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Private messages asking for product reviews

by Brad Gosse
18 replies
At least once a week I get a private message from someone asking me to review their product. Inevitably these are people trying to launch a WSO and they are searching for testimonials.

In the past I have done these reviews or had my assistant review the product and give me her notes. The last time we did this person sent us a nine hour video course that was terrible. When we responded and told him his product was terrible (in the nicest possible way). He responded by telling me I was an idiot.

I understand that everyone is trying to get ahead, but from this day forward I am no longer getting product reviews for free.

Below is a copy of the canned response you should send anyone who asks you to review their product (unless it's someone you have a prior relationship with).



Thank you for your message

Due to the high volume of requests like this I now charge a $1000 review fee for all product reviews.

We will review your product in full and provide a written review which you may quote in a testimonial.

A review from us does not guarantee a good review. Our review will be honest and unbiased.

Wishing you all the best in your business!
Brad
#messages #private #product #reviews
  • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
    "He responded by telling me I was an idiot."

    Ouch...not cool...:rolleyes:
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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      Due to the high volume of requests like this I now charge a $1000 review fee for all product reviews.

      We will review your product in full and provide a written review which you may quote in a testimonial.
      Maybe you should also let people know that legally (according to the FTC), they will also need to disclose the fact that they paid for this review, if they do use your words in a testimonial.

      I'm not criticizing your decision, only adding a comment to it.

      Marcia Yudkin
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    Hey Brad,

    I've had the opposite.

    I get a lot of review requests but I usually turn them down.

    They do tend to be from people launching WSOs but I found out a long time ago that many of them are misguided newbies who think launching a WSO is going to make them rich and they're just throwing together a product that is not new, different or original in order to just have something to sell.

    Recently I've decided to actually start accepting more reviews, but only for services. I haven't seen an original product for a long time so I'm not going to waste my time reviewing rehashed stuff, but there are a lot of people wondering which services are worth buying, so I'm now open to reviewing services so that I can offer useful direction when people ask me (for example) which link building service to go for.

    I don't ask for payment for reviews, so there's no conflict of interest and my reviews are always honest and based on experience of the service.

    Andy
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    nothing to see here.

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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      I don't even respond to the PMs, especially if they're from somebody (like
      today) who just joined the forum and has like 22 posts.

      Get to know me first, through HERE...not through PM.

      Yeah Brad, this kind of burns my cookies too.

      But like I said, I just ignore them.

      Hopefully, they'll take the hint.
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      • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        I don't even respond to the PMs, especially if they're from somebody (like
        today) who just joined the forum and has like 22 posts.

        Get to know me first, through HERE...not through PM.

        Yeah Brad, this kind of burns my cookies too.

        But like I said, I just ignore them.

        Hopefully, they'll take the hint.
        What an ingenious concept....actually getting to know people, via some kind of conversation of substance, before making a request that could literally consume quite a bit of their time.

        Forums are a bit like real life....of course, some aren't exactly the greatest at fostering relationships, even in real life...so, it's hard to expect anything different on a forum.
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    • Profile picture of the author Brad Gosse
      Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

      Hey Brad,

      I've had the opposite.

      I get a lot of review requests but I usually turn them down.

      They do tend to be from people launching WSOs but I found out a long time ago that many of them are misguided newbies who think launching a WSO is going to make them rich and they're just throwing together a product that is not new, different or original in order to just have something to sell.

      Recently I've decided to actually start accepting more reviews, but only for services. I haven't seen an original product for a long time so I'm not going to waste my time reviewing rehashed stuff, but there are a lot of people wondering which services are worth buying, so I'm now open to reviewing services so that I can offer useful direction when people ask me (for example) which link building service to go for.

      I don't ask for payment for reviews, so there's no conflict of interest and my reviews are always honest and based on experience of the service.

      Andy
      Andy

      That sounds great. But so far nobody has asked me to review their service. Just regurgitated products :-)

      As far as conflict of interest goes. I won't think twice about writing a crappy review of a product. The payment just covers the review time. $1000 will not sway my opinion on anything :-)
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      • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
        Originally Posted by Brad Gosse View Post

        As far as conflict of interest goes. I won't think twice about writing a crappy review of a product. The payment just covers the review time. $1000 will not sway my opinion on anything :-)


        I wasn't suggesting it would but it's nice to hear you say it...
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        nothing to see here.

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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Ranger
    Brad, did people not help you when you first got started?

    For the record, I will always go out of my way to write a review
    for someone if they ask politely and make the process stress
    free, just send me the product link and include your Skype details,
    I'll add you on Skype, then you have to go through a process
    of pesting me to get it done!

    Of course, you'll get an honest and constructive review..
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    • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
      Originally Posted by Steve Ranger View Post

      For the record, I will always go out of my way to write a review
      Famous last words.

      I like to review people's products, but honestly, some people are bothersome. They ask you to review a product, and it's not good, and when you tell them it's not good they try to explain themselves.

      Look, I don't care why it's not good. It's not good. You should improve it. If you're not going to, then this is my review. You do not get to Skype all your customers and say "I know chapter 4 is kind of wrong, but I was sick that day." That's not the way you do things.

      If chapter 4 is wrong, you rewrite chapter 4, and if by some hideous error in judgment there are paying customers out there with the bad chapter - you send them the corrected one. Customers are perfectly willing to forgive you for a mistake if you fix it, but if you shrug and make excuses they're just going to make a mental note not to buy any more of your stuff.
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      "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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      • Profile picture of the author Steve Ranger
        Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

        Famous last words.
        So true!

        Always try and help though - I think replying saying you charge is $1000 is a little insulting? Maybe I'm wrong. If I really didn't want to help I would reply and say 'Sorry but things are real busy at the moment, I wish I had the time to help but I don't, good luck with your project'.
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        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          I think, too, it would be a good idea to tell someone WHAT you are asking them to review.

          A quick read through a blueprint, report or ebook is one thing - but viewing 30 videos is another.

          I've had members ask for a review - then send the link with no access code. Some ask for a quick review - and send a link to 40 items to download.

          If you want a truly powerful WSO - plan ahead and choose some members who are working AT the level your product targets. Offer them the product and mentoring for a couple weeks or a month and then use their results as your "testimonials". If you start with 10 people you might have 2-3 that actually follow through. Of course, you would have to be offering a product/method that actually had a chance of working....

          kay
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        • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
          Originally Posted by Steve Ranger View Post

          So true!

          Always try and help though - I think replying saying you charge is $1000 is a little insulting? Maybe I'm wrong. If I really didn't want to help I would reply and say 'Sorry but things are real busy at the moment, I wish I had the time to help but I don't, good luck with your project'.
          I don't think it's insulting at all. If someone sends a product, let's say, comprised of videos that add up to 8 hours and the person values their time at $125 per hour, because it takes them away from their business, then $1,000 for a product review is very reasonable.

          When someone contacts me I usually don't know who they are. I've wasted quite a bit of time in my early IM years reviewing products and frankly, a good portion of them were crap and a waste of my time. That was time I could have been spent on building my business.

          I think $1,000 for an honest, thorough review is a good benchmark to start with.

          RoD
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  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    I stopped reviewing products from members I don't know a long time ago. It's been bliss ever since.
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    "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
    - Jim Rohn
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Ranger
    So $1,000 is a fair price for a review

    I'm pricing my stuff wrong!
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  • Profile picture of the author covertguy
    yeah, if you've sorta reached 'celebrity' status in this industry, you definitely want to consider charging for a review because your endorsement itself SELLS!
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    • Profile picture of the author Gravc
      at $1000 per review that looks like a pretty good niche in itself!!
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  • Profile picture of the author Lloyd Buchinski
    I enjoyed that bit of humor Gravc. WSO on how to do it coming up.
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    Do something spectacular; be fulfilled. Then you can be your own hero. Prem Rawat

    The KimW WSO

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