Comments on: So you want to start a review blog?

By: Sara Shay @ YourThrivingFamily

Sara Shay @ YourThrivingFamily — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 19:22:56 +0000

Thanks for the great insight. I have been able to do a handful of sponsored reviews. And have done a few of my own volition, just cause they are products I liked. I think my challenge has been interesting readers when there is no giveaway to go with it – and I have only been at it since October 🙂

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:45:45 +0000

In reply to Stephanie Ann Pires. Yes, it is so much better to have original photos in reviews. I mean I will put a manufacturers photo in among mine just to show what it looks like on their site but I love adding my own. I usually just pass right by reviews that use nothing but stock images and generic writing. I think many manufacturers are moving past those kind of review bloggers too. I mean I am reviewing a cookie press right now and I have baked over 24 dozen cookies of different kinds with it on three different days and took loads of pictures and I am still not ready to post. I would never have the nerve to say I reviewed a cooking or baking product without having pictures of me using it. Any one can put up a picture and say something is great but even though I am from NY, I am from Missouri on this one-Show ME!!!

By: Trudy Zufelt

Trudy Zufelt — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:17:12 +0000

I have recently started reviewing products and I loved this article. It really is right on. One thing a lot of people don’t realize is the time involved. I will usually used a photo of the product from the company and add my own pictures. Once in a while, I’m not able to add a photo of me using the product which I don’t like. I think the personalized photos make the blog post better. The photo downloads take time. The writing takes time. I always tell a company it takes me a minimum of an hour just to write the post and that doesn’t include the time it takes to review the product.

One thing I’ve learned is that my time is valuable. I recently had a company send me a sample size product for review. I was insulted. Not only did they say to use their product for a week before reviewing it but they only sent enough for 5 days. The only reason I bring this up is because I think it is important to have review policies and guidelines very clear and ask the companies to read them to make sure they agree to the terms. It is not in your best interest or the company’s interest to say yes to every product just for the sake of doing a product review, especially if you think you will hate the product ahead of time. I would rather tell the company I’m not interested than leave a bad review and a bad feeling.

Thanks again for the great article.
Trudy
http://www.madeonlyinusa.com

By: Stephanie Ann Pires

Stephanie Ann Pires — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:31:58 +0000

I loved this post, it was so right on! This is exactly how I feel when I read product reviews on other blogs; what’s the point of just rehashing the company’s press release and using their pictures? The consumer never gets to see if the product actually works the way it’s supposed to. I’ll admit to using graphics and information sent to me in my reviews, but I always make sure that I let my readers know that I’ve used it, how I liked or didn’t like it, and included pictures of my family using it.

I have no idea how I came across this post (random search maybe?) but I’m so glad I did!

Stephanie
Trying To Be Super Mom
http;//tobesuper.blogspot.com
@trytobesuper