"Review Copies" Do people actually leave reviews or is it a way to get something for nothing?

12 years ago

I have been offered a copy of various products in exchange for a review, and I don't always accept. a) I need to know the Warrior offering the product, and b) the product needs to be something I would want to try out and work with in the first place. I've declined to review several products because I believed my lack of interest would not allow me to review them justly.

Whenever I actually agree to the review, I always do my best to uphold my side of the bargain. Sometimes I find something to be lacking in the product and I always point that out.

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Alexa Smith

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by EnterpriseWebsites

is it ok to say no to other requests for review copies?

Yes, of course it is: it's entirely up to you.

If it's something already listed for sale in an advertising section of the forum, people are actually not allowed to ask for review copies unless they're specifically offered in the thread (but many don't know that or pretend not to).

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Joseph Robinson

Banned 12 years ago

It all comes down to personal preference. I don't offer review copies for my service. Why should I do work for free? You say this review copy is for a service as well. How are you going to feel if this person doesn't come back with a review at all? You have to decide if the benefit of a review is worth the time and money you lost to go get it.

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Jerremy

12 years ago

I find it important that you review an article to show everyone the real value and to benefit the product. When you aren't interested in a product, but you are going to review it, then what's the point? You most likely will experience it different than people who are interested, as they will read everything and put it into action (immediately). I personally think that sellers should contact people instead of people going to the sellers to offer their review. But it's useful to know when people are interested and are willing to do reviews.
So I don't know if you have made the right decision, I don't know what your interests are, what the product is and who the warrior is.

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;)

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EnterpriseWebsites

12 years ago

Hi everyone thanks for your responses. I gave a review website to a member in hopes that I would get a review but I'm baffled at the level of requests I've received for free websites. One person even asked for a review copy because I'm new and wanted to be certain I'm legitimate. Is asking to review something to access someone's legitimacy common here?

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Joseph Robinson

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by EnterpriseWebsites

Hi everyone thanks for your responses. I gave a review website to a member in hopes that I would get a review but I'm baffled at the level of requests I've received for free websites. One person even asked for a review copy because I'm new and wanted to be certain I'm legitimate. Is asking to review something to access someone's legitimacy common here?

Unfortunately, yes. When I first started writing and giving review copies to people who brought up this excuse, they tended to also be the ones that never got back with a review.

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EnterpriseWebsites

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Joe Robinson

Unfortunately, yes. When I first started writing and giving review copies to people who brought up this excuse, they tended to also be the ones that never got back with a review.

Wow that's terrible it's a shame really because it makes you question giving a review copy to anyone! I was really worried that if I didn't give out review copies I would never make a sale but now I know it's ok to say no and that the true buyers will speak with me further and make the decision based off of that. Crossing my fingers for a sale soon!

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Joseph Robinson

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by EnterpriseWebsites

Wow that's terrible it's a shame really because it makes you question giving a review copy to anyone! I was really worried that if I didn't give out review copies I would never make a sale but now I know it's ok to say no and that the true buyers will speak with me further and make the decision based off of that. Crossing my fingers for a sale soon!

I've found that a better option is just to create a portfolio that shows what I am capable of doing. It accomplishes the exact same thing, and I've brought in more clients with a portfolio than I ever did with review copies.

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Suraj Muralee

12 years ago

But what do you do when people buy review copies for discounted price and then they don't leave review ?

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alexgold87

12 years ago

When I launched my first product I gave 10 copies and got none reviews

After that I decided to stop wasting time and launch all products straight to market.

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HelpingYouBeAnExpert 12 years ago

Originally Posted by alexgold87

When I launched my first product I gave 10 copies and got none reviews After that I decided to stop wasting time and launch all products straight to market.

Thanks Alex I was thinking about offering review products withe WSO I'm about to launch but I'm starting to think after reading this that it might just be better to do what you did and offer the product after all it's only a few dollars. Thanks for the post.

Dan
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James Jewett

12 years ago

There are quite a few WSO's that I have seen where it seems that almost the whole first page is people asking for a review copy (even though it is against forum rules) and saying that they will be back with an honest review.

I will read thru the thread looking for those reviews and guess what a lot of the time no review from those people asking for that review copy.

It's also amazing how many times you see the same people asking for a review copy.

I think the reduced price review copy is one of the more clever ways of
getting a review for your product, because you are at least getting a
little revenue from that method no matter if they give a review or not.

Just my 2 cents

James

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ochaim 12 years ago

That really sucks, its a different story when its a service and you're left hangin with no review after actually doing for the review.

I think you really need to consider their reputation here on the forum. What are their posts like, how many thanks they have or have given. Just so you have an idea of the chance of them holding their end of the deal up.

I don't think its too disparaging to deny review requests either, especially if the person hasn't significantly contributed here. Because in the end, what would a review from them really be worth if that's the case?

Good luck with your WSO! I've yet to figure out mine.
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MattBrighton

12 years ago

Remember that you are in charge of your own product. If you don't want to give out review copies - dont!

There are people on here that want stuff for free. So they buy a WSO and refund it straight away - whilst keeping your product that you worked so hard on. Other people beg for review copies and don't actually leave a review. Thats why - when I do review copies, I make it like a bit of an interview - I ask them a few questions to start with, if they seem legit enough, I'll send them a copy - however, If i interview someone who sounds like an idiot, its more obvious that they just want a free product.

People who want a review copy should be expected to work to get the free product.

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OldLodgeSkins

12 years ago

I guess there will always be people who will just ask this to get a product for free...
But I can guarantee you there are people who actually make real reviews. I know, that's what I do. I do the effort to read or use the product and then assuming this is something I can sell as an affiliate I write a real review and possibly a how-to if it is relevant. If I can't sell it I may still write a review if it's really good and / or if I end up using it myself.

Seb.

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Bruce NewMedia

12 years ago

I usually don't provide review copies anymore...if I do, it's to established warriors who almost always leave a testimonial. (and I'm not referring to the "testimonial factory" guys.)

When I first started out, and was giving out copies, but not getting any reviews, I just started giving half the product modules, and provided the rest after they posted a review. Suddenly, I got reviews!
_____
Bruce

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Andrew Mak

12 years ago

goto the reviewer wanted section on this forum

pay $25 to post a thread to offer the review copy, it worth the money.

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OldLodgeSkins

12 years ago

$5 only actually for that section, not $25.
I know I've posted a thread there a few days ago.

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Mark Hess

12 years ago

Some "smart" marketers actually play games and charge less for review copies so they can stack the sales thread :rolleyes:

Seems to work though...

I get review copies sent to me all the time. If it's something I like and promote it to my list I'll leave a review. Around 90% of the free review copies I get are for things I'm not really interested in...

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kxp

Banned 12 years ago

When some one offers a "WSO" which promises to make $[100/200/500/1k/10k/etc] for a price like $7 or $17 and some one posts a review saying "it is amazing" it looks fishy

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nick3593

12 years ago

Yeah it is wrong to cheat the customer, think about what you would feel if you paid your hard earned money to something that is not worth it. Please try to give people value, this way they will probably buy again from you in the future.

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JEasy 12 years ago

Review copy means "let me get your stuff for free because I'm interested but don't want to pay". I wouldn't give anything away for free if I launched a product.
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