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| Chesterfield cigarettes ... Hmm...Times were different then.. (Photo credit: marsmet511) |
Showing off the accolades that you receive from others is not such a bad thing to do. If you're doing it for promotional purposes, it's not bragging or vanity if you're quoting the good things others have said. Many times people are embarrassed when others flatter them in a public forum, but if you believe in yourself and others likewise believe in you then using positive quotes to promote your work makes complete sense.
Businesses need word of mouth buzz and endorsements from customers to attract more customers. If you're marketing a book, a product, or a service, positive reviews can have a bigger effect than any advertising you can do. When somebody says something that particularly stands out, why not use it.
Even soliciting quotes from others makes good sense. If someone who is respected by others is willing to say something good about your product, take advantage of the offer and use their quote in your marketing campaign.
A powerful quote carries more weight than whatever you can say about yourself or what an anonymously composed bit of advertising copy can say. A name behind a quote adds credibility to your marketing campaign.
Do you ever quote something someone else has said about you? Have you ever made a purchase based on the endorsement of a person whose name you recognize? Would it bother you if someone quoted something you said publicly about their product?
Good issue Lee, and very true what you say. When someone say something good about your product it speaks volumns,
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you and your family.
Yvonne.
I love that picture of Reagan surrounded by cartons of chesterfields. It couldn't be more descriptive of time change than if it were a "buggy whip,"
ReplyDeleteAnother fun and learning-filled A-Z.
Enjoy the weekend.
I've asked for quotes, and I've supplied quotes for others. Kind of hard for us to brag about our own stuff. Seems rude. But others can brag!
ReplyDeleteThis post is spot on. Yep, if you are going to sell yourself, you need referrals, or references, or...quotes.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I want to say that commercials are all mostly ineffective now. We are inundated, so we just tune out and turn off. Even if a celebrity is hawking the product, it mostly is in one ear and out the other. Do I really think someone rich like Drew Barrymore is using Cover Girl? No, I do NOT.
ReplyDeleteNow, that aside, back when Jennifer Garner was on the TV show Alias she was interviewed in some women's magazine that I am sure I read in a doctor's office. She always looked GREAT on that show and could pull off a bikini like nobody's business. She wasn't a spokesperson for Venus and their razors, but she said that she loved them. She could even shave her knees without cutting herself. My friend, this is information women need. I immediately took myself to the store and invested in Venus razors. And she was right. Best shave ever and I didn't cut myself and could shave my knees.
She gave an unsolicited review of the Venus razor and it had FAR MORE IMPACT than any commercial. At least for me. I don't have any numbers on how many women started using Venus razors because of that interview. But, I am still thrilled with the product and still use them!!!
Women have to shave their knees?
ReplyDeleteWell, color me Harry(less)!
>>... Do you ever quote something someone else has said about you?
Yes, I do. BUT(!)... I enjoy quoting the negative stuffs as much as I do the positive stuffs! And I am always looking for more negative stuffs about myself and my blog that I can quote in the left column of my F-FFF blog.
I am more apt to quote the negative because I'm prouder of that than I am of the opposite. (I'm a believer in the concept "A Person Is Known By Their Enemies".) So... if anyone has something nasty to say about me, please submit it as a comment and, as long as it doesn't contain profanity, it is almost certain to become a permanent part of my blog!
Right now I have too many positive comments, and I would genuinely like to balance that out.
>>... Have you ever made a purchase based on the endorsement of a person whose name you recognize?
Yeah, probably, but I can't think of any at the moment, because it's not something that would occur very often.
>>... Would it bother you if someone quoted something you said publicly about their product?
Not at all, as long as they quoted me honestly and did not manipulate my wording in order to give it a meaning I did not intend.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I've used one quote for a blog post for my 30 Day Blogging Challenge. And I asked for permission. I think that's the only way I'd use a quote, if I had permission from the person who said or wrote it.
ReplyDeleteYvonne -- I'd rather have my praise come from another source other than myself.
ReplyDeleteManzanita -- I know, the Reagan ad is very cool and so retro.
Alex -- Some self approval is okay in certain cases, but it's better to have others say the good things. It just looks better.
Liza -- When you apply for a job references are often called for so why not when selling a product. I don't want to waste my money on something that's not good.
Robin -- Venus razors must be the gold standard of shaving for women. When my daughters still lived at home they always insisted I buy Venus razors. I made sure I saved the coupons for them because they are a bit pricey.
StMc -- I was struck by the women shaving their knees thing too. Hairy knees? Never thought of that. Yours is a case where negative quotes are appropriate since it suits what you do. Negative comments from detractors give you more street cred--or would that be blog cred?
Chrys -- Asking permission is probably best if you have a relationship with someone, but as long as the quote is taken from a public source I don't see any problem with using it without permission if it is used accurately.
Lee
My favorite quote that I first heard from my sister (I know she got it from somewhere, but don't know where) is, "This too, shall pass." It works when I start getting too stressed!
ReplyDeleteI believe someone once said of my Blog
ReplyDeleteThis blog has left me speechless, it is hard not to think of this as the work of some old scruffy dishevelled nutter who can't type......
I am very proud
Rob Z Tobor
Oh Ronnie, did Nancy put you up to that, lol. What a fun old picture. Can you imagine the horror that would ensue today! I tend to not be easily influenced so what others say about something doesn't carry much weight with me...I like to weigh the pros and cons generally. I think I would be bothered if someone was making money off of something I said; but other then that...eh
ReplyDeleteTraveling Suitcase A-Z
Happy Easter Lee. Bragging is always difficult to do, better if you can get someone to do it for you.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe that ad at the beginning.
I'm better at giving quotes. I still need to learn to ask for them.
ReplyDeleteWoW...now there's a photo from before my time!
ReplyDeleteHappy A-Z April!
I'm trying to think if there was a quote from someone/thing I liked that made me buy another product, but I'm drawing a blank. I do agree with you. A powerful quote from someone else can do wonders.
ReplyDelete~Patricia Lynne~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, YA Author
I have definitely taken the word of people who I respect into account when purchasing products. And I would never mind if someone used a quote of mine to help themselves, but it would be nice if they told me or asked if it was okay.
ReplyDeleteI've given quotes for friends' books and I don't mind if they use them.
ReplyDeleteLisa-- I don't know where that came from either, but I've heard it often.
ReplyDeleteRob -- I can understand the feeling of honor in that quote.
Sandy -- There are not many endorsements I trust when I know someone's been paid for them.
Jo -- That really is a great ad. It's like the old TV ads promoting cigarettes.
Andrew -- I used quotes left in my comment section.
M -- They just don't advertise like they used to!
Patricia -- I've bought music on recommendations from other artists that I've liked. I guess I could call them quotes.
Cyborg -- If it was online I'd definitely want to be told so I could link to it. I happy to provide quotes.
Susan GK - Same with me and I'll keep doing it if asked.
Lee
Whoa!! Seems interesting...
ReplyDelete~S(t)ri
Participant|AtoZ Challenge 2014
Smile, it makes (y)our day!
I have no problem with it, and as your other readers have stated, I think it adds legitimacy when someone else has complimented you.
ReplyDeleteIt can be tricky to promote without sounding arrogant though.
Hi Lee - I don't use others' complements - but I may do when I get round to doing something with the posts in the blog ...
ReplyDeleteI do mention things when I'm chatting about the blog and mention that I'm so lucky to be in the supportive group (with lots of threads out) that is just wonderful to be a part of ..
And yes occasionally I'll buy things people mention - but it'll never be on the spurt of the moment.
Cheers Hilary