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Reviewing products you don't know

by srp0987
11 replies
I'm just starting out and have some questions about how people produce content, especially for those of you who run sites or write about topics that you aren't familiar with. I'm a pretty good writer, but I just don't feel at all confident producing content on subjects that are far outside of the range of things I'm familiar with. I'm particularly not sure how I would write reviews of products without direct familiarity. If I were to write an article ranking the best slow cookers, for instance, I can't exactly go out and buy four different slow cookers just to try them out.

Even for my first site I'm making, which is about a hobby of mine, I feel somewhat unqualified to write on some things because I'm relatively new to the hobby. So I'm curious about what kind of tactics people use to wing these things.
#affiliate marketing #content writing #products #reviewing
  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    It's obviously easier if you've used the products or know about them. In your case I'd look up the features of the slow cookers and highlight the features and why those features are better than the competing units. (Keep in mind this isn't really a review as you haven't tried the product)
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  • Profile picture of the author Filosophy
    Banned
    Reviewing products and services and/or endorsing them WITHOUT trying them, using them, or knowing them is AGAINST THE LAW! The FTC is very clear about what is legal in regards to endorsements and reviews. Even if you're outside the US...if you do biz with US customers...you're under the jurisdiction of the FTC.
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  • Profile picture of the author Miguelito203
    Originally Posted by srp0987 View Post

    I'm just starting out and have some questions about how people produce content, especially for those of you who run sites or write about topics that you aren't familiar with. I'm a pretty good writer, but I just don't feel at all confident producing content on subjects that are far outside of the range of things I'm familiar with. I'm particularly not sure how I would write reviews of products without direct familiarity. If I were to write an article ranking the best slow cookers, for instance, I can't exactly go out and buy four different slow cookers just to try them out.

    Even for my first site I'm making, which is about a hobby of mine, I feel somewhat unqualified to write on some things because I'm relatively new to the hobby. So I'm curious about what kind of tactics people use to wing these things.
    To put it simply, you need to get to know the people and products in the niche market you plan to work in. When I first started, I felt like I didn't know much about anything, so I thought about it and decided to go into the "learn Spanish" niche since I was a Spanish major in college. As it turned out, that is a profitable niche (although not as profitable as some others). It was easy to write about stuff because I was apart of the niche and had used a number of products.

    I now promote digital products, and when I want to go into a new niche market, I do my research. Then, I straight up e-mail the product vendor and tell him or her what I want to do (create a site around their particular product) and ask for review access (our way of asking for free access to something in order to check it out).

    Joey
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  • Profile picture of the author heruma
    I used to read the review done by customer who already bought the products and used it, quoting their names. Accoding to Mary : "She like the product because....bla...bla...bla."
    Make sure you screen shot the review you are quoting.
    You can always said : Review summary.
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  • Profile picture of the author DoubleOhDave
    As one popular marketer here who I respect put it, look at yourself as a researcher. Do all the kinds of research you would if you were buying the product. Mention that you have researched it, not that you have bought it. Don't just go to Amazon and see what they say there - try forums and other places, the company website, social media, etc. DON'T ever lift a quote from Amazon - it's against their ToS.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Originally Posted by srp0987 View Post

    I'm just starting out and have some questions about how people produce content, especially for those of you who run sites or write about topics that you aren't familiar with. I'm a pretty good writer, but I just don't feel at all confident producing content on subjects that are far outside of the range of things I'm familiar with. I'm particularly not sure how I would write reviews of products without direct familiarity. If I were to write an article ranking the best slow cookers, for instance, I can't exactly go out and buy four different slow cookers just to try them out.

    Even for my first site I'm making, which is about a hobby of mine, I feel somewhat unqualified to write on some things because I'm relatively new to the hobby. So I'm curious about what kind of tactics people use to wing these things.
    Use what I call "The Honest Review".

    With the Honest Review, you tell your audience you haven't purchased the slow cooker yourself, but if you were going to buy one, it would be this one (or one of these).

    Then tell your audience why you chose the one(s) you did. Price? Features? Reviews? Warranty? Appearance? Size? Capacity?

    Being upfront and telling people you haven't bought the product will add credibility with your audience.

    Just tell them which one you would buy and why.
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      Use what I call "The Honest Review".



      Being upfront and telling people you haven't bought the product will add credibility with your audience.
      I think this is a great approach. People really appreciate this. And it can really open up new avenues to pursue.

      You want to purchase every product you promote but in some instances it just may not be feasible.

      For instance, if you have been promoting a certain Vendor's product for awhile and he comes out with a new one which is an enhancement of a previous one, you can let your audience know you haven't actually purchased the Product but everything in the past points to this new one being a very high quality product
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      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by discrat View Post

        I think this is a great approach. People really appreciate this. And it can really open up new avenues to pursue.

        You want to purchase every product you promote but in some instances it just may not be feasible.

        For instance, if you have been promoting a certain Vendor's product for awhile and he comes out with a new one which is an enhancement of a previous one, you can let your audience know you haven't actually purchased the Product but everything in the past points to this new one being a very high quality product
        And with Amazon, you don't have to sell the exact product you are choosing or reviewing. You just need to get them to Amazon and have them buy something.

        You can help potential buyers simply by listing and describing important features, without having bought any of the products.

        To add to my post above, I like to recommend two products, one for people on a tight budget and one that offers the best value at any price. I generally add something like, "If I didn't have a lot of money, I'd get this one because... And if budget wasn't a problem, I'd go with this one because..."

        I believe this gives the impression that you actually care about your readers/viewers.

        I've added a little humor too...For example, "If I was buying a Christmas present for my brother-in-law, it'd get this one. But if I were to buy one for myself, I'd get that one."

        There are so many ways to be honest and get better results that you really have to be a compulsive liar to not be open and honest.
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Originally Posted by srp0987 View Post

    I'm just starting out and have some questions about how people produce content, especially for those of you who run sites or write about topics that you aren't familiar with. I'm a pretty good writer, but I just don't feel at all confident producing content on subjects that are far outside of the range of things I'm familiar with. I'm particularly not sure how I would write reviews of products without direct familiarity. If I were to write an article ranking the best slow cookers, for instance, I can't exactly go out and buy four different slow cookers just to try them out.

    Even for my first site I'm making, which is about a hobby of mine, I feel somewhat unqualified to write on some things because I'm relatively new to the hobby. So I'm curious about what kind of tactics people use to wing these things.
    Yes, it's refreshing to see people come into IM who actually have a conscious.

    I would keep your Integrity intact by doing what you are doing.

    It may cause you to have to work harder and longer to attain Success but in the long run it will enable you to sleep at night.

    That being said, I would just do a daily research on the topics you are going to pursue.

    Just study and go to places like Ezine Articles and read over some of the better Articles related to topics you want to learn more about.

    Good luck


    - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author jempub
    Before you ever think about offering content on
    a niche you're not familiar with you should do
    your own home work and learn.

    Once you become familiar with the content, then
    you can write it or have it created for you.

    However, if you're writing product reviews then
    you 100% better buy the product and give it a
    thorough testing before reviewing or recommending
    to others.

    Your reputation is everything to your readers.

    ~~ Gary
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Some of the so-called "review sites" out there are so ludicrous they would not be allowed in the Fantasy section of a bookstore.

      One clown claimed that he deliberately and repeatedly made himself sick for the sole purpose of reviewing a series of nutritional supplements. Another claimed to have purchased over $100,000 in electronics just to recommend a TV.

      Much more typical is the "hero story" about how the reviewer struggled for some length of time, always being disappointed with whatever products they bought--until they found product X. When you follow the link, you find that X has been on the market for two years and has dozens or hundreds of positive reviews. Makes you wonder how bright the "reviewer" really is...

      I've been an advocate of the journalistic approach for years now. I've been an Amazon Associate since the days when you had to sign a form and fax it back to Amazon before you were accepted. It's not as easy as using some scraper plugin or a template work of fiction, but it smacks true with readers.

      Read through the reviews on multiple sites, making notes about what reviewers found important--both positive and negative. Use those to evaluate specific products. Basically, do the same kind of research a reasonably astute buyer would do, and write it up for people to save them time.

      There's another advantage to this method. Even in niches where you are knowledgeable, it saves you from having to try to evaluate multiple relatively equivalent products. For example, I've been fishing for over five decades now, so I consider myself something of an expert. Yet I would be hard pressed to write reviews of a particular class of fishing reels. Why? Because I have a brand that I've had long and positive experience with, so I've simply stuck with that brand. The only honest way I could evaluate other models would be comparing them with my chosen brand. Doing so comes across as far more authentic than some of the formulaic "review" stories you mostly see.
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