To give my friends a free product in return for a testimonial?

[SmallBizOwner]

I am a small business owner. I started the business a few months ago and am trying to build up a reputation. I asked 30 of my Facebook friends if they would consider writing a testimonial in return for a free product (value around £40).

Over half ignored my request, or 'liked' it, so obviously didn't read my message properly (fair enough). One said she couldn't for professional reasons (again, fair enough). So that leaves 12 friends who all jumped at the chance of receiving a free product in return for a testimonial between 20 to 50 words.

This was a few weeks ago and none of them have done it! Some have said they haven't had a chance to use the product as they are busy, two are on holiday, the rest just haven't got around to it.

In case you are wondering, there is nothing wrong with the product.

Including postage, it cost me over £500. I don't have much money and am bootstrapping this business.

AIBU to be a bit annoyed? Or was I BU for asking them in the first place?

Fake reviews? Or just yet another MLM?

Message them saying they need to provide a testimonial by 3 Jan or you will need the item back.

In case you are wondering, there is nothing wrong with the product.

you are not exactly objective

and the OP will need to provide return postage labels.

So unless willing to do this - then it’s a silly bluff

these 12 facebook friends

are you only friends with them over facebook?

if not, then why not drop them a text or give them a buzz?

and to be fair…. it’s been a very busy time for many people

If they live nearby, OP can just collect the items. 🤷🏻‍♀️

You needed to give a deadline upfront, or be patient.

People have been busy, tired and distracted over the last three weeks (it might not have been the best time to do this). Give them a chance, and give a reminder when people are properly back to normal. That might not be till next week if they have kids off school.

including postage

🤷‍♀️

It's not a MLM.
They're not fake reviews, they are all preceded with 'this item was gifted'.

if the Op sends out a message to say you have a deadline of tomorrow
they will simply shake their head quizzically! they are doing the OP a favour. She can’t set a 24 hour deadline 😂. That will bring in the grand total of zero OR maybe even a slightly negative sarcastic review!!

The deadline is an example, she can set whatever deadline she likes.

are these friends as in the true sense of the word

or facebook friends ie may not have had any communication with for years and certainly haven’t seen for years?

Hence the ‘if’

where someone is doing someone a favour - imposing a deadline is probably not the best idea.

Rather checking in personally to see if any issue with the product and explaining that you’re starting out and would really appreciate their thoughts but if they don’t think they’ll be able to do it - let me know.

The perils of being a small business owner unfortunately

So postage costs / petrol costs / time and energy to arrange a collection time and then collect.

and no review in the end. So lose lose!

I would feel really awkward if a friend asked me to do this. Maybe none of them like the product - or at least, they don't like it enough to leave a fake review for it.

I run a small business myself and hate seeing reviews that are clearly from family members or from people who have never genuinely used the product or service.

It just makes it all seem a bit dodgy 🫣

Beside the point but my opinion of a freebie is much more generous than if I'd bought it myself as my expectations are lower. I absolutely Hate reading reviews or seeing influencers review stuff they didn't pay for. Of course you love it. It was free!

i completely ignore where the review was based on free gifted product. Ignore

Ok, not trying to be argumentative OP but what if they tried the product and genuinely didnt like it?- they do have every right to not like it. I'm afraid I also ignore reviews that say "I got this as a free gift/part of a promotion" because it just seems very fake to me and we all know if someone is gifted something for free they will feel a psychological obligation to be nicer about it than if they bought it with their own money.

Have you asked them for their reviews? Have you asked them what they thought of the product? It has also been Christmas so the review may be in their to do list and not done yet.

I think checking in with them would be good, did they have any feedback, anything they didn’t like?

I would feel really awkward if a friend asked me to do this, especially if I didn't really rate the product.

Are you sure it's a good product? Have you done market research to get honest opinions or is it just your own opinion? If it was genuinely good I would be happy to give a good review but if I didn't rate it I'd be stalling (which is what they seem to be doing)

Reviews where they product has been sent for free are a waste of time. I read reviews of everything, but immediately discount those. Would you still publish the review if they said it was only ok/not great?

You should be labelling the reviews properly.

It’s been a really busy time for most people. I’d send out a message to the people saying ‘Happy New Year! Hope you had a lovely time over the holidays. I know it’s been a busy time, would you be able to do the review when you have a mo, or if you’d rather not use it after all, I can collect, not a problem. Hope to see you soon 😊’
If this is not financially viable, what if the reviews are basic or negative? Some people love reviewing, some people love free stuff. The two don’t always combine.

Christmas has taken every ounce of time I already didn't have; if someone came overltly chasing now, I'd probably be annoyed.

Wait until next Tuesday when most people will have packed away the decs and be back in normal routines.

Drop them a polite note, "Happy New Year, I hope xx product arrived ok and you have enjoyed using it. I'd be grateful if you could leave a review here [link] or of you have any feedback or comments you think would be better direct, please let me know."

Online reviews in return for samples are entirely normal, so there are no worries there. Personally I wouldn't have accepted one from a friend due to the pressure for the review to be positive, but you asked them and they said yes, so that's done.

But it is a cost of doing business, and you have to be prepared they might not leave the reviews.