3. SOURCING CASE
STUDIES
• Through your frontline staff
• Fundraising and other events
• Website and social networks
• Routine paperwork
• Targeted round-robin emails
• Postcards or leaflets
January 27, 2012
4. SETTING UP YOUR
INTERVIEW
• Face to face is better than phone which is better than
email
• Arrange a time that’s convenient for them
• Send some background information
• Make sure you have plenty of time available
• Contact them on the day to remind them
• Think about how you will take notes
January 27, 2012
5. STARTING THE
INTERVIEW
• Take all of their personal details (including contact details)
• Record which activities they are willing to be involved in
• Assure them that their interview will be kept confidential
• Assure them that you will contact them first if someone
wants to use their story
• Ask for a photo
• Give them your contact details
January 27, 2012
6. IT’S ALL ABOUT
LISTENING
• Have a normal conversation
• Use open questions
• Listen actively
• Look for the emotional journey
• Steer the conversation
January 27, 2012
7. MORE INTERVIEWING
TIPS
• Make sure you understand everything
• Prompt them to carry on
• Ask how your charity has helped
• Ask “Is there anything you would like to add?”
• Check availability over next few days
January 27, 2012
8. WRITING UP CASE
STUDIES
• Just type it up
• Highlight key quotes
• Send it to your case study for checking
• Do a short, anonymous version with plenty of impact
• File everything securely
January 27, 2012
9. WRITING A CASE-
STUDY FEATURE
• Write as you talk
• Don’t feel you have to start at the start and end at the end
• Use third person to move action on or highlight charity’s
involvement
• Just bash it out and edit the next day
January 27, 2012
10. PLACING CASE
STUDIES
•Sell them in if possible
•Either phone or email is fine
•Think about audiences rather than media outlets
•Write your pitch – think head, sell, intro plus case study
January 27, 2012
11. IN CONCLUSION
•Working with case studies is:
• time consuming
• a huge responsibility
• incredibly effective
• rewarding
January 27, 2012