DO Testimonials RUIN Customers?
Yo! G’Day!
Every once in a while, I get asked why I don’t share any testimonials from happy customers.
Don’t I have any proof?
No. We receive plenty of praise for our products from customers. And even when I speak at conferences, my legs get worn out from standing outside shaking hands and talking with my happy customers.
“Geoffrey OMG bro I’m feeding my family because of your course!” is something I’ve heard a gazillion times. and though I didn’t really believe it was “because of me”, it was still flattering.
So why don’t I share any of that stuff?
Isn’t proof one of the most important elements to successfully sell online?
Yes. Proof is important.
But testimonials?
Nahh…how can a lie be PROOF of the truth?
I’ve been around this industry long enough to know how testimonials are REALLY collected by the gooroos.
They’re often incentivized with prizes and contests.
The person who submits the best testimonial will get a free camera or iPad. Yay.
Even when there’s no incentive, lots of people write in testimonials because they think it will get them a little closer to the “celebrity” of the gooroo if they stroke his/her ego.
Is that really proof that a product is actually good? Or do customers simply submit those testimonials to win?
Not just that…
Gooroos who fill their sales pages with testimonials are trying to win over a poor quality type of customer. The kind of person who can’t make an independent assessment of a product’s value to them.
Testimonials are by rule the “rare case” amazing success of ONE person out of thousands who got an amazing enough result to be worthy of showing it off.
It’s like interviewing the last 10 winners of the national lottery and using their story as a testimonial to tempt all the morons who don’t understand the odds of being a loser are far greater than the odds of being a winner when you gamble.
But they wanna try their luck anyway.
Testimonials give customers unrealistic expectations.
If someone buys on the basis of a testimonial and they get any result with the product that is short of amazing, they’re going to be UNHAPPY.
Who wants that?
Not me.
Worst is, testimonials are subjective.
A product’s value to YOU is different from the value to someone else. Just because some beginner found this product to be EYE OPENING doesn’t mean that a more advanced marketer will find the same value.
Testimonials prove NOTHING.
Except that there’s a conspiracy between customers of this merchant to agree to tell the same lie.
When people ask me for testimonials to buy, I feel sorry for them…they’re pathetic useless people who ASKING to be lied to.
I unsubscribe them from my newsletter to keep them away from my products.
Me?
I rather make sales on my product’s MERITS.
And I don’t want gamblers for customers.
Don’t get me wrong…you still need proof elements to sell a product.
But there’s better ways to prove your claims about your products WITHOUT testimonials.
Have a great day and thanks for reading.
Geoffrey Moffett
Recent Comments
2
Not sure about that, some people really looks for testimonial before buying or using your services.
Hi. I would agree with some of your points but overall my view is that I like and read testimonials. They give me a balance and, with enough of them, I can usually tell what's honest and what is hype. I read the reviews on Amazon cuz I find good and bad ones there. I prefer balanced information so I can make an informed decision. I don't always get that from reading about a product because it definitely is biased from the manufacturer or sales rep. After all, they won't say anything negative about their product.