Getting testimonials isn't a matter of being clever or sneaky; you just need to be genuine. If your service is good enough, testimonials will be forthcoming.

For a new venture, there's nothing wrong with using the feedback from a similar service you've provided, as long as you make that clear to your visitors - and as long as you've obtained permission to do so from your previous clients (if that hasn't already been stipulated).


Frank

I think there is a line that needs to be drawn. You don't want to mislead people, especially not with testimonials. The laws are very strict nowadays so it's not something to be "sneaky" about.

If you are offering a specific service then only use REAL testimonials from customers who have experienced that exact service. Anything else is just misleading unless you are VERY clear about what those testimonials relate to.

There is a trend some have noticed lately in the WSO section of this forum where people are launching a new WSO and using generalized reviews/testimonials from previous, unrelated WSO offers they have run. There are also the people who use screenshots of earnings from one business activity to back up the income claims they are making regarding a totally unrelated business activity.

Although what you are planning to do is not on the same level as these two things I still think it can be taken as misleading. If they haven't used the exact service I am about to pay you for then I don't want to see their feedback as it is irrelevant to me.

The reason I say this is someone who has purchased your service on fiverr and thus only spent 5 dollars on the service is going to have a completely different value expectation as the person purchasing this service on your site for whatever price you are charging. If I buy a hotdog for a couple of dollars and it tastes nice I am going to think I got a great deal. If I got that same sweet tasting hotdog but had to cough up $10 for it all of a sudden my idea of value has changed and I would feel ripped off.

You are exactly right, good point

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Buying testimonials is like building a business foundation on sand. Be ethical and provide valuable content and you will succeed. Most people can see through crap.

if your product is getting people results then you will get people leaving reviews about your product. I've had people spreading word about my offers even without getting paid an affiliate commission for it. They just do it because they get results

yup got to agree with you there! That's more than fair IMHO

I do find it to be clever and I don't think this is misleading. However, I would get rid of that ugly word from your marketing vocabulary, "sneaky". My first thought when I saw that word was you were going to ask about or say something about something black hat that pushes the ethical boundary lines.

I would also offer the product to a handful of people ahead of time and ask for a testimonial or full review in return.

Benjamin Ehinger

No problem at all. I have tons of endorsements as a writer from various people and places outide of this forum. I only have a few from WF members. I would use any and all of them anywhere because writing is writing. As long as it's the same service there's nothing at all sneaky about it.

If it's the same type of service, there's nothing wrong with using the testimonials.

Example; one of my sites offers web-dev. It doesn't matter if someone finds me through my website, facebook, a forum, or a customer referral - it's still the same service, provided by ME, no matter where they find me.

Same thing. If the service you are offering is the same KIND of service, there's nothing wrong (or sneaky) about using testimonials by clients who already paid you for that service.

IMHO, the price doesn't matter, either. Your website might be offering different packages (ie; above $5) but if it's the same type of service, then it's still relevant.

Isn't a testimonial a feedback that a given user has been given permission to be used? If you have positive feedback, use it.

The best measure of "sneaky" is your gut feeling. Providing that you have a modicum of integrity about, and most do, stay within you integrity.

Most of us know that if you hire people to say nice things about you, that is not really genuine.

Whereas, if you have earnestly offered a product, others have used it and in using it have found it useful enough to say something nice about it, that should certainly constitute a testamonial worthy quote, right?

I vote for both clever and perfectly ethical in the context you described. I think most people automatically had a negative lens on this issue from your use of the word "sneaky" when introducing it...

they are real testimonials... so why is that sneaky?

Wouldn't bother with this kind of thing...
not sure of the legal aspects of this but this is very misleading and if people were to recognise that the person in your video is also selling video testimonal gigs on fiverr that could lead to a problem...

just create a good product send a message to everyone who bought and ask for feedback or testimonals if they are good? reward them.

Ya the you need to be clever & witty going about your business online but let the line between legit business and fraud remain clear.

Sneaky and Testimonial should never be in the same sentence. Just try it without being sneaky and contact your first satisfied customers for some honest testimonials.

As long as you're clear about the fact that the feedback is taken from a related product/service - not the actual product/service you're selling - I don't think there's an issue.

Yes, having testimonials that are specific to your new product/service would be best, but related testimonials for past products could demonstrate the quality of your work before you have any of these new testimonials.

That doesn't sound sneaky at all when they're basically the same service.

I never read testimonials in any offering, too easy to fake.

Hi PM, what I can say is this..Ultimately its your call but just know that the Internet has a funny way of fostering or rather enforcing transparency. I don't think you'd be able to do this for long without someone finding out and once they find out your product launch is done. Maybe your name too. So you just need to ask yourself if its worth it.

Sorry if this came off overly dramatic but I just want to know that you at least have the chance to make a very educated decision.

If you are going to someplace fivver and saying you will pay $5 for anyone who just gives you a great testimonial WITHOUT them reviewing your product, then you are committing fraud. If on the other hand you are actually giving review copies to people and having them give you an HONEST review for $5 then it's not fraud. So which one is it?

I would stay away from committing fraud as you could get in real trouble. Not to mention if people ever find out you are being dishonest then your career is pretty much done in the internet marketing world.

Testimonials are necessary, period. One of the most popular questions I get asked is "What has your service done for others and can I talk to someone you've worked with?"

I have several past clients that have given me the green light to have new people call them so they can get a REAL review from someone I've helped get the results they paid me for.

When using testimonials, make sure to have only REAL testimonials from people who have actually got a result with your product, being fake or buying testimonials will shine through long term, if you want a sustainable source of income, take the time to EARN real testimonials.

Also, you can give review copies to people here who are known and well respected and if they decide to review your stuff, be prepared for an honest review, so make sure it's good stuff because if you get good reviews from some people here, you will have a high selling WSO,

but...

your product MUST BE KILLER!

I don't think it accurate to dub this sneaky.

Testimonials can be based on one part or a series of parts of a product or service.

If you have merged something for which you have testimonials into a greater whole, it is not unethical to include testimonials on the part of the whole.

Cheers.

the technique I've seen used here is to offer review copies to a limited number who will give you a review. You could do that openly for a short time and gather some testimonials.