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No more review copies.

by Tim_Carter
22 replies
So I saw this new trend where rather than giving review copies away people were selling them. I thought this was a great idea.

So I offered up a total of 30 review copies at a reduced rate.

They all sold.

I got one review posted.

So that didn't work so well.

Anyone else that is doing this have that issue? Or is it working for you? I am trying to figure out what the problem is.
#copies #review
  • Profile picture of the author Seth Bias
    Its hard to find good reviewers. Best thing is you got 30 copies sold for at least some money. Some people offer FREE Review copys and get 0$ and 0 reviews. Hope the best for your products.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tim_Carter
      With free review copies you get freebie seekers whose reviews don't mean much. (The law of reciprocity). That is what I liked about paid reviews. They have a vested interest.

      The point was not to just sell at a discount. I also sold plenty of non review copies.

      The point was to show people that the product works as stated from people who have a vested interest. That is why I tried it.

      Not sure I will do it again though.

      Originally Posted by sbias View Post

      Its hard to find good reviewers. Best thing is you got 30 copies sold for at least some money. Some people offer FREE Review copys and get 0$ and 0 reviews. Hope the best for your products.
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  • Profile picture of the author mike76
    My one (and probably only) time listing a WSO, I had 5 free review copies and 5 cheap review copies. 1 free reviewer actually bother posting and 2 of the paid reviewers did... so I'd say it probably doesn't matter if you give them away or sell them cheap.
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  • Profile picture of the author Karen Barr
    Did you chase any of them up to ask how they were getting on? Got to be honest, I often forget to leave reviews
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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    If you do it again, give them the product at full price and offer a partial refund for the review.

    Although I am not a fan of paid reviews, you will get better results by giving them an incentive based on specific delivered actions.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tim_Carter
      I like this idea. Might do this one next time. Will have to think on it. Not sure if it violates some sort of rule though. Not that I can see.

      Originally Posted by tpw View Post

      If you do it again, give them the product at full price and offer a partial refund for the review.

      Although I am not a fan of paid reviews, you will get better results by giving them an incentive based on specific delivered actions.
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    • Profile picture of the author JR Consulting
      Originally Posted by tpw View Post

      If you do it again, give them the product at full price and offer a partial refund for the review.

      Although I am not a fan of paid reviews, you will get better results by giving them an incentive based on specific delivered actions.
      As far as WSO's go, this appears to be against the rules.

      You may not offer any kind of "bribe" inside your product in exchange for leaving reviews in your WSO thread. For instance, you can't offer a bonus report that people only get if they leave a review. This makes all the reviews in your thread at least slightly suspect.
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    • Profile picture of the author Samrath Gupta
      Originally Posted by tpw View Post

      If you do it again, give them the product at full price and offer a partial refund for the review.

      Although I am not a fan of paid reviews, you will get better results by giving them an incentive based on specific delivered actions.
      I totally like the idea of TPW

      Sell them WSO first and let them know that if they will post their review they will get a refund and the WSO will be free for them...

      I personally think it will work..

      Thanks again TPW for a great idea

      Regards
      ~Sam~
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  • Profile picture of the author sal64
    Problem is that people will grab it coz it's free. Chances are that they won't even read it, not make the effort to review it.

    It sucks. That's why I don't offer review copies.

    Best option is to follow up with customers after a few days and ask them to review it if they liked it. Give them a free bonus etc.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tim_Carter
      It wasn't free. A few bucks off.

      Originally Posted by sal64 View Post

      Problem is that people will grab it coz it's free. Chances are that they won't even read it, not make the effort to review it.

      It sucks. That's why I don't offer review copies.

      Best option is to follow up with customers after a few days and ask them to review it if they liked it. Give them a free bonus etc.
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    • Profile picture of the author RylanClayne
      This is a very interesting thread particularly as I am wrestling with the same dilemma as we speak. I have decided to go down the route of offering 5 free review copies to Warriors with 100 posts and over and hope they will contribute their views on my wso.

      But I do also like what some of the other ideas were including following up with those I have given review copies to as well as sending out a follow up email some days later asking if everything is ok and if they enjoyed the product or had something to say to leave their opinions in the thread. I would NOT offer any type of bribe etc so I am guessing this would not be considered against the rules.

      In the end of the day however if people really enjoy your product I think you will end up getting traction and eventual reviews of the product through word of mouth etc. It would be nice to hone this process down however, especially when a product is new as reviews is all people buying at least initially.

      Originally Posted by sal64 View Post

      Best option is to follow up with customers after a few days and ask them to review it if they liked it. Give them a free bonus etc.
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      • Profile picture of the author WillR
        Originally Posted by RylanClayne View Post

        But I do also like what some of the other ideas were including following up with those I have given review copies to as well as sending out a follow up email some days later asking if everything is ok and if they enjoyed the product or had something to say to leave their opinions in the thread. I would NOT offer any type of bribe etc so I am guessing this would not be considered against the rules.
        Yes, you can definitely follow up with your customers and encourage them to come back to your WSO thread and leave their honest feedback, that's fine. The problem lies when people 'bribe' their customers to come back and leave a review. Obviously people are not going to leave a negative review if they are getting a bonus or partial refund as a result of posting that review. They are more inclined to sing praises.

        Offering discounted review copies is different. The customer is getting the discount BEFORE they purchase and therefore have nothing to gain by leaving a good review and nothing to lose by leaving a negative review. All this does is encourages reviews, it does not encourage good reviews.

        As you can see there's a big difference between the two.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tim_Carter
    Yeah could be construed as a bribe. But honest feedback would be sought. Would just be a discount I would think in most cases - not a full refund.
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  • Profile picture of the author JR Consulting
    Originally Posted by Mike Artime View Post

    so is it legal to sell review copies at a discount rate? I am about to launch a wso and I need reviews and ideas on how to even start that process?

    Mike
    From the wording in the WSO rules, it appears to be ok to offer review copies at a discount, as long as posting a review in the WSO thread is not a requirement for receiving the discount.

    That's my take on it, but I could be wrong.

    9. (added 29 June 2011) You may not offer any kind of "bribe" inside your product in exchange for leaving reviews in your WSO thread. For instance, you can't offer a bonus report that people only get if they leave a review. This makes all the reviews in your thread at least slightly suspect.

    (added 9 July 2011) The above paragraph isn't as clear as it could have been -- It's OK to publicly offer review copies, for free or at a discount, inside your WSO thread. Reviewers should make sure to say in their reviews that they received review copies. Transparency is the key here.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tim_Carter
    Yes - but this whole thread is about how ineffective it seems to be. At least in my case.

    Originally Posted by Mike Artime View Post

    so is it legal to sell review copies at a discount rate? I am about to launch a wso and I need reviews and ideas on how to even start that process?

    Mike
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    • Profile picture of the author WillR
      Originally Posted by tpw View Post

      If you do it again, give them the product at full price and offer a partial refund for the review.
      Originally Posted by Samrath Gupta View Post

      Sell them WSO first and let them know that if they will post their review they will get a refund and the WSO will be free for them...
      Originally Posted by sal64 View Post

      Best option is to follow up with customers after a few days and ask them to review it if they liked it. Give them a free bonus etc.
      All of the above are NOT allowed. It is against the rules to offer bonuses, discounts, refunds (partial or full) AFTER the sale in order to get someone to go back and leave a review for your WSO. The problem lies in the fact people coming to your WSO do not know some people were compensated for leaving a review - this is very misleading and therefore not allowed. If you offer the bonus or special pricing on the actual WSO page for all customers to see BEFORE they purchase then this is different. This is why offering cheaper paid review copies IS allowed. It's all about full disclosure to potential customers.
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    • Profile picture of the author JR Consulting
      Originally Posted by Tim_Carter View Post

      Yes - but this whole thread is about how ineffective it seems to be. At least in my case.
      The thread did drift from your original post. My apologies for the unintentional hijacking.
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  • Profile picture of the author AmandaT
    The best way to get a response is to follow up with them. I have forgotten to post reviews a few times simply because I get lost in my work from time to time. I simple PM linking me to the thread so I can post a review is always enough to get me there and posting.
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  • Profile picture of the author thewpguide
    The trouble with review copies are the amount of people that just want something for nothing (or at a much cheaper price) who then don't know you from Adam to actually feel any loyalty to you!

    The idea of refunding someone seems good but as someone has said it could look like a bribe.

    How about contacting a few people who have written full reviews of other WSO's and asking if they would mind reviewing the product for you.

    Also when you're requesting people to review it put some terms in (certain amount of posts, when it should be reviewed by) and then chase them up after.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      Originally Posted by Jeffrey Reidy View Post

      As far as WSO's go, this appears to be against the rules.
      You may not offer any kind of "bribe" inside your product in exchange for leaving reviews
      That word "inside" is the factor.

      I think if you are upfront that the refund will occur after the review has been left for those who purchase through a special review copy link, this should not be an issue.

      Of course, it is something that could be asked about through the help desk.
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  • Profile picture of the author Damielle
    Maybe the fact that they paid for the product, even at a reduced price, they didn't feel obligated to leave a review.

    Did you follow up with them and remind them to post the review. I find that a lot of time we get excited by the 'new product smell' but once we actually get it its not so exciting anymore.

    Some people just need a polite reminder
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