the Free Hypnosis Social Network
paying clients for testimonials - YEA or NAY?
Hello,
I am starting this discussion in order to start a discussion regarding the topic of paying clients for testimonials. I made a comment on another thread in response to something I read there, but it is off-topic to the point of that thread. So here is a thread specific to that topic. Below is the comment in the original thread (underlined) and my response to it.
Although I am firmly in the "NAY" group, I am genuinely curious to hear from people who support the concept of paying clients for testimonials, and what the reasoning might be.
Have fun!
"--- re: "I am offering free hypnosis sessions in exchange for a testimonial for my website."
I am totally repulsed by the idea of offering any type of compensation in exchange for a testimonial. If you use those testimonials, the only half-way ethical use of them would be if they were clearly identified in some way as paid testimonials. Which would by inference cause all testimonials on your site to be dismissed.
Certain types of professions in certain states are required by law to disclose the nature of these types of testimonials. I doubt that hypnosis is, in your state, but you may want to check that you aren't violating some trade statute. Regardless of the legality of it, it is just a terribly lame thing to do, and even counter-productive. Example being a business owner I used to have a fairly high regard for, but then they offered to give free products and service as long as a good testimonial was given... to me they lost all credibility, my regard for them plummeted and I started to see their other actions in a "shady" light as well. Maybe I am weird, but I am guessing I am not the only one.
Totally unnecessary... if you are any good at all, and just willing to ask for testimonials, you should have no problem getting them from clients who give you real $$$. Especially if you are a charismatic friendly outgoing person which I can tell you must be based solely on your profile picture (just half-kidding).
I hope this gives you something useful to consider, it is meant to help. Regardless of what you choose to do, I wish you luck."
I am starting this discussion in order to start a discussion regarding the topic of paying clients for testimonials. I made a comment on another thread in response to something I read there, but it is off-topic to the point of that thread. So here is a thread specific to that topic. Below is the comment in the original thread (underlined) and my response to it.
Although I am firmly in the "NAY" group, I am genuinely curious to hear from people who support the concept of paying clients for testimonials, and what the reasoning might be.
Have fun!
"--- re: "I am offering free hypnosis sessions in exchange for a testimonial for my website."
I am totally repulsed by the idea of offering any type of compensation in exchange for a testimonial. If you use those testimonials, the only half-way ethical use of them would be if they were clearly identified in some way as paid testimonials. Which would by inference cause all testimonials on your site to be dismissed.
Certain types of professions in certain states are required by law to disclose the nature of these types of testimonials. I doubt that hypnosis is, in your state, but you may want to check that you aren't violating some trade statute. Regardless of the legality of it, it is just a terribly lame thing to do, and even counter-productive. Example being a business owner I used to have a fairly high regard for, but then they offered to give free products and service as long as a good testimonial was given... to me they lost all credibility, my regard for them plummeted and I started to see their other actions in a "shady" light as well. Maybe I am weird, but I am guessing I am not the only one.
Totally unnecessary... if you are any good at all, and just willing to ask for testimonials, you should have no problem getting them from clients who give you real $$$. Especially if you are a charismatic friendly outgoing person which I can tell you must be based solely on your profile picture (just half-kidding).
I hope this gives you something useful to consider, it is meant to help. Regardless of what you choose to do, I wish you luck."
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Scott Sandland on -
Hey Grumpy-
I'm really interested to see the feedback on this topic and am glad you seperated it from the other discussion.
I know a few trainerswho teach students to start out that way in order to get more practice, more confidence, and some free testimonials.
How do you feel about brand new hypnos offering free sessions to gain all the experience they need to start a real practice and in doing so acquire testimonials for the sessions they give away? Are those quotes also suspect in your opinion, or does it all come down to intention and motive?
-Scott
-
Permalink Reply by the grumpy hypnotist on -
Hello Scott,
I would distinguish between the following:
a) the practice of advising beginners to give away free sessions, and
b) the practice of offering the public free sessions in exchange for testimonials
I think they are different, and each is problematic for their own reasons. But if a beginner happens to get testimonials as a result of (a)... then good for them! That is something to be very proud of especially as a beginner, and I think will be much more confidence-enhancing than a testimonial that you know deep inside wasn't from the "heart", but was simply a quid-pro-quo done out of obligation.
But, I think it is still a bad idea to offer free sessions to gain experience. To me that is like encouraging beginners to practice on friends or family members. It's just my belief that friends, family members, and non-paying "clients" can be the worst people to develop skills and confidence with. I would include in that category: practicing with fellow hypnotists. I know this goes against what seems to be generally accepted as standard advice from trainers... but it seems to me that a lot of the generally accepted advice in this field has not really resulted in a great number of confident, actively practicing hypnotists out there.
-
Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on -
I say ix-nay on the paid testimonials --
I used to run mentoring clinics for newly certified hypnos who wanted supervised experience helping people with AIDS and cancer who needed help and came into one of my programs for free or low cost hypnosis sessions.
FYI -- I soon dropped the free stuff because people had a hard time valuing something that was free
-
Permalink Reply by Doreen Cohanim C.Ht on -
Hi Grumpy,
I agree with you that the two freebies are different, since, as a beginner I had over 100 Free clients, that they turned out to be paid client, the free sessions were only for the first few sessions, after that they agreed to pay a low fee, that was to make sure they value the sessions.. I believe their testimonials were as a result of being paid client and not free clients.
And the free clients who did not want to become a paid client, really didn't invest in feeling better... they just wanted the freebies and gone.. yes I got testimonials from them, but it had no value to it... maybe just excitement... if you know what I mean...
And Instead I did earn more experience from my freebies, In fact, I didn't even care to ask for testimonials until later when I needed to build my website... at that time all I cared was, to develop my hypnotic tools, and thanks to that, today I am doing well, soon will be doing extremely well....
I had times, when I didn't have any clients and money to pay my bills, so I started to offer freebies and low cost sessions, It didn't help, therefore I have changed the way I handle things, and thanks god I am on, building my successful practice.
Doreen Cohanim C.Ht
-
Permalink Reply by GIL BOYNE on
-
Hello Scott & Grumpy,--The National Council for Hypnotherapy (largest in the UK) membership voted against the use of testimonials from clients. They banned them for the following reasons;a) they are easily faked using friends, relatives and associates to write them. Some are created out of the imagination.e.g. Harry Wilson, Chicago. b) Potential clients reading the testimonials may be put off, fearing their privacy may be violated.
c) it is virtually impossible to verify the reality of these testimonials. This ban does not apply to testimonials from students of hypnotherapy training schools/ programs. For these reasons, last year I began attaching full name, occupation, city and email addresses to all student testimonials
I plan to implement this policy for members of the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners.
Paid testimonials are unethical and deceptive advertising.
I know a few trainerswho teach students to start out that way in order to get more practice, more confidence, and some free testimonials. How do you feel about brand new hypnos offering free sessions to gain all the experience they need to start a real practice and in doing so acquire testimonials for the sessions they give away? Are those quotes also suspect in your opinion, or does it all come down to intention and motive?
-Scott
-
Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on -
Michael Ellner said:I say ix-nay on the paid testimonials --
I used to run mentoring clinics for newly certified hypnos who wanted supervised experience helping people with AIDS and cancer who needed help and came into one of my programs for free or low cost hypnosis sessions.
FYI -- I soon dropped the free stuff because people had a hard time valuing something that was free
Michael,
I have had it proven time and again that Free = No Value. As a matter of fact, I think that would make a good discussion topic. I go forth and pursue!
John
-
Permalink Reply by Shirley R. Patterson on -
I say no to paid testimonials. As a consumer, I always question if the testimonials are real or not.
-
Permalink Reply by Tranzkey on -
But consider that word-of-mouth advertising is a testimonial.
You can give a person a handful of business cards, and maybe a free hypnosis CD as a "bribe," and then it sounds a lot less sleazy.
-
Permalink Reply by Sean Michael Andrews on -
The whole issue here is the "quid pro quo". If the hypnotist offers his services in exchange for a testimonial, this is not good. If the hypnotist offers his services for free and the client is very happy and decides to give a testimonial, I think it's okay. I encourage my students to do free sessions to gain experience.
-Sean Michael Andrews
www.WorldsFastestHypnotist.com
-
Permalink Reply by Jill Semonin PhD- CHt on -
I have to agree with not paying clients for a testimonial. My paying clients are normally much happier than they were prior to seeing me and are quite happy to writing a small testimonial for my website. I do send Thank you cards and give free items, like pens, or something small, but I have received thank you cards and plenty of wonderful testimonials that i do place on my website, I am getting ready to add more. I also let them know never use their name, just initials and city and state, so I protect their privacy and let them know it. I also have had clients tell me that I could use them as for reference as well. Satisfied clients will always go the distance to support what worked for them. I no longer do free sessions, but when I did, my free clients also had no problem giving a testimonial too.
Blessings~
Jill
-
Permalink Reply by James Malone on -
An unsolicited testimonial is great -a paid one terrible. God forbid a journalist who wanted to do a piece slamming the profession snooped around and found out. The damage to the practitioners repuation would be irreversible.
I personally put little credence in testimonials and especially after the following encounter. I met someone who was involved with promoting a weight loss supplement. The ad agency used fitness models for the pictorials, women who were also personal trainers and the like. A common ploy is that when one of them became pregnant they would photograph them a day or two after delivery for a compelling "before" picture (overweight, exhausted looking, etc). Since fitness was their profession and liftestyle they inevitably got back into great shape soon after, a transformation credited to the miracle "product."
-
Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on -
The nearest I have ever got to a testimonial, (in thirty years of full time practice) is personal referals, by word of mouth.
I would no want any other terstimonial, and would not for the life of me, think of asking a client, who was happy with my work, to write me a testimonial.
It is not good practice in my thinking..
I occasionally get a card from an ex client with praise, at christmas, or similar... but I simply teasure, and keep this along with their other 'confidential reccords'.
It is not for public consumption... A basic respect for the boundaries of the relationship.
You have done the work... you have been paid by the client... let them be. that is the end of your contract... they are not part of your publicity campaign.
when I see ads with "testimonials" from satisfied clients... I just move on
And so do many clients... because they know that their sharings, are just fodder for the therapists ego.
Now... that last bit seems contentious... let's hope not too many people attack me for it.
Love and hugs,
Fable
Featured Advertising
Latest Activity
Roy Hunter replied to Hypno-Jay's discussion 'What is your favourite tool ?'
Barry Neale replied to Hypno-Jay's discussion 'Wow'
Hypno-Jay replied to Hypno-Jay's discussion 'What is your favourite tool ?'
Roy Hunter replied to Hypno-Jay's discussion 'Wow'
Spellbinde, Kevin Cole-NLPTrainingQuest.com and 2 other members joined Michael Ellner's group
Spellbinde, Suggestive Celine -"The Queen of and 3 other members joined Leshem Yosef's group
© 2012 Created by Scott Sandland.
About Us
Contact Us
Subscribe To RSS