Comments on: What Should You (and I) do with Testimonials? http://www.thejunglemap.com/post/640 Hippo Internet Marketing Blog : Your Map to the Jungle of Internet Marketing by Hippo Internet Marketing Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Greg Flewelling http://www.thejunglemap.com/post/640#comment-7328 Greg Flewelling Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:12:13 +0000 http://www.thejunglemap.com/post/640#comment-7328 After 20 years in advertising and marketing I can say without a doubt that testimonials are almost always important. They're especially important for large purchases, business-to-business, new businesses and new products and services. Testimonials are like word-of-mouth in that you can hear first hand from people who have purchased a product or service. People will just naturally be more willing to buy, if they can be reassured by other people who have already bought. After 20 years in advertising and marketing I can say without a doubt that testimonials are almost always important. They’re especially important for large purchases, business-to-business, new businesses and new products and services. Testimonials are like word-of-mouth in that you can hear first hand from people who have purchased a product or service. People will just naturally be more willing to buy, if they can be reassured by other people who have already bought.

]]> By: Brent Friar http://www.thejunglemap.com/post/640#comment-7323 Brent Friar Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:46:17 +0000 http://www.thejunglemap.com/post/640#comment-7323 I am with Fred on the Google LBC. All things being equal, a searcher is more likely to click on the link that has more positive reviews. Sure, they can be faked but most people are pretty trusting if there are numerous reviews/testimonials that support each other. In the case of LinkedIn I think they carry a little more weight because they are attributed to a (probably) real person. While they can still be faked, I don't think most people would go through that much trouble. I think that it is key to get testimonials from people who have actually used your service rather than a colleague or acquaintance who has nice things to say about you. Because you are a nice guy and someone heard you were good at what you do doesn't cut it. I am with Fred on the Google LBC. All things being equal, a searcher is more likely to click on the link that has more positive reviews. Sure, they can be faked but most people are pretty trusting if there are numerous reviews/testimonials that support each other.

In the case of LinkedIn I think they carry a little more weight because they are attributed to a (probably) real person. While they can still be faked, I don’t think most people would go through that much trouble. I think that it is key to get testimonials from people who have actually used your service rather than a colleague or acquaintance who has nice things to say about you. Because you are a nice guy and someone heard you were good at what you do doesn’t cut it.

]]> By: Chris Kellum http://www.thejunglemap.com/post/640#comment-7254 Chris Kellum Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:29:05 +0000 http://www.thejunglemap.com/post/640#comment-7254 I find the testimonials as above to be effective. However, given the FTC rules that go into effect next month, I would be wary of using any testimonials that speak of specific results. Saying your class is great and useful should be fine, but "I made $. . . " should be avoided. It would also depend on who you're marketing to. Testimonials provide more value to cold traffic. If you're marketing to a group of people who are familiar with you (especially if they've purchased something from you before), then they likely wouldn't be needed. I find the testimonials as above to be effective. However, given the FTC rules that go into effect next month, I would be wary of using any testimonials that speak of specific results. Saying your class is great and useful should be fine, but “I made $. . . ” should be avoided.

It would also depend on who you’re marketing to. Testimonials provide more value to cold traffic. If you’re marketing to a group of people who are familiar with you (especially if they’ve purchased something from you before), then they likely wouldn’t be needed.

]]> By: Fred Sexton http://www.thejunglemap.com/post/640#comment-7227 Fred Sexton Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:27:07 +0000 http://www.thejunglemap.com/post/640#comment-7227 I've heard that from a marketing perspective, a video testimonial is suppose to be one of the better tools in your marketing bag. From a search value, I think it helps to have reviews/testimonials for your company in your Google Local Business Center (as well as other local review sites). I’ve heard that from a marketing perspective, a video testimonial is suppose to be one of the better tools in your marketing bag.
From a search value, I think it helps to have reviews/testimonials for your company in your Google Local Business Center (as well as other local review sites).

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