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Proof statements - are we immune to them ?

by Matt Morgan
6 replies
If banners and descriptions, and say proof inside, (or some sales letters) showing you that the person who's ad it is are capable of making that amount, do you think:
"wow" I gotta get this now,

or are you immune to it, and jus think
"Just because they made that amount it doesn't mean that I will make that much", so you just ignore 'proof inside' statements?

As a newbie starting out in IM do you take proof statments into consideration?
#immune #proof #statements
  • Profile picture of the author Matt Morgan
    Originally Posted by King Shiloh View Post

    I follow my heart; I don't follow screenshots.
    I also checked one long long ago.

    You follow your heart, would that also be in search of the Queen?

    is there a Queen Shiloh on this forum?
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
    I am not a newbie, but I would like to answer anyway.

    I do not believe pictures of proof statements. Because that is what they are, pictures of something else that I do not have access to.

    I try to imagine whatever it is working for me, in my particular situation, and if I cannot, then pass.

    I think what happens many times with folks that are new, is that they do not have a defined business model so they wind up buying things because they convince themselves by readin or listening to sales copy, that this thing could work for them.

    And since they have no business to use "prduct XX" in, they don't have an real way to test it out.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      I see a couple of factors playing...

      First, how believable is the proof statement and how easy is it to fake?

      Second, how badly does the reader want to believe it?
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  • Profile picture of the author oneplusone
    Originally Posted by Matt Morgan View Post

    If banners and descriptions, and say proof inside, (or some sales letters) showing you that the person who's ad it is are capable of making that amount, do you think:
    "wow" I gotta get this now,

    or are you immune to it, and jus think
    "Just because they made that amount it doesn't mean that I will make that much", so you just ignore 'proof inside' statements?

    As a newbie starting out in IM do you take proof statments into consideration?
    Proof is very powerful, one of the golden rules of copywriting is that whenever you make a claim, you should immediately try and back it up with some form of proof, to prevent the reader's BS meter from rising and doubts creeping in.

    With regards to what you're asking, when a banner says "proof inside" the viewers often can't help themselves clicking to see what the "proof" is.

    It's more about getting clicks, than making sales.

    I don't think it matters what newbies or anyone else says, proof is HUGE and I've never failed to see an increase in the conversion rate in any market when adding some form of "proof".

    Testing is always the way to go if you're unsure, but my experience is that proof is critical especially when trying to sell information products.

    Don't forget that there are many different forms of proof, one of the most powerful forms of proof is the testimonial of course.

    On this forum Matt LaClear who makes big claims about his ability to get you onto Page 1 of Google on his WSOs, is a great example of this.

    There are many other sellers making similar claims regarding their SEO talents, many even have screenshots of their own sites on Page 1 etc

    Yet he says he makes $30,000/month (I don't doubt this), and they're making far less money.

    The difference is, he has stacks of proof from dozens of testimonials on his threads, and they don't.

    A strong USP backed up by solid proof is lethal.

    What John McCabe says is also very important, how believable is the proof?

    If a form of proof like income screenshots is abused by dishonest sellers, over time they start to lose their credibility.

    I'm a regular buyer in the WSO forum, I don't take them too seriously and look for other forms of proof to validate making a purchase.

    I wouldn't say everyone is the same though, the only way to know for sure is to test.
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  • Profile picture of the author bcturner
    I can't take them seriously. If it worked that well, why don't they keep doing it themselves, or hire someone to keep doing it. It's obviously stopped working and they keep the cash going by selling the idea that may have once worked but doesn't anymore.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alminc
      When it comes to internet marketing niche you shouldn't forget
      that (more often then not) there is a team of professionals behind
      the product and the sales copy you are reading, not just one person as
      they often want you to believe. 'Make money' products is an industry and
      those products are fabricated daily just like shoes or socks. There are
      different story angles that can be used in a sales copy and one
      that is used very often is so called 'just like you' story: He/she
      had the same problem that you have , then he/she discovered the
      solution to that problem, through long, hard, costly trial and error, and
      now he/she is providing that solution to you so you don't have to go
      through the entire process. In this specific case, he/she is now making
      tons of money using the solution - the product they are convincing you
      to buy.

      The only function of the professionally written sales copy for IM niche is
      to make you think that you will either start making a lot of money
      (if you are a newbie) or increase your profits considerably if you are
      already making money.

      Income proof is just one of the techniques used to establish credibility.
      They show you some screenshots or even videos where you can see
      how much money they are able to make using that specific product.

      They may be faking that proof or not, but that is not the real question
      here. Their income proof is actually totally irrelevant to you and you
      should not be interested in it at all.

      'Income proof' is just a psychological trick aimed to trigger one of
      the basic human characteristics - greed.
      They want you to think " WOW, they are making A LOT of $$$$$$$...
      I want to make THAT MUCH too...I MUST buy this!"

      Wrong!

      You shouldn't care about their income proof at all, you should ignore
      it as completely irrelevant part of the sales letter. Here's why.

      Your buying decision should be based on following factors:

      - you know exactly what you are looking to buy and you know exactly
      why you need it. Otherwise buy nothing.

      - is the sales letter credible without the income proof and without
      the 'benefits' part.

      Copy the whole sales page into Word, delete the income proof part and
      the 'benefits' (what you will be able to do when you have that money,
      e.g. buy cars and houses, travel, be free from your boss...). Also
      delete the 'story' part and the testimonials and THEN read it.
      How many useful FACTS about the product are there in that sales
      letter after you deleted everything counted above?

      - how legitime and how credible is the company/person that is selling the
      product you are reading about. Always read TOS and disclaimers. Look
      for phone number, support desk, contact email, physical address. Ask
      them questions and analyse their answers.

      - who are the persons that gave them testimonials. Investigate, look for
      their websites or emails, contact them, ask them about the product and
      about the seller.

      - Are they honoring their money back guarantee, if there is any. Go to
      WF product review section and get as much info as you can from buyers
      and from more experienced warriors.

      Hope this helps.


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