(This post was originally written for my blogging how-to website, basics4bloggers.com in early 2013. I have updated and expanded the post for publishing here!)
Do you enjoy sharing your opinions on products you have tried? Do your friends or family come to you when deciding their own purchases?
If so, you may have a knack for writing helpful product reviews that will boost your Steemit profile!
My Product Review Writing Background
I have been writing product reviews for a variety of companies since 2011. I have worked with many big name brands like Verizon Wireless, Disney, Nintendo, and Best Buy, receiving products they mail to me in exchange for my honest review.
I usually write the reviews on my own Wordpress blogs, but occasionally they will ask me to leave a review on their retail website as well. I often review my Amazon purchases because I really love sharing my thoughts and opinions!
So today, I want to show you how you can become a very helpful Steemian by sharing your own opinions on your favorite products – while also making some money…not just SBD, but real USD! Read all the way to the end if you’d like to find out how!!
What Makes a Product Review Useful
First, you must understand what a product review needs to do. It needs to be an objective look at the item, with your personal experiences and opinions mixed in.
It needs to be thorough as well, so that the potential buyer can make an informed decision whether or not to purchase the product once they are finished reading your review.
So, how do you make your product reviews great? Following these 4 tips, of course!
Tips to Writing INSANELY Helpful Product Reviews
1. Begin your product review with a good hook!
This will pull the reader in, making them want to know more about the product you are reviewing.
Which catches your attention better…”The Blah Blah 3000 is a good product because….”
OR
“Are you ready to get rid of that unwanted hair for good?! Well, I recently tried out the…”
Asking a question or stating a solution to a common problem are great ways to get your reader hooked.
2. Take your own personal photographs!
Stock photos can easily be found on a brand’s website. Avoid using these on your product review, since people can see them when they head over to the retailer’s site to make the purchase.
Instead, use personal product photos of the item right out of the box in your home – as well as in use. That’s what interested readers are looking for – they want to visually see someone using the item before they decide to buy.
If they wanted to see a stock photo, they wouldn’t leave the brand’s site!
3. Do not skimp on the text of the review!
Some bloggers may think a quick overview of the product with an “I like it!” or “I don’t recommend it!” is a sufficient product review. However, these look lazy and give the reader no real info to base their purchase on.
Instead, you want to be very detailed with your product reviews, if you really want people to benefit from reading them.
If it’s a food, tell how it tastes, make comparisons to other foods, tell if it was too sweet, too bland, etc.
If it’s a cleaning product, tell how well it cleaned your stove (a before and after photo would be GREAT!), if there was a bad odor from using it, if you had to use a lot to get a small job done.
For clothing, mention the fit, the color and how it worked with other items in your closet, where you’d wear the item.
People read reviews for the personal opinions and experiences – not just to see a rehashed version of the product description on the salespage!
4. Write the review at least 5 days after you’ve begun using the item!
Most items need to be used at length before you can give an honest review. The exception would be food, a movie, or something that can only be used once.
Be sure to use other items at least 3-4 times so you can spot any benefits or problems that you may have missed in the first use.
5. Tell readers where to buy!
Finish your product review by directing your readers to a salespage for the product, if possible. If it isn’t available online, tell them which retailers sell the product.
Earning REAL CASH with your Product Reviews
If you are posting effective product reviews here on Steemit, you will likely earn some SBD and Steem Power for your time and effort. However, when you can, link to the product from your Steemit post using an affiliate link!
An affiliate link is a special link given to you by the retailer. The code within the link will track the sales generated by your personal link, so you can earn commissions when you help make a sale.
Amazon Associates is perhaps the easiest affiliate program to start with…and since billions of people worldwide already shop on Amazon, you don’t have to do much persuading outside of reviewing the product.
Hopefully you have a better understanding of writing product reviews that are SUPER helpful to the reader. Give one a try on your Steemit profile, and use an affiliate link for additional earning potential!
