Isn't It Time For a "Results" Forum?

28 replies
Hey all,

I was thinking (rare, but true)...

I see a lot of theory threads, a ton of WSOs and classifieds, product reviews etc...and they all have the same problem:

The feedback and "testimonials" are often too superficial.

In other words, they will say things like:

"Great product, I love the way you write"

Or,

"I love this idea, well worth the money"

Or,

"This is awesome, gonna do this tonight"

Whilst that's all great for egos n' all, it's not really serving a purpose. Wouldn't it be great to see a RESULTS section of this forum, where users of a certain product, method or system actually document their results?

After all, if you're familiar with how popular certain threads become, then you might have noticed how the "Watch me make £xxxx,xxx in 7 days using this new approach...wish me luck guys!" become so popular?

People are encouraging, and want to see the results. Soon enough, that thread is "set on fire" due to its' high activity.

Doesn't that tell you something about the user intent of the people on this forum?

We want to see RESULTS...success stories.

Some of us want to know if something works, before we spend a lot of time doing it for ourselves.

And to the opposition - yes, I'd rather be a "doer" than a "wait for someone else to go first" type of marketer, but I am not the majority of this forum...and I also don't have time to "do" everything I read about.

But I would sure as HECK make time for it if I could see that the "theory" could be applied and is effective in some way.

What do you think? Wouldn't you like to see a subsection which documents people's results with a certain method?

Of course, the forum rules would still apply which would mean - you cannot use the forum to slate others. The idea of the results forum would be to document success and possible pitfalls for others to avoid.

The value is three fold -

1. The product owners, or people who come up with the marketing concept get a lot of extra exposure

2. The other forum members become encouraged, and get better results themselves after seeing what to do (and not to do) in regards to a particular method

3. The product owners, or people who come up with the marketing concept also get to "fine tune" their system via the live feedback that they get from other members in the forum

And they can go onto sell more product, get more exposure and ultimately get more testimonials from people who have GOT RESULTS from their methods.

I really can't see a downside yet, so please fire this discussion up...
#forum #results #time
  • Profile picture of the author KimPup
    Man, I'd Love to see a results spot here! While there is alot of great info at this forum, every time I see a WSO or classified with "testimonials", I always read them with a grain of salt (ok, maybe a big saltlick),lol.

    But what would the results threads consist of?? How would u show proof that something works? Posting payments as a screen shot can be easily manipulated and once again "testimonials" just don't do it for me anymore (I'm so jaded these days, haha).

    And having a "guru" expound the "greatness" of a product or service feels to me to be just the big boys/girls sticking together. Anybody else feel this way?? More thoughts on this idea would be great!

    So ya...just my ramblings..sometimes I not so articulate, hope this makes sense!


    P.S. while I'm here.....I wish that all WSO's stated the level of expertise the buyer should be....example...I just bought a WSO and the info in it was clearly for someone with NO experience at all in the subject and it was kinda touted as being fresh with new ideas, etc. I am no expert in the subject of the WSO I purchasesd but I already knew the info and more that wasn't even there. Once again, just a thought!
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    The only problem with that is that all the people BSing about what results they get would be even more misleading if they now feel the need to fabricate some just to look good in the new forum section. It would have the potential to mislead people even more than usual.
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    • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
      Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

      The only problem with that is that all the people BSing about what results they get would be even more misleading if they now feel the need to fabricate some just to look good in the new forum section. It would have the potential to mislead people even more than usual.
      Fair point, but what would their motivation be for BSing? Remember, these are the customers, not the product owners who would be reporting the results.
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      • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
        Originally Posted by Nick Brighton View Post

        Fair point, but what would their motivation be for BSing? Remember, these are the customers, not the product owners who would be reporting the results.
        A lot of people post false results here in order to make themselves look successful, so that other people will listen/buy their stuff. Also, there are members with multiple profiles who use them to say good things about their own stuff, and then there's the people who get their friends to give positive feedback.

        It's not good but it happens a lot, so I can only imagine it would be worse if you gave them a more focused platform.

        It just means that if there was a new section there would need to be guidelines about being able to prove the results you're quoting.
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        • Profile picture of the author KimPup
          Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

          A lot of people post false results here in order to make themselves look successful, so that other people will listen/buy their stuff. Also, there are members with multiple profiles who use them to say good things about their own stuff, and then there's the people who get their friends to give positive feedback.

          It's not good but it happens a lot, so I can only imagine it would be worse if you gave them a more focused platform.

          It just means that if there was a new section there would need to be guidelines about being able to prove the results you're quoting.

          People really do this eh?? I figured there were some pulling that.... Soooo unethical! What a shame.
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          • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
            Originally Posted by Dhrousha View Post

            Hi,


            However, in the case of a WSO would it not require giving too much of the game away?
            Well, you could choose to list your product/ideas there or not. If your WSO was so small and secretive as to give the game away that easily, then don't do it.

            Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

            A lot of people post false results here in order to make themselves look successful, so that other people will listen/buy their stuff. Also, there are members with multiple profiles who use them to say good things about their own stuff, and then there's the people who get their friends to give positive feedback.

            It's not good but it happens a lot, so I can only imagine it would be worse if you gave them a more focused platform.

            It just means that if there was a new section there would need to be guidelines about being able to prove the results you're quoting.
            Yep, that's true. But since when does the minority of abusers dictate the growth of this community?

            Any and all current areas of this forum are being abused daily...so although a new forum would bring another area to abuse, so would it also provide tremendous value to the forum to counteract that.

            And common sense can usually spot out the self posting in many cases (particularly the 10 post count member who joined 3 days after the initial post, and is now making "$xxx" per day as result...

            1. It's blatant
            2. The results would be longer term and not immediate (which lends itself to long term posters, forum members anyway)
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            • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
              Originally Posted by Kelly Verge View Post

              To which I reply...

              Originally Posted by Nick Brighton View Post

              Hey all,

              I see a lot of theory threads, a ton of WSOs and classifieds, product reviews etc...and they all have the same problem:

              The feedback and "testimonials" are often too superficial.

              In other words, they will say things like:

              "Great product, I love the way you write"

              Or,

              "I love this idea, well worth the money"

              Or,

              "This is awesome, gonna do this tonight"

              Whilst that's all great for egos n' all, it's not really serving a purpose. Wouldn't it be great to see a RESULTS section of this forum, where users of a certain product, method or system actually document their results?
              The content is not documented enough in the reviews forum IMO, and it's often just superficial praise.
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            • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
              Originally Posted by Nick Brighton View Post

              ...dictate the growth of this community?
              There's only one dictator around here. Thankfully
              his approach is mostly benevolent.

              John
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              • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
                Originally Posted by John Taylor View Post

                There's only one dictator around here. Thankfully
                his approach is mostly benevolent.

                John
                ??? Not sure I get you there, hope it wasn't directed at me?!!
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      • Profile picture of the author la dominatrix
        Originally Posted by Nick Brighton View Post

        Fair point, but what would their motivation be for BSing? Remember, these are the customers, not the product owners who would be reporting the results.
        That would be very easy to get around and manipulate.
        la dominatrix
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
    Good points Kim,

    In terms of the "results" in the forum, I wasn't thinking screenshots per se...

    More just a collection of people taking action posting specific results.

    When things are specific, they are believable.

    And when you think about it, there's no hidden agenda going on because the people posting results are NOT the ones trying to sell the product.

    Therefore, the feedback is honest and impartial...not just raving fans who are elated that they have just read a PDF that "might work".

    See the difference?
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    • Profile picture of the author George Wright
      [DELETED]
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      • Profile picture of the author JeffLam
        I would definitely second this idea of a 'results' forum. Too many times have I scanned pages of WSOs looking for a rock-solid testimonial on any profits made by the buyer.

        Too difficult, too rare.

        Having this forum will (I predict)

        • Dramatically reduce those false/exaggerated claims made by people on their products
        • Reduce WSOs that obviously are trying to make a quick buck
        • Increase general value of all WSOs as you gotta prove to everyone that your WSO really CAN make a newbie money.

        Seems like a win-win for all..except the owner who recieves money for people posting WSOs. :p
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  • Profile picture of the author Kael41
    What we need, imo, is a journal subforum. I've seen journals work before on other forums (both inside marketing and outside marketing like weightloss forums) and it's worked great. You can be as obtuse as you want describing what you're doing and saying what works and what doesn't work, and no one is the wiser regarding your actual website or niche.
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  • Profile picture of the author Karen Connell
    Hi,

    I think the idea of a results area is great. One of the benefits for me would be that I could see if the project in question is beyond my current capabilities or conversely, as Kimpup said, do I really need to buy this stuff?

    However, in the case of a WSO would it not require giving too much of the game away?

    Karen


    Hi Kimpup,

    Off topic:

    Just to quickly ask - where do you source the products you sell on your site? If you'd rather not say, that's OK but if you don't ask....

    I've been looking for some high end dog related stuff for my new site.

    Karen
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  • Profile picture of the author KimPup
    Karen said "However, in the case of a WSO would it not require giving too much of the game away?"

    I don't think people would be giving away "the game" by stating...this WSO is for
    -the noob, the intermediate, etc. Would it?? I think it would be the fairest way to go about it......we have to buy without knowing exactly what it is (I understand why this is), but we should at least be told what level the info is at!

    Nick Said- "More just a collection of people taking action posting specific results. When things are specific, they are believable."

    AAhhh, I see, be specific on the results that your business recieved. Ya...I see the difference!
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  • Profile picture of the author Kael41
    You know what would do away with 90% of the bogus profiles used to fluff products and services?

    Get Alan to enable I.P display under our usernames. On a couple of forums that I run (non-IM) it's displayed as a computer icon and I can see everyones I.P address.

    It will NEVER happen though. Trust me. Color me jaded, but, i believe it would out some of the more well known names around here and not just the fly by nights.
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    • Profile picture of the author KimPup
      Originally Posted by Kael41 View Post

      You know what would do away with 90% of the bogus profiles used to fluff products and services?

      Get Alan to enable I.P display under our usernames. On a couple of forums that I run (non-IM) it's displayed as a computer icon and I can see everyones I.P address.

      It will NEVER happen though. Trust me. Color me jaded, but, i believe it would out some of the more well known names around here and not just the fly by nights.
      Wow...wouldn't that be something!! I would hope they would do that here...but like ya said........

      It will NEVER happen though. Trust me. Color me jaded, but, i believe it would out some of the more well known names around here and not just the fly by nights.
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    • Profile picture of the author BrianMcLeod
      Originally Posted by Kael41 View Post

      You know what would do away with 90% of the bogus profiles used to fluff products and services?

      Get Alan to enable I.P display under our usernames. On a couple of forums that I run (non-IM) it's displayed as a computer icon and I can see everyones I.P address.

      It will NEVER happen though. Trust me. Color me jaded, but, i believe it would out some of the more well known names around here and not just the fly by nights.
      Mods already have that. It's just not public.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kael41
        Yea, I know that since I'm the admin and owner of several other forums. What I'm saying though is to make it public. It would go a long way to determine veracity of some of the posters of this site when it comes to endorsements or generalized opinions. It would get rid of a lot of "zombies" in my opinion
        Originally Posted by BrianMcLeod View Post

        Mods already have that. It's just not public.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kael41
    Aint that shame though? Would add a ton of legitamacy
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  • Profile picture of the author Ryan Gabriel
    Wasn't there a guy a while back who ran a membership site that allowed it's members to vote on a couple different WSOs a month, then he would implement the products and give results to his members?

    I don't think it ever went anywhere, but it's an interesting idea that, done the right way, could have some legitimate value.
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  • Profile picture of the author kennethtang
    Hehehe...

    Who's on first? Come one, come on! Spill it. And thank you for saving me all that time I'd have wasted trying it myself. Just give me the exact, documented results and I'll just follow it...

    OK, who's on first?
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  • Profile picture of the author jimbo21
    I would love to read people's results and experiences with different products. I think it would be extremely helpful to newbs. Although it may lead to fake threads and fake results posted by people to further promote their product.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
    Nick,

    Originally Posted by Nick Brighton View Post


    I see a lot of theory threads, a ton of WSOs and classifieds, product reviews etc...and they all have the same problem:

    The feedback and "testimonials" are often too superficial.
    The solution is simple.. lead by example. The
    next time you buy a product, put it to the test
    and post your results in the appropriate thread.

    There is no need for yet another forum.

    John
    P.S. No, it was not directed at you" - the person
    who "dictates the future of this community" is
    Allen.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kyle Tully
    Originally Posted by Nick Brighton View Post

    I see a lot of theory threads, a ton of WSOs and classifieds, product reviews etc...and they all have the same problem:

    The feedback and "testimonials" are often too superficial.

    In other words, they will say things like:

    "Great product, I love the way you write"

    Or,

    "I love this idea, well worth the money"

    Or,

    "This is awesome, gonna do this tonight"

    Whilst that's all great for egos n' all, it's not really serving a purpose. Wouldn't it be great to see a RESULTS section of this forum, where users of a certain product, method or system actually document their results?
    Isn't that what the review forum is for?

    The forum is there -- it's the users that are the problem.
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  • Profile picture of the author whughes08
    Most of the forum members are here to learn from the experts who are willing to provide the information, but there is no proof that those things they teach us actually work. Yes I would like to see a "Results Page" too...
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