Endorsements
Often while browsing a website for some product or service, I will find some quote from one of their notable clients. The quote usually talks about how great the product is and how it saved them all sorts of time and money. In large part these quotes are fake: meaning they asked their client for a quote or the client does not exist altogether and the marketing director made the whole things up.
Here is a quote that I made up right now that speaks to how great I am:
Jeremy Taylor’s expertise in web development and his responsiveness enabled our company to quickly capitalize on a time-sensitive market opportunity. Mr. Taylor provided our firm with some of the most innovative solutions I have seen in my twenty years in the industry. We all owe Jeremy Taylor a debt of gratitude.
- Big Wig #2, Vanilla Frosting Industries
I always wanted a client to sit down and write me an endorsement like the one above, which I fabricated. It seems ridiculous to ask: "Hey Jim, Can you write me a stunning review so I can use it to attract new clients and subsequently spend less time on your project?" One time, many years ago, I asked a client to do just that.
"Yeah, sure thing, Jeremy. You’re great at what you do. Just write something and I’ll sign it."
After years considering the quoted endorsement issue, a milestone moment occurred when I least expected it. Last week I demonstrated some new analytics reports for a client over NetMeeting. I managed to get a stunning endorsement over instant messenger by this client, which was both unscripted and in type so I have the exact transcript. I felt great about his reaction, but I am a little disappointed that I will not be using this is my publicity campaign.
Here it is, no joke:
jeremy: click the tab and then select the group
jeremy: is that what you are looking for?
Client: SHIT
Client: that is fast!!!!
Client: wowowowowowow
Client: this is incredible
jeremy: click the ‘i’ icon in blue on the left
Client: yo baby
Client: yahooooooo
Client: this is really really cool
Client: you done good boy!
jeremy: great
jeremy: should we get together again on Monday?