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ibizniz Forums Member
Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 272
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#1 · Posted: 18 May 2007 16:10
I know that it is a common thing to sign up into forums under different ID's to post questions and then reply under different profiles making the real one look like a hero...
nothing I would ever do or have done or recommend (as I feel that the writing styles come thru)
but giving testimonials, falsely, is this over stepping an ethical marketing boundary?
Outsourcing testimonials, from 'M' in India, wow... not mentioning names here to not look like a crow (and to reduce the hate mail) but if 'M' is just a fabulous friend of yours '- -' who never wants to ever mention his website, just your website URL and your name, I apologize...
maybe this is an untapped market from India we should all look into?

cheers Maria
here come the PM's
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CoastalToday Forums Member
Joined: 2 Apr 2007 Posts: 150
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#2 · Posted: 18 May 2007 17:11
???
What am I missing here?
I understand the general concept, but don't see where it applies in this forum?
Tonya
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ibizniz Forums Member
Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 272
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#3 · Posted: 18 May 2007 19:00
Hello Tonya
well to me it was quite shocking to see a coastal director of very high standing participating in this kind of activity (unless the director really has such a fan that wants to post the directors name and websites over the net)
I guess maybe only i think its a big deal
it comes down to honesty and integrity
cheers maria
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CoastalToday Forums Member
Joined: 2 Apr 2007 Posts: 150
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#4 · Posted: 18 May 2007 19:16
Hi Maria,
I see, you must have seen this on someone's site? I thought you were speaking about the forum participants in general and I was confused.
Yes, I agree, false testimonials are simply wrong. It's not only you that has a bad taste in your mouth.
I do think that generic testimonials for Coastal are just fine, though, especially for new members who don't yet have any of their own.
Thanks for taking the time to clarify.
Tonya
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ibizniz Forums Member
Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 272
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#5 · Posted: 18 May 2007 20:07
Thanks Tonya
I thought I was going mad
yes, generic testimonials about coastal are fine and saying you have a great director is fine, but when you plug your director and website and not even mention your own website...it is not a normal thing to do
..............
sorry for not being clear
thanks for responding,
cheers maria
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goldmills Forums Member
Joined: 3 Apr 2007 Posts: 184
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#6 · Posted: 18 May 2007 22:19
If you can, to show real testimonials, one should always include...
1. Full Name 2. State, city 3. Picture if possioble 4. audio or video
Having that makes it 100% credible in the eyes of a potential consumer.
Some people don't want to give out their details either... so... they use initials.
Jeff
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ibizniz Forums Member
Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 272
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#7 · Posted: 18 May 2007 22:32
that is correct for a real testimonial plus website URL
cheers maria
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Vishal P. Rao
Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1322
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#8 · Posted: 19 May 2007 00:30
Quoting: ibizniz nothing I would ever do or have done or recommend (as I feel that the writing styles come thru)
You really can't stop that but like you mentioned, if you spend some time in the forums, you can easily identify fake ones from genuine ones from their writing style. In mosts cases, fake testimonials never exceed 50 words in length and if you view their profile, you'll find most of the fields empty.
Also, in most forums there are reputable members whose views carry more credibility and is convincing than others.
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ibizniz Forums Member
Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 272
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#9 · Posted: 19 May 2007 00:34
Hello Vishal
right on...the profiles are empty
and they deliberately add in a few spelling mistakes

cheers maria
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susaneng Forums Member
Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 120
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#10 · Posted: 19 May 2007 04:08
Thank you Vishal for the information. This is good to know.
Susan
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Http://www.wealthbuildingtravel.com Book your travel with the best rates: http://www.susaneng.joystar.com
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matiasmommy
Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 346
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#11 · Posted: 19 May 2007 13:38
that is REALLY very sad to hear.. This is a genuine and creditable business.. why on earth would someone stoop to low as to put up a fake testimonial and risk not only thier business credibility but the rest of ours as well?
I say hunt them down and strangle them!!!
I stick all contact info in testimonials.. and want to have unique ones on my site. I asked for them to be long, realistic and detailed on purpose..
The intention of this on my site, is to provide a variety of testimonials that really showcase that person.. so that if a visitor resonates with and contacts them, my team members have leads, and very warm ones!
Cheers
Jani Teeter L3 Director, CSG
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luvtravel Forums Member
Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 811
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#12 · Posted: 19 May 2007 16:51
Quoting: matiasmommy that is REALLY very sad to hear.. This is a genuine and creditable business.. why on earth would someone stoop to low as to put up a fake testimonial and risk not only thier business credibility but the rest of ours as well? I say hunt them down and strangle them!!!
LOL!!
maybe that's just a wee bit overkill......
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matiasmommy
Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 346
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#13 · Posted: 20 May 2007 09:14
Well.. I didn't mean it LITERALLY! I'm a true pacifist. However, I am passionate about maintaining the credibility, accountability and high ethics of this business.
There is too many scams and scammers out there- this is one of the very few genuine, proven home based businesses out there today.
I looked around a bit under the "big name" directors in this industry.. and I found what you were talking about Maria. I'm not mentioning names either, but gee whiz- that director really stands to loose a great deal of credibility- as does the group that individual represents. Someone on here stated not too long ago that all is fair in love and war. This business is neither of those things, and I can't adhere to that philosophy anyhow.. but goodness me I'm sad for good people who might be affected by this.
I hope this is not a new trend. I would really hate to see the good reputation of this business or the personal reputations of once ethical directors spoiled. Marketing is one thing, but black hat SEO is another, altogether.
Not a nice thing for me to see..
Take the high road people. Please keep our good business clean and on the up and up! Short term gain always leads to long term pain.
Jani Teeter L3 Director, CSG
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