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How to be a Better Review Blogger

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I’m a review blogger, but I hate reading other review blogs.  It makes me frustrated.

Perhaps the swag and big dreams is the lure. The idea of getting free stuff (which is really anything but free) and trying to build up traffic has gotten in the way of providing the service that all review blogs should be providing to readers.  It is our readers that we should be building our blogs around.

How to be a better review blogger

Please consider these tips that will help you stand out and keep me from pulling my hair out when I read your blog.

Include photos you’ve personally taken. Avoid using only stock images.

This is my number one complaint. You can take a picture of almost anything and provide great value to a reader as long as the picture is large enough so it can really be seen.

As a reader I want to see how clothes fit. I want to know what that fabric really looks like close up and how it drapes on the body. And I want to see it on a real body, not some airbrushed model.  I want your pictures, and not just those taken by professionals for websites to make a product look perfect. I want to see it in use. I want to feel what it would be like to own it. Don’t just tell me, show me!

Why should you care?

It gives a review credibility. It shows that you really did use it. It gives a better understanding of the product that you just can’t get with words alone. It draws me as a reader in and makes me care about what you are saying. Isn’t that the whole point?

Be thorough and honest in your review.

Please don’t use one or two lines of generic text about what you think of the product and call it a review. If you can’t take the time to create at least a full paragraph sharing your thoughts, you aren’t providing a service to your readers.

If you don’t like something about the product don’t be afraid to say.  Just try to keep your criticism constructive and professional.

Why should you care?

Again, it goes back to credibility and giving something to your readers, not to mention earns respect. If you can’t be specific, I don’t know if I can believe a word you are saying. And as a sponsor, I’m not going to be thrilled with the effort. Perhaps I won’t come back to you next time I’d like a review for another brand I represent or another product in my line.

Keep the amount of entries for giveaways within reason.

I enjoy giving my readers additional chances  and it is a win for all parties involved.  However, it should be within reason. Five entries for every single extra entry adds up fast.  Creating even ten different comments for each extra entry is very annoying, even to the entrant willing to take the time to do it.

Also reconsider giving many entries for voting in some contest that you are desperate to win. It not only cheapens whatever contest you are up for, it makes for an extremely lopsided giveaway. If an entrant passes on that entry they’ve greatly limited their chances to win, and it almost seems like you are “buying” votes.

Why should you care?

You don’t want to annoy your readers and turn lots of people off to the contest. And while you might get more entries and inflate your numbers, at a certain point you will turn people away. Sponsors may not appreciate you using their giveaway in such a way.

Create an easy to read and inviting blog.

This means avoiding extremely busy backgrounds, crazy colors and hard to read fonts.  Keep your sidebars as uncluttered and least distracting as possible. And definitely stay away from music on your blog.

Why should you care?

While some readers may appreciate it, you still need to appeal to the majority and frankly, the majority won’t. I don’t care how good your taste in music, it can be startling and annoying to find the mute button. Many readers will immediately close your page. And if it is hard on the eyes or takes forever to load, most visitors won’t come back.

I don’t consider myself a perfect blogger by any stretch. I do work hard to put out quality posts and I like to think it gets noticed. Sometimes it can be frustrating to see other bloggers who seem to have great success yet constantly publish bare minimum posts. Maybe I could too if I just didn’t care about my quality over quantity philosophy. Aw, shucks.

My advice:

There will always be sponsors who care about numbers alone, but many people  notice when you take the time to write a thoughtful review. When you put your readers before what benefits you, your blog will blossom. Some day that hard work will start to pay off. You’ll notice that sponsors will keep coming back to you, because they know you do quality work. You’ll build relationships with reps who are thrilled with the service you’ve provided. Other potential partnerships will open up because no matter what post a visitor clicks on, it will reflect what you can do for brands.

And most of all, your loyal readers (and that random person searching for a review on Google) will thank you.

57 Comments

  1. I think that you offer sage advice to other bloggers out there and to those wanting to blog. I don’t blog, but I am a reader and I have actually deleted blogs because they were difficult to manipulate through and their content was not useful. I really enjoying your blog and love your contests.
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  2. I just came across this and I am glad you have this on here. As a new blogger I like to be informed of ways to make it better

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