How will you use testimonials as of Dec 1st?

14 years ago

What I plan to do is making my testimonials a link that brings the viewer to a page asking if they would like to contact the person who made the testimonial. At the same time, I'll be contacting people who I feel have left a quality review or testimonial and offer a monetary incentive to allow my viewers to contact them. If they say refuse the offer and the the incentive, I won't put it on my sales page.

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MarkAndrews IMCopywriting 14 years ago

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- scrofford 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by MarkAndrews IMCopywriting
  
  I'll be celebrating my 43rd birthday on
  that date, the last thing I'll be worrying
  about is the FTC.
  
  I love that idea too! Happy soon to be 43!
  
  Thanks
  
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scrofford

14 years ago

Originally Posted by FaJeeb

What I plan to do is making my testimonials a link that brings the viewer to a page asking if they would like to contact the person who made the testimonial. At the same time, I'll be contacting people who I feel have left a quality review or testimonial and offer a monetary incentive to allow my viewers to contact them. If they say refuse the offer and the the incentive, I won't put it on my sales page.

That is an excellent idea! Anyone else who will do something like this or just not use testimonials? I am also curious as to what a lot of the huge corporations are going to do.

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ForeignProfessor

14 years ago

Originally Posted by FaJeeb

What I plan to do is making my testimonials a link that brings the viewer to a page asking if they would like to contact the person who made the testimonial. At the same time, I'll be contacting people who I feel have left a quality review or testimonial and offer a monetary incentive to allow my viewers to contact them. If they say refuse the offer and the the incentive, I won't put it on my sales page.

Nice idea in general, but it does not address the new FTC rules at all and this method will be contravening their new guidelines.

The guidelines state that you must state what a TYPICAL consumer can expect from the product. It is nothing to do with true vs fake testimonials.

And yes, it will be a hell of a lot of work to research what the typical results are for a product. The FTC doesn't care haha.

Most people are probably better of not using testimonials, or promoting products where the producer has done the research and found out what the typical results are. If you're making your own product you've either got a lot of research to do or you're not going to be using testimonials. Either that or breaking the FTC guidelines.

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blingblam

14 years ago

Originally Posted by ForeignProfessor

Nice idea in general, but it does not address the new FTC rules at all and this method will be contravening their new guidelines.

The guidelines state that you must state what a TYPICAL consumer can expect from the product. It is nothing to do with true vs fake testimonials.

And yes, it will be a hell of a lot of work to research what the typical results are for a product. The FTC doesn't care haha.

Most people are probably better of not using testimonials, or promoting products where the producer has done the research and found out what the typical results are. If you're making your own product you've either got a lot of research to do or you're not going to be using testimonials. Either that or breaking the FTC guidelines.

Can't you just write "The average person loses absolutely no weight using this product because the average person is lazy and does not want to exercise or fix bad eating habits"...

something along those lines

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JustVisiting

14 years ago

Originally Posted by scrofford

What is true for one person might not be the "average" for someone else, and here lies the problem and the issue with the FTC.

Originally Posted by ForeignProfessor

The guidelines state that you must state what a TYPICAL consumer can expect from the product.

And yes, it will be a hell of a lot of work to research what the typical results are for a product.

Originally Posted by blingblam

Can't you just write "The average person loses absolutely no weight using this product because the average person is lazy and does not want to exercise or fix bad eating habits"...
something along those lines

Many moons ago part of my science degree involved quite heavy Statistics. The 'Average' value of anything is actually meaningless, statistically. You have to qualify with Standard Deviations, the sample population tested...etc..etc..you get the idea. The phrase; 'Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics' - was coined for a reason.
I can't see how anyone, FTC or Entrepreneur can say what the 'Average' is...because it DOESN'T EXIST.

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dave147

14 years ago

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scrofford

14 years ago

Originally Posted by dave147

You have nothing to worry about if you have real testimonials from someone that has actually used or reviewed or benefited from your product - and with a link leading back to the person

This is NOT true. You need to take a look at the FTC rules now and understand that you can get yourself in a whole lot of trouble EVEN if the testimonials are true.

What is true for one person might not be the "average" for someone else, and here lies the problem and the issue with the FTC.

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bryce

14 years ago

This is all news to me but I guess the fact that I have been ill has kept me away from most internet happenings of late. Anyway my question is, "does this affect anyone anywhere in the world or is it just another American rule that has no bearing on international sites?"

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blingblam

14 years ago

Originally Posted by bryce

This is all news to me but I guess the fact that I have been ill has kept me away from most internet happenings of late. Anyway my question is, "does this affect anyone anywhere in the world or is it just another American rule that has no bearing on international sites?"

From what I've gathered by reading the forums, these new rules affect anyone doing any sort of business with the United States. This means, if you have U.S. customers, or use U.S. hosting, you need to comply with their rules.

In terms of enforcing the new rules on people from other countries, well that's a different story. I'm going to assume that they'll go after U.S. based people first and foremost.

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bryce

14 years ago

Originally Posted by blingblam

From what I've gathered by reading the forums, these new rules affect anyone doing any sort of business with the United States. This means, if you have U.S. customers, or use U.S. hosting, you need to comply with their rules.

In terms of enforcing the new rules on people from other countries, well that's a different story. I'm going to assume that they'll go after U.S. based people first and foremost.

Hmmmm very interesting and thanks for the response

I wonder also if it includes "testimonials" and "reviews" as we see here in WSO's and other Product or Services for sale related topics......

I mean if we are using the WF to sell a product or service and we have customers putting up testimonials here at WF, does this constitute a breach of the regs?

Thanks
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blingblam

14 years ago

Originally Posted by bryce

Hmmmm very interesting and thanks for the response

I wonder also if it includes "testimonials" and "reviews" as we see here in WSO's and other Product or Services for sale related topics......

I mean if we are using the WF to sell a product or service and we have customers putting up testimonials here at WF, does this constitute a breach of the regs?

Yep, I think it impacts any sort of testimonial. The reviews for WSO's here would be fine if these people weren't receiving free 'test' copies of the products in return for a review. If any compensation whatsoever is given for a testimonial then the FTC rules state that this must be stated clearly.

If you're using testimonials for your WSO's you would have to state what the "average" user can expect from using your product. It's not enough to say "different people will have different results", you have to state what the average user can expect.

I'm in Canada and I'm still trying to figure out how to get around this testimonial issue. I'm wondering if I'll have to move away from flogs altogether, or if I can pay someone for a testimonial and then just cover my ass in the terms and conditions at the bottom of the page. I'll probably speak with a lawyer soon...

Thanks

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dave147

14 years ago

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scrofford

14 years ago

Originally Posted by dave147

The FTC are cracking down on fake testimonials. You have have the right to add real testimonials to your site, as long as the source can be backed up. It also depends on what the testimonial is stating - should not be an exaggerated claim. This is one of the things they are going after.

Yes they are cracking down on fake testimonials....I agree..but you need to read and see what the guidlines are. If you put a testimonial up on your site, it has to be proven that the testimony is what the AVERAGE person can expect as far as results go. That is the big issue here...

But like I was asking, what if you have a product you are selling like a "how to" product in which you don't promise tons of income. Like improving your search engine optimization, or how to write an e book. Would testimonials that said it really helped them improve their skills or what not fall into the FTC catagory?

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scrofford

14 years ago

So only a few people are going to do anything? I have a real hard time believing that! I know that good ol Frank Kern doesn't use testimonials and he doesn't plan on starting. Is anyone going to stop altogether?

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havplenty

14 years ago

Originally Posted by scrofford

So only a few people are going to do anything? I have a real hard time believing that! I know that good ol Frank Kern doesn't use testimonials and he doesn't plan on starting. Is anyone going to stop altogether?

Kern's approach is your answer right there. If you look at a new Clickbank product called Dirty CPA you'll see that no testimonials were used.

Write excellent sales copy, ramp up your bonuses and you'll still sell stuff. Of course Frank Kern at this stage of his career is a living testimonial, so i suspect that's part of the reason he doesn't use them

Hope this helps,

Hav

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scrofford

14 years ago

So earlier I posted this and there are a couple of other threads that are in regards to the FTC rules. So really, are you going to keep testimonials on your site or pull them? What are you going to do?

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TheRichJerksNet

14 years ago

I will not be changing anything on none of my sites.. FTC can kiss my .. Well, we will not go there but you get the idea.

James

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Steven Carl Kelly 14 years ago

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

I will not be changing anything on none of my sites.

I won't be making any changes, either. Business as usual.
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- ronr 14 years ago
  
  Until now I've always tried to get tesimonials that were specific in nature and gave a specific measurable outcomes from getting my products.
  
  Now I'll be forced to water those down and use testimonials that are much more vague and general.
  
  Too bad since specific testimonials are always more effective.
  
  Ron
  
  Thanks
  
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- TheRichJerksNet 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Steven Carl Kelly
  
  I won't be making any changes, either. Business as usual.
  
  People get too worked up over nothing, I will run my business as I always do. No big deal..
  
  James
  
  Thanks
  
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  WritingMadwoman 14 years ago
  
  Only two of my products used testimonials, and I recently removed them. I don't think they did much for sales anyway; my best seller has never had a testimonial on the sales page or anywhere else and it sells fine.
  
  A bigger change I did make due to these updated guidelines is remove two of the products I had with affiliate programs. If you read these updated guidelines, vendors will be held 100% responsible for anything their affiliates say or do when promoting your product. That to me is far more worrisome than testimonials. Even if you do your best to train your affiliates to abide by the law, you have no guarantees that they will. The last thing I need is a hefty fine because some ding dong was desperate to sell a bunch of ebooks and made some wild claims.
  
  Of course, I never did build an affiliate army or anything so I probably won't see a difference in sales anyway.
  
  Wendy
  
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DogScout

14 years ago

I've decided to have Mickey Mouse do my testimonials. (or Felix the Cat) I will disclose that the average results for all mice using the product is zero income or whatever Mickey says he accomplished using the product.

I figure if it is a parody, Disney can't do anything (they didn't do anything the last time I used him and he was a big hit). & it just might be different enough to get a sale or two. Plus, the disclosure part will be 100% truthful.

Maybe Rin Tin Tin or King the Wonder Dog... Jury is still out on the details.

"I like to moob it moob it moob it!"

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scrofford

14 years ago

Now what if it's a product you are selling in which people use to learn how to do something and its not focused on how much money someone can make. For example, say I create a "how to" product that shows you how to do SEO, or build your website etc and I am not saying you will make tons of money. What if I just have testimonial up where people say it was a big help to them? How does that work into the equation?

Thanks

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Greg guitar

14 years ago

If I understand it right, I imagine there will be a few constitutional challenges to this gross infringement on free speech. To have to prove what the "average" results are would be an undue burden that amounts to censorship.

But to be legal, I would state the following:

"The average person who buys a book never reads it. The average person who joins a gym rarely or never works out. By the same token, the average buyer of this product will (sadly) never use it, and will therefore see no benefit from it. Don't be average. Like the person that actually uses a gym membership, you can be one of the rare people who experiences extraordinary results by joining that tiny minority that do what everyone knows they should: take action!"

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scrofford

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Greg guitar

If I understand it right, I imagine there will be a few constitutional challenges to this gross infringement on free speech. To have to prove what the "average" results are would be an undue burden that amounts to censorship.

But to be legal, I would state the following:

"The average person who buys a book never reads it. The average person who joins a gym rarely or never works out. By the same token, the average buyer of this product will (sadly) never use it, and will therefore see no benefit from it. Don't be average. Like the person that actually uses a gym membership, you can be one of the rare people who experiences extraordinary results by joining that tiny minority that do what everyone knows they should: take action!"

Yeah I totally agree! I have looked at it as an infringement on free speech as well as a few other things. The "contorl" factor here is huge and even though they say that they will issue warnings at first and then if you don't comply, they will fine you, who are "they" to tell me what I can say or not say.

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Istvan Horvath

14 years ago

I loved the refreshing idea how this site is playing with the use of testimonials

From Pain to Pleasure: The Proven Pathway to Happiness - stressFREEDOMguide.com

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Jayson L

14 years ago

It really isn't that difficult. If someone gives you a testimonial, ask them to either mail it to you, or email it to you. Keep it on file with there phone number in case you were to ever have to prove it with the ftc. Anyone else that is on your site doesn't need it. I can assume that if someone thinks your testimonials are shady, they aren't buying what your sellling. The only one that needs the proof is the ftc right?

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