Using Social Proof - Is this taking it too far?

by Mogly
25 replies
So I recently had a very well-known internet marketing celebrity post a comment on my blog.

It wasn't anything amazing, he told me he really liked the article and that I was "telling it like it should be."

So what I was thinking is I could use a snippet of his comment as social proof for my website.

The same way that product/service providers will add social proof to their site in the form of testimonials, would it be immoral to use part of his comment as a sort of testimonial for my blogging?

I can't tell if I'm pushing it too far.
#proof #social #taking
  • Profile picture of the author Clint Faber
    As long as information and comments are public knowledge then you should be in the clear, just let him know. Like always do what feels comfortable to you if you feel hesitant about it use alternative promotion tactic.
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  • Profile picture of the author jaggyjay
    Go one farther... just reach out to him or her and ask for his/her permission. It's likely that he or she will just say it's ok anyways. It's courteous and might even help bridge a longer lasting relationship between you two.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mogly
      Originally Posted by jaggyjay View Post

      Go one farther... just reach out to him or her and ask for his/her permission. It's likely that he or she will just say it's ok anyways. It's courteous and might even help bridge a longer lasting relationship between you two.
      Hmm, yeah I could try emailing him... but to be honest, I wouldn't want my first email/message to him to be "hey can I use your name as leverage to buidl my own business"

      That's actually my main fear and what I was afraid of.


      EDIT: Technically, I know its OK, because he posted it publicly on my blog as a comment. I just didn't know if it would be terrible to turn it into a sort of quote with a link, and put it on my 'about' page, as social proof.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kenster
        Originally Posted by Mogly View Post

        Hmm, yeah I could try emailing him... but to be honest, I wouldn't want my first email/message to him to be "hey can I use your name as leverage to buidl my own business"

        That's actually my main fear and what I was afraid of.


        EDIT: Technically, I know its OK, because he posted it publicly on my blog as a comment. I just didn't know if it would be terrible to turn it into a sort of quote with a link, and put it on my 'about' page, as social proof.

        I don't think it's that bad to reach out to him/her asking if you can use his comment. He was on your blog and left the comment for a reason and I know if somebody reached out to me about that I would say "sure. go ahead" and not think anything bad about it.

        Way I see it, it could only help. What's the worst that can happen, they say no? At least you started a convo with this person!!
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  • Profile picture of the author oplaopla
    You are asking wether this is immoral or not. Morality is just a sense of perception. I do not believe this is immoral in any way, you are telling the truth therefore there is no reason to be concerned. To me this isn't even in the morally grey zone. It's not like this celebrity will be affected in any way by you doing this.
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    • Profile picture of the author JeffMitchell
      RIght now social proof is 100% needed. With all the scams and bad business practices on the internet having some real proof is great. I do feel the same as some of the responses. Ask for a really good recommendation from the celeb that posted that comment. It will mean more to both.

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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    I would ask him. He'll probably say "yeah" if you shoot him your intentions and how you're going to be promoting his name on your site/blog.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mogly
      Originally Posted by Randall Magwood View Post

      I would ask him. He'll probably say "yeah" if you shoot him your intentions and how you're going to be promoting his name on your site/blog.
      Hmm, alright. I like that idea.

      Thanks mate!
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  • Profile picture of the author JasonBennet
    There is no harm in asking him nicely The most that can happen is that he rejected it but my personal experience is that most people are nice and they will approve it if you ask them nicely.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mogly
      Originally Posted by JasonBennet View Post

      There is no harm in asking him nicely The most that can happen is that he rejected it but my personal experience is that most people are nice and they will approve it if you ask them nicely.
      Yeah, thats what I realized after making this thread.

      I'm sure it will be OK!
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  • Profile picture of the author AnthonyStratton
    One of the most important things in this game, let alone life, really is honest and clear communication.

    I can totally see how it might feel like taking advantage in this case, but getting in touch, sharing your delight, and bonding before asking for his overt approval would do a world of good. If you can establish a mutual rapport, you might be able to get a solid contact, as well as a more expanded and direct quote or recommendation.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mogly
      Originally Posted by AnthonyStratton View Post

      One of the most important things in this game, let alone life, really is honest and clear communication.

      I can totally see how it might feel like taking advantage in this case, but getting in touch, sharing your delight, and bonding before asking for his overt approval would do a world of good. If you can establish a mutual rapport, you might be able to get a solid contact, as well as a more expanded and direct quote or recommendation.
      This is pretty much my main thoughts on it.

      Thanks for your advice, and yeah I'm reaching out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gaz Cooper
    Personally I would have no issue with someone using my name if I personally posted a comment to their blog HOWEVER i would have a problem if it was used out of context as if I am recommending a product or service if I posted the comment in some other context than a review.

    I would drop him a line and ask permissions and tell him exactly how you want to use it and in what context, and if it were me and it was being used correctly as intended you would have my blessing.

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  • Profile picture of the author collegekid
    Originally Posted by Mogly View Post

    So I recently had a very well-known internet marketing celebrity post a comment on my blog.

    It wasn't anything amazing, he told me he really liked the article and that I was "telling it like it should be."

    So what I was thinking is I could use a snippet of his comment as social proof for my website.

    The same way that product/service providers will add social proof to their site in the form of testimonials, would it be immoral to use part of his comment as a sort of testimonial for my blogging?

    I can't tell if I'm pushing it too far.
    As long as you don't change any words, or change the context in which it was being said...then go for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Malcolm Thomas
    Originally Posted by Mogly View Post

    So I recently had a very well-known internet marketing celebrity post a comment on my blog.

    It wasn't anything amazing, he told me he really liked the article and that I was "telling it like it should be."

    So what I was thinking is I could use a snippet of his comment as social proof for my website.

    The same way that product/service providers will add social proof to their site in the form of testimonials, would it be immoral to use part of his comment as a sort of testimonial for my blogging?

    I can't tell if I'm pushing it too far.
    I would do it. You have the right to publish comments on your blog as forms of testimonial proof that you know what you're talking about. This will help give you more credibility also.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mogly
      Originally Posted by Malcolm Thomas View Post

      I would do it. You have the right to publish comments on your blog as forms of testimonial proof that you know what you're talking about. This will help give you more credibility also.
      Exactly.

      Credibility is my middle name
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      • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
        Just do it but keep it in the correct context.
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        • Profile picture of the author okashii
          Like many others said already, asking first is the classy thing to do. And you gotta do your best to stay classy and professional if you're branding yourself as much as your work. That's probably a reason why the guy who commented on your blog is an "internet celebrity" now.

          Cheers.
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  • Profile picture of the author jwcrowson
    Congrats on increasing your visibility.
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  • Profile picture of the author THK
    Think about it this way, if he had any issues with it, he probably wouldn't leave a comment publicly at the first place. All you are doing it is making it more visible so people notice that you got some complement from industry experts. If anything, that person should be happy that you value his/her comment so much.

    It will be a problem if you use the comment out of context, but nothing in your post suggests that you are thinking along those lines. So I think you will be alright.

    All the best

    Tanvir
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  • I will repeat what everyone else has said about reaching out to him, but instead of just making it that, why not have a 1+1 = 3 instead of = 2 situation.

    go one step further and asking him whatt part of the article he liked the most, and take his comments into consideration for future posts.

    By doing this you are also showing him that no matter how good you are, you see him as someone very capable and intelligent, and this creates a sort of "older bro" feeling within this guru's mind.

    So you will get valuable insight , plus he might ask to connect with you on skype and start a better relationship from there on.

    Remember, that the #1 way to connect with someone on a meaningfull level is always to make yourself volnurable. Put yourself out there. In other words, express the fact that you were not sure about utilizing his comment in that way and didnt want to ruin his name, so you just really needed to ask him, etc... Phraze it like that
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      I hate to be a downer, and I'm not contradicting what's already been said about contacting the commenter - it's the right thing to do.

      Just be prepared for the commenter to 'not remember' the post with the comment. A lot of people are using either software or hired help to find relevant blogs and leave generic compliments in hopes of getting the comment/backlink approved.
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  • Profile picture of the author ceenote100
    I would definitely ask him for permission to use his comment. I think he would be quite flattered. And it would really do good for your business. I say go for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author StevenJones
    Use it!

    Can you back it up though? Could be a goon posting under this famous marketer's name. Verify, and perhaps ask if you can use their name. Then it will work for him/her as well well. It puts you on the same perceived level.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mogly
      Originally Posted by StevenJones View Post

      Use it!

      Can you back it up though? Could be a goon posting under this famous marketer's name. Verify, and perhaps ask if you can use their name. Then it will work for him/her as well well. It puts you on the same perceived level.
      He posted my name, his name, and his gravatar came up.

      And then I emailed him, and he reiterated that he loved the article, so I don't think it was an automated link.

      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      I hate to be a downer, and I'm not contradicting what's already been said about contacting the commenter - it's the right thing to do.

      Just be prepared for the commenter to 'not remember' the post with the comment. A lot of people are using either software or hired help to find relevant blogs and leave generic compliments in hopes of getting the comment/backlink approved.
      Yeah I actually ended up emailing him, and he told me he liked the article.

      so I think I'm good
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