Another version of the truth…

Ever wonder who you can really trust in network marketing?

On Ann Sieg’s “7 Great Lies” website she features a prominent testimonial by Barry Burns – of Life Force fame, stating…

“Finally, after 20 years in the MLM industry, you are the first person I’ve found who isn’t afraid to contradict all of the old, worn-out marketing methods. Of course the truth is those traditional methods never worked for most people anyway”

Now most people are familiar with Leaders Club extensive mentoring of Ann. Even according to Ann, straight talk about what does and does not work in network marketing, is what makes Leaders Club so attractive…

“That is the beauty of Leaders Club. What we teach are market tested strategies that work. It’s not the idea of the week club but rather proven field tested strategies that allows you to, “Build Your Business by Design Rather Than Chance!"” - Ann Sieg (1/17/2007)

By itself, the testimonial loop is amusing. Maybe Barry Burns didn’t know and even if he did, perhaps it was his first encounter with someone teaching non-traditional methods of marketing.

Until you learn that…

From the years 2002 to 2007 Barry Burns had not 1, not 2 but 6 Leaders Club accounts – 4 of them ALL AT THE SAME TIME! Maybe Barry didn’t get what he was looking for in Leaders Club, but then why 4 accounts at the same time? Some of these accounts earned over $500 a month! So he was telling others – though in fairness I don’t remember Barry’s activities.

Look, I love testimonials. I love using them in marketing. Used correctly they can make a huge difference. But in a Web 2.0 world, do we need to think twice about the credibility or genuineness of testimonials?

In many ways, when a leader endorses something – anything (network marketing or not) you should fire up a little BS checking program. If someone is making money on a product or service you would expect them to give a glowing review. But the reviews that matter most are from those who are not earning money – where what they say about the product or service is untainted by financial motive.

A little something to think about in the new Web 2.0 world!