Would you like to get free stuff in return for doing product reviews?
Last week I was asked on Blogchat by Marie of toughcookiemommy.com how you approach companies when looking for products to review and how you even know which companies are receptive.
Before I tell Marie and other readers how to approach companies, I want to tell you that, you may want to consider adding some reviews from items you have already purchased to your blog.
This will give you practice in writing reviews and at the same time add content to your blog.
When I decided that I wanted to get into reviewing products I:
- started reviewing items on Amazon (Joining affiliate programs such as Amazon can also be a good way to add a little extra money.)
- reviewed products I already owned.
- wrote reviews on strange new products that I found via thinkgeek.com.
Once you have written several reviews, you are ready to move ahead and receive free products to review.
How to request a product for review
The Approach
Keep it brief: Introduce yourself. Ask them if they work with bloggers and let them know you’d be interested in reviewing their product.
Include a link to your site: Send them a link to you website as well as to a review you have already written.
Give your traffic stats: If your traffic is very low, you might want to wait until your traffic increases.
Before contacting them, decide which product of theirs you are interested in reviewing.
The actual email that you send should be short, informative, and respectful.
Don’t Forget
Be sure to create a category for product reviews to make it easy for manufacturers to find examples of the reviews that you have already written.
Be sure to add a contact me page to your blog.
Once you receive the product, be sure to review it in a timely manner. It is normally best practice to review within 2 weeks of receiving it. Be sure to state in the post that you received the product free in exchange for a review.
The more product reviews you have on your site, the better.
Enjoy your free stuff and happy blogging!
Any other Ideas? Please share them in the comments.
Related Post:
- – 4 Mistakes Bloggers Make – Part 1
– How to make money online-A list for beginners
– Blogsvertise- Get paid to write
– How to Sign up as an Amazon Affiliate
– It’s Swap Ideas Day – Ways To Make Money With Your Blog
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November 14th, 2010 at 2:41 am
Great tips! Thanks.
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November 14th, 2010 at 4:31 am
I would love to do this but doesn’t fit in with my blog….unless they do books on all things lavender
Patricia Perth Australia
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Rose DesRochers Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
You could approach companies that sell lavender products.
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November 14th, 2010 at 8:05 am
Doing product reviews that may benefit your readers is great.
Doing product reviews with the intent of getting free stuff isn’t.
I know on Etsy one of the biggest complaints in the forums are about bloggers asking for free stuff. Out of the blue. I was asked to donate $100 so a blog could do a giveaway. This wasn’t anyone I knew or a previous customer. It was offensive. If she had been a previous customer that would have been different. For a product review, and not a giveaway, If she had offered to purchase the item, or returned the item, if she didn’t want to purchase it, that would have been different. But asking out of the blue for free stuff, made her a lot less credible. jmho.
Big companies might feel a little differently due to their product volume.
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November 15th, 2010 at 2:04 am
Hi Rose, useful tips.
In my blog’s niche, i have applied this tip with a webhost, but because it is a webhost, so they can’t give a free product.
But i will definitely try with amazon, and other wordpress products, it would be nice if i can get free products and promote them as well.
Thank you.
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November 18th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Good tips, Rose. I would add that it would make sense to approach vendors that are related to your niche.
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December 29th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Lovely tips. However, the reviews should be unbiased and should not only carry positive points as someone has offered you something for free.
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