Review Writing – Figuring out the ‘What’

You want to be a reviewer. Okay, so what do you want to review? With so much out there that can be reviewed these days, there are tons of people jumping on the reviewing wagon to make a name for themselves.

Review writing pays. You can get everything from about $25 starting pay for a magazine article reviewing a particular book or CD or movie to free merchandise for reviewing multiple items. There is also the “Advanced Review Copy“, a much sought after and very coveted position to have with an author, publisher or recording artist.

What do I review? You have to look at where your interests lie. Do you favor books, or music or movies? Maybe you are a coffee snob who feels they are on top of the coffee business and can tell their Starbucks from their Seattle’s Best. Maybe you prefer toys, or baby clothes, or how about local businesses?

The first thing you have to do is decide what you are going to review. And if you pick something popular, remember you are going to have to distinguish yourself from the rest of the crowd with some spectacular reviewing by getting in the latest whatever before anyone else gets there to review it. This may require you to put out some cash, depending on what it is you choose. Gamers put in lots of cash and time before they ever make the coveted “Beta Tester” position.

You have to want to keep after this, doing this on a regular basis if you ever want to make a name for yourself. You do not become a well known and sought after reviewer over night. This is a long term investment. What may help many folks get into this are circumstances in their life.

You will find many moms who focus on children’s items, such as clothes, food, child care products, children’s books etc. IT workers will get into software or hardware reviewing. Diabetics will get into sugar free products or medical supplies. I have a friend who is wheel chair bound who reviews vacation spots for the handicapped. This becomes part of your everyday activities if you plan this correctly. Secretaries will rate calculators, typewriters, white out (tip-ex) brands, supply stores, etc. A new appliance will be written up if something malfunctions and the manufacturer or the distributor does not come through with promised repairs or warranties, or if they do come through with exceptional service.

Reviews are not just about what goes wrong. They are also about what goes right, how the product makes you feel, or how it fits into your life style. Sometimes the “extras” that go with an item get reviewed instead of the item itself. Buy a car in New York City then find out it’s not about the car; it’s about parking in New York City that is worth reviewing.

There are also the specialty items. The “niche market ” that no one seems to bother with, that can become a runaway success for you if you know what you are talking about, are very familiar with the market and can write creatively and express the market coverage and needs. Women’s Health Products, products that address specific disease needs, specialty books; all these are “niche markets” of specialty items that can make someone a very sought after reviewer. You just have to look for them.

The key is being able to know your own level of knowledge, be willing to expand it even further and then work at reviewing and keep at it till you are finally noticed. Because, other than writing a bestselling novel, there is nothing like being asked to review a product.

This is not bribery. Nor are you expected to give a glowing review because the manufacturer sent you a free item, or sent you a product to test. Rather, these people are going by your perception of the product, your expertise in this particular field. They are asking you to be honest, to review the product looking at all the pros as well as the cons so that they can perfect their product.

Before you go any further, write down what topics you feel you would like to work on. Focus on topics that you are well acquainted with. Write down how much time you have weekly to devote to such a project. Look at each topic, and see how much time it will take you to thoroughly test the product. There are no shortcuts. Remember, there is also research time. A well written review needs proper research. How much time are you willing to dedicate to this project?

There is a lot to consider before you even touch a piece of paper with a pen. What are you good at? What would you like to spend time doing? What processes are you involved in on a daily basis that you could turn into a review? And do you have the time and the patience to stick to this project long term to launch yourself into a position of expertise and respect?

12 Responses to “Review Writing – Figuring out the ‘What’”

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