Q&A for How to Write an Executive Summary

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How do I analyze a case study?

Sarah Evans
Public Relations & Social Media Expert
Sarah Evans is a Public Relations & Social Media Expert based in Las Vegas, Nevada. With over 14 years of industry experience, Sarah is the Founder & CEO of Sevans PR. Her team offers strategic communications services to help clients across industries including tech, finance, medical, real estate, law, and startups. The agency is renowned for its development of the "reputation+" methodology, a data-driven and AI-powered approach designed to elevate brand credibility, trust, awareness, and authority in a competitive marketplace. Sarah’s thought leadership has led to regular appearances on The Doctors TV show, CBS Las Vegas Now, and as an Adobe influencer. She is a respected contributor at Entrepreneur magazine, Hackernoon, Grit Daily, and KLAS Las Vegas. Sarah has been featured in PR Daily and PR Newswire and is a member of the Forbes Agency Council. She received her B.A. in Communications and Public Relations from Millikin University.

Sarah Evans

Public Relations & Social Media Expert

Expert Answer

When analyzing a case study, approach it as a marketing piece rather than expecting extensive media coverage. Case studies are valuable for lead generation and validation on websites, but they are not typically prioritized in earned media or strategic communications PR efforts. Treat them as tools for showcasing success stories and validating your brand's capabilities. Focus on the specific metrics, strategies, and outcomes presented in the case study to understand the effectiveness of the approach used. Consider how the lessons learned can be applied to similar situations or industries.

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Question

Do I include references in an executive summary?

Community Answer

Not normally. References should be in the main body of a report or included in the bibliography or appendices.

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Normally how many typed pages is a summary?

Community Answer

It could range anywhere between 1 to 10 pages. It shouldn't be more than 10% of your entire document or report.

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How do I end an executive summary?

Community Answer

There's no specific way to end it. It's very straightforward and minimalistic.

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Should an executive summary also include footnotes (since citations are already included in body of report)?

Community Answer

No. It should provide quickly-accessible information about the content of the document. Footnotes should only be included in the main body of the document.

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