Last month, you probably have seen me accept a couple of paid reviews here in my blog and to be honest I know you don’t like seeing two paid posts in less than 10 days especially that this blog rarely does paid reviews.
The truth about paid reviews is that you rarely pass on them. Practically, it’s the most expensive form of advertising one can avail and for the bloggers; it’s the most lucrative one. And again, I don’t think most bloggers would pass for the opportunity of getting paid. As long as it’s related to what your blog is, then I don’t think there’s any problem with that. Of course, it can hurt your blog in a way or another.
I have learned some few lessons on doing sponsored reviews but before I talk about that, I would like to share with you how I really discourage advertisers from purchasing a review from this blog. First is I price my review too high. Ok, although it seems like $50 is a small amount for the audience I have, it actually is $50 way back when this blog is in 200K Alexa (w/c means I need to raise). Another thing is that my blog is pr0, meaning you don’t get organic boost. And worst, I even no-follow the links! And lastly, I don’t let it last too long in the front page. Doing this sponsored post is really painful in my ass BUT for the money-sake, you obviously do it as long as it’s relevant.
Anyways here are the key tips that I learned in doing posts that are paid:
- Tell them everything – I always tell people to tell your client/advertisers what to expect. After I learn that someone has purchased a paid review, I usually personally contact them with the details, along with how long the review would be there and the nofollow thing. And besides, I believe I clearly stated in my advertise page.
- Adjust quickly – If you’re like me then you have a ton of drafts that you are planning to publish anytime soon. So imagine everything is planned already and all of a sudden somehow requested a paid review, how would you react? Adjust rapidly! Make sure you don’t alienate your posting frequency by breaking it. On the other hand, also make sure that the advertiser realizes his post will not be posted immediately but on a scheduled date.
- Tell your readers you’re paid to do that – There will be times when you would get consecutive review requests or even 3-4 requests in one week. I’m sure it would cross your mind not to disclose some of it because you’re worrying your readers might get annoyed with those reviews. Listen, disclose it! Don’t even think, just disclose it and talk in such a way that you’re still doing your normal posts.
- Be honest – This is an ancient tip with paid reviews yet still many bloggers are afraid to do it. When you’re paid to review someone’s product, you either get your reputation tainted, or get the advertiser’s expectations not met. I would rather get the second one. With my last review about PasteWeb, I was constructively critical with the program itself but I can tell that the advertiser was not mad with me. Here’s one key tip: You know your audience, you know what type of audience they are so think of them when doing your review. Conclude the review based on whether it can benefit your readers or not.
Obviously as I was mentioning this, I still have a couple of paid reviews on the way but I can assure you this will not bore you to death nor will it make you not want to visit this blog again. How about you? How do you deal with sponsored reviews?
Agent Deepak says
I have not much experience doing Paid Reviews. I have done a few and I always try to share every bit of information.
Many Advertisers prefer to buy Review as it gets attention of blogger and readers and they get feedback as well.
.-= Agent Deepak´s last blog ..Get your Face on Facebook =-.
Melvin Reply:
February 11th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
yep but unlike banners, they lose getting noticed after quite some time.
Nimit Kashyap says
Good post, some useful information.
Melinda says
I don’t mind seeing paid reviews on blog, especially if the other content is good. In fact, I’m sure none of your readers would mind if they like you/your content.
.-= Melinda´s last blog ..8 Simple Exercises to Lose Weight =-.
Dana @ Blogging Update says
What i learn from paid review is creativity. Paid review always push me to creatively create an article that match with my niche and in addition give some plus for my readers.
.-= Dana @ Blogging Update´s last blog ..This Blog Officially is in Atahualpa 3.4.5 Now =-.
Ruth - Web Career Girl Reply:
February 10th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
I agree with Dana – When I did do paid reviews in the past, I would always try to be as creative as possible with them so they fit in with my blog as well as possible. This can be a good way to do it that doesn’t isolate your readers too much if they aren’t used to these kind of posts.
.-= Ruth – Web Career Girl´s last blog ..Do Your Websites Actually Help People? =-.
Melvin Reply:
February 11th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
ey thats a good feedback Ruth and Dana. Thanks for that! 🙂
Tom | Build That List says
I haven’t done any paid reviews yet, but I think honesty is the most important factor. Honesty to your client and also to your readers.
.-= Tom | Build That List´s last blog ..Do I Need My Own Product Before I Start List Building? =-.
Mathew Day says
That was a interesting post Melvin. Thanks for your insight on this subject. Honesty, that is the keyword for this post.
I’ve never read about someone who discouraged people to do a paid review on their blog.
I’ve never done a paid review on any of my blogs yet, don’t have the traffic or rank yet. It is something I’ll definitely allow in the near future.
.-= Mathew Day´s last blog ..Make Real Money with CashCrate – Multi Tier Referral Program =-.
Arafat Hossain Piyada says
Recently I get some request on paid review and I always inform them the nofollow thing. The recent change on PayPal for Indian user really discouraging me to do a paid review. I already lost $30 due to that.
.-= Arafat Hossain Piyada´s last blog ..Automatic discover lyrics on iTunes with iTuner =-.
IndianCashMaker says
you are the first guy melvin who is sad about PAID REVIEWS….who does not like money for just reviewing a site…
I personally believe REVIEWING is not an easy job…very difficult to convince the readers that this is a paid review and still you are being HONEST about it
.-= IndianCashMaker´s last blog ..Its Time 2 Get Rich =-.
Melvin Reply:
February 11th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
I don’t think I mentioned I was sad with it. I was just trying to share what bloggers should be doing with sponsored reviews.
rem says
LOL. Painful in your ass is a little too graphic, dude! 🙂
izzat aziz says
i mean no offense, but i used to do pay per post stuff on my older blog, and everytime i get assignment.. i sometime laugh at them (who pay me to write the review) first because i know paid post on my blog reach lesser attention from my reader, but they still pay me to do that.. so what not just take it 🙂
.-= izzat aziz´s last blog ..Why so serious,robot blogger? =-.
Arun Basil Lal says
Paid reviews are a pain in the ass, even though the money is good, a lot of stuffs are at stake. I discourage it when ever I can, but when really good products come in, I do it.
High cost of review is a nice idea, I just doubled my rate. lol. Seriously
.-= Arun Basil Lal´s last blog ..How to Identify the Theme on any WordPress Blog =-.
MaxR de Maxadi says
What does it take for a blog to be approached to do paid reviews ? How many visitors per day ?