How To Get Testimonials On This Forum?

32 replies
Hi,

What's the best way (or section of this forum) to get warriors to review free copies of my product? Testimonials are desperately needed.

Is there any way to do this without getting banned by admins?

Thank you
#forum #testimonials
  • Profile picture of the author bhuff85
    Originally Posted by MrGypsy View Post

    Hi,

    What's the best way (or section of this forum) to get warriors to review free copies of my product? Testimonials are desperately needed.

    Is there any way to do this without getting banned by admins?

    Thank you
    I would suggest to become a contributing member of the forum before you start slanging any products, and for good reason - it's a great way to build your reputation. The more you build your rep, the more trust you'll earn over time.

    Your next step after that is to join the War Room, as that is the only way you'll be able to post a WSO. Plus, the $37 fee is worth it, as there is a LOT of knowledge there that can give you enough fuel to create a full-time income online.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kecia
    I've noticed members have been giving away review copies in the joint venture and reviews sections. I'm not saying these are the correct places to extend the offer, but that others are doing it. Another option is to contact members via PM, though some frown upon this method as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Being a new member, I would tell you NOT to send a single PM to anybody asking them to review your product.

    Sorry for being blunt, but it will only lead to spam complaints. Trust me.

    You could always put a link in your sig.

    But the real key was already mentioned: become a contributing member of this forum. I can't stress that enough.

    All the best,
    Michael
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    • Profile picture of the author WillR
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      Being a new member, I would tell you NOT to send a single PM to anybody asking them to review your product.
      Originally Posted by Kecia View Post

      Another option is to contact members via PM, though some frown upon this method as well.
      The great thing is a person cannot send any PMs until they have reached the 50 post count anyway. Even once you do reach that number I would not suggest this method. Not unless you want to annoy a lot of well respected members of the forum.
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  • Profile picture of the author MrGypsy
    - bhuff, you're making alot of assumptions now, aren't you? You assume I want to do a WSO. Who told you that information? I have no idea what you mean by "slanging" products. I'll join the warroom if it makes economic sense for me to do so.

    - Thanks Kecia, I'll check out the JV section.
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    • Profile picture of the author bhuff85
      Originally Posted by MrGypsy View Post

      - bhuff, you're making alot of assumptions now, aren't you? You assume I want to do a WSO. Who told you that information? I have no idea what you mean by "slanging" products. I'll join the warroom if it makes economic sense for me to do so.

      - Thanks Kecia, I'll check out the JV section.
      That's my mistake for looking to far between the lines. Just seems over time we have had a large influx of new members who have been very eager to post WSO's right away, all before establishing any credentials on this forum.

      However, for any other new members looking to do a WSO, what I said still stands true - you will need a War Room membership in order to list it (plus the $40 fee).

      Good luck on your testimonials and your new product man. Follow some of the advice in this thread and you shouldn't have much trouble getting people to review your product.
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      • Profile picture of the author blillard
        Originally Posted by bhuff85 View Post

        That's my mistake for looking to far between the lines. Just seems over time we have had a large influx of new members who have been very eager to post WSO's right away, all before establishing any credentials on this forum.

        However, for any other new members looking to do a WSO, what I said still stands true - you will need a War Room membership in order to list it (plus the $40 fee).

        Good luck on your testimonials and your new product man. Follow some of the advice in this thread and you shouldn't have much trouble getting people to review your product.
        I hear you on that one I have seen a lot of new warrior eager to launch wso.
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  • Profile picture of the author PhilG
    I certainly agree with the posters above and would just like to add a few points.

    Once your have established your credibility on the forum, take a look at the number of posts by other members. Check the number of times that they have been thanked. Choose only those members to review your product that have some credibility themselves. There is nothing worse than have a review by someone with 5 or 10 posts and no thanks.

    I personally don't mind being asked to review a product as long as it has been tested and is ready to market. Few here have time to be long term beta testers for unproven and poorly designed products.

    I hope this helps.
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    • Profile picture of the author MrGypsy
      Hi Phil,

      Yes! That is very helpful.

      Unfortunately I can't post on the JV section due to not being a warroom member. Sigh...
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    I noticed a week or two ago a very clever warrior had a WSO that offered a discounted price in exchange for a review of the WSO & had to be posted in the products WSO thread.

    When I first found that WSO with two sale prices I was thinking "Damn that's a smart idea". I don't know the stats on the members WSO, but I'm pretty sure that lower price is pulling in a lot of sales due to the fact his WSO has 700+ reviews. That tells me chances are very good he has made at least 700+ sales.

    The two prices in a single WSO makes it look like a good deal instantly, save money in exchange for taking a few minutes to post a review of the WSO product (win, win, for buyer & seller).

    I won't mention the members WSO (cough, cough, Will).
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  • Profile picture of the author MrGypsy
    Yukon,
    I don't understand the purpose of the two prices? Why would the customer even want to buy at the higher price? The customer could just buy at the lower price and say "screw you, I'm not doing a review"?

    Bhuff, Thanks for the clarification man. It's all good.
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    • Profile picture of the author yukon
      Banned
      Originally Posted by MrGypsy View Post

      Yukon,
      I don't understand the purpose of the two prices? Why would the customer even want to buy at the higher price? The customer could just buy at the lower price and say "screw you, I'm not doing a review"?

      Bhuff, Thanks for the clarification man. It's all good.
      That's the whole point of having the two prices. The lower price suggest this is the better deal If you want to save money. I would be surprised If the higher price had very many sales.

      The higher price is a result of great copy.

      You also have to keep in mind, that the actual product has to be of some value to the buyer. You might have a few buyers say screw you I'm not giving a review. That's not a big deal, I think most folks would be willing to provide an honest review.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by MrGypsy View Post

    Hi,

    What's the best way (or section of this forum) to get warriors to review free copies of my product? Testimonials are desperately needed.

    Is there any way to do this without getting banned by admins?

    Thank you
    One thing you'll need to be very clear about is the difference between trading copies for testimonials (very bad practice, not allowed here) and providing review copies for honest reviews and feedback, good or bad.

    The second is a common practice if done properly, the first is a form of prostitution.
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    • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      One thing you'll need to be very clear about is the difference between trading copies for testimonials (very bad practice, not allowed here) and providing review copies for honest reviews and feedback, good or bad.

      The second is a common practice if done properly, the first is a form of prostitution.
      This is a very important distinction that is overlooked quite often...

      After spending some time around here one knows who are the respected members with similar interests and/or niches. (E.g. I know exactly who are the WordPress experts.) Hopefully, they also noticed you belonging to the same "league". Then you can ask them for an honest review of your upcoming product. After that, if the review was positive, you can ask for permission to use it as a testimonial.

      It always worked for me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marketinghamster
    I think for the new members here, building up a solid reputation will take years and years to achieve, along with hundreds of hours away from your business. If your product is good enough then you are set, no matter what your rep. I am going to offer you three, very easy and achievable methods of gaining reviews (unlike the shall we say "Senior" members of the WF who have posted here): Offer reviews in the jv section, nothing wrong with this, even the so called Warrior Forum guru's do it. Secondly, give away review copies in your thread. You'll get loads of Private Messages almost immediately, so just choose the people with the highest post count and give them the copy. Finally, offer heavily discounted copies, at least you'll get some of your money back and buyers are still likely to give reviews. Sorry for the small rant at the start, just trying to remove the attempted monopoly some of the "senior" members are running on the WSO section, by trying to prevent users with less post count from posting, they are hence increasing their revenue and profit through WF members not buying your product but theirs. It's simple economics, so step up and take action! I'm looking forward to getting attacked for this
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      I'm not going to attack you, but I am going to disagree with some of your points...

      Building a solid rep does not have to take 'years and years, and hundreds of hours away from your business', as you assert. By the time a new member accumulates enough posts for sending private messages, people can review that member's posts and tell whether or not he/she knows their stuff. On the other hand, 50 random one-liners will also tell their own tale.

      "If your product is good, you are set, no matter what your rep." Perhaps you meant 'if your copy and your offer are good...' Even then, one's rep has a bearing. There are marketers in the IM space who, if they told me the sun came up in the east, I would not believe without a window, a clock and a compass furnished by me or some trusted third party.

      As for offering review copies in the JV section, that does seem like one place it is accepted, whereas such an offer would disappear quickly from the main forum. I remind you, there is a difference between an honest review and a compensated endorsement.

      I'm guessing that I qualify as a "senior" warrior for this discussion, both by join date and post count. However, I have never run a WSO, nor am I likely to in the foreseeable future, so I have no incentive to either discourage or encourage the OP.

      I just wanted to highlight the difference between testimonials as quid pro quo and asking for honest reviews (no strings attached).

      Originally Posted by Marketinghamster View Post

      I think for the new members here, building up a solid reputation will take years and years to achieve, along with hundreds of hours away from your business. If your product is good enough then you are set, no matter what your rep. I am going to offer you three, very easy and achievable methods of gaining reviews (unlike the shall we say "Senior" members of the WF who have posted here): Offer reviews in the jv section, nothing wrong with this, even the so called Warrior Forum guru's do it. Secondly, give away review copies in your thread. You'll get loads of Private Messages almost immediately, so just choose the people with the highest post count and give them the copy. Finally, offer heavily discounted copies, at least you'll get some of your money back and buyers are still likely to give reviews. Sorry for the small rant at the start, just trying to remove the attempted monopoly some of the "senior" members are running on the WSO section, by trying to prevent users with less post count from posting, they are hence increasing their revenue and profit through WF members not buying your product but theirs. It's simple economics, so step up and take action! I'm looking forward to getting attacked for this
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      I noticed a week or two ago a very clever warrior had a WSO that offered a discounted price in exchange for a review of the WSO & had to be posted in the products WSO thread.

      When I first found that WSO with two sale prices I was thinking "Damn that's a smart idea". I don't know the stats on the members WSO, but I'm pretty sure that lower price is pulling in a lot of sales due to the fact his WSO has 700+ reviews. That tells me chances are very good he has made at least 700+ sales.

      The two prices in a single WSO makes it look like a good deal instantly, save money in exchange for taking a few minutes to post a review of the WSO product (win, win, for buyer & seller).

      I won't mention the members WSO (cough, cough, Will).
      Yeah, but if you use this method, just make sure your product is as good as his is. It says a review. Doesn't say and cannot say ... a good review. This could seriously backfire, as it should, if the product is crap.

      Originally Posted by MrGypsy View Post

      Hi,

      What's the best way (or section of this forum) to get warriors to review free copies of my product? Testimonials are desperately needed.

      Is there any way to do this without getting banned by admins?

      Thank you
      Not sure about JV, but in the Reviews section is where I've heard it was allowed. Nowhere else.

      Originally Posted by Marketinghamster View Post

      I think for the new members here, building up a solid reputation will take years and years to achieve, along with hundreds of hours away from your business. If your product is good enough then you are set, no matter what your rep. I am going to offer you three, very easy and achievable methods of gaining reviews (unlike the shall we say "Senior" members of the WF who have posted here): Offer reviews in the jv section, nothing wrong with this, even the so called Warrior Forum guru's do it. Secondly, give away review copies in your thread. You'll get loads of Private Messages almost immediately, so just choose the people with the highest post count and give them the copy. Finally, offer heavily discounted copies, at least you'll get some of your money back and buyers are still likely to give reviews. Sorry for the small rant at the start, just trying to remove the attempted monopoly some of the "senior" members are running on the WSO section, by trying to prevent users with less post count from posting, they are hence increasing their revenue and profit through WF members not buying your product but theirs. It's simple economics, so step up and take action! I'm looking forward to getting attacked for this
      There is no monopoly by senior WSO members. Just plain good advice. The fact is that many newbies regurgitate their products into the WSO system with no reputation. I for one, never give those products a second look.

      If the seller hasn't bothered with the reputation part, I'll get the product from someone who has, and someone will be selling the same thing or close that does have a reputation.

      It doesn't take anywhere near "years" to get a reputation, and if you're too lazy to do it, that's your loss. You simply will not see the kind of success that people who have built up a reputation have. Your choice. I could care less either way.
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      • Profile picture of the author yukon
        Banned
        Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

        Yeah, but if you use this method, just make sure your product is as good as his is. It says a review. Doesn't say and cannot say ... a good review. This could seriously backfire, as it should, if the product is crap.
        Agreed, and I did correct myself in my 2nd comment above (honest review).

        Really I don't see how it could backfire, unless the product/WSO is 100% crap.

        Honest reviews can help provide info. for tweaking a product.

        I bought a WSO a few months back. The WP theme that the WSO author included in his launch had hidden backlinks in the WP footer.php. I corrected the hidden base64 links & emailed a copy of the updated WP theme to the WSO author. I don't think the author knew the hidden links existed because I checked 3 of his sites (he did't know I did) & they all included the hidden links.

        Just saying, honest reviews (good or bad), can help improve a product/WSO.
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          Originally Posted by yukon View Post

          Just saying, honest reviews (good or bad), can help improve a product/WSO.
          Stealing a line from Paul Myers, your good reviews will make you feel good - an honest critic will make you better...
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      Originally Posted by Marketinghamster View Post

      I think for the new members here, building up a solid reputation will take years and years to achieve, along with hundreds of hours away from your business. If your product is good enough then you are set, no matter what your rep......Sorry for the small rant at the start, just trying to remove the attempted monopoly some of the "senior" members are running on the WSO section, by trying to prevent users with less post count from posting, they are hence increasing their revenue and profit through WF members not buying your product but theirs. It's simple economics, so step up and take action! I'm looking forward to getting attacked for this
      I'm certainly not going to attack you for that at all, I just wanted to point out I've not had a WSO or even a link in my signature since I got here but I just wanted to very politely let you know that I think the bolded part of your post above is complete and utter made up nonsense, most likely done as a result of having a bit too much wine with your dinner. :p
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  • Profile picture of the author Toby Couchman
    Can we just clarify something here. What exactly constitutes a good rep? High post count? Quality of posts? Number of thanks? Or some kind of combo of the above.

    I know I always try to help people on here by leading them to articles I have found or giving (IMO) helpful advice. But maybe what I consider as helpful advice others will see as one-liners or spam.

    My 2c
    MB
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by m0nk3yb0y View Post

      Can we just clarify something here. What exactly constitutes a good rep? High post count? Quality of posts? Number of thanks? Or some kind of combo of the above.

      I know I always try to help people on here by leading them to articles I have found or giving (IMO) helpful advice. But maybe what I consider as helpful advice others will see as one-liners or spam.

      My 2c
      MB
      None of the above. A good rep is that you contribute to the forum and people actually get to know you and think you're decent. Has nothing to do with how many posts ... it's how helpful you are and whether or not you come off as a jerk in posts.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
      Originally Posted by m0nk3yb0y View Post

      Can we just clarify something here. What exactly constitutes a good rep? High post count? Quality of posts? Number of thanks? Or some kind of combo of the above.

      I know I always try to help people on here by leading them to articles I have found or giving (IMO) helpful advice. But maybe what I consider as helpful advice others will see as one-liners or spam.

      My 2c
      MB
      The short answer: Adding VALUE to the forum.

      The longer answer: Adding VALUE to the forum, which can be done by asking good questions, offering opinions, giving advice, etc. Doing it on a regular basis will help people to know who you are.

      Also, the other tips given for getting reviews are fine, but contribution is the big "secret".

      All the best,
      Michael
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    • Profile picture of the author yukon
      Banned
      Originally Posted by m0nk3yb0y View Post

      Can we just clarify something here. What exactly constitutes a good rep? High post count? Quality of posts? Number of thanks? Or some kind of combo of the above.

      I know I always try to help people on here by leading them to articles I have found or giving (IMO) helpful advice. But maybe what I consider as helpful advice others will see as one-liners or spam.

      My 2c
      MB
      Most WF members specialize in something specific that is IM related, example: copy, seo, ppc, etc...

      I would suggest that you dig into a specific forum niche here on WF & help answer questions the best you can. Don't focus on what your selling, actually provide some honest answers to problems that other members are having.

      Jumping in & helping other forum members for free, you'll soon see the need for new products (WSO, or whatever) that members really do need, & won't have a problem paying for since the product solves a real problem.

      I'm a member of a non IM forum, the largest forum in my niche (hobby related). I make it a point to help people for free, that are new to the niche. Trust goes a long way when you have a product to sell.
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  • Profile picture of the author ehawkmarketer
    Guys, thank you for the suggestions.

    Still, I'm at a lost for words. Cleverness is key, and it seems I've been treated as stupid. I guess I have some to learn, so please help me y'all.
    Actually, earlier today I posted in this main forum for honest reviews of my wso, not quid pro quo, but it was still deleted by Mr. Istvan Horvath, who must have been an annoyed senior warrior... I had asked in that thread, "PS where can I post to ask for honest reviews," and he deleted my thread and replied "nowhere, if it is about your upcoming wso."

    But thanks for the tips in this thread, and to Mr. Horvath too for his honest tips in THIS thread on how to get started.
    But, it seems, as a relatively newer member, trying to provide reviews for an honest opinion is still a double edged sword. Thanks for the tips in this thread.
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    Actually, earlier today I posted in this main forum for honest reviews of my wso, not quid pro quo, but it was still deleted by Mr. Istvan Horvath, who must have been an annoyed senior warrior...
    Mr Horvath may be annoyed from time to time - however, he's not a mod, just a member like you, which means he cannot delete anything (except his own posts).


    P.S. That happened early morning when I still was in my mean and laconic morning routine: could have explained to you that the thread will be deleted. Any post, even if made by an annoyed senior member, promoting/announcing a WSO, gets deleted in minutes. Just FYI.
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  • Profile picture of the author JeromyS
    I would agree with some of the above posters, don't bother with PM's. I personally don't like getting them and I think a lot of others feel the same. I don't mind when people ask me a question or contact me in a non-solicitation manner. Remember, Warriors are also working with sales, promotion and marketing, so we get hit with loads of things constantly. We are busy busy people, so these types of PM's often just get deleted without even being read.

    I would agree that becoming involved in Warrior forum is essential. I wouldn't necessarily start a WSO until after your product has been reviewed (so that it can be tweaked as per your reviewers). Post it as a freeby or develop a JV out of it.

    Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Istvan,
      After spending some time around here one knows who are the respected members with similar interests and/or niches. (E.g. I know exactly who are the WordPress experts.) Hopefully, they also noticed you belonging to the same "league". Then you can ask them for an honest review of your upcoming product. After that, if the review was positive, you can ask for permission to use it as a testimonial.
      And if it's not positive, you can use it to improve the product, thus ensuring more positive comments down the road.

      Excellent point about going to credible people for real reviews. That is far too often ignored.

      Hamster,
      I'm looking forward to getting attacked for this
      Why would anyone attack you for that? Aside from the very mild conspiracy theory, it's good advice.

      As you say, you do not need to spend years developing a good rep if your product(s) deliver.

      MB,
      Can we just clarify something here. What exactly constitutes a good rep? High post count? Quality of posts? Number of thanks? Or some kind of combo of the above.
      None of the above. Your reputation is the aggregate of the opinions of the various people who read your posts. It can't be quantified by anything the forum software can count.

      John,
      Stealing a line from Paul Myers, your good reviews will make you feel good - an honest critic will make you better...
      Close. You've got the sentiment right.

      ehawkmarketer,

      Istvan didn't delete that thread. I did. It's nothing personal. Just an automatic act. Requests for reviews in main discussion are deleted on sight. All of them, all the time.

      General comment: Do NOT PM strangers asking for reviews. That's an excellent way to get treated as a spammer, which isn't likely what you're looking for.


      Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Barboza
    Become a War Room member and give it away there
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    • Profile picture of the author ehawkmarketer
      Originally Posted by Alex Barboza View Post

      Become a War Room member and give it away there
      I wouldn't mind giving it away in the war room. But just saying, would anyone read it with my low post count (~75)?

      Thanks for the FYI Istvan and Paul.

      As a newer Warrior, there is tons to learn from you all, and I thank you guys for any tips now on how to make it here on the WF . Hopefully one day I'll be good enough to teach WF greenhorns the ropes too, and earn my reputation here by teaching others what I know too.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ben Gordon
    Like bhuff said, become a contributing member first. A member with 6 posts isn't going to get much respect and reputation, leading to loss of sales. Also, if you start messaging Warriors to review your product, they might take it as spam... first contribute, then ask this question again .
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  • Profile picture of the author Syamsul Alam
    Being a contributed member. Ask review through PM to someone who 'thanks' you (that means people who can see value from your post and trust you enough to give you one).

    And having lots of people 'thanks' you means being a really contributed member in this forum.

    If you're confident that your product is good, post a wso, use wso pro to set your price so it will double after certain number of sales. State in your wso that the price will double after x number of sales. And your early bird price is your chance to ask honest review.

    State that there are only X review copy available, and afterward it will goes to normal price. If you can show proof that your product is good in your sales page (and it really is good itself), and you give great price for it ($5 or $7), people will be happy to write a review for you.

    Cheers, Alam
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