An Automated Testimonial Machine

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Most marketers know they can benefit from customer testimonials, but the work involving acquiring these glowing marketing messages can get in the way. I’ve been using a handy tool to generate and play audio messages on web sites for some time now, but I’ve recently started using this same service to automatically generate testimonials.

Here’s how it works. I send a client a link. (or post it to a web page.) When the client clicks on the link they are taken to a page that asks them to write a brief testimonial, then they are moved to a screen that gives them a toll free phone number and asks them to call and recorded a voice testimonial. The script even allows them to upload their picture to be used in a testimonial posted to a web page.

Once a client participates in the system, the act of placing their testimonial, including the audio clip, is fairly painless. Testimonials are very powerful and become even more so with images and audio to back them up.

Click this link to see how the automated testimonial machine works.

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Posted by: John Jantsch on Jan 22, 07 | 1:01 pm
Category: word of mouth | Tags:

Comments

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FERGUS O'ROURKE

For me, and for most people I know, anonymous or semi-anonymous testimonials are absolutely useless. I pay them no attention. Worse, I tend to think less of people who use them. It must be one of those things that divide us like our common language. (I live and work on the Eastern side of the Atlantic).

John Jantsch

Fergus,

Not sure I get what you are saying. Are you saying that a written testimonial with name, email address, URL, photo and audio quote is useless? Or are your confirming that a tool like this makes a testimonial real for you?

Chris

I like this idea a lot, but had some issues about the particualar implementation.

I found that their web page felt very cheesy, and especially find that when I open a web page and audio starts playing immediately, I am very turned off.

I wonder if there's a way to incorporate some of the identity verificiation stuff that LinkedIn has, when you endorse someone there.

Still, a cool idea.

There's another serivice called Audio Acrobat that looks interesting: http://www.audioacrobat.com/.

John Jantsch

Chris,

Thanks - I think cheesy is fair, I've seen Audio Acrobat before, thanks for the reminder it does look good - I'll check it out again.

Fergus O'Rourke

John,
I am saying the latter - if used to the full, anyway. However, I suspect that it would be slow to catch on over here, in the B2b markets anyway, because testimonials are tainted. Trying to think why, I seem to associate them with "snake-oil"-type ads.

Cord Silverstein

John,

Interesting post. I was wondering what kind of results you have been having with audio messages on a web page? I have heard and seen mixed signals. Thanks.

John Jantsch

Cord,

I've seen both too - the key is to use it wisely and in line with your overall branding. A lot of Internet Marketers use it in ways that is so over the top it detracts.

Cord Silverstein

I agree John. I would also say depending on your target market and how savvy and braodband dependent their users are might be a determination on whether audio is right or not. Thanks John, I really enjoy your blog.

Dave Rachford, CPA

I use the audio generator utility - and yes - it can appear cheesy as for the interface, and a number of "internet marketer" type guys use it a ton.

Never-the less: CPAs are a pretty conservative bunch, and I have some CPA testimonials on my page, and I believe they are as valuable as gold.

Why? Social proof. Name, City, Picture, and their voice.

Dave

John Jantsch

Dave,

So what you're saying CPAs like cheese, right? Sorry, couldn't help it.

Jodi Kaplan

Well, my dad's a CPA, and he definitely likes cheese (crackers too). :)

But seriously, I'm wary of "push" audio, as it can be distracting in an office full of people. It might work better with some tweaking (change the web site, click to hear the audio, etc.).

I think testimonials can be very powerful, even more so if they are from a recognized or trusted source (whether a trusted blogger, someone from a well-known company, or your peers). Plus, recording (rather than writing) might be easier for some people.

If the quibbles are addressed, it could be a useful tool.

Eric Watts

Well, it says it is at AudioGenerator.com, which is ownerd by Armand Morin, who only ever sells garbage and sub-standard software.

He is the ULITMATE garbage marketer, so...

Beth Gasser

Marketing is marvelous because it allows us to step out of the mode we ourselves "prefer" and appeal to others in a variety of ways including audio, video, and text (and who knows what's next). The method that is skipped because it's a turn off to the creator, might be a turn off to potential clients who prefer that mode of communication. Which would you rather please, yourself or those you are marketing to? Someone who takes the time to write, record, and send someone a testomonial is likely to be sincere. I suggest a follow up phone call/email to thank them and inquire more about it.

TameBay » Blog Archive

<pingback>...and overcomplicating the one thing that actually worked on eBay, how about doing something a bit more fun with feedback? Letting your buyers record a message and post a picture of them wearing the new shirt/jewellery/car they bought off you would ...</pingback>

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