Comments on: What Brands Really Want From Product Reviewers

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:57:08 +0000

This a great article, Cheryl. Useful. Informative. And exactly right.

Not only are personal and authentic reviews the most effective for the company, they are also more fun for readers of the blog. After all, no one wants to read rehashed text that is cut-and-pasted from the product’s website.

Thanks again.

By: KellieS

KellieS — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:51:30 +0000

This article is so helpful for new bloggers. It’s the inside info that gives us the edge out there. Thanks for your insights. Nice to meet you, by the way; I’m Kellie over at womenslifelink.com. Stop by anytime. I will be back.

By: Ann Harrison

Ann Harrison — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:54:45 +0000

This is wonderful, and helpful, information. I love guidance!

By: Caryn B

Caryn B — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:27:18 +0000

Your post is so timely and necessary. I can’t stand when I see a verbatim press release. And too many times I’ve reviewed the same product and I KNOW that they’ve copied it word for word. It’s frustrating because I spend a lot of time on my reviews. Thanks so much…I hope we see a change in the future…..this is not what blogging and social media started out to be

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:14:06 +0000

I followed your comment from the m2mom discussion on Linked In and I don’t blame you one bit. Mostly though, I feel bad for that blog’s readers who are truly the ones who lose when all they get is a regurgitated press release disguised as a review.

If this happens often then it seems you need to consider who you have been pitching to. It isn’t hard to figure out which blogs and websites operate with a tight selection process and put thought and effort into reviews, and which ones are simply looking for free samples or giveaways to drive traffic.

You are not likely to make a sloppy writer a good writer or an unethical blogger an ethical one. But you can make sure you’re representing the best possible clients so that you have the option of obtaining the best possible reviews.

By: Stefanie @ Mommy Musings

Stefanie @ Mommy Musings — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:30:21 +0000

I completely agree.

By: Bridgette

Bridgette — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:19:53 +0000

Great post, Cheryl! I totally agree.

At The Not-So-Blog, I do my product reviews like little mini “experiements” and separate information in sections such as “Hypothesis”, “Materials”, “Results”, etc. In the Materials section, I do use some quotes from press releases or company info. But, all of the other sections are MY opinions.

I take pride in thoroughly researching my product reviews!

By: Melinda

Melinda — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:50:01 +0000

I defintely try to take “some” information verbatim but I also include my own opinion, personal stories and reactions. Like you said, what is the point of what we are doing if we don’t actually review and write about it.

By: Naomi

Naomi — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:35:09 +0000

I RT’d too … great post about being creative and taking that extra time to put your own spin on the product.

Isn’t that truly the point of moms doing product reviews??

By: Bobby

Bobby — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:31:43 +0000

It’s a great point Cheryl. I go out of my way with Bobby’s best (http://www.bobbysbest.com) to use the product for a least a month or so to get a real end user feel and make relevant comments and feedback outside of the stated marketing specs. Here is a good example
http://www.bobbysbest.com/phil-and-teds-dash-stroller-review.html.