Do You Ever Bash Your Competitors To Get More Sales?

[chrisfx]

Someone sent me this link this morning:
Best Poll Creation Tools

In the lens, I saw this line:

Never liked Easy Polls. Its free, but its a very complicated install (as opposed to Quick Polls which is seriously just one click, or Poll Factory which is a handful of clicks), it doesn't do any of the cool stuff the other apps do, and its designed to be almost useless in its lack of features.

As the creator of WP Easy Polls, I found the quote pretty amusing. My plugin is free and has gotten a lot of good feedback from people who have used it. If people want to debate whether one tool is easier to install or whatever, I'm cool with that. But to say something is "designed to be almost useless" seems a little self serving, lol.

If I want to sell one of my products, I would think I would more want to highlight my products own features instead of saying stuff about the competition. Are there any rules of etiquette in the IM world? Or is it just "anything goes" and try to make money any way you can?

Chris

[Willie Crawford]

I don't bash competitors products but do use testimonials
pointing out flaws with them, and do use comparison charts.

Willie

[chrisfx]

Yup, I've found comparison charts to be effective as well. I have nothing against displaying the facts about different products.

Originally Posted by Willie Crawford

I don't bash competitors products but do use testimonials
pointing out flaws with them, and do use comparison charts.

Willie

[Hamida Harland]

'Bash' is a very strong word (I don't like the idea of bashing anybody) - like Willie I also use comparisons and they work very nicely.

[Derek S]

I will always put down my competition in the sales copy and include a comparison chart illustrating why my product is superior. I do however leave out the names of my competitors.

This only works in markets where your competitors are already comparing you to the competition. If they don't think any other site out there offers what you do... don't let them know there is

[Lou Diamond]

Hello,
I just do the opposite,I praise my competition and then I explain how I am different
and or better.
It works all the time.

[Jillian Slack]

Competitor-bashing is not cool.

What goes around comes around.

Jill

[CDarklock]

I'm really uncomfortable saying "product X is crap" on a sales page. I always worry that I don't entirely understand product X, and what I'm saying isn't completely accurate. I find it much easier to concentrate on my own product, and what it does well.

Also, many products aren't really competitors. Particularly with information products, a lot of people will buy and use both. When your product is a lot like your competitor's, you're targeting the same market... but a surprising number of people may buy both of them, because each product is just slightly different. In the MMO niche specifically, someone will buy several products on (say) ClickBank strategies - because they want to make sure they have enough strategies that work for them.

[barbling]

Originally Posted by Lou Diamond

Hello,
I just do the opposite,I praise my competition and then I explain how I am different
and or better.
It works all the time.

Brilliant idea.

I figure that my products have to be able to stand on their own without writing negative comments about other products. Heck, money is money....my competitors can make money with my affiliate program and probably, I can make money with theirs.

The Internet is big enough for everyone to profit.

[BigRedNotebook]

I let others take care of bashing themselves, lol.

I'm usually the guy who gets a call or email after someone else dropped the ball or otherwise screwed up.

Carson

[MeCanX]

Well, to be honest I did a Truthful Review here and was harsh about it...because it was the truth...

Google Conquest Lies - Exposing the Program for what it is

Honestly, if the review is truthful, I don't find it self serving at all if you have something better to offer...

[Daniel Molano]

Originally Posted by Lou Diamond

Hello,
I just do the opposite,I praise my competition and then I explain how I am different
and or better.
It works all the time.

I couldn't agree more.

It also works with affiliate promotions.

The most sales I've made is for a product in which I wrote a Vs review, comparing it to another product.

In the review I praise the product I'm comparing it against, and then I just outline why the one I'm promoting is better.

It works like a charm.

[PLRwithAlex]

Setting yourself apart from the competition does not need to be by bashing. I believe customers will see through this.

Stay away from negativity but if a comparison chart works, use it.

Alex

[Nick Brighton]

Originally Posted by Lou Diamond

Hello,
I just do the opposite,I praise my competition and then I explain how I am different
and or better.
It works all the time.

Bingo.

In traditional sales, one of the key lessons you're taught is that bashing your competition is the kiss of death for your relationship with your prospects and customers.

Why?

Because the moment you do so, something in their mind triggers...

"If he's talking crap about other people, I wonder what else he's secretive and deceptive about..."

They will be forced to question your morals based on your bashing.

And that's not a good place to be in.

[MeCanX]

So what is the difference of bashing and reviewing?

To me the Truth is not bashing...
And if it saves others from losing money/time then how is it bashing?

I understand what you all are saying...but the Truth of something can be considered bashing by some...and a savior to others...

[la dominatrix]

For me comnpetition bashing is extremely uncool and it points out to all my cutomers' that I am too ignorant and thick to work out a better methiod. In fact it sends a direct method I am totally thick and who needs that?
La dominatrix

[Josef_Benjamin]

more than enough money to go around for all.

Any comparing, bashing, or "mines is better than yours" is childs
play.

Most programs and products are awesome in their own right, and
some things will work best with others...but to "compare" or bash
someone else's creative work to your's show's in some way, a lack
in confidence in ones own product to stand alone with out any of it.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't give a damn what other ppl are doing,
I just know how to make the money I want to make to do the things
I want to do. The world is my oyster and I don't need to put down
anybody's work to make minds stand out.

[megashape]

Of course, bashing your competitors creates better impression of your product upon theirs.

[Michael Oksa]

Originally Posted by MeCanX

So what is the difference of bashing and reviewing?

To me the Truth is not bashing...
And if it saves others from losing money/time then how is it bashing?

I understand what you all are saying...but the Truth of something can be considered bashing by some...and a savior to others...

Easy. What's the difference between a review and a sales letter?

A review is supposed to be objective.

Bashing is done to make your competitor look bad.

1. Bashing your competitor is a waste of space. Space that could be used to show the merits of your product.

2. It's nothing more than gossip.

3. Saving the best for last... It insults the reader. What if your site's visitor is a HAPPY user of the bashed product? What you have basically done is told them that they don't know c-r-a-p when they see it.

When referring to bashing, I'm NOT talking making anonymous statements or direct comparisons of features/benefits.

I learned the same thing as Nick. Praise the competition - it shows you're not worried about them and that you are confident enough about your product.

Bashing is the equivalent of the guy at a party nobody likes. You know the one. He insults everyone at every opportunity. This is how he compensates for his low self-esteem. By cutting people down, he thinks he's building himself up - yet the more he does it, the more he wonders why he doesn't have any friends.

All the best,
Michael

[Derek S]

It works if you do it respectfully,

This has been used and proven time and time again with laundry detergents. Good sales copy helps educate the buyer to make the best decision (buying your product). If your product is superior to the competition, state that and prove it...

...Asking the customer to do that for you will hurt your sales

[Jag82]

Originally Posted by chrisfx

If I want to sell one of my products, I would think I would more want to highlight my products own features instead of saying stuff about the competition. Are there any rules of etiquette in the IM world? Or is it just "anything goes" and try to make money any way you can?

Chris

Whether in IM or non-IM world, you don't bash your competitors publicly.
Even if you feel you have genuine grounds to do so.

Because to the unknowing 3rd party, you may seen as "lowly" and "petty".

That is an impression you don't want to give.

But that's not to say you cannot produce evidence why your product
is cheaper, faster, better and so on (through comparison charts, facts,
figures, user testimonials etc). It's highly recommended that you do so.

However there's a big difference between explaining why you are
better and badmouthing the competition.

If you reeeeeeeallyyyyy have to say something bad, it's best to
do it in private (and only to people you trust).

Jag