14 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
14 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

hypey testimonials...

by knowwow
12 replies
I happen to dislike the hypey salesletter language. There is a recent thread about the most-disliked phrases in IM or something... While browsing through the WSO section it occurred to me that testimonials can get even more that way. It made me think of that thread...

These terms are from just ONE of the testimonials for one of the offers: "hands down, top-notch, bang for the buck, you can't afford NOT to buy."

I guess it is something that comes with an internet marketer marketing to internet marketers, and perhaps these are filtered and overlooked. But the only thing worse than a hypey (how do you spell this thing!?) salesletter must be a hypy(this?) testimonial.

Is it just me?

You have read one of my typical ramblings.
I do think about getting a blog and shouting out from my own backyard but bear with me for now.
#hypey #testimonials
  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    Originally Posted by knowwow View Post

    I guess it is something that comes with an internet marketer marketing to internet marketers, and perhaps these are filtered and overlooked. But the only thing worse than a hypey (how do you spell this thing!?) salesletter must be a hypy(this?) testimonial.
    Try saying "hype in salesletters" and "hype in testimonials" instead of worrying about how you spell "hypey" - in general, if you can't spell the word you need, just say it another way. Just like people who stutter; when you can't say someone is "naked" you just say she's "nuh-nuh-nuh-nnnnnnuh-nnndoesn't have any clothes on."

    There are three things at work here, as far as hype in reviews goes.

    First, we all know that when you send someone a book to review, you want a good review - and if they give you a good one, hey, you might come back later... right? So, especially when your review is from a newbie, they try to give you a REAL GOOD ONE so you'll give them more free stuff.

    Second, it's basic excitement. Ask me about a movie I saw last month; it was okay. Last week? It was pretty good. Yesterday? Yeah, that was a great movie. As I'm coming out of the theatre? IT WAS AWESOME! YEAH!!! THAT WAS THE BEST DAMN MOVIE EVER!!!! I SMELL OSCARS!!!!!! - and most advance product reviews are written minutes after reviewing the product. So yeah, they're a bit much.

    And third... okay, let's be honest shall we? Most products suck. Out of every five products I'm asked to review, three are incoherent and one is illegal. So that last one looks pretty damn good, comparatively.

    When I put out the .357 Article Method, I sent out about a dozen advance copies. And honestly, the testimonials I got back... these people were like, on drugs, or something. It sounded like they were having sex with my ebook. I got so annoyed, I deliberately went to people who would insult me and give positive feedback only grudgingly. And I still got good reviews.

    Why? Because almost every product ever released is crap. If they gave my product a crap review, there would be no way to say everything else was worse.
    Signature
    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1771346].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author knowwow
      Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

      Why? Because almost every product ever released is crap.
      Actually, unlike my example above, this particular WSO seems like it could be useful for non-techy marketers. It is here for reference: http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...ml#post1741011

      The sales message is great and everything, and coming from a likable person. Then when you get to testimonials, it feels like (think him as on a stage telling calmly about the benefits of his product) all of a sudden these people come into stage from right and left dressed in shiny clothes, shouting in your face with one of them rapping another breakdancing or something, BAM!!, KABOOM!! someone comes from inside a smoke cloud.

      I am overly exaggerating at this point but if I am to make my little point:

      -testimonials most probably do act as part of the voice of the seller. If a testimonial from a woman holding a baby affects the likability of the seller, these types can also increase hypeability (hypabilatiousness?) even if there was none in the first place.

      And to repeat again, hype is a deal-breaker for me and I still like to think I am not alone.
      Signature

      - Chief Executive Philosopher

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1771417].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dsmpublishing
    Hi guys

    it may be hype but lets face it how many people actually buy into the hype.

    How many times do you see hyped products selling millions?

    kind regards


    sam
    X
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1771355].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author knowwow
    @Nathan,

    Not on me.
    And I am pretty sure I am not alone.

    AND I am not trying to discuss "hypey salesletters" in the first place. I am sure it has been re-iterated countless times.

    A hypey testimonial has this salesperson tone. It is like the seller himself faking them.

    Even IF I were sold (that would be me ignoring all that) they would need to make up for the pettiness of the language, so I can get to trust them and buy more from them.

    People who are only concerned with 1st sale conversions can only have my sympathies. Lifetime customer value is an important but mostly ignored point.

    LCV is hard to test or track. So the word on the street (echoing the "masters") will always be:

    "... but/because they work".

    Not on US.
    Signature

    - Chief Executive Philosopher

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1771365].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tommen
    The more hype, the more sales.Some people actually get paid to write testimonials for products and services they have never even used.So, I would not trust testimonials. If this is a product I must have I check that it offers a money back guarantee in case the testimonials are misleading.
    Signature
    BestOnlineBusinessTraining.com [Visit My blog]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1771368].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kenster
    Its an interesting perspective we have as copy writers, sales page creators, and just IMers. Many products aren't targeted at us at all. For these products, who really cares what we think, in the end its about what will convert the end user.

    but yes, i run when i see real salesy testimonials
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1771402].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author knowwow
      Originally Posted by Kenster View Post

      Its an interesting perspective we have as copy writers, sales page creators, and just IMers. Many products aren't targeted at us at all. For these products, who really cares what we think, in the end its about what will convert the end user.

      but yes, i run when i see real salesy testimonials
      You are right. These concerns are likely applicable only to IM'ers marketing to IM'ers situations.

      Because I am more involved in that side of things lately, I sometimes lapse into thinking that it is the grandest markets of all.
      Signature

      - Chief Executive Philosopher

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1771444].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author DonFinch
      I agree, its all about what the buyer believes. I, for one, don't like testimonials because as many have said, a lot of them just don't ring true. Lets face it, anyone can write their own and as tommen said, people actually get paid to write these things!

      And even if you do get some good 'genuine' testimonials on your sales page... no one believes them, but if you don't put them on then conversions are down... catch 22... doh!

      Just my thoughts...

      Don.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1771522].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author knowwow
    I just saw this on another blog and made me think about this thread I started.

    I am sorry if this was shared before...

    Signature

    - Chief Executive Philosopher

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1772391].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Christophe Young
    I don't like hype either.. and I don't read testimonials but I got a real education on the impact of hype by reading the responses in the VideoBoss launch thread. I'm beginning to think that this kind of hype appeals to most people, especially those outside the IM circles.

    But, it will never work on me. Maybe it's just my personality.
    Signature
    Under Construction
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1772700].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author money2k
    As public enemy once said "don't believe the hype".
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1773672].message }}

Trending Topics