>>>> Nobody reads testimonials, but they still increase sales? <<<<

I'm hoping people read them because I am currently running a thread where I am asking people to use my service for free in exchange for a testimonial

If people don't read them I am wasting my time, aren't I? lol

I skim over sales pages, and I'll stop at a testimonial only if I recognize the name or picture as a marketer that I really trust.

I'll read one if it's up front and early on (where I put them), but I don't think anyone reads an entire string of 10 testimonials. BUT...I think people "get" it that if there is a testimonial, the product is good. Without any testimonials (whether they actually read them or not), you lose proof. So, what I'm saying is I think people LOOK at them but that they don't necessarily read them...if that makes any sense at all.

Many people do read testimonials to get some kind of assurance about your products. But lots of people also just skip them and they feel assured when they just see bunch of testimonials.

Yes, what Brian said

Actually, I do skim over them and usually look for things that validate the claims made in the sales letter.

But I think it's just the reassurance that other people have used the product and had success / got results.

In short... SOCIAL PROOF.

Testimonial Blindness is going to be the new Banner Blindness!

Mark My Words

Gotta make your Testimonials POP and place them in the
right places...

EG: Testimonials about how great the process and customer support was should be on your order page. You get the point

Take Care,

Michael SIlvester

I will read testimonials and think they are effective if done right. Proper placement and an image of the person always work for me.

Of course a recognized name always goes a long way.

Thanks,

John

I do skim testimonials, and do link checking to see if the sites listed as references are actually live. I don't delve on them, though, as you will still formulate your own opinion about a product. I prefer not to read them as not to influence my purchasing decision. I feel like a sales page without testimonials that can sell me on a product is a heck of a lot better than one that includes them. I actually think that testimonials should be a bit limited because if you have a good product, and you craft your salespage properly, then they won't make much a difference to the reader anyway.

Contrary to some posters here I actually attach more weight to a testimonial from an unknown than to a testimonial from some big name marketer (with a few exceptions). Too much JVing and mutual back scratching going on.

If it's a how to make money product for example, a testimonial from a newbie or an unknown (as long as it includes an actual URL to the person's site etc.) who actually managed to achieve something using that product holds a lot more weight than a testimonial from a guru who is already making a gazillion dollars a month.

And a final thing, the testimonial has to feel and sound real. I've seen some people in testimonials do the digital equivalent of wetting their pants. For me quiet sincerity beats over the top excitement every time. Something like this will put me right off:

"X, your ebook is AWESOME!!! WOW!!! I CHOKED on my COFFEE when I saw the stuff you reveal inside!! You should be charging 5 times as much for it!!"

Sadly that example is actually understating some actual testimonials I've come across. If you choke on your coffee, fall off your seat, your heart skips a beat etc. when reading an ebook, you should perhaps go see a doctor.

When selling hard goods testimonials I have found have a much greater value than in the quite smaller world of info Products within the Internet Marketing world.

But that being said, testimonials within the Im world shows that the marketer has done thier homework in setting up thier website/webstore.

Personally and from most small business owners that I work with...they would rather see or hear a testimonial from a unknown source than from the latest star.

I hoped this helped.

I'm a testimonial skimmer, but I also skim the main body of copy. If I feel it's a product I may want to purchase I will go back to the start and then read the testimonials (basically as a way to reaffirm my decision to purchase)