 |
for more information |
 WebProWorld Marketing Forum |
Blogging For PR
“Blogs and participatory journalism are impacting the practice of public relations.” That line was taken from one of my favorite blogs and I couldn’t agree more.
Web Ads: Branding Trumps Clicks
In running a major eBusiness Network (iEntry.com), we still see a resistance to recognize the value of branding from companies advertising banners and other types of display ads. I would be very interested in your thoughts on all of this. Here's the article:
The Blog Marketing Explosion
There are literally thousands of blogs by eBusiness insiders. This has changed the landscape of guerrilla marketing. At first it was seen as just something cool to do ... but blogs are now being used to build personal and corporate credibility that will eventually attract customers (they hope!).
|
| Recent Articles |
Why Every Site Needs RSS
RSS or 'Really Simple Syndication' is not just for Blogs and News sites. Every website can benefit from this newly popular technology. The term 'syndication' is what throws a lot of people off the track. Syndication is like news articles, isn't it?
Use Bundling To Increase Your Profits And Sales
An effective way to increase your profits and sales is to bundle many products or services together into one package.
How to Handle 12 Big Issues for Small Businesses
Some day-to-day work issues can turn into big headaches for small businesses. For example, not having enough help during a busy season or new promotion can hurt production, sales and customer relations in the fulfillment of orders and customer service.
How To Effectively Use Offline Advertising To Build Your Online Business
First of all let me say that having spent the past 20 years working closely with small businesses I know exactly what works when it comes to offline advertising.
10 Phone Marketing Mistakes to Avoid
"I hate making marketing calls. I don't know what to say and how to say it. I've been assigned to find new clients and in the past 4 weeks I brought in zero new clients."
Six Lesser-Known Online Marketing Ideas
Uniqueness is what separates each business, its services and its products. The difference gives buyers and on-line visitors a way of measuring this against that. It also makes the difference on their decision to buy.
The First Ten Seconds Are A Make Or Break
Why do people write long copy? It is not because their readers read it all! People write long stories for the same reason that restaurants that serve big portions get customers lining up at their doors. They are creating the illusion that their meal is cost effective. A long story suggests that there is a lot to say.
German Court Rejects Google Lawsuit
A court in Hamburg, Germany has thrown out a lawsuit against Google concerning trademark infringement. A German company brought the suit against the search engine because they felt Google was selling ads that featured their trademark.
Market Research Means Money
Looking for the right product to sell online? Learn a few simple ways to find what will work, what won't, and who you are up against. I recently made a critical mistake in my progression towards business success: I forgot about market research. I had decided that I was going to make some money with an online store. I thought to myself, where should I start? What can I sell?
|
| |
| 10.21.04
How Testimonials Can Kill Your Sales
 By Yeo Feng
What I'm about to reveal to you can be shocking. It may even turn your entire marketing education upside down...
But once you realize these blunders and use them to your advantage, you will be able to take your sales to the next level.
I'm talking about having "testimonials" or customer's comments on your website.
They're a great selling tool, right?
Yes, but only when used under the right circumstances in the correct way. I can't emphasize that more.
What do I mean?
The worse thing any Internet marketer can do is to come up with false testimonials. That is cheating and downright wrong. In the USA, coming up with fake testimonials is also a crime punishable by law.
So no matter what, even if you're desperate, do not do it!
The 2nd thing they can do is to steal testimonials from others. Because I surf around a lot, I have seen countless sites directly lifting testimonials off their competitor's websites, changing the names and calling it their own.
 Now imagine this for a moment... What will happen if your potential customers happen to come across both sites at once? What will they think of YOUR company and YOUR products?
The 3rd thing some people do is to cut and paste testimonials. They see a testimonial which is well written on someone else's site, take it, change a few words and call them their own...
Fake testimonials will never sell because your readers are smart. Just because testimonials are great selling tools doesn't mean that everyone will be taken in by them.
In fact, red flags start appearing in our minds when we see a large bunch of testimonials without supporting website addresses. Or when we come across something that looks remotely similar to the one found at another website.
| Web Customer Support - Complete solution automates email, FAQs, ticket tracking, more --> try it now |
|
In other words, we know.
A few weeks ago I came across a product which captured my attention. They had a good sales letter up and a whole bunch of testimonials.
Then when I began to read the testimonials in detail and closely, I realized that they looked dubiously similar to those found at another website.
I keyed in some of the website owner's addresses in my address bar and they all turned out to be invalid.
Needless to say, I left the site immediately.
 Yes, testimonials are great selling tools. But whatever you do, make sure you're not...
1) Fabricating
2) Copying or
3) Modifying
them from someone else's website! Solicit for testimonials the right way and always seek to over deliver. If you do so, all the good stuff will come in naturally.
If you are sitting on a pile of customers at the moment, send them an email right now! Ask them for testimonials, comments or feedback and accept all of them graciously.
Even the most negative of feedbacks can serve as a learning experience so be thankful for them. Don't dismiss them immediately.
Are you putting all this into action?
By the way, if you're going to include testimonials on your website... Make them as strong as possible. Don't include wimpy testimonials that only come with initials -- Use your customer's full name and location wherever possible!
In my next article I'm going to give you 10 powerful tips for writing testimonials!
About the Author:
Yeo Feng is the world's first Internet-only sales letter expert who guarantees sales with every letter written. He is also the author of what has been called the "ultimate guide" to Internet Marketing and an independent technology consultant.
His website is at http://www.NakedCopywriter.com |
