ChrisLM2001
11-27-2005, 07:54 AM
A plain English do and don't about testimonials.
Today at vB, in the pre-sales forum, I came across a testimonial that came out of the blue.
This supposely n00b with two left thumbs a couple days before had some questions of the software, and got them answered in a very nice manner. Then, days later, came a glowing review that could bring a tear to an eye.
It would've passed real well if:
Competition wasn't around (a natural skeptical bunch).
If the poster never asked the n00b questions and left a crumb trail with complete winking and blinking vB owners
(which can tell a visitor the n00b isn't one, and knows vB users already to actually know how to use it.
Don't be overly friendly like that, as it sends off bells and whistles it's a forum seed type thread).
If the reviewer didn't claim to be a total n00b, yet will try sooooo many different softwares to defy being a total n00b to software operation and use.
When writing and accepting testimonials about your forum (or software) be very intuned on what is said and it's intended audience. The above situation is supposely aimed at new vBulletin buyers who are total n00bs, but falls flat -- the message doesn't match the audience. It doesn't match because humans are reluctant to change, and even more so if they have to pop $160 down and learn a very robust software that even vixes gurus at times to upgrade, mod, and maintain. Those striking out the first time, are going to wait awhile about giving a testimonial as well -- because they'll have to learn how to use a product/feature, and that takes time (as they're n00bs)!
Truth in advertizing is very, very, very important for any forum Admin (and software designer). Testimonials that don't meet up with reality will cast doubt on your forum, and what means the Admin/designer will do to promote it. From the very start two blows can occur, and not even before a person asks about your forum or software!!
So when you write and/or accept testimonials for the frontpage of your forum/website (or on other forums), tailor the testimonial per population, and carefully screen the content to make sure the above error doesn't occur. As you only have one chance to get a new visitor or lurker to join and participate. Blow it, and you may not only lose a visitor/lurker, potentially 10 more, as that's the statistic of how many offended folks will tell others about how they dislike the forum/content/members or product.
In summary: your testimonial PR value is only as good as it's content and it's intended audience. Make darn sure that they match, and the glowing reviews meet reality. If it doesn't, the PR value is worthless, and even worse, can even destroy your gains.
Chris
Today at vB, in the pre-sales forum, I came across a testimonial that came out of the blue.
This supposely n00b with two left thumbs a couple days before had some questions of the software, and got them answered in a very nice manner. Then, days later, came a glowing review that could bring a tear to an eye.
It would've passed real well if:
Competition wasn't around (a natural skeptical bunch).
If the poster never asked the n00b questions and left a crumb trail with complete winking and blinking vB owners
(which can tell a visitor the n00b isn't one, and knows vB users already to actually know how to use it.
Don't be overly friendly like that, as it sends off bells and whistles it's a forum seed type thread).
If the reviewer didn't claim to be a total n00b, yet will try sooooo many different softwares to defy being a total n00b to software operation and use.
When writing and accepting testimonials about your forum (or software) be very intuned on what is said and it's intended audience. The above situation is supposely aimed at new vBulletin buyers who are total n00bs, but falls flat -- the message doesn't match the audience. It doesn't match because humans are reluctant to change, and even more so if they have to pop $160 down and learn a very robust software that even vixes gurus at times to upgrade, mod, and maintain. Those striking out the first time, are going to wait awhile about giving a testimonial as well -- because they'll have to learn how to use a product/feature, and that takes time (as they're n00bs)!
Truth in advertizing is very, very, very important for any forum Admin (and software designer). Testimonials that don't meet up with reality will cast doubt on your forum, and what means the Admin/designer will do to promote it. From the very start two blows can occur, and not even before a person asks about your forum or software!!
So when you write and/or accept testimonials for the frontpage of your forum/website (or on other forums), tailor the testimonial per population, and carefully screen the content to make sure the above error doesn't occur. As you only have one chance to get a new visitor or lurker to join and participate. Blow it, and you may not only lose a visitor/lurker, potentially 10 more, as that's the statistic of how many offended folks will tell others about how they dislike the forum/content/members or product.
In summary: your testimonial PR value is only as good as it's content and it's intended audience. Make darn sure that they match, and the glowing reviews meet reality. If it doesn't, the PR value is worthless, and even worse, can even destroy your gains.
Chris
