It’s always nice to get positive customer testimonials for your business. Or is it? Some reviews break the law. And it can cost you a fortune in legal fees, fines, and court costs if you use them.
This is particularly true if the testimonial is fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading…even if the customer believes what’s said to be accurate.
Unfortunately, many people will stretch the truth because they want to please or impress you with their kind words. Or they omit key details because they don’t want to hurt your feelings.
Now there are different levels of danger depending upon the claims being made in your customer reviews. If those claims relate to health or making money, chances are you’re treading in dangerous territory if anything important is wrong or omitted.
A good rule of thumb is to accurately disclose all facts essential to a prospective customer making an informed purchasing decision. And that includes what’s said and left unsaid in your customer testimonials.
If you need help with this or other marketing legal compliance, it’s time to schedule a phone consultation with Business Lawyer Mike Young.
Most business lawyers don’t understand marketing. They prefer to play it safe, which means gutting nearly every piece of the advertising they review. As a copywriter, that makes my job harder. I don’t know how many hours I’ve wasted fighting with my clients’ lawyers simply to get approval on an ad or sales letter. Mike Young has studied the marketing classics and stays current in the industry. He understands what I’m doing and works with me, rather than against me. That’s why I refer my clients to him and retain his services for all my business legal needs.”
Karl Barndt, President
Etika Marketing LLC
