Testimonial Exchange

[Brenda]

Is anyone interested in starting a testimonial exchange? I want to publish the retirement ebook- if anyone is willing to give me a testimonial for it, I will give you a testimonial for one of the other ebooks.

PM me if you are interested.
Thanks

Brenda

[dpreto]

May I offer my humble opinion on this topic.

If you'd consider putting "exchanged" testimonials on a product sales page, why not just manufacture testimonials from non-existent people? There's no real difference and the latter one is much less trouble. With both you're publishing false testimonials from people who haven't purchased, used or actually benefited from the product.

Dewald

[Brenda]

Hi Dewald
I'm not sure I follow your analogy- I didn't ask for false testimonials-

Everyone here has access to the ebooks, so they can read them & give a testimonial. If I was to give a testimonial on the memory ebook, I would read it first. And I assume others would as well-

It made sense to ask here, as we all have access to the same products-and we all need testimonials to help build the sales letter.

I really don't see where that is the same as manufacturing false testimonials- which is totally wrong to do-

[dpreto]

Hi Brenda,

I respect your opinion, but don't agree with it.

Dewald

[welly]

Dewald,

as you state it, it's the same as giving a copy to someone, such as family, friends or contacts, to read and asking them for a testimony. But that person hasn't bought the product either.

In fact everyone on this site HAS purchased the products and hopefully read them.

[dpreto]

Welly,

In my view, the deciding point is not whether the person bought the product or not, but whether the person actually benefited from the product. In other words, the testimonial has to be genuine.

Although, and now I'm going to contradict myself, we all know that the testimonials in TV ads are fakes written by ad agencies and performed by actors.

Dewald

[wingfalcon]

Originally Posted by dpreto

Welly,

In my view, the deciding point is not whether the person bought the product or not, but whether the person actually benefited from the product. In other words, the testimonial has to be genuine.

Dewald

Wow, I hate to admit it...but I have to agree with Dewald on this matter. Nothing against you Dewald, but I do believe Brenda's heart and mind was in a good place when she came up with the ideal. So that's why I started out saying "I hate to admit it" because I'm thinking she really had good intentions when she presented it to the group.

Although it would be nice to have testimonials to peek further interest for the e books. But since we all have something to gain from them, I'm thinking everybody might not be completely honest. You know how people can be when it comes to money.

Plus I can't say that this wheelchair is an awesome buy, when I'm walking around like a normal human being. The person who can't walk will not take my recommendation seriously because they are thinking "How would you know, you're not in my situation"

That' why the testimonial box is a great ideal that they have provided in the packages. It takes a little longer...okay, a lot longer. But at least you know you're being completely honest with the people you're trying to gain credibility and build relationships with.

Antonio

[welly]

BUT -

if we have used the product, and benefited from it then of course we should be prepared to testify. There is absolutely no dishonesty in that and as for paying for it, well what are you doing each month with your subscription?

[glenny]

Talk about getting off the track with Brenda's original post...

I think Brenda's idea is totally valid and ethical if she is asking someone who has read the books to give their opinion/testimonial on that product.

If I have read the memory book and Brenda is selling it and looking for people to give their opinion on it how is that not OK for me to give a testimonial?

Im not lying about having read it. I am giving my honest opinion on the book the same as any customer.

And if I am selling the infertility book and Brenda has read it why not exchange reviews and testimonials?

This is nothing at all like someone who can walk and has never used a wheelchair giving a wheelchair testimonial.

And wether someone has paid for the book is also irrelevant. Just because someone hasn't paid for it doesn't mean they havent used the material in the book or can't have an opinion on the product.

As far as someone needing to have benefited from a product before they can give a testimonial, who decides if someone has benefited or not??

I may not apply a single thing from the memory book but could still talk about how much info is in it... how well it's put together...the depth of coverage of the subject....how much I enjoyed it etc etc.

My memory may be just as bad as ever but I did benefit from the book and should be allowed to give my honest opinion about what I got from the book.

Saying that an "exchanged" testimonial is any less honest or valuable to the person reading it is assuming too much in my opinion.

And saying that there is no difference between an exchanged testimonial as Brenda is talking about and a fake one is crazy.

I say go for it Brenda and good luck

Glenn

[dpreto]

By all means, folks, go ahead and exchange testimonials.

I just expressed my opinion. And that's exactly what it is, my opinion. My opinion puts absolutely zero obligation on you to follow it in any way.

It's really not necessary to use big words like "crazy" in response.

I respect your opinion, even if it differs 100% from mine.

Dewald