One of the benefits of being a blogger is getting the opportunity to review products. Once you build a decent amount of traffic targeted to an audience with specific interests, you will probably start to see offers rolling in.
Two Important Things to Consider
There is one question that you should answer first and foremost before accepting any product to review on your blog. If you can answer this question with a definitive yes, then everything else is just details.
Will this product be beneficial to my readers?
This is most important factor I consider before accepting a product to review – whether that product will somehow benefit my audience. Not how much commission I will make off the product, and not how much I will simply like to have that product in my hands, but how much my audience will benefit from the information I share with them once I have reviewed the product.
As a blogger, if you start with answering that question, and the answer is yes, then you can feel good about anything you do in terms of promoting that product to your audience. It will tell you whether the product fits your niche and whether you will actually be able to convert your review into sales.
Then you can move onto the following question, which is also crucial.
How does the product source treat the reviewer?
Customer service is another factor to consider when doing a product review. A lot of the time, products are sent to reviewers prior to their actual release. I have gotten in on a few services while they were in their beta stages of testing, and ran into a few problems.
Fortunately I have been lucky so far in that when I my contact for that product, they were quick to check out the issue and take care of it. This says to me that, if one of my readers were to buy the product, they should get the same service.
Why I Chose the ThinkCentre M90z
This leads me to the latest, and most exciting product I have had the chance to review – the ThinkCentre M90z by Lenovo.
This desktop has been a life-saver when it comes to my productivity, because I had been working with a laptop that, every couple of days, would have some strange issue. The last straw was the day it decided to do some kind of hard drive disk check and managed to wipe out several important files I had been working on, one of which was my blog promotion ebook. Luckily I had been backing that up via email, so it was safe and sound.
So how will my readers benefit from this review?
There are two primary reasons I chose to do this review. The first is about my aforementioned loss of productivity due to not having a top-notch computer to work from. That loss in productivity meant that couldn’t get as much done as I needed to, resulting in less posts and less interaction with my audience.
Now that I have a dependable machine that rocks with regards to speed, I have spent less time fighting with technology and more time writing posts, getting organized, and engaging with my audience. Plus it has a webcam so I can start recording more videos, doing interviews, etc.
The second reason is the best. I get to giveaway one ThinkCentre M90z to my readers!
And my site is not the only one. The following sites are also hosting giveaways of the same great desktop!
- Free Tech 4 Teachers – Apr 14 through Apr 18
- Ilja Coolen \ ICSS – Apr 15 through Apr 19
- Physician Mom – Apr 16 through Apr 20
- Scrubd In – Apr 17 through Apr 21
- Kathy Schrock’s Kaffeeklatsch – Apr 18 through Apr 22
- Steve Hargadon.com – Apr 19 through Apr 23
- Box of Tricks – Apr 21 through Apr 25
- Clinton Fitch.com – Apr 22 through Apr 26
- Around the Corner – Apr 23 through Apr 27
- Tech Savvy Ed – Apr 25 through Apr 29
- Small Biz Technology – Apr 26 through Apr 30
- Ablet Factory – Apr 27 through May 1
- Click Newz – Apr 28 through May 2
- Geekazine – Apr 29 through May 3
- 21st Century Education Technology – Apr 30 through May 4
- A GeekyMomma’s Blog – May 1 through May 5
- Marsha Collier’s Musings – May 2 through May 6
- VA Insiders Club – May 3 through May 7
- Your Virtual Assistant – May 4 through May 8
- Jake Ludington’s Media Blab – May 5 through May 9
- Mobile PC World – May 6 through May 10
- Dangerously Irrelevant – May 7 through May 11
- Bud the Teacher – May 8 through May 12
- Kikolani – May 9 through May 13
- Geeks To Go – May 10 through May 14
- Chad Lehman.com – May 11 through May 15
You’ll get my full detailed review, along with additional details about the tools I use for maximum productivity on May 9th, the start of the giveaway here.
In the meantime, with exception to the first giveaway on the list above that has ended, you have over 20 chances to win this machine beginning today. So be sure to check out all of the above sites and enter for your chance to win.
Trust me when I say you won’t regret it – aside from a few little quirks that had nothing to do with the desktop and more to do with my lack of Windows 7 knowledge, this computer has been nothing but excellent. If you’re in the market for a new machine, then don’t miss these great opportunities to win one!
What Do You Consider When Accepting Review Offers
Now it’s your turn. What questions do you ask when it comes to accepting or declining a product review offer? What reviews have been the most successful and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
About Kristi Hines
Kikolani covers blog marketing and blogging tips for personal, professional, and business bloggers to succeed in search and social media marketing. Kristi Hines is a 
Hi Kristi
I have just done my first review and it had to be something I would use myself. Also I know the author of the ebook I am reviewing and decided that I would not join his affiliate program while this post is active.
Some of my regular readers queried that decision because they said I had built up a good reputation and people would still trust my review to be an honest one. However, I took the decision as it is my first review of anything other than my own sourced lavender products I have on my site. Had to do what I was comfortable with.
I know some people are affiliates of products they review and it is hard to know how even-handed those reports are; unless I know the reviewer. If it is someone I trust, will probably go with their review as being an honest one. I know that is not always the case so I err on the cautious and don’t usually buy just based on a review if I don’t know the reviewer.
I wouldn’t review something that was not relevant for my own use or that of my regular readers. I also like to know the person whose product it is. Maybe it’s being round my experienced marketing friends a lot more, but there are a lot of scams out there. Can’t be too careful eh
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia@lavenderuses recently posted To buy or not to buy…that is the question
Sounds like a good plan! I always find that trying out the customer support will tell you about the character of the person who created the product. I have bought products from “reputable” people who never responded to my support request, and hence not recommended them or their products. And I have bought products from someone relatively new on the scene and gotten amazing support that was passed on to my readers. Asking for support and seeing a great response can build a lot of confidence toward a product’s creator.
Hi Kristi,
What are your thoughts about Google penalising blogs for writing reviews….Will blogs that write reviews come under the Google scanner and get penalised ?
ZK@Web Marketing Tips recently posted What You Should Know About Google Canonicalization URL Issues
I always thought that was when you do paid reviews. I haven’t been paid for a full review on my site, so I’m not too worried about it. And if they’re going to penalize bloggers for any sort of review, then I think everyone would be in trouble.
I don’t think Google will penalize you for doing product reviews (if they do, my tech blog would definitely go downhill!)
Although in a way, my blog is hurting from Google Panda now, but I don’t think it’s because of the reviews I’ve written (as they are all unique)
Michael Aulia @CravingTech.com recently posted MarsEdit License giveaway
I don’t think so either. Too bad you got hit with the Panda update though.
How would Google know if it was a paid review?
John Soares recently posted Over 2500 Listeners to My Recent Podcast
I’m guessing it wouldn’t be the one-off reviews that tip them off, but sites that are reviews only. But even then, they still might not be paid.
I usually find ideas for new products on top story sites like alltop, then check their trending in google trends and finally find hot keywords for this product using the google search term suggestion tool.
That’s a good way to jump onto popularly reviewed products!
You’ve hit the main points. I’d put customer service first for companies I didn’t already know. I’d ask round my circle, then branch out looking for past reviews…of the product and company behind it.
Dennis Edell@ Direct Sales Marketing recently posted Code To Create a Proper HTML Hyperlink
Definitely a good route to go.
Well, firstly, Kristi, this post gives me some comfort that if even the Blog Promotion Goddess has been struggling with a less-than-lovely laptop (alliteration completely not intended!) then I don’t feel so bad when I think about my teenie netbook.
It was supposed to be a 2-3 month stopgap after my computer died, just to keep me online and writing until I could buy a new computer. That was two years ago.
I drool over this computer you’re reviewing. However, mainly I’m more interested in your advice on writing a review itself. I’ve been considering writing a review on my blog for a particular product I’m completely in love with, but I tend to gush about it and don’t really focus on what might make it useful for others.
Delena
Delena Silverfox recently posted Carbonite offer code
Sounds like you should definitely enter all of the contests then!
That desktop has been a dream. I know I’m accomplishing a lot more if, for no other reason, I don’t dread the next problem or stall that my machinery is going to cause. So far my only “complaint” which has nothing to do with the computer is that my cats like to give the monitor some love, which leads to the touchscreen responding to them. I know there’s a way to turn that feature off, but I like to use it occasionally, so I leave it on.
Kristi,
It was refreshing to read that your concern when considering to review a product was founded more on your audience/readerships needs and desires rather than the affiliate commission that you may gain. Many say that readers come first, as it should be, but there are quite a few out there who attempt to justify review of a garbage product simply because it will make them alot higher of a commission than a lower priced alternative. In the end, you may gain a lower commission by recommending a lower priced product, however, I think you will reinforce customer/reader loyalty. In fact, a viable tactic MAY be to actually show your audience higher priced alternatives and explain thoroughly WHY exactly you are recommending a lower priced alternative.
It makes sense, both from the perspective of staying on good terms with your audience and for making money, because if your audience isn’t going to be into the product, then even the most glowing review won’t get them to buy. I guess my other reason for making sure it’s right for my audience is that I’m not the type that can sell just anything. I have to really love something if I’m going to write about it.
Thanks for sharing these tips about reviewing products Kristi. I think since you have gained so much respect amongst the blogging community, a company would be lucky to have you review them. Of course, if their product wasn’t good, you would let us know. So far, i have not reviewed any products but it is definitely something that I will keep in mind for the future.
Sherryl Perry recently posted 8 Reasons I Do NOT Follow Like or Connect on Social Networking Sites
My review policy is usually if I can’t say something nice, I don’t say anything at all. Because I found that even if when you say you don’t like something, it still points people in that direction and they could still end up buying it. So my motto is not to draw any attention to something that doesn’t deserve it at all costs, but if someone were to ask me if I had an opinion on it, I’d let them know.
Kristi,
Thanks for this post, as I am just starting into the review end of things. I am planning to create my own piano lessons ebook/vids.
A question I have is this: Is it alright for me to have other products outside my given field on my site? I am focused on musical instruments, but am learning how to write reviews fairly well. Is it a conflict?
Thanks,
Dakota
Hi Dakota,
I have found that people who come to a site that usually focuses on one niche will be a little turned off if you start talking about something else unless that something else ties in to your main focus. I could see you being able to branch out safely with products that are related to artists, but definitely not something far off like pet supplies (unless you happen to know that half of your readers are cat lovers or something).
For the products I review on my blog for photographers, I definitely think about my photographer readers and whether they’d benefit from the product. I also think about our studio and the likelihood that I could actually say something good about the product because it worked for us. Even if some photographers might benefit from a product, if I don’t see a benefit for us, I usually decline.
If a product is not immediately beneficial for you, have you found that you’re still able to promote that product, or do you end up passing on those types of reviews too?
TJ McDowell recently posted Canon Rebel T2i Video Mode Review
There have been a few that, although it wasn’t beneficial for me, I have been able to tell that it was beneficial for others. Like a guide to SEO 101 may not be necessary since I’ve been working with it for three years, but it would be perfect for those who are just starting out. I think the key in that case is to be honest about it and say why the product didn’t work for you, but how it might for your audience if they are in a specific position or stage of learning.
Kristi,
Yea, I’d definitely be up front about it if it didn’t work for me. It seems like in the example you gave, it would have been a product you used at one point in your career if it were available then. So you could say how it would have helped you had the resource been available. Talk to you soon!
TJ McDowell recently posted Canon Rebel T2i Video Mode Review
Congratulations on the new computer Kristi, but even though it is new I would still be sticking with a strict backup regime as you never know when something will begin to act up.
Being an Aussie I doubt anyone would ask me to review their product but if one ever I would only take the product on the stipulation that I could give a totally honest review.
Sire recently posted Sharing Photos Is Best Done With Flickr
If I could make a sale on my 4 years old blog, it would make my day. But since so far, I got no sale.
I think maybe the produce I reviewed is not make any connection to my visitors. Reading your post today make me more clear that we need to choice the right one.
I signed up as Amazon affiliate few years ago, I hope I can sale something very soon. Thank for the post, especially the first question.
Santel recently posted Cambodian Photos Collection 21 April 2011
Any review should tell about any con’s or will as the plus’s, depending on coat of the item being reviewed it might have to be purchased by the reviewer both to experience the buying process and to keep the reviewer honest.
Naturally if the item costs hundred’s and the reviewer is an individual it may be beyond there means to obtain, but even then there should be no strings attached by seller.
Your review of the Lenovo computer is well thought out and makes me hope I win it
Robert Nelson recently posted Squidoo
Hii Kristi,
I like this post people generally review about any product when he convinced with that if there is no cost included in that, specially in case of famous blogger product review matters lot.
thanks for the post…
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