What's the value of case studies?

[Grayham]

I'm interested to know what you guys think on this one, while I know it's a really generic question I'm keen to see if any business owners have done any, what they were for and what did you gain.

Also have you done free work in the past in the hope to secure contracts and what level of success did that bring?

 

 

Cheers in advance.

[tinfoilhat]

I think it could well be industry specific. "If you could do xyz for free we'll use you all the time" translates to "I want stuff for free because I've not budgeted sufficiently. There's little chance of me being in charge next time, but I'll instantly forget you anyway."

 

We get plenty of repeat work and never been inclined to do things for free for those clients and we've only been asked, I think, once. Serious clients will pay for your services and/or product. Jokers, in my experience in my industry, want stuff for nowt.

[Grayham]

Can I ask what industry you work in , I was thinking rather more of offering services for free as a trial rather than someone requesting free work, you are right these are usually just people wasting your time

[tinfoilhat]

Can I ask what industry you work in , I was thinking rather more of offering services for free as a trial rather than someone requesting free work, you are right these are usually just people wasting your time

 

I think if you want to offer stuff for free to build up a portfolio there's nothing wrong in that but you're likely to be left with a situation where you will be asking a client for money when they were used to paying none. If they aren't prepared to pay for your efforts in the first place they either don't really need you or are chancers anyway you can do with out. The other thing to think about - if it's free, is it too good to be true? What's the catch?

 

I'm in a rather specialised sector which I won't bore you with, and other peoples mileage may vary depending on what they do. But my gut feeling is that if you've got someone in front of you who wants what you do, haggle if you must, but get paid!

[Grayham]

the problem I am potentially facing is that without doing the work and proving the Return on investment I doubt I would get anyone in front of me so I am looking to build businesses cases but would rather not devalue the products and services I could provide by giving it away but at present can't see another way other than partnerships , thanks for the advice if you ever need help with customer profiling or segmentation feel free to give me a shout.

[MSYltd]

I do quite often work for free, but I am always one offering it.

Usually those are just simple jobs when I'm around, so don't have to travel far and can sort it in under 30 minutes.

For example blown fuse or switch stuck with muck.

This helps to keep good relations with customers.

I am first to be called to any bigger job.

[ianparkin]

I have occasionally done mail campaigns to businesses that didn't know me or have not used me before offering a first free job as a way of getting to know me.

This offer wasn't abused and gained me some very good long term customers

But I'm very specialised (industry)

[tinfoilhat]

I have occasionally done mail campaigns to businesses that didn't know me or have not used me before offering a first free job as a way of getting to know me.

This offer wasn't abused and gained me some very good long term customers

But I'm very specialised (industry)

 

Funnily enough we tried the same thing and got no takers! Second, blander mail out, we got quite a few!