position of testimonials

Many may disagree with me.

But I hate it when a "pitch" starts with loads of testimonials.

For goodness sake, let me read the pitch first...

A couple of exceptions.

One testimonial in a "box" at the top of the pitch is Ok.

A few testimonials sprinkled during the pitch is Ok (or in sidebars) is fine.

But not so many and not in massive big boxes that pull me away from the copy.


Personally I prefer the vast majority at the end of the pitch.

And if I want to I can really concentrate on the comments.

Now I know what the deal is all about.


And by putting them there - you can use lots.

It's like making love to a nymphomaniac - you can never overdo it.



Steve

There are 4 places commonly (and successfully) used:

1. In a separate column to the right
2. In the body of the copy
3. After the P.S.
4. Right after the headline/sub-head

VL

You can put them where you want as long as it is after the reader knows what it is about.

If you put a testimonial before the actual sales copy you achieve one thing: People know that you are worthless and need to apologize and make up because you have done wrong in the past. if that is you: sure, go ahead and put the testimonial on top.

And remember to have your testimonial centered around the results and not over how great you are as a human.



DavidG

i am not a copywriter but I like to use them as Hugh suggested.

I think it depends on the sales page. Personally I don't like a column down the right hand side because I think it might be a distraction. On my sales page I have my best testimonial very near the top of the page directly under a short sales video. I used to then have them dotted througout the page but the problem is that when you get more than a handful you really need a page called testimonials otherwise the sales page can just be too long, so I now just have a 'Read testimonials' link to the testimonials page at various tactical points.

It makes sense to put them at the end of the sales letter, just to re-enforce your pitch

Try putting them where they are easily seen. How about on the right column of your site or a specific tab/menu for it right before your contact details. So that they can both be easily found and when the customer decides quickly your contact details are near enough for them to click on...

Where they're relevant is the real answer.

If you don't reveal the product until well into the letter (like I often do), then I wouldn't use them until. It takes away from the suspense, unless they're a testimonial to your experience or character and not the product.

I also usually put one testimonial at the bottom of the copy by the P.S. for those who scroll straight down to it and to reinforce the strong claim of the P.S.