I recently read an article by blogger that made me realize I was guilty of many of the things she mentioned. I don’t remember the name of the blog since I stumbled upon it. She was a review blogger who had stopped doing reviews for various reasons. One of the things she said was how you never see any negative reviews on blogs.
I kept thinking that it was true because other than book reviews I have never read a bad review. Also, I don’t write bad reviews on here. What I do is try to be objective and if I don’t like a product I still write about it. I tell you all about the things I do like about it or what worked for me. This leaves it up to you to decide if it something that you want to try. I am sure that you know there are times bloggers receive products they don’t like and never write about them. For one reason or another it just isn’t our thing.
Why is that true for me? Each review that you read here takes a total of about three hours’ worth of work. That’s not including the time taken to use the product. I spend about an hour taking pictures and I take about hundred pictures of each product. Then I must select the best ones that I want to use and edit them. Once that done I write the article, get it posted, and then promote it across social media. For me I don’t waste my time on a bad product. I email the company and let them know that my reasons for not liking the product and for not writing a review. I do draft and send what would be my review to them in the event they want something posted. It is one of the few times a company will see my review before publishing.
Another point made in the article is how happy and organized most bloggers look in their articles. She talked about how that can make a person feel inadequate. I admit to feeling this way when I read some blogs. I think how in the world can they do all this because most days I feel like a failure. Of course, the bloggers don’t aim to make readers feel this way. Sometimes I am in such awe of them that I am left wondering if Wonder Woman had a whole bunch of children. If she did these women are it. While I don’t know the things that go on in their daily lives I bow down to them if they are that happy and organized. Cause I so ain’t! If you were to see me at 3 am writing like a crazy person you would understand this.
All in all, the article that I read made me take a good look at myself as a blogger and the things that I want to be and do. I will of course still post good reviews and if there is something I find off with a product I will be sure to let you know. As far as being perfect, it isn’t going to happen anytime soon and I’m okay with that.
Share Your Thoughts
How do you feel about never reading a bad review? Would you rather hear the good and the bad or do you take it all in stride?
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As a reader, I appreciate honest reviews–no matter what the product is. We are an older couple with two cats and not a lot of traffic in our home. Some things will work just fine for us even if it would not stand up lots of pets and kids and company like my son’s house. My daughter is a busy single young woman who does not do a lot of cooking at home. There are things I love in my kitchen because I cook every day that she just doesn’t need and things that make life easier for her that won’t work for me. And at almost 89, my MIL has a completely different set of conditions in her tiny apartment. The point is that “good” or “bad” is not really what I look for in most reviews (unless a product just does not work at all!). The better information is which kind of household/person might make the best use of the product.
Thank you Mary Beth! Knowing that you want information about a product more than a good or bad review is something that all bloggers appreciate. After reading the article and taking a look at myself I know there are some things that I need to adjust while other things I do is perfect just the way it is.
So true..as a reader a blogger invites you into their home and life and you see what they want you to see..their homes are immaculate (well at least the room that they are sharing are) and it really makes you feel like you said inadequate..nice and refreshing post Rita. thank you
Thank you Ginette. I know there have been moments when I have shared to unclean room but that is my life and I feel like if I am going to share things with you all it needs to be honest.
As a reader, I understand that blogger reviews are of products they have used and tested, and I appreciate knowing how the products work out for them. One thing I like about your reviews is that you use your own words–I don’t get the sense that you’re just copying and pasting the sponsor’s ad copy, but that you really used the product and are sharing your experience with it. Keep that up!! But about being perfect: Forget it. Those style blogs are boring, at least as far as I’m concerned. I wouldn’t want to go visiting in one of those perfect houses, or go out to lunch with one of those perfectly styled women. Just keepin it real…
Thank you so much Anne. As much as I would love to have a perfectly styled and beautifully cleaned home I couldn’t. I would be afraid to actually live in that sort of a home and I want people to come into my home and feel like they belong there. I would like a beautifully styled office. If I ever get the chance I’m going to as well. The one room in the house that looks perfect all the time. With white walls and desk along with a deep purple desk chair and sofa.
I really like seeing the good bad and ugly about products. I have bought products based on reviews (as is intended thats the point of the review) and been sadly disappointed. I know some companies only want you to write good things, but their focus really should be if they want repeat sales is that sometimes things just dont work for some. As Mary Beth up there poiinted out, what works for one might not work for another.
I understand completely. I can honestly say that I have a very small number of products that have been awful over the years. I had one that broke the moment I took it out of the box but the brand replaced it and I wrote them a great review. Including their handling of the issue.
Great perspective, both on the challenges of reviewing products and a peek behind the scenes for what you do. Thanks for sharing!