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Case Study Success
Did that subject line get your attention?
Welcome back to The 2x2 - the ultimate newsletter for executive consultants!
This week, we’re talking case studies.
Read on…
GOT REFERRALS?
As indie consultants, we rely on great freelancers – accountants, attorneys, brokers, and even web developers – to grow our practices and support our client work.
But good talent is often hard to find.
To bridge that gap, we are harnessing our community’s collective experience and building a database of trusted service providers.
Share your referrals here.
P.S. You may be the provider someone else is looking for! Refer yourself. We don’t mind.

Case Studies Are Your Brand’s Best Memory Hook
Think your resume is the best asset? Wrong. It’s your case studies.
Every consultant has a handful of client wins they’re proud of.
Unlocked $200M in incremental margin by getting a client to rethink their pricing.
Rescued a $150M channel program in 90 days.
Took a $4B Lead-to-Order process from manual to scale.
Remediated OPEX overspend for a $50B business unit.
These are ours at Keenan Reid.
But writing these case studies takes time, so many wins stay hidden in dusty decks – others don’t even get the chance to be written.
That’s a missed opportunity.
When done right, case studies are more than proof points – they're brand stories in action.
Case Studies Matter More Than You Think
In consulting, nothing builds credibility faster than a good story.
Clients want to know the problems you solve, but they also want to know that you can deliver the results you promise.
Case studies give them a glimpse of that.
When used right, case studies build instant credibility through real-world results, showcase a consultant’s thinking and approach, and help prospects see themselves in the situation.
They’re not just testimonials. Case studies are memory hooks.
Stories in these cases will make people remember you – “Oh, you’re the one who helped that SaaS company double their win rate, right?”
The Problem with Traditional Case Studies (and How to Fix It)
Unfortunately, most case studies are basically dry project recaps.
Full of jargon, timelines, bullet points – but no story or personality.
These case studies talk more about the client instead of the consultant and what they did.
They bury the big insight and make the reader work too hard to understand why anything matters.
To put it simply, they’re not doing anything for your brand.
But it’s not a helpless case altogether.
There’s already information in these case studies. They just need a narrative transformation:
Show the spark. Open with a moment of tension – the reason you were brought in and why people should care.
Be the guide, not the hero. Position yourself as a catalyst and trusted fixer, because that are more powerful. It also makes the prospect relate to the client better.
Highlight the turning point. Show the insight or recommendation that flipped the switch. This moment differentiates you.
Show the outcome. Metrics matter. They show that you weren’t just brought in – you made a measurable difference.
Make it human. There’s always an emotional ROI – confidence restored, stress reduced, or alignment regained. It’s what stays with your future clients.
Where to Use These Brand Stories
Your work speaks so use it to tell stories. Never let it just sit on your website.
I recommend using them to fuel every channel:
On your website. We have a dedicated section that highlights the situation, action, and result of the best projects we worked on.
In LinkedIn posts. We repurpose our case studies into something easy to read for our LinkedIn audience – even if they’re not heavily involved in business.
During sales calls. These case studies are relevant examples to build trust and create relevance.
In proposals. Make sure to tailor story snippets and match the client’s current situation.
Your Stories Are Your Strategy
Consultants don’t need to be everywhere.
They just need to be remembered for the right thing by the right people.
As case studies stick in people’s minds, the brand also gets stuck.
Maybe not as flashy or noisy as the others, but the important thing is being unforgettable.
Dust off the decks. Revisit the wins. And build a brand, one story at a time.

Sarah Pew’s Notion Calendar Magic
Tired of double-booking yourself?
This has happened to me too many times, across too many calendars.
But fear not – Sarah Pew has a genius fix for it only using Notion Calendar.
It’s smart. It’s simple. And it might just save your week.
A solution so good, Sarah can’t help but write an ode about it.

Remember, the path to success is paved with continuous learning and embracing fresh perspectives.
Let's stay connected, share ideas, and elevate your consulting business.
Stay curious, friends.
The 2×2 is brought to you by Keenan Reid Strategies
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