Do "Guru" testimonials Mean Anything

[jkatzenback]

This is purely for my own curiosity but I have to ask, do you put any credit in testimonials on sales letters that are from "Guru's"?

Not looking to repeat the other thread on the "Gurus'" this is different.

Wondering also, what you look for in testimonials?

[Steven Wagenheim]

I am not a guru, but...when I submit a testimonial for a product you can
damn well be sure that it means something.

If you look around the Internet, you just might find my name as a testimonial
to a handful of products. I don't give many out because quite honestly, a lot
of stuff that crosses my desk is crap.

And let me tell you something, when you respond back to a product owner
that his product is crap, he doesn't like it.

Because of this, I review very few products these days because it's just not
worth the hassle.

So I guess it depends on who the testimonial is from.

[Sonni]

I've learned to not pay any attention to guru's after a while you become immune to the hype and I'm soooo there.
Sonni

[Terry Crim]

Testimonials add credibility to the product, Testimonials from people that have a following adds even more esteem not just to the product but to you as well in the eyes of those that trust and pay attention to what that person has to say.

A well positioned endorsement will add to your bottom line, not just financially either if you are endorsed by someone with a loyal following you have an instant leg up on any competition that doesn't.

The GURU in the negative aspect that many like to point and gossip about can also have an impact but that does not necessarily have the same results that people think it does when talking around the water cooler.

A well placed endorsement with a person with a following will add the the credibility and give a leg up in the eyes of the followers of the person giving the endorsement.

That is my observations and personal experience whether that person be labeled a "Guru" or not.

- Terry

[windflow]

it depends on who the testimonial is from. I agree with it.

[Mike Hill]

I think "Guru"testimonials means a great deal because I'm not just speaking about the internet marketing community here. There are Guru's in every market and having a familiar face endorse your product will have a great impact and instant credibility with those who recognize the guru.

Now I know it's much different within the IM community but think outside of our market for a second and you'll see Guru testimonials and Guru endorsements everywhere.

To add another point... In the IM community we don't hire the Guru to endorse our product like they do in TV commercials now do we?

Mike Hill

[Tsnyder]

Guru testimonials within the IM community mean nothing to me.

I've seen too many testimonials by people who later admitted they
hadn't tried the product to take any of them seriously.

Outside of the IM community I'm more likely to be influenced
by non-guru testimonials. The type where actual product users
relate their experience.

Even then, no testimonial will be the determining factor as to
whether or not I purchase. #1 consideration is do I need this
product or service to enhance my operation in some measurable
way?

Tsnyder

[Buildingfutures]

I always look for names I know and trust, I could care less if they're 'super gurus' or just an average joe, but I look for my friends and compatriots when it comes to testimonials, ESPECIALLY in the WSO forum.

[Davion Wong]

I will often see who is the one giving the testimonials. Some of those guys whom I know to be trustworthy, I will tend to believe. But for those shady ones, no way!

As it is, there are honest folks and some are purely "buddies in the inner circle" who rub each other's back.

[DavidVincentMuir]

I agree with what everyone has said so far on this subject.

It all comes down to your research. There are people out there that team up and create hype on a sales page and have bogus testimonials but if you research the names and sites of these people and get to know who they are, you will find real gems out there.

I don't know if you're in MLM or not, but using this strategy alone has allowed me to introduce myself and team up with some really amazing leaders on the internet.

Research my friend, RESEARCH...

[Bruce Wedding]

The primary purpose of a testimonial is to prove the product works as claimed. The secondary purpose is to add credibility.

In the IM world, a "guru" testimonial will never be as effective in the primary purpose as a credible "nobody" testimonial. True, verifiable stories of nobodies becoming somebodies are money in the bank.

The guru testimonial can add authority and credibility to the product, which is the second purpose of a testimonial. If you look, this is how most guru testimonials are used.

As copywriter, I've had plenty of clients send me piles of "known marketer" generic testimonials. The kind that say my client is a good guy or his methods work, blah blah blah.

I'd trade one fully verifiable "rags to riches" or even "rags to middle class" newbie story over 10 of the guru testimonials any day.

[lianwei]

Yes dude.

I am damn sure it means something. Guru would mean someone with authority figure in that niche and it would take lots of affirmation for them to write something good about your product.

It is directly related to their own reputation for recommending yours.

[Anomaly1974]

If the Guru likes my product well enough to promote it to their list I put a lot of stock in what they say

Just my two cents

[CmdrStidd]

I don't know if I am reading this wrong or what but I will answer both ways and that way there it is covered.

When the testimonial is written by a "Guru" to help sell another persons product or service: I have trouble believing them because I have seen too many threads on here talking about how these "Gurus" are not really Gurus at all. It makes me mad to think that someone is passing themselves off for something they are not.

When the testimonial is written for the Guru to sell something of his: A local news reporter recently did a story on websites advertising getting $12,000 from Obama's stimulus bill. Each one of these websites had testimonials from "different" people. The interesting thing that John Matarese (WCPO newsman) pointed out was that "Steve" in one testimonial looked exactly like "Jon" in the other right down to the background image and the pose. The same thing with "Cheryl" and Steve's wife,"Jackie". Now you would think that this or these people who are running these ads would at least choose different pics to cut up and insert into their testimonial pages but they did not even do that. And then they wonder why no one believes testimonials any more.

[Megas]

Yes and no. Many times the "GURUs" are just exchanging testimonials.
On the other hand sometimes it can be a good thing as someone who has a good reputation in business will not risk their name for nothing.
In the end you never know so in a way it doesn't mean anything.