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Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
About 6 weeks ago a client from a prestigious venue sent me an email and said some very nice things about my show.
Rather than just come out an ask if it would be okay to use this, I thought about just putting it on my website. Is there anything wrong with this approach? Gerry |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I don't know if anything is specifically wrong with it but I wouldn't do it personally.
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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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
I would come out and ask, but I don’t think you’re legally required to since you do have it in writing that he said it.
Still maybe if you mention in the thank you note that you appreciate the kind words and if it is ok you would like to put it on your site. Most likely he will respond with and ok, but if you don’t hear back in a reasonable amount of time, you could .probably assume it was alright. The wording is important, “I appreciate the kind words and if it is ok I would like to put it on my website.” You ask but you’re not really expecting an answer, if that makes sense. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Thanks.
I appreciate all your comments. Gerry |
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Carducci Special user Denver 543 Posts |
Always better to ask. I've always done this and learned quickly that this can be a BIG DEAL for some companies.
In 2001 I received an email similar to yours. It was from a big company that you've probably heard of. Wanting both to share the glowing testimonial and also that I worked for that particular company I asked. This particular company had a "corporate communication policy" which limits what an employee can (and can't) say publicly, especially when identified as representing that company or implied to represent that company. Publishing that testimonial would have violated their communication policy and could possibly have cost my client her job. I asked, she said "no" and explained why, I respected that. I went on to do several more events for that client. |
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WitchDocChris Inner circle York, PA 2614 Posts |
Just adding a +1 to Carducci's post.
Some companies are strict about anything that seems to be an Official Endorsement. I'm not a lawyer, so definitely don't take this as legal advice, but I would also worry it could fall under false association. This is a case where permission is definitely preferable over forgiveness. You may also get a summarized version that reads easily on a site as well.
Christopher
Witch Doctor Psycho Seance book: https://tinyurl.com/y873bbr4 Boffo eBook: https://tinyurl.com/387sxkcd |
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Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Many thanks for all the comments.
As you can tell, I was 50/50 on this. Thanks to your suggestions, I'm just going to ask. Better to be safe than sorry. Greatly appreciated. Gerry |
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
I always ask and save the email of them giving me permission in a special folder.
I had a video testimonial on my web site (with permission of course) from a very attractive women. I believe it got a lot of hits because she was attractive (a little word to the wise there ). Years later she called me and asked me to take it down because she was having some kind of problem with here ex-husband. So, there are extenuating circumstances sometimes that we do not see. Putting someones name on the internet could come up in a google search which might be unwanted for some reason.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
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kidnapped1853 New user 62 Posts |
If the client seems especially pleased with my performance I request a letter of recommendation on the spot. I ask them to write it on company letterhead, even if they are going to email it to me. They have become a very effective sales and marketing tool.
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Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Based on all the advice here, I just asked for a testimonial letter just yesterday. I'm now waiting and hoping I get a response.
If not, life goes on. Thanks everyone. Gerry |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Good to see you did ask Gerry.
Good luck with getting a good response. And if nothing else, you’re asking will reassure them they can always trust you. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Rook Special user I went to the Magic Cafe and all I got were these lousy 834 Posts |
Indeed! I also always ask, and I let them know exactly why: "Thanks so much for your kind words! Is it okay if I quote you? I'm building up my testimonial site and this would be a great help!" Given that they liked my show well enough to say nice things about/to me, they're probably positively disposed toward me in general and are more likely to say yes.
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Roald Dahl |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
It's good to see that many here are doing the right thing. But to address the OPs original post, while I agree about doing the right thing and getting permission, I can tell you, as someone here that works with more entertainers than most others (along with perhaps Danny) most do not bother and just use them without making the effort.
In one of my books, I have offered a way to do this so you get permission and consent before ever getting the testimonial so this never becomes an issue. It may have been mentioned in my "Toolkit" to some degree. Glad to see so many doing it the permission-based way. |
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Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Well, it turns out their company policy forbids giving testimonials. So while this person told me he would love to do this for me, his hands are tied on the matter.
That said, I'm so glad I posted this here. We can all learn from this, including me, no matter how many years we've been in the business. I think deep down inside I had reservations about doing this, which is why I posted this here in the first place. Once again, thanks to all. Gerry |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Many companies forbid such testimonials if they do not come from the right department. With the ease of searching for info on the Internet it can cause huge oasis if not done the right way.
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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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Plan B would be to use the quote on your web site and attribute it to, “-A recent happy client.” Its not as impressive without the name and company, but it is truthful and ethical.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Even smaller companies will often have a clause in the employee handbook that forbids any employee from using the company name in anyway without first getting permission.
I know I always had it in my employee handbook, and it is a good rule to have in order to keep the company image from going every which way. Same thing with having a rule about employees posting on the internet speaking for the company, it can get out of hand if everybody is not on the same page. It looks like Gerry received a ‘thank you’ letter from an employee/manager which can easily be confused as a company ‘testimonial’ I like Ken's plan B idea. That would work without a problem. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Personalty I've never been a huge fan of testimonials in the first place. I don't use them and have never wanted for work. When I'm looking to buy something they mean almost nothing to me.
My wife relies on customer reviews pretty heavily for purchase options. Which is a testimonial I guess.
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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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Same here Danny, I don’t pay that much attention to the testimonials.
After all we all know they are only showing us the very best ones. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Tom you hit on the very crux of the matter for me. It is the same with the glowing video testimonials at the end of video. Show me more of you and what you do and less set up bs like that. Give me more video of the guy in front of an audience. If a picture is worth a 1,000 words what is actual video worth,
And when I say you I don't mean you personally Tom. I think it is a major mistake most make.
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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