Fintech is buzzing. There’s a glut of VC funding flowing by way of the trade. A brand new contender arrives on daily basis to vow heaven and earth (or cryptocurrency). However as buzzwords and jargon fly across the sector, content material advertising leaders could also be underusing probably the most crucial advertising equipment instruments—the case examine.
The case for fintech case research
Case research are criminally missed in fintech, an trade the place merchandise are so complicated that clients and potential patrons battle to grasp what precisely they do.
Whereas many fintech firms ignore case research altogether, others produce studies that add little worth for gross sales representatives, potential patrons, or clients. Because the proprietor of Real, I write completely for B2B fintech firms. And I’m typically stunned to see some trade case research peppered with extra product options than buyer tales. With that in thoughts, listed here are three widespread case examine hindrances I’ve seen:
1. The shopper interview
As a marketer, have you ever ever learn a case examine realizing the client had a greater expertise than the completed piece articulates? It’s not a pleasant feeling. Nonetheless, the issue typically lies within the interview—the launchpad from which all nice case research come up.
I get it. It’s tempting to deal with case research like conversations or enterprise growth workout routines. I’ve heard case examine interviews the place salespeople interrupt the client to place their very own spin on occasions and the place interviewers ask questions which can be so protected they lead to uninteresting responses.
Attempt to keep away from this. Helpful interviews for case research are extra like a journalistic Q&A. Meaning getting snug with:
- Interjecting when individuals go off-topic
- Asking probing follow-ups and fact-checking the place element is scant
- Utilizing open questions with why, the place, what, when, how come, how a lot
Busy executives will thanks for this. They, too, need a tightly managed name, to allow them to return to doing their core work as quickly as potential.
2. The shopper quotes
Senior decision-makers have been across the block. Spin and superlatives is not going to hoodwink them into selecting one answer over one other. As an alternative, they need to hear what individuals precisely like them need to say in regards to the product.
Too typically, I’ve seen fintechs drop highly effective buyer quotes as a result of they paint an imperfect image of a buyer’s expertise with their product. That’s a missed alternative. Criticism paired with reward is extra plausible than quotes that counsel a flawless expertise. Learn the critiques of finance and accounting SaaS merchandise on G2 to see what I imply.
So embrace the criticism. No product is ideal. And know-how merchandise, particularly, are recognized for widespread issues, like overpromises by gross sales, difficult implementations, or cumbersome software program and app integrations.
Generalities and filler quotes received’t lower it both. However detailed quotes will element how a fintech product benefited the client by way of the metrics they care about most.
3. The story arc (or lack thereof)
Lastly, some fintech scale-ups overlook that case research shine brightest once they present a relatable narrative about actual individuals fixing actual issues.
A couple of years in the past, a fintech requested me to assist them craft their first-ever case examine about their favourite buyer: a giant financial institution. And right here’s the factor. They didn’t need to identify the financial institution. In reality, they didn’t even need to interview the client or embrace quotes.
That’s an excessive instance. However it’s additionally a reminder that focusing solely on the problem-solution-outcome format is, properly, just a little boring. However tales with a protagonist, a problem, and a catharsis? That’s the place the gold is. So don’t overlook to inform a narrative together with your subsequent case examine and maintain these factors in thoughts:
- Say how the client tried and failed to resolve the issue earlier than utilizing your product.
- Use story constructions that play up the obstacles, the battle, and the decision.
- Add context with years, areas, and the working setting.
Robust tales not solely assist fintech salespeople present prospects how their trade friends achieved outcomes, however in addition they make present clients look good. They provide an added increase to buyer retention and satisfaction.
So don’t sleep on utilizing case research to have fun clients for a heroic effort and selecting your product to make a change.
