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"I've Made THIS MUCH!" Oh Really???

by Paul Irvine
27 replies
Hi guys,
One thing that has been bugging my brain recently is these "easy-to-fake" screenshots of "In one hour I made THIS MUCH! or "Here's my earnings after only 64 days doing IM!"

I've long got past falling for the screenshots, but how do you feel about them?
If you see a sales letter littered with them, does it turn you off reading the sales letter, or do you still see it as a BIG factor when deciding to purchase a product?

For me personally, the product creator and their rep is much more important in my buying decisions but how do YOU feel about screenshots showing unspeakable earnings (or even "kinda realistic earnings")

Would love to know your thoughts!
Paul.
#ive made this much #making #money #proof of earnings #scam #screenshots
  • Profile picture of the author SeanSupplee
    To each their own I guess, some people are just scam artists and honestly don't care and will continue to do it. However me personally if I see a honest screen shot where this person made 2 sales today hell id prob be a little more willing to buy it just to check it out to see what they are doing.

    But, there is still that side of me that wants me to grab up a product when I see huge numbers.

    I will agree with you and I feel the same for the way I do biz. Id rather hold a strong integrity with telling the truth and not hyping something up and posting fake this or that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Irvine
    There's always that temptation isn't there?
    "Could this REALLY be the one?" lol
    I still get that from time to time, but then I remember that most of the systems/blueprints/etc are based around only 4 or 5 different methods.
    It's the scaling that takes it from "looks ok" to "WOW that is awesome!" figures.

    I find video to be much more trustworthy (live feed not video containing screenshots)
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
    While screenshots and income claims are exciting and can get the attention, at least temporarily, of almost anyone with a pulse, I try to make purchasing decisions as if the income claim and screen shot didn't exist.

    In other words:

    Do I know this person? Is he/she credible outside this sales letter?
    Have I signed up for their email list? If I have am I getting all hard pitch (seemingly willing to sell their mother's soul for a buck) or good useful content that makes it seem the seller knows their stuff?
    Do any of my *trusted* friends know him or her and can vouch for them?
    Do I really need the product today? Do I have similar products I've already bought but are sitting unused?
    Is the product as described worth the purchase price?
    Is there a guarantee if needed? (I don't think I've ever asked for a refund.)

    Mark
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Elss
      Like many of us, there was a day where I was a little more naive and screenshots mattered. Today, there is other criteria before I decide to buy and screenshots definitely aren't one of them. I usually blow right past the screenshots.

      Problem is, others demand them before they will buy whether they are told they can be faked or not. Just boils down to the same ole thing, you can't satisfy everyone.
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    • Profile picture of the author 4DayWeekend
      I think it's good to operate a 'if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is' approach.

      After all, there are few proof factors that are nailed on to be genuine these days.

      If someone is loaded and needs to prove it to sell products then there are better ways than a Paypal screen grab anyway...

      So in a nutshell, a screenshot wouldn't influence me. I'm far more interested if the product itself will benefit my business.
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      • Profile picture of the author Paul Irvine
        Originally Posted by 4DayWeekend View Post

        I think it's good to operate a 'if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is' approach.

        After all, there are few proof factors that are nailed on to be genuine these days.

        If someone is loaded and needs to prove it to sell products then there are better ways than a Paypal screen grab anyway...

        So in a nutshell, a screenshot wouldn't influence me. I'm far more interested if the product itself will benefit my business.
        Nail on the head mate,
        If the mindset of the WF is shifting away from relying on screenshots for "proof" then all the better in my opinion.
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        • Profile picture of the author petelta
          Originally Posted by Paul Irvine View Post

          Nail on the head mate,
          If the mindset of the WF is shifting away from relying on screenshots for "proof" then all the better in my opinion.
          Proof screenshots are there to help convince the newbies and the dream seekers in this business to buy the catalyst for their success... the product.

          People in your position are a little more savvy at the marketplace and understand that the screenshots mean very little in the actual success of the product. 1... the person could of just faked it completely... or 2... they could be exaggerating...

          For example, let's say I made $10,000 last month through Warrior Plus. I have a nice and real screen shot of a $10,000 month... BUT, did I really make $10k? If it was from product launches, then I probably only did $3-4k. The rest was paid to affiliates... but I still have a true screen shot showing $10k coming in... which do you think I will use for a sales page? It's not a lie if I use the word revenue instead of profit...

          Unfortunately, these screen shots, faked, exaggerated, or 100% real won't be going anywhere.

          Product launchers thrive on conversion ratings. The better the conversion rate of the product, the more likely affiliates are going to hop on board.

          Dream seekers play a big part in this successful conversion rating. That's the entire purpose of your copywriter... to pull on those dream seeker strings within your prospects.

          It sounds like a lot of people are disgusted with this in the IM market especially here in the WF, but this is going on in every market out there. You see it every day at the supermarket and other stores.

          Weight loss before and after pics are an easy one to see. How about that super model on your fat free ice cream box? Do you think she has taken a bite of that ice cream? Probably not, but she's there so the buyer thrives to be like her even though they won't ever be close.

          The mentality of the forum won't change... it's the individual buyer who changes. As you understand this market place more as a buyer, a seller, or even just an observer, you figure out what's real and what's not. Same goes for those losing weight or any other market place.

          Just my thoughts on the subject.

          Travis
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  • Profile picture of the author vick2011
    Hi,

    I too am sick of seeing WSO's released with screenshots, and videos including information showing old dates, and yearly old dates I'm sick of it. I dislike 100% of WSO's released, I won't lie. I've most definitely spent over $300 just buying WSO's, and learning information and a close to $2,000 ontop of that "trying" step by step, exact methods and haven't made what I've invested ! It's so frustrating !
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
      There's already a thread rolling on this topic:

      http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...es-people.html
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      • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
        Everything fake is just wrong. But there is more to products than what the creator did with it.

        The product is not only the product but its circumstance. If the circumstance of the buyer is not the right one, no matter how good is the product, it will not work for him/her. Period.

        I have been advocating for the system of levels/mindset grid categorization of products for years... of course it doesn´t stick. Sellers want to reach the biggest possible pool of clients. Problem is, and we tested it with one product... 95% of those buying out of the proper circumstance will fail, 90% will refund (it was a high ticket product, the refund rate might be lower for low prices).
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        • Profile picture of the author Paul Irvine
          Originally Posted by Sandra Martinez View Post

          Everything fake is just wrong. But there is more to products than what the creator did with it.
          Bang on the money there Sandra.
          It's not just the method, but the implementation, the where, how and what that are key to making a "system" work and making the money some of the product creators claim to.

          It's about timing, coverage, application and above all else the viability of the METHOD itself.

          Thanks for contributing such a thought out response!
          Paul.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Irvine
    Just noticed that Daniel, although this was really about the validity or believability of the screenshot element, not the whole WSO "thing"

    Cheers,
    Paul.
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  • Profile picture of the author funkynassau
    If it seems too good to be true then it probably is. I ignore stuff like that.
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  • Profile picture of the author karlmay1980
    I never take notice of the screenshots, I look at the reviews and what the other contents says, earnings can be manipulated and you never really know if they did it using what they are selling.

    You will probably get to know who is genuine and not if you hang around the right places, so I wouldn't recommend buying from someone you never heard of unless there is a review from someone you have.
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  • Profile picture of the author dukegman
    Originally Posted by Paul Irvine View Post

    Hi guys,
    One thing that has been bugging my brain recently is these "easy-to-fake" screenshots of "In one hour I made THIS MUCH! or "Here's my earnings after only 64 days doing IM!"

    I've long got past falling for the screenshots, but how do you feel about them?
    If you see a sales letter littered with them, does it turn you off reading the sales letter, or do you still see it as a BIG factor when deciding to purchase a product?

    For me personally, the product creator and their rep is much more important in my buying decisions but how do YOU feel about screenshots showing unspeakable earnings (or even "kinda realistic earnings")

    Would love to know your thoughts!
    Paul.
    Hi Paul. So bro, the thing is that these screenshots can be faked quite easily. Anyone who has some knowledge of Photoshop can fake screenshots. A better sort of proof would be a video proving the authenticity of the claims made. I am not saying that it cant be faked, but believe me, 99% wont be able to fake this.

    So whats the tip? Whenever you have doubts about the claims of a seller, simply ask them to record a video proof of their earnings. And if they go on by denying by making privacy an excuse, ask them to blurr the private information in the video (anything except, dates, total sales/clicks, and total earnings). Thats the best thing.

    What if they dont agree? Simple. Explain how beneficial it would be for you (the buyers) and the seller as well. Explain all this as a reply to their wso thread. What will happen now? Atleast 20% of the buyers will also take your side and ask for video proof, and he will have no option other than uploading a video proof to earn everyones' trust (if he was not lying about the claims offcourse). And there you go!

    I hope you found it helpful. :-)
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    • Profile picture of the author jodamy
      Originally Posted by dukegman View Post

      Hi Paul. So bro, the thing is that these screenshots can be faked quite easily. Anyone who has some knowledge of Photoshop can fake screenshots. A better sort of proof would be a video proving the authenticity of the claims made. I am not saying that it cant be faked, but believe me, 99% wont be able to fake this.

      So whats the tip? Whenever you have doubts about the claims of a seller, simply ask them to record a video proof of their earnings. And if they go on by denying by making privacy an excuse, ask them to blurr the private information in the video (anything except, dates, total sales/clicks, and total earnings). Thats the best thing.

      What if they dont agree? Simple. Explain how beneficial it would be for you (the buyers) and the seller as well. Explain all this as a reply to their wso thread. What will happen now? Atleast 20% of the buyers will also take your side and ask for video proof, and he will have no option other than uploading a video proof to earn everyones' trust (if he was not lying about the claims offcourse). And there you go!

      I hope you found it helpful. :-)
      I like the idea of video proof, any legit offer should have no problem with this. Especially with all the rumors going around about fake screenshots.
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    It is kind of like those Clickbank websites that people show how they are able to earn $2,000-$5,000 per day and are willing to show people how they are doing it.

    They are lying too because these sales are coming from their affiliates and they don't really show newbies or anyone how they did that income. They just give them some advertising techniques and lead capture pages and show them how to advertise that program and force it on others.
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Irvine
      Originally Posted by talfighel View Post

      It is kind of like those Clickbank websites that people show how they are able to earn $2,000-$5,000 per day and are willing to show people how they are doing it.

      They are lying too because these sales are coming from their affiliates and they don't really show newbies or anyone how they did that income. They just give them some advertising techniques and lead capture pages and show them how to advertise that program and force it on others.
      Hey talfighel, thanks for your contribution.
      ClickBank is changing right now, they've introduced vendor/affiliate "safety ratings" for want of a better phrase.
      This will take time for it to start changing the marketplace inside CB, but I believe managed right that's EXACTLY what is going to happen.

      If you're a vendor/affiliate with high refund rates/complaints etc, then you're suspended or outright banned from operating inside ClickBank.

      It's no immediate solution, but I would say a solid step in the right direction, even if it does annoy some vendors and affiliates.

      P.
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  • Profile picture of the author HKSEO Jonbones
    I think my favorite is the blurred out check showing an amount. Nothing fishy going on there, ever :rolleyes:
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    • Profile picture of the author steverich
      Not EVERYTHING that sounds too good to be true is fake. There are still some genuine folk around

      Seriously tho' When you have something that works how else can you show it than screenshots of your sales and bank balance? (of course IF they are genuine !!)

      I am more 'offline' (but sort of on the same subject) so rather than screen shots of bank statements (which I admit we do see a lot of) I just take photos of the piles of cash I make to illustrate what can be achieved.
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      • Profile picture of the author Josh Monroe
        Originally Posted by steverich View Post

        Not EVERYTHING that sounds too good to be true is fake. There are still some genuine folk around

        Seriously tho' When you have something that works how else can you show it than screenshots of your sales and bank balance? (of course IF they are genuine !!)

        I am more 'offline' (but sort of on the same subject) so rather than screen shots of bank statements (which I admit we do see a lot of) I just take photos of the piles of cash I make to illustrate what can be achieved.
        I agree, I prefer taking pictures of the cash staked up high - unfortunately when you do this in my experience I have still had negative feedback.

        When I first got started, I took a picture of me with $8,000 in cash that I made from my first ever affiliate sales. The comments aren't worth repeating but they were along the lines of "your a cocky showoff" and so on, but worded no where near as nice!

        Lol.
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        • Profile picture of the author steverich
          Originally Posted by Josh Monroe View Post

          I agree, I prefer taking pictures of the cash staked up high - unfortunately when you do this in my experience I have still had negative feedback.

          When I first got started, I took a picture of me with $8,000 in cash that I made from my first ever affiliate sales. The comments aren't worth repeating but they were along the lines of "your a cocky showoff" and so on, but worded no where near as nice!

          Lol.
          He He Josh.
          As the saying goes" youre dammed if you do and you're dammed if you dont !

          Some people you just can't please. Either they just plain don't believe you or "you're a cocky showoff" :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author Young Financier
    Basing a buying decision off of a screen shot is never a good idea. Even if the seller really did make the amount they're claiming, there's no guarantee that you will. That's why in a sense, I no longer feel sympathy for people who buy a product with big promises and then get disappointed when they find out its not what they think.
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Monroe
    Unless your brand new to this, in my opinion income proof is now worthless.

    The reason I say this, most buyers are now somewhat experienced and have experienced purchasing a few courses here and there and have learnt the "tricks of the trade" or so to say.

    Now, even if you provide genuine income proof, people automatically suspect its fake based on past experiences BUT with this being said, there are still those particular buyers that will not purchase anything without proof (even if the "proof" is fake).

    I always say to people if your basing your purchase decision from either screenshots, income proofs or claims - your doing it wrong.
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  • Profile picture of the author mydream247
    When I first joined this forum few years ago, fake screen shots would Draw me in, and get me hooked, let's face it, we all want to imagine our paypal accounts with all
    those zerooo's as we log in each day and watch our money tree grow....

    But the fact really is how motivated are you to make something happen? Are you willing to Log Off this forum Yes Log all the way off, and take the wso you just bought and really put it into action, so many of us get shinny object syndrome, and jump from wso to wso only to turn out disappointed once again.

    I can't tell you how many wso's I have bought over last 2 years some Great, some good and some S_ck, but I have learned the hard way Due your due diligence before you buy, ask seller questions, see how long it takes him to reply, or if he replies at all..

    Really can't blame OP's many are creditable, and many of those big money screen shots are real, but this is because many times they have worked there A__ off to create and bring there products to this forum, not to mention money for product development..

    There is so much that goes into creating wso's of course there are bad people on every forum, and in every business. Like the saying goes "If It Sounds to Good to Be True" "Then it Probably Is"
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  • Profile picture of the author Troy_Phillips
    My entire business model is changing at the first of the year. No screen shots or testimonials. A free trial with a super easy way to unsub before the charge date.

    Instead of letting other's opinions make the sale .. I think I am going to let the person decide from the inside.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gengis
    I don't really look at them. I know absolutely nothing about graphic designing but i'm sure if i did i would also be able to fake one.
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