Comments on: Are You Demonstrating Enough Proof?

By: watzabatza

watzabatza — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 06:09:06 +0000

@Vincent.. You’re right, ‘coz of its Plate number and the establishment where he parked his car..

By: Mr. School Fundraising Ideas

Mr. School Fundraising Ideas — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:46:13 +0000

Showing proof is a major thing in today’s world. Also it is getting harder to tell what is true anymore. With so many scandals going on in the business world it is hard to know who you can trust and what is real. I like to see some testimonials or some kind of feedback on a website that sell anything. I have testimonials on my site and am planning on expanding the feedback from customers to give other customers a encouragement to buy from us because they know they can trust us.

By: Vicky @ iPhone Game Reviews

Vicky @ iPhone Game Reviews — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 10:07:05 +0000

Proof, or ‘Social Proof’, is a really vast topic. Read the book : ‘Influence’. It has a full chapter on social proof.

By: Ryan@Bellingham Homes

Ryan@Bellingham Homes — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:05:39 +0000

Those car photos are pretty funny. Did you get the sales rep to take those for you? Anyway, I think that there is a lot of power in proof. It seems that so many people over exaggerate everything that they know and say that they can do. This especially is the case on the internet, where you don’t get to see someone face to face. I think that screenshots of analytics have a much better impact than philosophies and ideals.

By: Reyn Aria

Reyn Aria — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:53:57 +0000

Agree… Giving value upfront is definitely the best way to gain trust from your prospects. This way, they will see you as a real expert and willing to listen to what you have to offer. It’s the concept of attraction marketing – you get chased by your prospects instead of you chasing them.

By: Ryan | Lifegawker

Ryan | Lifegawker — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:50:25 +0000

I think a testament to social proof lies in “traditional” marketing. When I used to work in the marketing dept. of a Fortune 500 company we were always trying to quantify and wrap our arms around “word of mouth” advertising. Reason being is that companies know that if a friend of yours tells you about a good or bad experience with a certain company or product, that is going to influence your buying decision.

What Yaro is talking about here with social proof is the same concept in a virtual community. If someone sees a person that is similar to themselves and that person is recommending a product, it will typically have an effect on the purchase habits of the prospecitve buyer.

By: Ryan | Lifegawker

Ryan | Lifegawker — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:42:00 +0000

Not all testimonials are fakes or solicited.

As a reader of blogs, I have left unsolicited testimonials when I felt something was really great. I have even gone so far to tell that person up front that they have my permission to use my comments in a testimonial.

Additionally, there is nothing wrong with using a positive/nice comment that your blog received from one of your readers as testimonial, as Yaro mentioned just ask for their permission.

Not everyone in this world is out to screw others over. I believe what you put out you get in return.

By: Acer Aspire Guy

Acer Aspire Guy — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:51:23 +0000

I am personally turned off when I recieve e mail that has obviously come from an auto responder program. I believe that a personalized email, however short, is far more effective. If you are just too busy to do it yourself, there are many low cost freelancers out there who can be employed at little cost to do it for you.

By: Hardie Board

Hardie Board — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:05:33 +0000

who wants to buy a product that is not tried and true…good article.

By: Internet Marketing

Internet Marketing — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:29:14 +0000

You know what they say…Proof is in the pudding! Usually, the best form of claim, is that your clients can’t stop praising you. They can be an awesome form of advertisement if you provide for that client what is sold to them and you deliver the goods.
I say just make it happen!

By: The Geek Entrepreneur

The Geek Entrepreneur — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:18:10 +0000

Great, great post, Yaro. The kind of proof you talk about here is something which comes with hard work, giving information away for free, and time.

Another key ingredient is being personable. I tend to order products from people who I find to be likable and approachable. The opposite is true for those who I find pushy and full of crap, essentially.

Wesley
The Geek Entrepreneur

By: Mike Collins

Mike Collins — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:24:57 +0000

A popular way to prove yourself to readers/prospects is to tell them how much you earn from the system or ebook you’re selling. But most people don’t realize they are usually talking about gross income, not net. They may indeed make $250,000 using their system but if they spend $245,000 on PPC costs the results become far less impressive.

Even screenshots of Clickbank checks and Paypal accounts should be taken with a grain of salt because they can be altered.

Of course the great majority of marketer’s claims are probably true…but the bad apples force you to be skeptical of them all.

By: Tom - Home Business Marketing Tips

Tom - Home Business Marketing Tips — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:36:54 +0000

No matter what sales letter you look at there are “undeniable proof” and testimonials that the product or system works but there is often no way to contact these people who have bought the product to ask them about it, not even through the vendor.

I think that the best “incentive” for people to buy online is a 60 day money-back guarantee.They have nothing to lose, and the longer the guarantee the less refunds.

By: Deepak Raj

Deepak Raj — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:26:46 +0000

>>> For example, the “reluctant hero” is a classic tale of proof <<<

You stole this from Frank Kern and did not give a credit to him. Yaro, do you think your audience do not indulge in marketing knowledge as much as you do?

By: Peter Cameron

Peter Cameron — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:51:22 +0000

You are totally right; without proving that your product is good and is worth spending money on it, no customer will give you at least 1 cent. Thanks for great tips on demonstrating proof. They all are worth trying, especially creating a guest book in forum, and taking interview from customers.

By: Online Deals Blog

Online Deals Blog — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:30:54 +0000

It’s actually quite difficult to build trust online, showing proof of earnings works to an extend but honestly way too many of them are fake.

I get many ebooks for free to review on my sites and so many of them are just garbage. Proof or no proof trust needs to be built before I buy or recommend anything.

I’m definitely going to check out those interviews.

Steve

By: Reyn Aria

Reyn Aria — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 03:48:54 +0000

I say those proof of earnings are true… but what most of them don’t disclose is the amount of expenditure. I doubt their net profits is just slightly below their revenue. But yeah, they really arise my curiosity to know more about what they’re doing.

By: Elliot

Elliot — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:07:20 +0000

I’m always a sucker for the ebooks with “proof of earnings” in clickbank accounts, half of that stuff is probably fake anyway, but it gets me every time!!;)

By: José

José — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:59:33 +0000

Hi Yaro,

It seems that a blog’s success, namely in the number of visits and advertising also has t odo with its niche.
Mine is about art and I guess that it’s more difficult to become successful than one about health or celebs, but one has to write about one’s preferences, otherwise it would become boring.
I believe that showing to your readers that your passionate about what you write makes them want to come back and makes them closer to you.
It’s like watching an actor who really gets into the character.

Kind regards,

José

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 15:38:47 +0000

In this hard time, many will not spend their money if they cannot see any proof on how they can benefit from what they buy. Thanks Yaro

By: Sweaty Hands

Sweaty Hands — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:22:22 +0000

Another post that really resonated with me. After studying copywriting from master copywriter Gary Bencivenga I’ve realized for the first time the power of the element of proof.

Proof truly is the most important part of marketing. Sometimes I build my whole marketing strategy around proof and it always works like a charm.

Thanks for this post.

Andy

By: Earn Extra Money Online

Earn Extra Money Online — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:54:56 +0000

Readers want to feel a connection with the author and telling your story is a great way in achieving that end. Lately, will the influx of videos cropping up all over the Web, purchasing a cheap Flip Video Mino and actually recording your customer’s success stories makes such an amazing marketing tool.

By: Classifieds

Classifieds — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 04:04:02 +0000

I agree its very important to show the customer that the person creating the product has credibility and is well known. If you show the proof, more people will buy your product

By: T Edwards

T Edwards — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:26:52 +0000

One really interesting fact I got from this post is that many of the testimonials are unsolicited. Forgive me for being a skeptic but I had assumed that most all of the testimonials were solicited in the best case or made up altogether in the worst case.

I know I can’t be the only naysayer out there so what are some secrets to convincing your audience that you, your product, and your customers’ praises are legit?

By: Mark Harrison

Mark Harrison — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:15:30 +0000

Hey Yaro,
This maybe a sad reflection of the whole ‘make money online’ sector but you are one of just 4 bloggers that I not only read but that I believe. This industry is riddled with snake oil sales men but I have to say that all you have delivered so far is honest to good advice that has a base in reality. I am sick of the guys who say they earned $20,000 in 2 days…jeez…treat us like adults at least. Good work my friend/

By: Erica Douglass

Erica Douglass — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:09:21 +0000

Hi noobpreneur,

I’m happy to answer this. When I get testimonials, I get permission to use not only their full name, but their company name and company website as well. I position this as an advertising win for them, as it gets them exposure from everyone who reads the sales letter, as well as an additional link to their site. Almost always they agree. Do this, and people will know that it’s real.

-Erica

By: Erica Douglass

Erica Douglass — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:07:16 +0000

The license plate gives it away

-Erica

By: Noobpreneur

Noobpreneur — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:04:20 +0000

Yaro,

That Ferarri looks good on you!

About proving your worth, testimonial is and will always be a great make-believe tool.

Unfortunately, scammers use fake testimonials (including fake guy-with-porche picture, cropped-and-edited income proof, etc – like what you mentioned in this post).

My question is, how to let your readers know that you are not, well, a scammer? How to present yourself different to those ppl?

Cheers!

By: Andre Thomas

Andre Thomas — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 06:03:47 +0000

One of the best way to show proof is to give away your best techniques. Let your prospects see what you’ve got, let them apply it and prove to themselves that your stuff works.

That’s the stuff I always advise beginners to do to get those testimonials.

By: Cashmere Lashkari

Cashmere Lashkari — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 05:14:59 +0000

Yaro, Its this practical approach of yours to life that I enjoy best. You are believable. I have been reading your blog for over six months now, and it has been a learning experience. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your theories.