This is Day 28 of 31 Days to Build a Better Blog, a group project 60+ of us bloggers are doing together in an effort to help each other become better bloggers.
The review is what I do. Since I have a bath and beauty blog, reviews are a central part of my blogging experience. There is something empowering about writing a review. It gives you, the reviewer, a voice on a particular topic. You have an opinion, and people value the honest opinions of others.
Darren gave some great tips for writing an expert review. However, I do have a few more tips for crafting the perfect review:
- Compare the product with the promise. Does the product deliver all that it promises? How does it measure up against the manufacturer’s claims? When doing a review I give my overall opinion as well as whether I feel that the product delivers on the specific claims of the manufacturer. I usually look at the label or the manufacturer’s website and build those claims onto my review.
- Details count. Sometimes the little things make the biggest difference. In my case, I comment on the texture and smell of a product. Sometimes I’ll find a container especially inconvenient. I mention these things in my review. These kinds of details may seem meaningless, but sometimes details make all the difference.
- Don’t lose your voice. Each blogger will have his or her own voice as a writer. Because the review may be a different type of blog for many, there is the temptation to adjust your voice to fit this style. However, I believe that readers read your blog for information, but also for your unique voice. If you’re funny, bring that comedy into your review. Give the relevant information, but deliver it as only you can.
I agree with Darren that reviews are important for all types of blogs. I find that the review is great for building community. A review gives a chance for readers to agree, disagree, or ask questions. This helps to build relationships with your readers. Having this type of relationship enables you to taylor your blog to your readers.
Reviews are great ways to give information, but they are also great ways to get information. Often after I post a review, people will share their opinions, or suggest other products for me to try. My readers alert me to new products that I may never have heard of otherwise.
Give the review a try. It will be great for you and your readers. Go forth and conquer!
Discussion Questions:
- Do you ever turn to blog reviews for information or opinions?
- Do you think incorporating reviews will be useful to you as a blogger?
The extra mile…
- Tweet, share, & bookmark this post.
- When other bloggers include a link to a new article they’ve posted today, click, read, and comment on it.
- No blog review today.
CaReese Rials is graduate student that has just discovered the ecstasy of blogging. She writes the The Girlie Glamour Guide.
22 Comments
Review posts are great as it gives your readers an insight on your likes and dislikes. Plus, a smart blogger signs up for some affiliate programs and links to the affiliate site so if your reader likes the book you reviewed and they buy it from Amazon you get a small commission..
Today I decided to review Extra Gum.. http://guardraildamageahead.com/31dbbb-day-28-my-…
Loved your post and idea of linking to the affliate to get a little bit. Good thoughts.
I've written a few book reviews in the past. One thing that Thomas Nelson asks of their reviewers is that the reviews be around 400 words. It's difficult for me to review a book in 400 words — I always think it's like writing a book report. But really, it's just your opinion of the book
400 words? Oops, I tend to be long winded in my book reviews for Book Sneeze, plus I include a bunch of quotes.
Okay . . . here we go again. Did I mention I don't like this comment program? (That's my review, folks.) 😉
I was going to continue here . . . it's just your opinion of the book, but remember that the book was written by a person who probably reads all his/her reviews and try to say any negative things as gently as possible. (Life's lessons learned) You may meet the person someday and find them to be a wonderful brother/sister in the Lord — then you'll feel bad even if they don't know it was you.
Love, Cindy
Hey Cindy, what specifically don't you like about the commenting system?
And I totally agree with you. Some people never say anything negative in their reviews. Some people can be extremely harsh. I think the best policy is "speak the truth in love." Include honest criticism where it's warranted but say in a nice way, as if you were speaking to them in person.
It's interesting, though, how some people draw a huge following in part because of their harshly direct critiques. I don't know that that has a place among people who are trying to be Christ-like, although Elijah comes to mind, when he was having the showdown with the prophets of Baal and started taunting them, even saying "Maybe he's on the toilet – shout louder!!"
I enjoy writing reviews when it can add value to the discussion. However, it is difficult to share an opinion without some fall out.
Sheesh. 10:53PM and I'm just now getting to the assignment.
Since my blog is about my specific experience with praying once every minute, I can't think of anything I could review and not be deviating from my primary topic. However, my topic is expanding to be about prayer in general, reporting what I'm learning about it through my own experience. Perhaps my reviewing a book on prayer wouldn't be outside of the scope of my blog.
Incidentally, my latest post (finally!) is up – When You Don't Want To Pray: http://prayerexperiment.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/…
You are right. Review of blogs help though I have always done that. I need a review of this blog
http://www.christchosenambassadorsministry.com/ap…