🐦⬛ This is the easiest freelance gig to land right now (AI can’t touch it) — Write Your Story 2/12/25
🐦⬛ Write Your Story 🐦⬛
· February 12th, 2025 ·
You Need to Learn Case Study Writing (Here’s Why)
How it feels trying to win trust without a case study
Hey writer!
We have a lot of new readers joining this week, so if this is your first time, welcome! If you aren’t new, welcome back!
This week’s letter is pretty long (but super important) so I’ll keep this intro brief.
All week I saw posts from writers freaking out about AI taking jobs. Some were even questioning whether you can even realistically have a full-time freelance writing career right now.
I’m living proof you can. So are tens of thousands of other full-time freelance writers.
The key is being flexible and taking your skills where the money is.
For me right now, that’s case studies. I think this is a very under-explored niche with huge potential and lots of insulation against changes with SEO and AI. It might just be the best way to pursue freelance writing in 2025.
Hope you enjoy!
Best,
🪶 Cody DeBos
P.S. On an unrelated note… a close friend of mine from back home recently experienced a life-changing medical emergency. His family has set up a GoFundMe to help offset the cost of hospital bills and a lengthy recovery.
I know times are tough for everyone, but if you’re looking for something kind to do for a stranger, it would mean the world if anyone in my audience is willing to chip in. You can find the page here.
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Outbound pitches can be a great source of work. In fact, some sort of cold outreach is almost essential these days unless you’ve been writing for long enough to have a backlog of clients. But most writers overlook the most important piece: following up. Here’s why it’s so important (Liz Heflin on LinkedIn).
Still on the fence about jumping on the full-time freelance bandwagon? Here’s a thought-provoking piece and an excellent reading list for you to go through before making the decision (Literary Hub).
Need to land a new client, like, right now? This three-step framework will help you identify brands who need your work, reach them, and land the gig (Ravenwood Writing Academy Blog).
Super Bowl Sunday is always a big one for marketers. This year’s ads were… a mixed bag to say the least. Yet, there are still lessons to be learned. Just, please, leave your flesh hats at home when you check out this roundup (Marketing Tech News).
Letters From My Desk 📬
Why Case Studies Are the Ultimate Future-Proof Freelance Gig
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years as a freelancer, it’s that being ready to adapt is everything. The industry shifts, trends come and go, and the types of writing clients are willing to pay for changes often.
If you want a long-term, high-income freelance writing career, you need to focus on what will be in demand not just today, but five, ten, and twenty years down the road.
That’s why a few years ago I went all-in on writing case studies.
At first, they just seemed like another form of content marketing—just with some extra interviews. Since then, I’ve learned that case studies are very different.
Unlike blog posts or generic web content, case studies require real human skills (interviewing, storytelling, critical thinking, understanding of nuance). Skills AI struggles with. Case studies force you to go below surface-level writing and dig into what actually moves the needle for your clients’ bottom line.
Because of that, they pay really well.
More importantly, they aren’t the type of work that can be easily outsourced to AI. Brands need case studies to be authentic, persuasive, and to fit within the unique context of their industry. They need to speak directly to their target audience and light a fire under their ass.
We all know companies are trying to automate their content with AI right now. Scroll through any freelance writer discussion board and it’s the main topic you’ll see.
Blog posts, product descriptions, video scripts, and even entire websites are being churned out by algorithms.
But the thing is, case studies aren’t just “content.” They are strategic sales assets. That isn’t something most brands want to entrust to AI.
Creating a well-crafted case study requires a skillset that sets you apart as a freelancer.
Interviewing and Researching: AI can scrape data from the internet and even write interview questions, but it can’t sit down with a client and ask insightful follow-up questions. Conducting interviews and spinning a narrative around the most compelling details requires a human touch.
Storytelling: Listing metrics isn’t enough (even if they’re impressive). A great case study features data woven into a larger narrative, showing why they matter.
Understanding Industry-Specific Nuance: This is a big one. Companies don’t operate in a vacuum. A strong case study exemplifies their success within a broader market context. Doing this requires the writer to have a deep understanding of the industry and its nuances—something AI doesn’t do well.
Emotional Intelligence and Persuasion: The best case studies make readers think, “That could be me. I need this product/service.” We all know AI writing feels robotic and generic. A skilled writer can tap into emotion and motivate the reader to take action.
Clients Love Case Studies Because They Build Trust and Authority
Today’s buyers are skeptical. We are all bombarded with flashy marketing campaigns and most of us have learned to tune out the ads. So what drives people to purchase?
Proof.
Over 73% of consumers say case studies are an important part of their buying decision.
A great case study is a trust-building tool. It answer the biggest question potential customers are asking: “Will this actually work for me?”
Instead of telling them with promises that can ring empty, case studies show them. Here’s why businesses love case studies:
They Act as Social Proof: Testimonials are great (and necessary). But they don’t tell the full story. Case studies take the potential customer on a journey from problem to solution to results. That’s far more persuasive.
They Convert Prospects Into Buyers: Businesses rely on case studies as a core part of their sales process. Again, they aren’t just content. When potential customers see real-world examples of someone achieving the success they want, our brain’s psychological wiring tells them to make the same decision. In short, case studies drive higher conversion rates.
They Have Long-Term Value: A well-written case study gets paid for once. Then brands can repurpose it across multiple channels. It goes on their website, in sales emails, on their social media, and in PR campaigns. This longevity makes case studies a high-ROI investment—which is exactly why they’re willing to pay freelancers well for them.
Case Studies Pay Freelance Writers WELL
One of the biggest mistakes I see freelancers make is focusing on what a project pays them, rather than what it’s worth to the client.
It’s a classic pricing mistake.
Would you ever consider charging a client $50k for an article? Probably not.
But what if that article directly led to $500k in sales? Businesses would line up to pay you $50k for it in a heartbeat.
This is a drastic example to show you that making money as a writer is all about how much money you can make for your clients.
Thanks to the excellent conversion rates of case studies, well-written ones can be a cash cow. For you, this means you can charge a lucrative rate for case study writing.
Entry level writers can charge $500-1,000 for a case study.
More experienced writers often charge $1,000-$2,500per case study.
Expert writers with a proven track record of success (especially in industries like healthcare, finance, real estate, and SaaS) can charge $5,000+for a single case study.
And that’s not even the best part.
Most companies don’t just want one case study. They likely want multiple per year to cover the different aspects of what their brand offers.
If you write a killer case study, you can easily turn one project into repeat business.
Case Studies Make You a Strategic Partner, Not Just a Writer
“Just another writer” can easily be replaced. When clients see you this way, you get stuck in a cycle of low-paying, one-off gigs.
When you specialize, you can position yourself as a strategic partner who directly contributes to a client’s success.
Writing case studies isn’t just putting words on the page. You’re helping your client close deals, drive revenue, and beat competitors. If you do it well, you’ll quickly become an irreplaceable asset in their marketing ecosystem.
How to Position Yourself as a Case Study Expert
Remember, you aren’t just another writer. You’re an expert. Now you need to position yourself that way.
To get started, consider you may need to:
Learn the structure. Study successful case studies from top brands.
Offer to write a free or discounted case study for an existing client to build your portfolio.
Develop a simple framework for client interviews to make the process smooth and repeatable.
Market your services by pitching companies that regularly publish case studies. Or, reach out to clients who could benefit from them.
This article is already long, so I’ll be covering this concept in depth in next week’s newsletter. Stay tuned for that.
If you want to start making more money and securing your future career, you don’t want to miss it!
This is the part where I share some of the content I’ve been enjoying lately. Hope you enjoy!
(This section may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I’ll earn a small percentage, which helps support this free newsletter at no extra cost to you.)
📖 Read “Human-First Writing Is Your Superpower in the AI Era” by me, Cody DeBos, in crEATe Magazine #5. I was recently featured in this magazine by creators, for creators, and got to talk about one of my favorite topics: future-proofing your freelance writing career against AI. I’m a firm believer that human-first writing is what will set writers apart in 2025 and beyond. If you’re missing this crucial element, your roles are replaceable. Special thanks to Miles for giving readers of Write Your Story FREE access to the full issue. Just click the link above to check it out!
📺 Watch “The Incredible Logistics of Grocery Stores” by Wendover Productions on YouTube. We take a lot of things for granted—including the food we eat every day. This mini documentary pulls back the curtain on the fascinating process of getting food from farms and factories onto store shelves, and into your belly. It will definitely make you think next time you sit down to eat.
🎧 Listen to “Arcane: Season 2 Soundtrack” by various artists. If you’ve been reading for a while, you know how much I love the show Arcane. Well, the soundtrack is absolutely stellar, too. I’ve had this one on repeat all week. Even if you haven’t seen the show, it’s hard to ignore the raw emotion in these songs.
🧠 Remember:
“Trust is the highest form of human motivation. It brings out the very best in people.” — Stephen Covey, author of “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”
Jobs for Writers
1. Example.com is looking for a freelance senior brand writer
You’ll partner with Example for an upcoming project working on some of the country’s most iconic venues. You will be responsible for developing the verbal language of the brand, and delivering naming, tonality, and brand story.
2. Nia at Omniscient Digital is looking for 1-2 freelance writers with hands-on data science or data analytics experience
You’ll research, write, and edit high-quality content on topics related to data science and analytics, including summarizing complex technical topics for data professionals.
Qualification: 2+ years of professional experience as a data scientist, data analyst, or in a related technical role.
3. Money Making Mommy is looking for a freelance food and drink writer
You’ll write SEO-rich blog content that educates readers about food and drink, including topics like the history of wine or tips for cooking the best steak.
Apply by submitting an application for the job on Indeed.
4. Checkpoint is looking for an imaginative and skilled Minecraft Content Writer
You’ll create stories within the world of Checkpoint’s thriving (3M+ subscribers) YouTube channel, bringing characters to life and pushing Minecraft content to its limits.
I am a full-time freelance writer with over eight years of experience. Writing has helped me escape a career I hated, travel the country with my family, and enjoy a fulfilling life. My mission with Ravenwood Writing Academy is to help aspiring writers like you gain the knowledge, tools, and confidence to succeed.
