REVERSE TESTIMONIALS: New Concept

[tecHead]

Despite all of the negativity, back biting, rude comments and envy on this forum; I try to add as much positive energy, as possible. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

That being understood, I'd like to share something that just dawned on me regarding testimonials.

I've read on here that some are witnessing that potential customers are becoming blind to the standard "Wow! This thing is great!" testimonial; much like the reported effectiveness of banner ads.

Not to forget the fact that sometimes procuring those testimonials (from some of the bigger names) is either by way of almost selling one's soul or just plain making them up.

So, what dawned on me comes from the basic rules of product creation...
- Pick a niche
- Get to know your niche
- Find out where your niche hangs out
- Talk to your niche
- Realize the problems and/or needs of your niche
- Create a solution to those problems and/or needs
- Sell said solution to said niche

The bolded points stand out to me and make gathering (what I'm calling) Reverse Testimonials a no brainer.

Hanging out where your niche does allows you to realize the problems and/or needs of your niche, right? And how to you realize those problems and/or needs? By reading and comprehending those reverse testimonials.

Example of a Reverse Testimonial
"My downloads on my download page keep getting hacked. Anybody know of a way to get around this?"

GOLD

I'm more than kinna sure the guy who created "DLguard" ran across some posts in a forum somewhere; (possibly even this one); which gave him the idea (and proof of demand) to create his product.

The beautiful thing about the Reverse Testimonial is that, by all legal rights, you don't even have to "ask" to use them, because they're freely listed in public forums. Yet, of course, as a businessperson it would be to your best interest to at least contact the individual and let them know you're going to use their words; publicly available or not. You just might gain a new business partner.

Anyway.. like I said, just thought I'd share.

HTH
PLP,
tecHead

[Success Galore]

I agree with you completely tecHead, Reverse Testimonials is going to be very effective in the next generation of IM. And this has already started.

[Chris Lockwood]

Originally Posted by tecHead

Despite all of the negativity, back biting, rude comments and envy on this forum; I try to add as much positive energy, as possible.

Not to forget the fact that procuring those testimonials is either by way of almost selling one's soul or just plain making them up.

Your assumption about testimonials doesn't sound very positive to me.

You also do NOT have the right to copy text just because it is in a forum.

I really don't get what you mean by a "reverse testimonial" - to me that would be something like "I hate your product." How is that useful?

[tecHead]

Originally Posted by Chris Lockwood

Your assumption about testimonials doesn't sound very positive to me.

You also do NOT have the right to copy text just because it is in a forum.

I really don't get what you mean by a "reverse testimonial" - to me that would be something like "I hate your product." How is that useful?

Chris, we don't know each other, but the manner in which you've chosen to dissect my original post is even more entertaining to me than the manner in which you assumed I'm assuming about testimonials. Yet, out of respect; (as you'll see above -- if you care to look); I've since edited my original statement to convey my actual thoughts, (and experiences).

Also, being positive doesn't mean being naive; does it? My original statement; (and even more so now that its been edited with those added 3 little words); is, in fact "sometimes" the reality. Yet, then again, everyone has their own value level on what they consider their soul.

As for your interpretation of Reverse Testimonials; I thought it to be obvious that this was not a "literal" (and/or dictionary) definition. Simply, someone giving something a catchy label, and in the spirit of the original Internet mentality, sharing information for free.

Traditional Testimonial
WOW! This widget is so good, I think Chris is a God!

Reverse Testimonial (not to be confused with dictionary definition of 'reverse')
If more Warriors acted like the dictionary definition of 'warrior'; maybe we'd see more innovation. Anybody have an idea how this might be accomplished?

Thanks for the critique.

PLP,
tecHead

P.S.: Regarding your emphatic protest about using publicly posted forum text; you might want to check out this search on Google? --> Chris Lockwood+warrior forum
You just might have a case, if you're correct.

[Chris Lockwood]

Originally Posted by tecHead

Chris, we don't know each other, but the manner in which you've chosen to dissect my original post is even more entertaining to me than the manner in which you assumed I'm assuming about testimonials. Yet, out of respect; (as you'll see above -- if you care to look); I've since edited my original statement to convey my actual thoughts, (and experiences).

Also, being positive doesn't mean being naive; does it? My original statement; (and even more so now that its been edited with those added 3 little words); is, in fact "sometimes" the reality. Yet, then again, everyone has their own value level on what they consider their soul.

OK, let's play the game of edit the post, then say the reply to it wasn't accurate!

You originally said "Not to forget the fact that procuring those testimonials is either by way of almost selling one's soul or just plain making them up." - that sure sounds like you're saying all testimonials are fake or involve selling someone's soul, which doesn't sound too positive

[Lance K]

While the method you're advocating is effective, paying attention to the problems people discuss on forums, etc. certainly isn't a new concept.

[Andrew Maule]

So you are going to use these reverse testimonials on a sales page, or to find a new niche..?

[ctutt]

Originally Posted by tecHead

Despite all of the negativity, back biting, rude comments and envy on this forum; I try to add as much positive energy, as possible. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

That being understood, I'd like to share something that just dawned on me regarding testimonials.

I've read on here that some are witnessing that potential customers are becoming blind to the standard "Wow! This thing is great!" testimonial; much like the reported effectiveness of banner ads.

Not to forget the fact that sometimes procuring those testimonials (from some of the bigger names) is either by way of almost selling one's soul or just plain making them up.

So, what dawned on me comes from the basic rules of product creation...
- Pick a niche
- Get to know your niche
- Find out where your niche hangs out
- Talk to your niche
- Realize the problems and/or needs of your niche
- Create a solution to those problems and/or needs
- Sell said solution to said niche

The bolded points stand out to me and make gathering (what I'm calling) Reverse Testimonials a no brainer.

Hanging out where your niche does allows you to realize the problems and/or needs of your niche, right? And how to you realize those problems and/or needs? By reading and comprehending those reverse testimonials.

Example of a Reverse Testimonial
"My downloads on my download page keep getting hacked. Anybody know of a way to get around this?"

GOLD

I'm more than kinna sure the guy who created "DLguard" ran across some posts in a forum somewhere; (possibly even this one); which gave him the idea (and proof of demand) to create his product.

The beautiful thing about the Reverse Testimonial is that, by all legal rights, you don't even have to "ask" to use them, because they're freely listed in public forums. Yet, of course, as a businessperson it would be to your best interest to at least contact the individual and let them know you're going to use their words; publicly available or not. You just might gain a new business partner.

Anyway.. like I said, just thought I'd share.

HTH
PLP,
tecHead

I like what you said. Personally, I'm completely "fed up" with the "marketing guru" approach to 'hyped up' ad copy. It's a total turn-off for me, and I'd guess many other website visitors too.

[tecHead]

Originally Posted by Lance K

While the method you're advocating is effective, paying attention to the problems people discuss on forums, etc. certainly isn't a new concept.

On that level of technicality; "nothing" utilizing the written language is "new", really (check the public domain). Again; semantics.

[tecHead]

Originally Posted by mrsleep99

So you are going to use these reverse testimonials on a sales page, or to find a new niche..?

Why not for both?

[jjpmarketing]

Turn off or not... you still can't deny the fact that it works. I caught a friend just drooling over some "get rich quick" hypey sales letter. I then knew that that stuff really works on the target market... people who are not devount studiers of copywriting and internet marketing.

People in IM however, will tune that non-sense right out when they see of hear it.

[Dan Grossman]

All posts made on all forums by US citizens are protected by copyright. You're implicitly giving rights to publish a copy to the forum by writing it there, but you haven't made a contract, written or implied, with anyone else, to give up the copyright you hold over the words you wrote. So if you're going to do this to generate testimonials or whatever, you need to ask permission before republishing.

[tecHead]

Originally Posted by Success Galore

I agree with you completely tecHead, Reverse Testimonials is going to be very effective in the next generation of IM. And this has already started.

Although it might not be called "Reverse Testimonial" usage; you just might be on to something there, bro.

Time will definitely tell.

Originally Posted by ctutt

I like what you said. Personally, I'm completely "fed up" with the "marketing guru" approach to 'hyped up' ad copy. It's a total turn-off for me, and I'd guess many other website visitors too.

Ya know, judging from the research I've done with our younger generation; (the 18~34 age group); I've found this to be a reoccurring theme.

Imagine that, you're 66 and can relate to someone more than half your age. You go! ::thumbs up::

[tecHead]

on

Originally Posted by Dan Grossman

All posts made on all forums by US citizens are protected by copyright. You're implicitly giving rights to publish a copy to the forum by writing it there, but you haven't made a contract, written or implied, with anyone else, to give up the copyright you hold over the words you wrote. So if you're going to do this to generate testimonials or whatever, you need to ask permission before republishing.

Would you be so kind as to show us collaborative text from the actual DMCA documentation; (as sited on the Library of Commerce site thomas.loc.gov); (by pointing to it), which substantiates your above comment?

I've taken the liberty to provide the link --> here

Thanks

[Dan Grossman]

Originally Posted by tecHead

Would you be so kind as to show us collaborative text from the actual DMCA documentation; (as sited on the Library of Commerce site thomas.loc.gov); (by pointing to it), which substantiates your above comment?

I've taken the liberty to provide the link --> here

Thanks

Originally Posted by http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.pdf

Copyright protection subsists from the time the work is created in fixed form. The copyright in the work of authorship immediately becomes the property of the author who created the work.

The DMCA is not the copyright law of the US; that's the 1976 Copyright Act. You've probably heard of the DMCA because of the DMCA Notice of Infringement sent to service providers requiring them to remove copyrighted work in exchange for safe harbor (you can't sue them for what their user posted). DMCA is a set of additions to the Copyright Act that added rules specific to the digital age: notably safe harbor for service providers and making circumvention of DRM an infringing act.

In the ~400 pages of copyright law you can download as a single document from the copyright office, the DMCA is only "Appendix B".

United States Copyright Office

[tecHead]

Originally Posted by Dan Grossman

The DMCA is not the copyright law of the US; that's the 1976 Copyright Act. You've probably heard of the DMCA because of the DMCA Notice of Infringement sent to service providers requiring them to remove copyrighted work in exchange for safe harbor (you can't sue them for what their user posted). DMCA is a set of additions to the Copyright Act that added rules specific to the digital age: notably safe harbor for service providers and making circumvention of DRM an infringing act.

In the ~400 pages of copyright law you can download as a single document from the copyright office, the DMCA is only "Appendix B".

United States Copyright Office

Originally Posted by http://www.copyright.gov/circ/circ1.pdf

These rights, however, are not unlimited in scope. Sections 107 through 121 of the 1976 Copyright Act establish limitations on these rights. In some cases, these limitations are specified exemptions from copyright liability. One major limitation is the doctrine of “fair use,” which is given a statutory basis in section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Your assumption of how I acquired my knowledge of the existence of the DMCA is wrong, Sir; (I actually read it).

Secondly, it seems to me that we are having a typical difference of opinion regarding the interpretation of the law; which is to be expected.

However, judging from the fact that you've chosen to purposely not include the fact that I also stated; (immediately after my original comment, in fact); ...

Originally Posted by tecHead

Yet, of course, as a businessperson it would be to your best interest to at least contact the individual and let them know you're going to use their words; publicly available or not. You just might gain a new business partner.

... I am attempting to neither lead anyone astray nor be ignorant.

Insulting someone's intelligence; (for whatever personal reason); is also not very cool

Thanks for the debate.

PLP,
tecHead

[balsimon]

Assuming that I understand the concept of the reverse
testimonial being discussed here:

If you find someone who's posted in a forum (or on a blog)
about a problem that your product solves, you've
got a potential beta-tester, yes? And I'll bet if your
products solves that beta-tester's problems, s/he'll happily
provide you with a testimonial.

Also - it occurs to me that if you find a forum or a blog
post that doesn't expire, your sales letter could include a
link (that opens in a new window) to that post so your
prospective customers could see that you're being straight
with them.

And I wonder if you could simply cite and quote what's in the
forum under the Fair Use Doctine, and say something like

As was mentioned in the discussion on Billy Bob's Fix-the-
Doohicky Forum, MechHealth said that if you put the pumbajju
in the croxifortia, everything should work out just fine. Even
someone with the brains of a pistachio should be able to do
this one."

Well - we've done one better. We put two pumbajji in the
croxifortia. The synergy awes anyone who sees these
pubajji in action. Now how's that for service?

Even so - I think it would be best to try to contact the person
who's expressed thoughts you want to use and get express
permission.

- Bal

[Dan Grossman]

You can't one minute ask me to point out where posts are protected by copyright in the DMCA (so helpfully pointing me to the document) and the next tell me it's a difference of interpretation of a totally different document. This isn't a very good debate.

[tecHead]

LOL, yes I can when you so informatively point out that...

Originally Posted by Dan Grossman

DMCA is a set of additions to the Copyright Act that added rules specific to the digital age: notably safe harbor for service providers and making circumvention of DRM an infringing act.

...the DMCA and the document you brought to the table are directly related. (sheesh)

[tecHead]

Originally Posted by balsimon

Assuming that I understand the concept of the reverse
testimonial being discussed here:

If you find someone who's posted in a forum (or on a blog)
about a problem that your product solves, you've
got a potential beta-tester, yes? And I'll bet if your
products solves that beta-tester's problems, s/he'll happily
provide you with a testimonial.

Also - it occurs to me that if you find a forum or a blog
post that doesn't expire, your sales letter could include a
link (that opens in a new window) to that post so your
prospective customers could see that you're being straight
with them.

And I wonder if you could simply cite and quote what's in the
forum under the Fair Use Doctine, and say something like

As was mentioned in the discussion on Billy Bob's Fix-the-
Doohicky Forum, MechHealth said that if you put the pumbajju
in the croxifortia, everything should work out just fine. Even
someone with the brains of a pistachio should be able to do
this one."

Well - we've done one better. We put two pumbajji in the
croxifortia. The synergy awes anyone who sees these
pubajji in action. Now how's that for service?

Even so - I think it would be best to try to contact the person
who's expressed thoughts you want to use and get express
permission.

- Bal

There ya go, Bal.. good analogy and addition.

In fact, the more I think about this; (based on what you just said); if the forum or website or blog (or whatever) has some type of referral system; (like the Warrior Forum); your link to that reference could very well include your referral ID and then you've just created a passive income possibility.

Wow... I'm liking this idea more and more.

- Research demand
- Gain credibility for your solution
- Procure references for validity in the sales process
- Create passive income streams

... all in one swoop. Wonder what else we can come up with.

PLP,
tecHead

[balsimon]

Originally Posted by tecHead

In fact, the more I think about this; (based on what you just said); if the forum or website or blog (or whatever) has some type of referral system; (like the Warrior Forum); your link to that reference could very well include your referral ID and then you've just created a passive income possibility.

Could you please elaborate on this. I'm not fully
understanding how you would do this.

Thanks.

Regards,
Bal

[tecHead]

Originally Posted by balsimon

Could you please elaborate on this. I'm not fully
understanding how you would do this.

Thanks.

Regards,
Bal

Hey Bal

Well, when you join some site on the Internet that has an affiliate program embedded, they give you links to use to refer people to that site, right?

So, if you're citing something; (a Reverse Testimonial); from that site and using a link under that citation... that link would be your affiliate/referral link given to you by that site.

That way, IF someone clicks... reads... enjoys.. buys.. YOU get credit for the purchase.

HTH
PLP,
tecHead

[balsimon]

Got it - cool indeed.

Regards,
Bal

[Greg Cooksley]

Originally Posted by tecHead

LOL, yes I can when you so
informatively point out that...



...the DMCA and the document you brought to the table
are directly related. (sheesh)

Now, now boys - don't fight.....

Hey Techead,

I really like this idea....

I must admit that in the IM space, I tend to gloss over the testimonials.
I think, purely because I've become a bit thick-skinned. The
testimonials on the big guru launches also tend to turn me off
especially if one big guru is saying how wonderful another big
guru's product is.

It makes me wonder if they have even laid eyes on the product,
and yet they endorse it so highly......

Perhaps, in the non-IM space, the testimonial thing is better
accepted?

Regards

Greg

[tecHead]

Originally Posted by Greg Cooksley

Now, now boys - don't fight.....

Hey Techead,

I really like this idea....

.....

Perhaps, in the non-IM space, the testimonial thing is better
accepted?

Regards

Greg

Hey Greg,

The only other niche I've done any extensive research in outside of the IM niche (so far) is the music industry; and we musicians tend to lean more towards actual press, than anything else.

Other arenas, (in my experience), seem to push the 'testimonial' over to the sidebar as more of a secondary note. Still the traditional format, though.

Maybe this discussion will spark those in other niches to either chime in or take a closer look. Maybe.

PLP,
tecHead