repurposing: Turn your case study into a podcast, PDF, case study presentation and more. Share these materials with your sales and marketing team.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Case Study?

Advantages of a case study:

• Case studies showcase a specific solution and outcome for specific customer challenges.
• It attracts potential customers with similar challenges.
• It builds trust and credibility with potential customers.
• It provides an in-depth analysis of your company’s problem-solving process.

Disadvantages of a case study:

• Limited applicability. Case studies are tailored to specific cases and may not apply to other businesses.
• It relies heavily on customer cooperation and willingness to share information.
• It stands a risk of becoming outdated as industries and customer needs evolve.

What Are the Types of Case Studies?

There are 7 main types of case studies. They include;

• Illustrative case study.
• Instrumental case study.
• Intrinsic case study.
• Descriptive case study.
• Explanatory case study.
• Exploratory case study.
• Collective case study.

How Long Should a Case Study Be?

The ideal length of your case study is between 500 - 1500 words or 1-3 pages. Certain factors like your target audience, goal or the amount of detail you want to share may influence the length of your case study. This infographic has powerful tips for designing winning case studies

What Is the Difference Between a Case Study and an Example?

Case studies provide a detailed narrative of how your product or service was used to solve a problem. Examples are general illustrations and are not necessarily real-life scenarios.

Case studies are often used for marketing purposes, attracting potential customers and building trust. Examples, on the other hand, are primarily used to simplify or clarify complex concepts.

Where Can I Find Case Study Examples?

You can easily find many case study examples online and in industry publications. Many companies, including Visme, share case studies on their websites to showcase how their products or services have helped clients achieve success. You can also search online libraries and professional organizations for case studies related to your specific industry or field.

If you need professionally-designed, customizable case study templates to create your own, Visme's template library is one of the best places to look. These templates include all the essential sections of a case study and high-quality content to help you create case studies that position your business as an industry leader.

Get More Out Of Your Case Studies With Visme

Case studies are an essential tool for converting potential customers into paying customers. By following the tips in this article, you can create compelling case studies that will help you build trust, establish credibility and drive sales.

Visme can help you create stunning case studies and other relevant marketing materials. With our easy-to-use platform, interactive features and analytics tools , you can increase your content creation game in no time.

There is no limit to what you can achieve with Visme. Connect with Sales to discover how Visme can boost your business goals.

Easily create beautiful case studies and more with Visme

Trusted by leading brands

Recommended content for you:

Create Stunning Content!

Design visual brand experiences for your business whether you are a seasoned designer or a total novice.

About the Author

• Bipolar Disorder
• Therapy Center
• When To See a Therapist
• Types of Therapy
• Best Online Therapy
• Best Couples Therapy
• Managing Stress
• Sleep and Dreaming
• Understanding Emotions
• Self-Improvement
• Healthy Relationships
• Student Resources
• Personality Types
• Sweepstakes
• Guided Meditations
• Verywell Mind Insights
• 2024 Verywell Mind 25
• Mental Health in the Classroom
• Editorial Process
• Meet Our Review Board
• Crisis Support

What Is a Case Study?

Weighing the pros and cons of this method of research

Verywell / Colleen Tighe

• Pros and Cons

What Types of Case Studies Are Out There?

Where do you find data for a case study, how do i write a psychology case study.

A case study is an in-depth study of one person, group, or event. In a case study, nearly every aspect of the subject's life and history is analyzed to seek patterns and causes of behavior. Case studies can be used in many different fields, including psychology, medicine, education, anthropology, political science, and social work.

The point of a case study is to learn as much as possible about an individual or group so that the information can be generalized to many others. Unfortunately, case studies tend to be highly subjective, and it is sometimes difficult to generalize results to a larger population.

While case studies focus on a single individual or group, they follow a format similar to other types of psychology writing. If you are writing a case study, we got you—here are some rules of APA format to reference.  

At a Glance

A case study, or an in-depth study of a person, group, or event, can be a useful research tool when used wisely. In many cases, case studies are best used in situations where it would be difficult or impossible for you to conduct an experiment. They are helpful for looking at unique situations and allow researchers to gather a lot of˜ information about a specific individual or group of people. However, it's important to be cautious of any bias we draw from them as they are highly subjective.

What Are the Benefits and Limitations of Case Studies?

A case study can have its strengths and weaknesses. Researchers must consider these pros and cons before deciding if this type of study is appropriate for their needs.

One of the greatest advantages of a case study is that it allows researchers to investigate things that are often difficult or impossible to replicate in a lab. Some other benefits of a case study:

• Allows researchers to capture information on the 'how,' 'what,' and 'why,' of something that's implemented
• Gives researchers the chance to collect information on why one strategy might be chosen over another
• Permits researchers to develop hypotheses that can be explored in experimental research

On the other hand, a case study can have some drawbacks:

• It cannot necessarily be generalized to the larger population
• Cannot demonstrate cause and effect
• It may not be scientifically rigorous
• It can lead to bias

Researchers may choose to perform a case study if they want to explore a unique or recently discovered phenomenon. Through their insights, researchers develop additional ideas and study questions that might be explored in future studies.

It's important to remember that the insights from case studies cannot be used to determine cause-and-effect relationships between variables. However, case studies may be used to develop hypotheses that can then be addressed in experimental research.

Case Study Examples

There have been a number of notable case studies in the history of psychology. Much of  Freud's work and theories were developed through individual case studies. Some great examples of case studies in psychology include:

• Anna O : Anna O. was a pseudonym of a woman named Bertha Pappenheim, a patient of a physician named Josef Breuer. While she was never a patient of Freud's, Freud and Breuer discussed her case extensively. The woman was experiencing symptoms of a condition that was then known as hysteria and found that talking about her problems helped relieve her symptoms. Her case played an important part in the development of talk therapy as an approach to mental health treatment.
• Phineas Gage : Phineas Gage was a railroad employee who experienced a terrible accident in which an explosion sent a metal rod through his skull, damaging important portions of his brain. Gage recovered from his accident but was left with serious changes in both personality and behavior.
• Genie : Genie was a young girl subjected to horrific abuse and isolation. The case study of Genie allowed researchers to study whether language learning was possible, even after missing critical periods for language development. Her case also served as an example of how scientific research may interfere with treatment and lead to further abuse of vulnerable individuals.

Such cases demonstrate how case research can be used to study things that researchers could not replicate in experimental settings. In Genie's case, her horrific abuse denied her the opportunity to learn a language at critical points in her development.

This is clearly not something researchers could ethically replicate, but conducting a case study on Genie allowed researchers to study phenomena that are otherwise impossible to reproduce.

There are a few different types of case studies that psychologists and other researchers might use:

• Collective case studies : These involve studying a group of individuals. Researchers might study a group of people in a certain setting or look at an entire community. For example, psychologists might explore how access to resources in a community has affected the collective mental well-being of those who live there.
• Descriptive case studies : These involve starting with a descriptive theory. The subjects are then observed, and the information gathered is compared to the pre-existing theory.
• Explanatory case studies : These   are often used to do causal investigations. In other words, researchers are interested in looking at factors that may have caused certain things to occur.
• Exploratory case studies : These are sometimes used as a prelude to further, more in-depth research. This allows researchers to gather more information before developing their research questions and hypotheses .
• Instrumental case studies : These occur when the individual or group allows researchers to understand more than what is initially obvious to observers.
• Intrinsic case studies : This type of case study is when the researcher has a personal interest in the case. Jean Piaget's observations of his own children are good examples of how an intrinsic case study can contribute to the development of a psychological theory.

The three main case study types often used are intrinsic, instrumental, and collective. Intrinsic case studies are useful for learning about unique cases. Instrumental case studies help look at an individual to learn more about a broader issue. A collective case study can be useful for looking at several cases simultaneously.

The type of case study that psychology researchers use depends on the unique characteristics of the situation and the case itself.

There are a number of different sources and methods that researchers can use to gather information about an individual or group. Six major sources that have been identified by researchers are:

• Archival records : Census records, survey records, and name lists are examples of archival records.
• Direct observation : This strategy involves observing the subject, often in a natural setting . While an individual observer is sometimes used, it is more common to utilize a group of observers.
• Documents : Letters, newspaper articles, administrative records, etc., are the types of documents often used as sources.
• Interviews : Interviews are one of the most important methods for gathering information in case studies. An interview can involve structured survey questions or more open-ended questions.
• Participant observation : When the researcher serves as a participant in events and observes the actions and outcomes, it is called participant observation.
• Physical artifacts : Tools, objects, instruments, and other artifacts are often observed during a direct observation of the subject.

If you have been directed to write a case study for a psychology course, be sure to check with your instructor for any specific guidelines you need to follow. If you are writing your case study for a professional publication, check with the publisher for their specific guidelines for submitting a case study.

Here is a general outline of what should be included in a case study.

Section 1: A Case History

This section will have the following structure and content:

Background information : The first section of your paper will present your client's background. Include factors such as age, gender, work, health status, family mental health history, family and social relationships, drug and alcohol history, life difficulties, goals, and coping skills and weaknesses.

Description of the presenting problem : In the next section of your case study, you will describe the problem or symptoms that the client presented with.

Describe any physical, emotional, or sensory symptoms reported by the client. Thoughts, feelings, and perceptions related to the symptoms should also be noted. Any screening or diagnostic assessments that are used should also be described in detail and all scores reported.

Your diagnosis : Provide your diagnosis and give the appropriate Diagnostic and Statistical Manual code. Explain how you reached your diagnosis, how the client's symptoms fit the diagnostic criteria for the disorder(s), or any possible difficulties in reaching a diagnosis.

Section 2: Treatment Plan

This portion of the paper will address the chosen treatment for the condition. This might also include the theoretical basis for the chosen treatment or any other evidence that might exist to support why this approach was chosen.

• Cognitive behavioral approach : Explain how a cognitive behavioral therapist would approach treatment. Offer background information on cognitive behavioral therapy and describe the treatment sessions, client response, and outcome of this type of treatment. Make note of any difficulties or successes encountered by your client during treatment.
• Humanistic approach : Describe a humanistic approach that could be used to treat your client, such as client-centered therapy . Provide information on the type of treatment you chose, the client's reaction to the treatment, and the end result of this approach. Explain why the treatment was successful or unsuccessful.
• Psychoanalytic approach : Describe how a psychoanalytic therapist would view the client's problem. Provide some background on the psychoanalytic approach and cite relevant references. Explain how psychoanalytic therapy would be used to treat the client, how the client would respond to therapy, and the effectiveness of this treatment approach.
• Pharmacological approach : If treatment primarily involves the use of medications, explain which medications were used and why. Provide background on the effectiveness of these medications and how monotherapy may compare with an approach that combines medications with therapy or other treatments.

This section of a case study should also include information about the treatment goals, process, and outcomes.

When you are writing a case study, you should also include a section where you discuss the case study itself, including the strengths and limitiations of the study. You should note how the findings of your case study might support previous research. 

In your discussion section, you should also describe some of the implications of your case study. What ideas or findings might require further exploration? How might researchers go about exploring some of these questions in additional studies?

Need More Tips?

Here are a few additional pointers to keep in mind when formatting your case study:

• Never refer to the subject of your case study as "the client." Instead, use their name or a pseudonym.
• Read examples of case studies to gain an idea about the style and format.
• Remember to use APA format when citing references .

Crowe S, Cresswell K, Robertson A, Huby G, Avery A, Sheikh A. The case study approach .  BMC Med Res Methodol . 2011;11:100.

Crowe S, Cresswell K, Robertson A, Huby G, Avery A, Sheikh A. The case study approach . BMC Med Res Methodol . 2011 Jun 27;11:100. doi:10.1186/1471-2288-11-100

Gagnon, Yves-Chantal.  The Case Study as Research Method: A Practical Handbook . Canada, Chicago Review Press Incorporated DBA Independent Pub Group, 2010.

Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods . United States, SAGE Publications, 2017.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

• All Categories
• Marketing Analytics Software

What Is a Case Study? How to Write, Examples, and Template

In this post

How to write a case study

Case study template, case study examples, types of case studies, what are the benefits of case studies , what are the limitations of case studies , case study vs. testimonial.

In today's marketplace, conveying your product's value through a compelling narrative is crucial to genuinely connecting with your customers.

Your business can use marketing analytics tools to understand what customers want to know about your product. Once you have this information, the next step is to showcase your product and its benefits to your target audience. This strategy involves a mix of data, analysis, and storytelling. Combining these elements allows you to create a narrative that engages your audience. So, how can you do this effectively?

What is a case study? 

A case study is a powerful tool for showcasing a business's success in helping clients achieve their goals. It's a form of storytelling that details real-world scenarios where a business implemented its solutions to deliver positive results for a client.

In this article, we explore the concept of a case study , including its writing process, benefits, various types, challenges, and more.

Understanding how to write a case study is an invaluable skill. You'll need to embrace decision-making – from deciding which customers to feature to designing the best format to make them as engaging as possible.  This can feel overwhelming in a hurry, so let's break it down.

Step 1: Reach out to the target persona

If you've been in business for a while, you have no shortage of happy customers. But w ith limited time and resources, you can't choose everyone.  So, take some time beforehand to flesh out your target buyer personas. 

Once you know precisely who you're targeting, go through your stable of happy customers to find a buyer representative of the audience you're trying to reach. The closer their problems, goals, and industries align, the more your case study will resonate.

What if you have more than one buyer persona? No problem. This is a common situation for companies because buyers comprise an entire committee. You might be marketing to procurement experts, executives, engineers, etc. Try to develop a case study tailored to each key persona. This might be a long-term goal, and that's fine. The better you can personalize the experience for each stakeholder, the easier it is to keep their attention.  

Here are a few considerations to think about before research:

• Products/services of yours the customer uses (and how familiar they are with them)
• The customer's brand recognition in the industry
• Whether the results they've achieved are specific and remarkable
• Whether they've switched from a competitor's product/service
• How closely aligned they are with your target audience

These items are just a jumping-off point as you develop your criteria.  Once you have a list, run each customer through it to determine your top targets. Approach the ones on the top (your "dream" case study subjects) and work your way down as needed.

Who to interview

You should consider interviewing top-level managers or executives because those are high-profile positions. But consider how close they are to your product and its results.

Focusing on an office manager or engineer who uses your product daily would be better. Look for someone with a courtside view of the effects.

The ways to request customer participation in case studies can vary, but certain principles can improve your chances:

• Make it easy for customers to work with you, respecting their valuable time. Be well-prepared and minimize their involvement.
• Emphasize how customers will benefit through increased publicity, revenue opportunities, or recognition for their success. 
• Acknowledge their contributions and showcase their achievements.
• Standardizing the request process with a script incorporating these principles can help your team consistently secure case study approvals and track performance.

Step 2: Prepare for the interview

Case study interviews are like school exams. The more prepared you are for them, the better they turn out. Preparing thoroughly also shows participants that you value their time. You don't waste precious minutes rehashing things you should have already known. You focus on getting the information you need as efficiently as possible.

You can conduct your case study interview in multiple formats, from exchanging emails to in-person interviews. This isn't a trivial decision.  As you'll see in the chart below, each format has its unique advantages and disadvantages. 

You'll also have to consider who will ask and answer the questions during your case study interview. It's wise to consider this while considering the case study format.  The number of participants factors into which format will work best. Pulling off an in-person interview becomes much harder if you're trying to juggle four or five people's busy schedules. Try a video conference instead.

Before interviewing your case study participant, it is crucial to identify the specific questions that need to be asked.  It's essential to thoroughly evaluate your collaboration with the client and understand how your product's contributions impact the company. 

Remember that structuring your case study is akin to crafting a compelling narrative. To achieve this, follow a structured approach:

• Beginning of your story. Delve into the customer's challenge that ultimately led them to do business with you. What were their problems like? What drove them to make a decision finally? Why did they choose you?
• The middle of the case study.  Your audience also wants to know about the experience of working with you. Your customer has taken action to address their problems. What happened once you got on board?
• An ending that makes you the hero.  Describe the specific results your company produced for the customer. How has the customer's business (and life) changed once they implemented your solution?

Sample questions for the case study interview

If you're preparing for a case study interview, here are some sample case study research questions to help you get started:

• What challenges led you to seek a solution?
• When did you realize the need for immediate action? Was there a tipping point?
• How did you decide on the criteria for choosing a B2B solution, and who was involved?
• What set our product or service apart from others you considered?
• How was your experience working with us post-purchase?
• Were there any pleasant surprises or exceeded expectations during our collaboration?
• How smoothly did your team integrate our solution into their workflows?
• How long before you started seeing positive results?
• How have you benefited from our products or services?
• How do you measure the value our product or service provides?

Step 3: Conduct the interview

Preparing for case study interviews can be different from everyday conversations. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Create a comfortable atmosphere.  Before diving into the discussion, talk about their business and personal interests. Ensure everyone is at ease, and address any questions or concerns.
• Prioritize key questions.  Lead with your most crucial questions to respect your customer's time. Interview lengths can vary, so starting with the essentials ensures you get the vital information.
• Be flexible.  Case study interviews don't have to be rigid. If your interviewee goes "off script," embrace it. Their spontaneous responses often provide valuable insights.
• Record the interview.  If not conducted via email, ask for permission to record the interview. This lets you focus on the conversation and capture valuable quotes without distractions.

Step 4: Figure out who will create the case study

When creating written case studies for your business, deciding who should handle the writing depends on cost, perspective, and revisions.

Outsourcing might be pricier, but it ensures a professionally crafted outcome. On the other hand, in-house writing has its considerations, including understanding your customers and products. 

Technical expertise and equipment are needed for video case studies, which often leads companies to consider outsourcing due to production and editing costs. 

Tip: When outsourcing work, it's essential to clearly understand pricing details to avoid surprises and unexpected charges during payment.

Step 5: Utilize storytelling

Understanding and applying storytelling elements can make your case studies unforgettable, offering a competitive edge. 

Source: The Framework Bank

Every great study follows a narrative arc (also called a "story arc"). This arc represents how a character faces challenges, struggles against raising stakes, and encounters a formidable obstacle before the tension resolves.

In a case study narrative, consider:

• Exposition. Provide background information about the company, revealing their "old life" before becoming your customer.
• Inciting incident. Highlight the problem that drove the customer to seek a solution, creating a sense of urgency.
• Obstacles (rising action). Describe the customer's journey in researching and evaluating solutions, building tension as they explore options.
• Midpoint. Explain what made the business choose your product or service and what set you apart.
• Climax. Showcase the success achieved with your product.
• Denouement. Describe the customer's transformed business and end with a call-to-action for the reader to take the next step.

Step 6: Design the case study

The adage "Don't judge a book by its cover" is familiar, but people tend to do just that quite often!

A poor layout can deter readers even if you have an outstanding case study. To create an engaging case study, follow these steps:

• Craft a compelling title. Just like you wouldn't read a newspaper article without an eye-catching headline, the same goes for case studies. Start with a title that grabs attention.
• Organize your content. Break down your content into different sections, such as challenges, results, etc. Each section can also include subsections. This case study approach divides the content into manageable portions, preventing readers from feeling overwhelmed by lengthy blocks of text.
• Conciseness is key. Keep your case study as concise as possible. The most compelling case studies are precisely long enough to introduce the customer's challenge, experience with your solution, and outstanding results. Prioritize clarity and omit any sections that may detract from the main storyline.
• Utilize visual elements. To break up text and maintain reader interest, incorporate visual elements like callout boxes, bulleted lists, and sidebars.
• Include charts and images. Summarize results and simplify complex topics by including pictures and charts. Visual aids enhance the overall appeal of your case study.
• Embrace white space. Avoid overwhelming walls of text to prevent reader fatigue. Opt for plenty of white space, use shorter paragraphs, and employ subsections to ensure easy readability and navigation.
• Enhance video case studies. In video case studies, elements like music, fonts, and color grading are pivotal in setting the right tone. Choose music that complements your message and use it strategically throughout your story. Carefully select fonts to convey the desired style, and consider how lighting and color grading can influence the mood. These elements collectively help create the desired tone for your video case study.

Step 7: Edits and revisions

Once you've finished the interview and created your case study, the hardest part is over. Now's the time for editing and revision. This might feel frustrating for impatient B2B marketers, but it can turn good stories into great ones.

Ideally, you'll want to submit your case study through two different rounds of editing and revisions:

• Internal review. Seek feedback from various team members to ensure your case study is captivating and error-free. Gather perspectives from marketing, sales, and those in close contact with customers for well-rounded insights. Use patterns from this feedback to guide revisions and apply lessons to future case studies.
• Customer feedback. Share the case study with customers to make them feel valued and ensure accuracy. Let them review quotes and data points, as they are the "heroes" of the story, and their logos will be prominently featured. This step maintains positive customer relationships.

Case study mistakes to avoid

• Ensure easy access to case studies on your website.
• Spotlight the customer, not just your business.
• Tailor each case study to a specific audience.
• Avoid excessive industry jargon in your content.

Step 8: Publishing

Take a moment to proofread your case study one more time carefully. Even if you're reasonably confident you've caught all the errors, it's always a good idea to check. Your case study will be a valuable marketing tool for years, so it's worth the investment to ensure it's flawless. Once done, your case study is all set to go!

Consider sharing a copy of the completed case study with your customer as a thoughtful gesture. They'll likely appreciate it; some may want to keep it for their records. After all, your case study wouldn't have been possible without their help, and they deserve to see the final product.

Where you publish your case study depends on its role in your overall marketing strategy. If you want to reach as many people as possible with your case study, consider publishing it on your website and social media platforms. 

Tip: Some companies prefer to keep their case studies exclusive, making them available only to those who request them. This approach is often taken to control access to valuable information and to engage more deeply with potential customers who express specific interests. It can create a sense of exclusivity and encourage interested parties to engage directly with the company.

Step 9: Case study distribution

When sharing individual case studies, concentrate on reaching the audience with the most influence on purchasing decisions

Here are some common distribution channels to consider:

• Sales teams. Share case studies to enhance customer interactions, retention , and upselling among your sales and customer success teams. Keep them updated on new studies and offer easily accessible formats like PDFs or landing page links.
• Company website. Feature case studies on your website to establish authority and provide valuable information to potential buyers. Organize them by categories such as location, size, industry, challenges, and products or services used for effective presentation.
• Events. Use live events like conferences and webinars to distribute printed case study copies, showcase video case studies at trade show booths, and conclude webinars with links to your case study library. This creative approach blends personal interactions with compelling content.
• Industry journalists. Engage relevant industry journalists to gain media coverage by identifying suitable publications and journalists covering related topics. Building relationships is vital, and platforms like HARO (Help A Reporter Out) can facilitate connections, especially if your competitors have received coverage before.

Want to learn more about Marketing Analytics Software? Explore Marketing Analytics products.

It can seem daunting to transform the information you've gathered into a cohesive narrative.  We’ve created a versatile case study template that can serve as a solid starting point for your case study.

With this template, your business can explore any solutions offered to satisfied customers, covering their background, the factors that led them to choose your services, and their outcomes.

The template boasts a straightforward design, featuring distinct sections that guide you in effectively narrating your and your customer's story. However, remember that limitless ways to showcase your business's accomplishments exist.

To assist you in this process, here's a breakdown of the recommended sections to include in a case study:

• Title.  Keep it concise. Create a brief yet engaging project title summarizing your work with your subject. Consider your title like a newspaper headline; do it well, and readers will want to learn more. 
• Subtitle . Use this section to elaborate on the achievement briefly. Make it creative and catchy to engage your audience.
• Executive summary.  Use this as an overview of the story, followed by 2-3 bullet points highlighting key success metrics.
• Challenges and objectives. This section describes the customer's challenges before adopting your product or service, along with the goals or objectives they sought to achieve.
• How product/service helped.  A paragraph explaining how your product or service addressed their problem.
• Testimonials.  Incorporate short quotes or statements from the individuals involved in the case study, sharing their perspectives and experiences.
• Supporting visuals.  Include one or two impactful visuals, such as graphs, infographics, or highlighted metrics, that reinforce the narrative.
• Call to action (CTA).  If you do your job well, your audience will read (or watch) your case studies from beginning to end. They are interested in everything you've said. Now, what's the next step they should take to continue their relationship with you? Give people a simple action they can complete. 

Case studies are proven marketing strategies in a wide variety of B2B industries. Here are just a few examples of a case study:

• Amazon Web Services, Inc.  provides companies with cloud computing platforms and APIs on a metered, pay-as-you-go basis. This case study example illustrates the benefits Thomson Reuters experienced using AWS.
• LinkedIn Marketing Solutions combines captivating visuals with measurable results in the case study created for BlackRock. This case study illustrates how LinkedIn has contributed to the growth of BlackRock's brand awareness over the years. 
• Salesforce , a sales and marketing automation SaaS solutions provider, seamlessly integrates written and visual elements to convey its success stories with Pepe Jeans. This case study effectively demonstrates how Pepe Jeans is captivating online shoppers with immersive and context-driven e-commerce experiences through Salesforce.
• HubSpot offers a combination of sales and marketing tools. Their case study demonstrates the effectiveness of its all-in-one solutions. These typically focus on a particular client's journey and how HubSpot helped them achieve significant results.

There are two different types of case studies that businesses might utilize:

Written case studies 

Written case studies offer readers a clear visual representation of data, which helps them quickly identify and focus on the information that matters most. 

Printed versions of case studies find their place at events like trade shows, where they serve as valuable sales collateral to engage prospective clients.  Even in the digital age, many businesses provide case studies in PDF format or as web-based landing pages, improving accessibility for their audience. 

Note: Landing pages , in particular, offer the flexibility to incorporate rich multimedia content, including images, charts, and videos. This flexibility in design makes landing pages an attractive choice for presenting detailed content to the audience.

Written case study advantages

Here are several significant advantages to leveraging case studies for your company:

• Hyperlink accessibility.  Whether in PDF or landing page format, written case studies allow for embedded hyperlinks, offering prospects easy access to additional information and contact forms.
• Flexible engagement.  Unlike video case studies, which may demand in-person arrangements, written case studies can be conducted via phone or video streaming, reducing customer commitment and simplifying scheduling.
• Efficient scanning . Well-structured written case studies with a scannable format cater to time-strapped professionals. Charts and callout boxes with key statistics enhance the ease of information retrieval.
• Printable for offline use.  Written case studies can be effortlessly printed and distributed at trade shows, sales meetings, and live events. This tangible format accommodates those who prefer physical materials and provides versatility in outreach, unlike video content, which is less portable.

Written case study disadvantages

Here are some drawbacks associated with the use of case studies:

• Reduced emotional impact.  Written content lacks the emotional punch of live video testimonials, which engage more senses and emotions, making a stronger connection.
• Consider time investment.  Creating a compelling case study involves editing, proofreading, and design collaboration, with multiple revisions commonly required before publication.
• Challenges in maintaining attention.  Attention spans are short in today's ad-saturated world. Using graphics, infographics, and videos more often is more powerful to incite the right emotions in customers.

Video case studies

Video case studies are the latest marketing trend. Unlike in the past, when video production was costly, today's tools make it more accessible for users to create and edit their videos. However, specific technical requirements still apply.

Like written case studies, video case studies delve into a specific customer's challenges and how your business provides solutions. Yet, the video offers a more profound connection by showcasing the person who faced and conquered the problem.

Video case studies can boost brand exposure when shared on platforms like YouTube. For example, Slack's engaging case study video with Sandwich Video illustrates how Slack transformed its workflow and adds humor, which can be challenging in written case studies focused on factual evidence.

Source : YouTube

This video case study has garnered nearly a million views on YouTube.

Video case study advantages

Here are some of the top advantages of video case studies. While video testimonials take more time, the payoff can be worth it. 

• Humanization and authenticity.  Video case studies connect viewers with real people, adding authenticity and fostering a stronger emotional connection.
• Engaging multiple senses.  They engage both auditory and visual senses, enhancing credibility and emotional impact. Charts, statistics, and images can also be incorporated.
• Broad distribution.  Videos can be shared on websites, YouTube, social media, and more, reaching diverse audiences and boosting engagement, especially on social platforms.

Video case study disadvantages

Before fully committing to video testimonials, consider the following:

• Technical expertise and equipment.  Video production requires technical know-how and equipment, which can be costly. Skilled video editing is essential to maintain a professional image. While technology advances, producing amateurish videos may harm your brand's perception.
• Viewer convenience.  Some prospects prefer written formats due to faster reading and ease of navigation. Video typically requires sound, which can be inconvenient for viewers in specific settings. Many people may not have headphones readily available to watch your content.
• Demand on case study participants.  On-camera interviews can be time-consuming and location-dependent, making scheduling challenging for case study participants. Additionally, being on screen for a global audience may create insecurities and performance pressure.
• Comfort on camera.  Not everyone feels at ease on camera. Nervousness or a different on-screen persona can impact the effectiveness of the testimonial, and discovering this late in the process can be problematic.

Written or video case studies: Which is right for you?

Now that you know the pros and cons of each, how do you choose which is right for you?

One of the most significant factors in doing video case studies can be the technical expertise and equipment required for a high level of production quality. Whether you have the budget to do this in-house or hire a production company can be one of the major deciding factors.

Still, written or video doesn't have to be an either-or decision. Some B2B companies are using both formats. They can complement each other nicely, minimizing the downsides mentioned above and reaching your potential customers where they prefer.

Let's say you're selling IT network security. What you offer is invaluable but complicated. You could create a short (three- or four-minute) video case study to get attention and touch on the significant benefits of your services. This whets the viewer's appetite for more information, which they could find in a written case study that supplements the video.

Should you decide to test the water in video case studies, test their effectiveness among your target audience. See how well they work for your company and sales team. And, just like a written case study, you can always find ways to improve your process as you continue exploring video case studies.

Case studies offer several distinctive advantages, making them an ideal tool for businesses to market their products to customers. However, their benefits extend beyond these qualities. 

Here's an overview of all the advantages of case studies:

Valuable sales support

Case studies serve as a valuable resource for your sales endeavors. Buyers frequently require additional information before finalizing a purchase decision. These studies provide concrete evidence of your product or service's effectiveness, assisting your sales representatives in closing deals more efficiently, especially with customers with lingering uncertainties.

Validating your value

Case studies serve as evidence of your product or service's worth or value proposition , playing a role in building trust with potential customers. By showcasing successful partnerships, you make it easier for prospects to place trust in your offerings. This effect is particularly notable when the featured customer holds a reputable status.

Unique and engaging content

By working closely with your customer success teams, you can uncover various customer stories that resonate with different prospects. Case studies allow marketers to shape product features and benefits into compelling narratives. 

Each case study's distinctiveness, mirroring the uniqueness of every customer's journey, makes them a valuable source of relatable and engaging content. Storytelling possesses the unique ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level, a dimension that statistics alone often cannot achieve. 

Spotlighting valuable customers

Case studies provide a valuable platform for showcasing your esteemed customers. Featuring them in these studies offers a chance to give them visibility and express your gratitude for the partnership, which can enhance customer loyalty . Depending on the company you are writing about, it can also demonstrate the caliber of your business.

Now is the time to get SaaS-y news and entertainment with our 5-minute newsletter,   G2 Tea , featuring inspiring leaders, hot takes, and bold predictions. Subscribe below!

It's important to consider limitations when designing and interpreting the results of case studies. Here's an overview of the limitations of case studies:

Challenges in replication

Case studies often focus on specific individuals, organizations, or situations, making generalizing their findings to broader populations or contexts challenging. 

Time-intensive process

Case studies require a significant time investment. The extensive data collection process and the need for comprehensive analysis can be demanding, especially for researchers who are new to this method.

Potential for errors

Case studies can be influenced by memory and judgment, potentially leading to inaccuracies. Depending on human memory to reconstruct a case's history may result in variations and potential inconsistencies in how individuals recall past events. Additionally, bias may emerge, as individuals tend to prioritize what they consider most significant, which could limit their consideration of alternative perspectives.

Challenges in verification

Confirming results through additional research can present difficulties. This complexity arises from the need for detailed and extensive data in the initial creation of a case study. Consequently, this process requires significant effort and a substantial amount of time.

While looking at case studies, you may have noticed a quote. This type of quote is considered a testimonial, a key element of case studies.

If a customer's quote proves that your brand does what it says it will or performs as expected, you may wonder: 'Aren't customer testimonials and case studies the same thing?' Not exactly.

Testimonials are brief endorsements designed to establish trust on a broad scale. In contrast, case studies are detailed narratives that offer a comprehensive understanding of how a product or service addresses a specific problem, targeting a more focused audience. 

Crafting case studies requires more resources and a structured approach than testimonials. Your selection between the two depends on your marketing objectives and the complexity of your product or service.

Case in point!

Case studies are among a company's most effective tools. You're  well on your way to mastering them.

Today's buyers are tackling much of the case study research methodology independently. Many are understandably skeptical before making a buying decision. By connecting them with multiple case studies, you can prove you've gotten the results you say you can. There's hardly a better way to boost your credibility and persuade them to consider your solution.

Case study formats and distribution methods might change as technology evolves. However, the fundamentals that make them effective—knowing how to choose subjects, conduct interviews, and structure everything to get attention—will serve you for as long as you're in business. 

We covered a ton of concepts and resources, so go ahead and bookmark this page. You can refer to it whenever you have questions or need a refresher.

Dive into market research to uncover customer preferences and spending habits.

Kristen McCabe

Kristen’s is a former senior content marketing specialist at G2. Her global marketing experience extends from Australia to Chicago, with expertise in B2B and B2C industries. Specializing in content, conversions, and events, Kristen spends her time outside of work time acting, learning nature photography, and joining in the #instadog fun with her Pug/Jack Russell, Bella. (she/her/hers)

Explore More G2 Articles

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Reading Lists
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

What the Case Study Method Really Teaches

• Nitin Nohria

Seven meta-skills that stick even if the cases fade from memory.

It’s been 100 years since Harvard Business School began using the case study method. Beyond teaching specific subject matter, the case study method excels in instilling meta-skills in students. This article explains the importance of seven such skills: preparation, discernment, bias recognition, judgement, collaboration, curiosity, and self-confidence.

During my decade as dean of Harvard Business School, I spent hundreds of hours talking with our alumni. To enliven these conversations, I relied on a favorite question: “What was the most important thing you learned from your time in our MBA program?”

• Nitin Nohria is the George F. Baker Jr. and Distinguished Service University Professor. He served as the 10th dean of Harvard Business School, from 2010 to 2020.

Partner Center

• Business Essentials
• Leadership & Management
• Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB)
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Digital Transformation
• Finance & Accounting
• Business in Society
• For Organizations
• Support Portal
• Media Coverage
• Founding Donors
• Leadership Team

• Harvard Business School →
• HBS Online →
• Business Insights →

Business Insights

Harvard Business School Online's Business Insights Blog provides the career insights you need to achieve your goals and gain confidence in your business skills.

• Career Development
• Communication
• Decision-Making
• Earning Your MBA
• Negotiation
• News & Events
• Productivity
• Staff Spotlight
• Student Profiles
• Work-Life Balance
• AI Essentials for Business
• Alternative Investments
• Business Analytics
• Business Strategy
• Business and Climate Change
• Creating Brand Value
• Design Thinking and Innovation
• Digital Marketing Strategy
• Disruptive Strategy
• Economics for Managers
• Entrepreneurship Essentials
• Financial Accounting
• Global Business
• Launching Tech Ventures
• Leadership Principles
• Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability
• Leading Change and Organizational Renewal
• Leading with Finance
• Management Essentials
• Negotiation Mastery
• Organizational Leadership
• Power and Influence for Positive Impact
• Strategy Execution
• Sustainable Business Strategy
• Sustainable Investing
• Winning with Digital Platforms

5 Benefits of Learning Through the Case Study Method

• 28 Nov 2023

While several factors make HBS Online unique —including a global Community and real-world outcomes —active learning through the case study method rises to the top.

In a 2023 City Square Associates survey, 74 percent of HBS Online learners who also took a course from another provider said HBS Online’s case method and real-world examples were better by comparison.

Here’s a primer on the case method, five benefits you could gain, and how to experience it for yourself.

Access your free e-book today.

What Is the Harvard Business School Case Study Method?

The case study method , or case method , is a learning technique in which you’re presented with a real-world business challenge and asked how you’d solve it. After working through it yourself and with peers, you’re told how the scenario played out.

HBS pioneered the case method in 1922. Shortly before, in 1921, the first case was written.

“How do you go into an ambiguous situation and get to the bottom of it?” says HBS Professor Jan Rivkin, former senior associate dean and chair of HBS's master of business administration (MBA) program, in a video about the case method . “That skill—the skill of figuring out a course of inquiry to choose a course of action—that skill is as relevant today as it was in 1921.”

Originally developed for the in-person MBA classroom, HBS Online adapted the case method into an engaging, interactive online learning experience in 2014.

In HBS Online courses , you learn about each case from the business professional who experienced it. After reviewing their videos, you’re prompted to take their perspective and explain how you’d handle their situation.

You then get to read peers’ responses, “star” them, and comment to further the discussion. Afterward, you learn how the professional handled it and their key takeaways.

HBS Online’s adaptation of the case method incorporates the famed HBS “cold call,” in which you’re called on at random to make a decision without time to prepare.

“Learning came to life!” said Sheneka Balogun , chief administration officer and chief of staff at LeMoyne-Owen College, of her experience taking the Credential of Readiness (CORe) program . “The videos from the professors, the interactive cold calls where you were randomly selected to participate, and the case studies that enhanced and often captured the essence of objectives and learning goals were all embedded in each module. This made learning fun, engaging, and student-friendly.”

If you’re considering taking a course that leverages the case study method, here are five benefits you could experience.

5 Benefits of Learning Through Case Studies

1. take new perspectives.

The case method prompts you to consider a scenario from another person’s perspective. To work through the situation and come up with a solution, you must consider their circumstances, limitations, risk tolerance, stakeholders, resources, and potential consequences to assess how to respond.

Taking on new perspectives not only can help you navigate your own challenges but also others’. Putting yourself in someone else’s situation to understand their motivations and needs can go a long way when collaborating with stakeholders.

2. Hone Your Decision-Making Skills

Another skill you can build is the ability to make decisions effectively . The case study method forces you to use limited information to decide how to handle a problem—just like in the real world.

Throughout your career, you’ll need to make difficult decisions with incomplete or imperfect information—and sometimes, you won’t feel qualified to do so. Learning through the case method allows you to practice this skill in a low-stakes environment. When facing a real challenge, you’ll be better prepared to think quickly, collaborate with others, and present and defend your solution.

3. Become More Open-Minded

As you collaborate with peers on responses, it becomes clear that not everyone solves problems the same way. Exposing yourself to various approaches and perspectives can help you become a more open-minded professional.

When you’re part of a diverse group of learners from around the world, your experiences, cultures, and backgrounds contribute to a range of opinions on each case.

On the HBS Online course platform, you’re prompted to view and comment on others’ responses, and discussion is encouraged. This practice of considering others’ perspectives can make you more receptive in your career.

“You’d be surprised at how much you can learn from your peers,” said Ratnaditya Jonnalagadda , a software engineer who took CORe.

In addition to interacting with peers in the course platform, Jonnalagadda was part of the HBS Online Community , where he networked with other professionals and continued discussions sparked by course content.

“You get to understand your peers better, and students share examples of businesses implementing a concept from a module you just learned,” Jonnalagadda said. “It’s a very good way to cement the concepts in one's mind.”

4. Enhance Your Curiosity

One byproduct of taking on different perspectives is that it enables you to picture yourself in various roles, industries, and business functions.

“Each case offers an opportunity for students to see what resonates with them, what excites them, what bores them, which role they could imagine inhabiting in their careers,” says former HBS Dean Nitin Nohria in the Harvard Business Review . “Cases stimulate curiosity about the range of opportunities in the world and the many ways that students can make a difference as leaders.”

Through the case method, you can “try on” roles you may not have considered and feel more prepared to change or advance your career .

5. Build Your Self-Confidence

Finally, learning through the case study method can build your confidence. Each time you assume a business leader’s perspective, aim to solve a new challenge, and express and defend your opinions and decisions to peers, you prepare to do the same in your career.

According to a 2022 City Square Associates survey , 84 percent of HBS Online learners report feeling more confident making business decisions after taking a course.

“Self-confidence is difficult to teach or coach, but the case study method seems to instill it in people,” Nohria says in the Harvard Business Review . “There may well be other ways of learning these meta-skills, such as the repeated experience gained through practice or guidance from a gifted coach. However, under the direction of a masterful teacher, the case method can engage students and help them develop powerful meta-skills like no other form of teaching.”

How to Experience the Case Study Method

If the case method seems like a good fit for your learning style, experience it for yourself by taking an HBS Online course. Offerings span eight subject areas, including:

• Business essentials
• Leadership and management
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Digital transformation
• Finance and accounting
• Business in society

No matter which course or credential program you choose, you’ll examine case studies from real business professionals, work through their challenges alongside peers, and gain valuable insights to apply to your career.

Are you interested in discovering how HBS Online can help advance your career? Explore our course catalog and download our free guide —complete with interactive workbook sections—to determine if online learning is right for you and which course to take.

About the Author

• Skip to secondary menu
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Statistics By Jim

Making statistics intuitive

What is a Case Study? Definition & Examples

By Jim Frost Leave a Comment

Case Study Definition

A case study is an in-depth investigation of a single person, group, event, or community. This research method involves intensively analyzing a subject to understand its complexity and context. The richness of a case study comes from its ability to capture detailed, qualitative data that can offer insights into a process or subject matter that other research methods might miss.

A case study strives for a holistic understanding of events or situations by examining all relevant variables. They are ideal for exploring ‘how’ or ‘why’ questions in contexts where the researcher has limited control over events in real-life settings. Unlike narrowly focused experiments, these projects seek a comprehensive understanding of events or situations.

In a case study, researchers gather data through various methods such as participant observation, interviews, tests, record examinations, and writing samples. Unlike statistically-based studies that seek only quantifiable data, a case study attempts to uncover new variables and pose questions for subsequent research.

A case study is particularly beneficial when your research:

• Requires a deep, contextual understanding of a specific case.
• Needs to explore or generate hypotheses rather than test them.
• Focuses on a contemporary phenomenon within a real-life context.

Learn more about Other Types of Experimental Design .

Case Study Examples

Various fields utilize case studies, including the following:

• Social sciences : For understanding complex social phenomena.
• Business : For analyzing corporate strategies and business decisions.
• Healthcare : For detailed patient studies and medical research.
• Education : For understanding educational methods and policies.
• Law : For in-depth analysis of legal cases.

For example, consider a case study in a business setting where a startup struggles to scale. Researchers might examine the startup’s strategies, market conditions, management decisions, and competition. Interviews with the CEO, employees, and customers, alongside an analysis of financial data, could offer insights into the challenges and potential solutions for the startup. This research could serve as a valuable lesson for other emerging businesses.

See below for other examples.

Types of Case Studies

Several standard types of case studies exist that vary based on the objectives and specific research needs.

Illustrative Case Study : Descriptive in nature, these studies use one or two instances to depict a situation, helping to familiarize the unfamiliar and establish a common understanding of the topic.

Exploratory Case Study : Conducted as precursors to large-scale investigations, they assist in raising relevant questions, choosing measurement types, and identifying hypotheses to test.

Cumulative Case Study : These studies compile information from various sources over time to enhance generalization without the need for costly, repetitive new studies.

Critical Instance Case Study : Focused on specific sites, they either explore unique situations with limited generalizability or challenge broad assertions, to identify potential cause-and-effect issues.

Pros and Cons

As with any research study, case studies have a set of benefits and drawbacks.

• Provides comprehensive and detailed data.
• Offers a real-life perspective.
• Flexible and can adapt to discoveries during the study.
• Enables investigation of scenarios that are hard to assess in laboratory settings.
• Facilitates studying rare or unique cases.
• Generates hypotheses for future experimental research.
• Time-consuming and may require a lot of resources.
• Hard to generalize findings to a broader context.
• Potential for researcher bias.
• Cannot establish causality .
• Lacks scientific rigor compared to more controlled research methods .

Crafting a Good Case Study: Methodology

While case studies emphasize specific details over broad theories, they should connect to theoretical frameworks in the field. This approach ensures that these projects contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the subject, rather than standing as an isolated entity.

The following are critical steps in developing a case study:

• Define the Research Questions : Clearly outline what you want to explore. Define specific, achievable objectives.
• Select the Case : Choose a case that best suits the research questions. Consider using a typical case for general understanding or an atypical subject for unique insights.
• Data Collection : Use a variety of data sources, such as interviews, observations, documents, and archival records, to provide multiple perspectives on the issue.
• Data Analysis : Identify patterns and themes in the data.
• Report Findings : Present the findings in a structured and clear manner.

Analysts typically use thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes within the data and compare different cases.

• Qualitative Analysis : Such as coding and thematic analysis for narrative data.
• Quantitative Analysis : In cases where numerical data is involved.
• Triangulation : Combining multiple methods or data sources to enhance accuracy.

A good case study requires a balanced approach, often using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

The researcher should constantly reflect on their biases and how they might influence the research. Documenting personal reflections can provide transparency.

Avoid over-generalization. One common mistake is to overstate the implications of a case study. Remember that these studies provide an in-depth insights into a specific case and might not be widely applicable.

Don’t ignore contradictory data. All data, even that which contradicts your hypothesis, is valuable. Ignoring it can lead to skewed results.

Finally, in the report, researchers provide comprehensive insight for a case study through “thick description,” which entails a detailed portrayal of the subject, its usage context, the attributes of involved individuals, and the community environment. Thick description extends to interpreting various data, including demographic details, cultural norms, societal values, prevailing attitudes, and underlying motivations. This approach ensures a nuanced and in-depth comprehension of the case in question.

Learn more about Qualitative Research and Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data .

Morland, J. & Feagin, Joe & Orum, Anthony & Sjoberg, Gideon. (1992). A Case for the Case Study . Social Forces. 71(1):240.

Share this:

Reader Interactions

Comments and questions cancel reply.

Color Scheme

• Use system setting
• Light theme

FDA approves Neffy, a nasal spray alternative to an EpiPen that does not need a needle to stop an allergic reaction

Those at risk of a severe allergic reaction always have handy an EpiPen just in case. But soon their life might be saved by a spray in the nose rather than a needle to the thigh.

Last week the FDA approved Neffy, an epinephrine nasal spray, for use in emergency allergic reactions for kids and adults.

Retired allergist at the Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center Paul Williams said the spray “certainly has the potential” to become the preferred delivery of the drug over an autoinjector, commonly known as an EpiPen.

“A big advantage to this product is that it is not a shot. A lot of people don’t use their autoinjector out of fear of the needle, even when it could save their life. That is especially true for children with allergies who may be afraid of needles,” Williams said.

According to the FDA announcement, the nasal spray is the first epinephrine product that is not administered by injection.

“The availability of epinephrine nasal spray may reduce barriers to rapid treatment of anaphylaxis. As a result, Neffy provides an important treatment option and addresses an unmet need,” said FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research associate director Kelly Stone in a statement.

While most allergic reactions are minor and go away on their own, anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening. These serious symptoms typically present themselves within minutes of exposure to certain foods, medications or insect stings that can cause anaphylaxis.

In these allergic reactions, the constriction of airways cause wheezing, shortness of breath and the inability for air to reach the lungs. Epinephrine relaxes these airways, reduces swelling and allows blood to flow normally. According to Williams, anaphylaxis is typically only fatal because of a delay of epinephrine being applied. For that reason, those at high risk of these reactions usually carry epinephrine in the form of a large autoinjector that is put into the thigh.

Neffy is sprayed into one nostril in a single dose – similar to other nasal sprays like Narcan. A second dose can be administered in the same nostril if symptoms worsen or don’t improve.

ARS Pharmaceuticals, the company that developed Neffy, said in a statement they hoped the nasal spray could be an alternative to those who want to avoid injecting epinephrine.

“A treatment alternative that avoids the need to inject epinephrine with a needle, which can be fraught with anxiety and fear for many – our team has worked tirelessly to create an easy-to-carry, easy-to-use, needle-free device that offers peace of mind to patients and caregivers by enabling them to administer epinephrine quickly and confidently when needed,” ARS Pharmaceuticals CEO Richard Lowenthal said in a statement.

According to the FDA, Neffy was approved based in the results of four studies of 175 healthy adults, which found epinephrine measured in the blood at adequate rates. Importantly, these test subjects were not in anaphylaxis when tested – a life-threatening emergency that cannot be observed in laboratory conditions.

For this reason Williams believes that for the time being Neffy should be seen as an addition to an EpiPen, rather than a replacement.

“At this point we don’t know for sure if any limitations from this drug will become apparent with actual anaphylactic cases,” he said - calling for the spray to be used as a “backup” to an autoinjector. “Hopefully we’ll get that experience over a one or two year period.”

One possible limitation is if anaphylaxis causes their nose to swell, Neffy may become less effective, Williams said. Neffy comes with a warning that certain nasal conditions, such as nasal polyps or a history of nasal surgery, may affect absorption.

It is often recommended those with severe allergies carry two EpiPens. Having an autoinjector and a nasal spray instead could be more convenient, he said.

“This spray is a somewhat smaller device, so it can more easily be carried by a lot of adolescents and older children who don’t always carry their EpiPens. Because it’s a little bit bulky, particularly if you have to carry two,” he said.

Neffy is approved for children and adults who weigh at least 66 pounds. Schools and many other public spaces that accommodate children have EpiPens in stock for emergencies. It remains unclear if Neffy could supplement schools’ autoinjector supply.

In a statement, a Washington Department of Health spokesperson said their agency would be announcing a new statewide standing order on epinephrine that includes Neffy. The new rules will make it easier for schools to obtain the drug, the statement read.

Spokane Public Schools has 1,194 students with an epinephrine plan on file. In a statement, Executive Director of School Support Services Rebecca Doughty welcomed the addition of Neffy as an option for schools.

“Our nurses are always prepared to utilize whatever medication the student’s provider has ordered and are comfortable doing so. A medication that can be delivered nasally instead of via needle will always be preferable for a child,” she said.

According to ARS Pharmaceutical, Neffy will be available within eight weeks of the FDA approval. With commercial insurance a prescription of two single-use Neffy devises should cost a $25 copay, according to the organizations. Without insurance Neffy will cost $199 for two doses. Each dose of Neffy lasts for 30 months.

Returning to the ranch: Roy’s stroke survival story

Thanks to a persistent wife, a fast-acting care team, and a serendipitous day off, Roy Hallmark has returned to life on his rural Priest Lake ranch after suffering a stroke.