Product Reviews

how to source and license them

[Shak]

I am currently looking to source some product reviews for a new project I am involved in.

However as its specifically the UK market we are targeting, the choices are limited.

only 2 companies so far:

1, Big multinational electronic type news/portal/destination.
2, small independent review site.

the big boys pricing is way out of my league, probably more suited to portals such as Freeserve or Yahoo.

the independent has yet to reply.

any suggestions would be greatly welcomed.

Shak

[IanTurner]

It really depends on the marketplace you are in, but I would suggest trying industry specific associations for example the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) or the British Computer Society (BCS)

[Smiley]

Have you considered contacting a freelance writer to do the work (subject to the number of reviews required)?

Depending on your product type you may be able get names of suitable writers from industry specific publications. Many writers working for publications reviewing products are freelancers.

[Tony_Perry]

and, you'll be surprised how cheap copywriters are. we pay £40 for 400 words.

[irock]

Smiley,

I wonder how the freelacers can get products from product manufacturers.

[Smiley]

irock,

If you get a specialist freelancer then they may have already written a review on that product (especially if they work on a industry magazine). Otherwise manufacturers are happy to send out products for review (if you can give a good case), many require a credit card as a guarantee to the return the item.

This of course makes the content more expensive (and harder to duplicate) and we all know visitors and SE’s love unique content.

Smiley

[irock]

Smiley,

Any ideas how to appracoh these specialist freelacer. I don't mind paying for 2nd hand review. My site specializes on PC/Mac peripherals.

Thanks for your help!

[engine]

If you don't know the freelancers in the sector, the magazines will often select the freelancer for the review. Call the journal in the first instance and ask for the reviews editor.

[irock]

Hi engine,

do you know how the process works?

For example, if the reviewer is my in-house guy, then I know I have to request the product for this person before he can review.

However, if I hire a freelacer, how does he get hold of the product? Does the freelacer handle the product request or does he just write another review copy that has already been published on another publications?

I am kinda lost.

[Shak]

the independent came back with a price of £30 per review.

bearing in mind that this is just licensing the content which is already on their site, and not bespoke reviews especially for me.

Shak

[engine]

>do you know how the process works?

It really depends upon the publication. They all handle things their own way. Sometimes the products go in-house and sometimes to freelancers. Try phoning one of the journals and ask them. Sometimes they have information on their web site about how to go about reviews.

Also, if they are running a feature on that particular product range you may find you have to meet strict deadlines and specifications.