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cafeinst Elite user 489 Posts |
I'm curious what you all think about testimonials from actors about one's magic show. I found a site www.fiverr.com in which actors will give great testimonials for anything you want for only $5. Or is it better to stick with the real thing?
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cafeinst Elite user 489 Posts |
I mean video testimonials.
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
All of your testimonials should be genuine, from people who have seen your show, and have been willing to give a testimonial (video, written, audio).
If you don't have testimonials, then you need to do some shows, and ask customers for some testimonials. If you still can't get them, then you need to work on your show skills and customer service skills. I have some magician friends who have celebrity endorsements (and did not pay for them)... believe me, they earned them by doing an exceptional job. - Donald P.S. I have to wonder about a "real" celebrity / actor who will give you their endorsement for only $5. It's my understanding that real paid celebrity endorsements range from the thousands up to the millions (not necessarily referring to a mere video testimonial for a service / product)... Dan Kennedy touched on this topic in one of his books, I think.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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dearwiseone Inner circle Portland, OR 1143 Posts |
Why pay for endorsements? I guess it's a good idea if you can't get real testimonials. That's sad:(
Would you want to read testimonials that came from people who had never used the product or service? Isn't that a bit deceitful? How can someone give you an honest, testimonials, or endorsement if they haven't used your services? - Kevin |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
I've also heard of people selling hundreds / thousands of Facebook Page "likers", and selling hundreds / thousands of twitter "followers", on Fiverr. But that doesn't mean those likers / followers are qualified to bring you business (or that they actually read your posts / tweets). It might not even mean that the majority of those following accounts are real people. It seems to be all about a person's ego... the person who bought the "likers" and "followers" trying to look important. Again, too much fake & deceitful business practice. I suspect that if genuine prospects found out about this behaviour, you'd lose some potential business.
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Why? I can't imagine a situation where I would encourage this. It screams unprofessionalism.
I've never heard of this and couldn't imagine even considering this, especially when there are so many easy and great methods to get the real thing. If you got to pay for testimonials, you are not ready to have them. |
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jugglery New user 29 Posts |
A video client of mine sent one of these video testimonials to me to use in his promo. I could tell right away that it was fake, and I'm sure that any potential client watching would be able to tell, as well. It isn't worth doing, if only because of the chance of being caught in a lie. Who would trust a performer like that?
And, as others have said, why pay to get fake testimonials when real ones are free, sincere, more effective - and true!? |
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cafeinst Elite user 489 Posts |
Yes, I agree that getting fake testimonials is a bad move. But I've seen some of the actors on fiverr.com and they are very good.
So how about paying a very good actor to endorse your product via video, then at the end of the video admitting that it is a fake testimonial? Then you say, "Surprised? You'll be even more surprised when you invite "Magician's name" to your next event." |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Magicians already have enough reputation and perception problems, why invite other potential misperceptions?
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cafeinst Elite user 489 Posts |
You are right, Mindpro.
I was just brainstorming. I'm glad I asked for your opinions before trying anything. |
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Horrible idea I have to say. If an actor will give a testimonial for a fiver, a satisfied client will give one for far less.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
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On Apr 6, 2014, TonyB2009 wrote: Couldn't agree more. Your testimonials have to be genuine. If you don't have any, hand out a "comment sheet" at the end of your next few shows. Then use some of the audience's comments. And attach the relevant name to each comment ... otherwise they will be presumed to be phony. |
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cafeinst Elite user 489 Posts |
The reason I had suggested it in the first place wasn't because I couldn't get testimonials. It's because the testimonials from actors simply look better than testimonials from normal people. It's the same reason why David Copperfield has selected stooges for tricks that don't require stooges. Paradoxically, stooges know how to act the part of an audience member better than an audience member.
But I am not going to do it. |
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Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
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On Apr 7, 2014, Caféinst wrote: Here's something you need to think about: consistency. If everything you are doing is a bit DIY (like most of us), and all the sudden you have these crazy professional testimonials, it will stand out as inconsistent to your personal footage. Or, if the person you choose doesn't look or act like your target market, that can raise a red flag too. It sounds like you realize that people are smart and wouldn't appreciate fake testimonials. The next question becomes, how am I going to get them given my resources? In painting a picture and telling a story, you don't need to ONLY have paid clients say what they think of you. You can simply perform for some random people and get their perspective on your magic, that is much more authentic than having fake ones even, if they didn't pay for your services. Though, that will take more effort and can't be outsourced with the click of a button. Whatever testimonials you get need to contribute to the picture you are trying to paint. Testimonials can boost buyer confidence, relieve doubts, get the viewer excited, etc. And testimonials are hard to get as it is (not everyone you film is usable), but its a long term strategy that can be helpful. Some people don't need testimonials because their credibility is huge already, or because the rest of the footage speaks for itself. But the rest of can add sprinkles of them around to enhance the message. If you don't have your main message figured out, testimonials won't do anything for you. |
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cafeinst Elite user 489 Posts |
In my experience, it is difficult to get people to go on camera and give a video testimonial. I personally wouldn't want to have my image out there on a video that I have no control over. And most people aren't very good on camera.
It is much easier to get a written testimonial, but even that can be difficult. Not everyone wants their name to be found on google and also people are busy. |
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JoshLondonMagic Special user 675 Posts |
If you don't perform often getting video testimonials can be hard, but paying for them is not only a bad idea but extremely dishonest. If people do t give you testimonials your show isn't good or that particular person just doesn't want to.
If the latter, ask someone else. Josh
Josh
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Here is a new position. Testimonials are crap. They mean almost NOTHING regardless of what your guru types want to sell you. They are OVER used and relied upon because guys think they are clever doing it.
What better "testimonial" could there be than watching you doing your show and seeing an audience erupt in laughter or applause or show them filing out just laughing and talking? Do you REALLY think that seeing some nameless, faceless person saying how great you are helps? Do you NOT think they automatically figure it could be your uncle? Come on guys. From someone famous, sure go for it. (If you get anyone really famous for $5 I would check how famous they still are but that is another story.) I just don't see the point of people talking about how great the show is instead of just showing people how great the show is. No I do not mean they are complete crap, I threw that out to get people thinking. They do have some value. It is just that in the past few years it has become a WAY over used method. Sure there is value in genuine testimonials. IN MODERATION. Paying anyone to do them is NOT MODERATION. The fact is you get testimonials all the time. It is called word of mouth. You get it whether you like it or not. Eventually people will notice the difference in fake testimonials and the show. Then the word catches up with you.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
I've never been a fan of testimonials, because in my opinion most that read or view them always wonder if they are actual. With that said, the only testimonials that I believe to be effective, which you just don't see anymore is the testimonials that include the persons actual name, company, school or venue, title and/or position AND their phone number for reference. These used to be gold back in their day, but today it simply doesn't happen.
I get the whole social proof, but as Danny stated, there is nothing better than a referral or direct word of mouth, which are the ultimate forms of testimonials. Also unsolicited testimonials on company letterhead used to be great too, but today's tactics water down the entire effect, so all your doing is provided supposed social proof, which I don't think is as effective as many would like to think. |
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cafeinst Elite user 489 Posts |
What about using actors or actresses in promotional videos, not giving testimonials but hyping up the show? Let's face it. Most magicians are normal-looking men, not Brad Pitt. I would think an attractive actress could increase interest in the act of a normal-looking man. I'm curious what you all think.
I'm just brain-storming. I would rather people select magicians based on their talent, but this is the real world and people are what they are. |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
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On Apr 7, 2014, Caféinst wrote: There are a lot of objections in this post, but I have the feeling that either you haven't tried at all, or you haven't tried hard enough, to get genuine testimonials. I haven't tried to get video testimonials, but I can tell you that it is possible to get written testimonials. I have dozens and dozens on my website, from all sorts of types of customers (birthdays, Christmas parties, schools, churches, events, etc.) Some arrived by email, and some arrived in the mail. I explained how this was possible in my post earlier on the thread... a good show and good customer service skills (I also suggested why some people can't get them... because they have a weak show or weak customer service skills, and therefor they should be working on those). And yes, it's partly a law of averages. You ask all of your customers for a testimonial / reference letter, and some of them will write them. (The law of averages also applies to selling... you try to sell to those who inquire about your shows, but not everyone will hire you.) You can work on your law of averages by doing a couple of things. The key time is to ask immediately after the show, when the customer is very happy with your services. You can also remind them a day or two later, in a follow up email or letter. Then leave it alone, and don't be a pest. I still get testimonial / reference letters all of the time, because I ask for them. And yes, I do believe that testimonials have an impact when selling to some customers. And yes, I also agree that a referral, or someone actually seeing you perform, is more powerful than a testimonial from a stranger. But they are all different tools for a marketer to use, to help sell the show. - Donald P.S. I shouldn't have to state the obvious, but I will. I'm only asking my show customers (the person who hired me) for a testimonial / reference letter. I'm not asking random audience members. Some performers try to get video testimonials from audience members, as well as from their customers. But those are two different types of video testimonials.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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