Testimonials

12 years ago

Originally Posted by PaulintheSticks

I notice a lot of businesses don't use the full name or location of the person giving a testimonial. Its usually something like "Joe S". Do you know why this is? Is it a liability issue perhaps or is there some other reason? When I see "Joe S." it makes me think its not legitimate. Any thoughts? Thanks.

If there is no photo, I'd assume it was fake. I always assume testimonials are a form of reciprocity anyway.

I always use the full name and the city/state. Or the full name and the name of the business. Not the phone. But the city, sure.

If you think you have a testimonial, but they won't let you use their whole name? You don't have a testimonial.

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Jonwebb

12 years ago

yea, more often then not it is fake. not always tho.

- Jonathan

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Horny Devil Banned 12 years ago

It's because 99% of them are fake. If you've got the permission of the person providing the testimonial then what's the problem with reproducing full details.

I will say that when I was in direct sales many, many moons ago, I did have the odd customer who was willing to provide a testimonial, but specifically requested their full address be withheld. Of course these were very few and far between, and it was pointless using them as if you're ever challenged for verification by a prospective client then you have a problem.

My advice, based on experience, is never buy from anyone that uses testimonials in the form of "Mr G, Chicago", because it's bogus.

Yours.

Mr H.Devil
United Kingdom
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globalpro

12 years ago

Not always true about being fake reviews. I use onsite testimonials for clients and a lot of their customers are older and sensitive about their privacy, especially online. They don't want a whole lot of info splashed out on the Internet, but are happy to oblige with a positive review..

Understandably so.

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Rus Sells

12 years ago

I agree.

I've had many roofing clients that didn't want their full names used but gave me permission to use their testimonial does that make it any less real or true?

Originally Posted by globalpro

Not always true about being fake reviews. I use onsite testimonials for clients and a lot of their customers are older and sensitive about their privacy, especially online. They don't want a whole lot of info splashed out on the Internet, but are happy to oblige with a positive review..

Understandably so.

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mjbmedia

12 years ago

So you've done something special/unique for your client, you don't want people to be able to go look and reverse engineer it at least not for a while, but you want people to know what you can do , the testimonial (genuine) tells them from the horses mouth, but doesn't give the game away as to who you delivered this for.

I agree a number of IM testies like you mention are fake, but in the corporate/SME world they are more genuine

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TheCG

12 years ago

There are very many people that don't want their full name with city, etc. out on the big ol' internet for many reasons. This is why there are now services that will actually find and try to remove any and all of your information from the net.

A testimonial with a full name, city, state and phone number can just as easily be a fake as one with just a first name and last initial. Neither are any more likely real or fake and to think so based on how it is presented is ridiculous.

Unless you have ever had an internet stalker yourself, you wouldn't understand.

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misterme

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Rus Sells

I've had many roofing clients that didn't want their full names used but gave me permission to use their testimonial does that make it any less real or true?

Originally Posted by TheCG

A testimonial with a full name, city, state and phone number can just as easily be a fake as one with just a first name and last initial

But gentlemen, it's the perception to the viewer that counts. And less than full names and a city seem dubious to many.

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Claude Whitacre

12 years ago

Originally Posted by misterme

But gentlemen, it's the perception to the viewer that counts. And less than full names and a city seem dubious to many.

Yup. I agree 100%.

One thing I would always do..is call them Case Histories...or Customer Reviews.

If you read Angie's List, you believe the reviews. If she called them "Testimonials"....you probably wouldn't.

Yes...I am a genius.:rolleyes:

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ronr

12 years ago

Full names, addresses, videos, photos always best but as mentioned above most people don't want to let you use everything. To protect privacy a lot of people will only let you use first name, last initial, city or something similar.

To add more credibility I try to add their occupation if it's appropriate and alway try to get more than just some something like "great service". the more detailed the testimonial the better.

Example:

"I noticed a big spot on my rug and my husbands birthday party was that night. I called Speedy Carpet cleaning and they arrived within 3 hours and by the time the party the night it was dry. They got me out of a big jam and I'll definately use them again." Mary S. Tampa School Teacher

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Claude Whitacre

12 years ago

I write my own testimonial scripts and have customers read them, and then they know what to write. I want the testimonial to read like a review. And the more detail, the better.

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ronr

12 years ago

I do something similar. If someone agrees to give a testimonial they usually don't mind if you help them by writting it for them because it saves them time as long as it's not over the top.

Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre

I write my own testimonial scripts and have customers read them, and then they know what to write. I want the testimonial to read like a review. And the more detail, the better.

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Aaron Doud

12 years ago

We've always used first name and city. For the privacy of the customer. But if the customer is ok with it I see no reason why using full names or pictures wouldn't be ok too. A local car deal i know posts pictures of their customers and the new cars on Facebook. They just get permission to do it.

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bizgrower

12 years ago

I understand the internet privacy concerns.

You could always add the step of prospects being allowed
to talk to previous customers. Of course with the customers'
permission.

Dan S.
Colorado

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misterme

12 years ago

If the testimonials on the site to begin with, full names or not, people are dubious about it. It's just the way things are. More credibility comes from mutliple sites featuring reviews and video testimonials.

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Rubenator

12 years ago

I think it depends on what kind of business you are in. I'm in the Private Investigation's industry. Leaving a testimonial with a name and company usually means "Come get my clients"

It's happened before, and it's something that we hear about all the time. "Hey, John S. You do business with XYZ Company? Oh you do? I can beat their rates. Let me show you the quality by giving you a free surveillance"

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ewenmack 12 years ago

What we have done for an "offline" client
is to copy the testimonials left on review sites like Yelp.
And next to name added the review site logo to it.

That last bit adds credibility and trust to the testimonial.

Best,
Ewen
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BrianMcLeod

12 years ago

Testimonials in markets other than marketing to marketers are not viewed with anywhere near the level of cynicism that you see in this thread.

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Brian McLeod

Direct Response Copywriting

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Claude Whitacre 12 years ago

Originally Posted by BrianMcLeod

Testimonials in markets other than marketing to marketers are not viewed with anywhere near the level of cynicism that you see in this thread.

I don't believe you. (See? See what I did there?)
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â€œDo not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.â€ - Matsuo Basho
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- ewenmack 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre
  
  I don't believe you. (See? See what I did there?)
  
  Ignore him Brian,
  he will NEVER be a buyer
  so his comment don't matter!
  
  Best,
  Ewen
  
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misterme 12 years ago

Originally Posted by BrianMcLeod

Testimonials in markets other than marketing to marketers are not viewed with anywhere near the level of cynicism that you see in this thread.

You're right. Instead, they're viewed by consumers with a healthy level of skepticism.
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- BrianMcLeod 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by misterme
  
  You're right. Instead, they're viewed by consumers with a healthy level of skepticism.
  
  Well of course, what's new about that?
  
  A healthy level of skepticism is just what I WANT them to have.
  
  Brian
  
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  Brian McLeod
  
  Direct Response Copywriting
  
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laurencewins

12 years ago

I have clients who have written testimonials and only used a first name or a first name and initial and sometimes added a company.
That's their choice and I won't argue but all the testimonials on both of my sites are real. Even the newest one on my new site.

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Cheers, Laurence.
Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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