Morale Dilemma - Should I Spoil My Relationship Just For A Review?
I won't bore you with too much detail but this is my issue:
I review Internet Marketing products.
I recently reviewed a product which I liked and gave a nice review for. I got chatting with the author and he has agreed to do an interview with me and this seems like it could lead onto better things down the line. He is a platinum ClickBank vendor.
The author then mentioned he has a close friend who also has a product which is currently selling very well on ClickBank. I asked if I could review that as well because the sales page seemed reasonable - not the usual overhyped crap you tend to see.
He accepted and I got free access.
Once I got inside the members area I can see that it is a genuine product but it is not really something I would recommend.
My Dilemma
There is no way I will recommend this product....But....
How can I get out of this without hurting this guy's feelings?
How can I get out of this without damaging my new relationship with the original author because I really want to build on this, it can lead to much bigger things.
However, if I turn this down or give my honest opinion then he won't want to do any more work with me, if that makes sense.
Any input would be greatly appreciated! 50 heads is better than one!
Recent Comments
21
Very funny I just got a logo quote and free of one who would like me to rewrite a slightly scary review. But somewhere, it's still not an impressive product.
Just be honest and tell the original author the truth, stressing you don't agree with the promotion of the product.
I think to relay to your contact that you operate an ethical business, as do others that have been taught properly, will not damage your relationship with the author.
If they are a person of integrity they will understand your reasons for not recommending something you do not believe in.
That is what we learn here in WA: don't promote something just because it makes money but because is something you feel strongly about.
Good for you for operating an ethical website!!
You could write the author first to explain the reasoning why you don’t feel that this isn’t a product you would approve of before you post your review. This will give you an idea on how he will react to it and will help you determine if it would be beneficial to post it or not. Honest reviews are what people are looking for whether good or bad. Just my thoughts.
Jerome
Much appreciated Jerome. I will contact the original author and give him the truth about his friends product. I think he will see the honesty behind it and wont hold it against me!
Hi! Yep, I agree with what has been proposed already, constructive criticism. If you can tell the 2nd guy two or three points that would make his product rock (and at the same time make clear that lacking those is something significant for you, so you won't recommend it), then he shouldn't feel upset about it but see the value in your answer. Well, if he does get upset then maybe he simply deserves it! :D
The 1st guy should see the value in your answer and if it makes you feel "safer" you could also let him know about it, explaining your reasoning, so you are not risking that relationship.
HTH, somehow! I still owe you many good advices!
hey buddy! Thanks for that. I will have a little think and come up with something that will hopefully please everyone! haha! Tricky situation.
How is it going with your website?
Slow I must admit! With Christmas just around the corner it's "family first" time so I haven't had much time for "my stuff"... I'm still going through the WA courses, so I hope 2018 will be my year :)
Thnx!
I agree tell him what you truly think and at the end of the day at least he will respect you for at least telling him how you truly feel and not lying to him.
Also offer him some constructive criticism on how he could go about making his product better.
I know if I was him and I was trying to sell a product -- I would be open to hear on how I could improve my product, because lets face it nothing is ever perfect and always has room to become better.
Yeah I think this the way i am going to go. At least if he gets pissed off with me I know I did the right thing.
I could fudge it and make an excuse but then it will always bug me that I did not man up! haha!
Still frustrating though!
You are still looking on the negative side. You have decided that the outcome of this is not gonna be good. Please remember the words of Henry Ford
"whether you think you can you can't, chances are you're right."
haha! Yep, that is what I want to avoid. I was hoping someone here at WA would have some clever secret way of being able to get out of this unspoiled!
I never lie or recommend something I have not tried. I will tell him the truth if I can't find another way out.
Just want to avoid hurting anyone's feelings or spoil this new relationship...
In my humble opinion I would think that you're more likely to spoil the relationship by not being honest.
Very true. gah! Wish I had not said anything to him now! loL! I should have kept my mouth shut.
Fingers crossed he sees my side of the story and he still wants to work together.
As a product creator myself I value constructive criticism. Any respectable ethical business person would have the same view. If they don't have those ethics do you want to do business with them anyway?
I completely agree. I will write to him and tell him my side of things. Thank you for the input! :-)
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So, what I have done is this. I have written the review. Honestly, and constructively.
I am posting it tonight and I will email the author with my thoughts behind it. The review is honest.
I think it should be ok. If not, at least I know I've done the right thing.
I think that is the way to go. Write a constructive review and then explain in the email.