The New Intimacy

What, in your opinion, makes a great review?

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Contributor: phoenixfire phoenixfire
Hi Eden! I am new to the site. I love it here, have found the reviews and videos extremely helpful. I know a lot more now than I used to about how to safely use my toys, what I'm looking for in one, and what is worth my money. Since I loved what Eden does so much, I decided to become a reviewer myself. After all, I thought, I have an English degree, a willing partner, and a great sense of humor. Why shouldn't this work, right?

The thing is, I am not doing as well with my reviews as I had hoped/expected to do. I really expected to shoot up the ranks pretty quickly, and that isn't happening. I am even going down in rank a bit as I get more "useful" votes than "extremely useful" ones. I have a mentor, and I work really hard to make my reviews thorough, addressing all the questions I would have if I were considering purchasing something. I know some of my problem is just that I am SUCH a perfectionist (my own worst enemy), but anyway---

What do you look for in a review before you'll give it that "extremely useful" vote? Am I leaving out crucial details? Should I invest in a camera? (For pictures of the products, not videos. I am not ready for that.) Feel free to look at the reviews I've already written.

Thanks!
12/17/2012
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Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
I'm not terribly interested when people repeat the product description from the product page. However if you find something inaccurate - please point it out. For example the Fun Factory Magnum dildo is described as 1.75" diameter. I pointed out in my review that its just a little more than 1.5" - that's a huge and important misrepresentation.

What I really want to read about is:
Why did you choose the product - what 'itch' were you trying to scratch?
How did you and if applicable your partner use the product?
In what way(s) did the product perform in the way you expected?
In what way(s) did the product fail to meet your expectations?
Did you find any creative ways to use the product?

I go straight to the "Performance" & "Experience" portions of a review.
12/17/2012
Contributor: phoenixfire phoenixfire
Quote:
Originally posted by Gunsmoke
I'm not terribly interested when people repeat the product description from the product page. However if you find something inaccurate - please point it out. For example the Fun Factory Magnum dildo is described as 1.75" diameter. I pointed ... more
Thanks Gunsmoke, you really give some useful pointers I can refer to on my next few reviews. I tend to read the whole review since I am knowledgeable about only a limited range of toys, but I bet there are a lot of people who read the way you do.
12/17/2012
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Everyone likes to read different things in a review. My best advice is just be yourself. What I like about all the different reviewers here is that everyone has their own style, and everyone has their own specific areas they like to focus on. That's what makes it fun to read different people's reviews - because you get different takes on the same product. So be yourself, and create your own "review style". And then be patient.

As for your rank going down - "Useful" votes will NOT bring your rank down. "Extremely Useful" and "Useful" votes will make your rank go UP.

Also, contributor rank has to do with a lot more than just the votes you get on your reviews. It's based on your activity on the forums, and everywhere else on the site. Here is an break down of the ranking system. Note that ranking is done on a bell curve... or in comparison with other members. So when other members are really extra active and you're active the same amount as always, your rank can go down. For example, I was up to 6.7, then I went out of town and didn't even log on for 4 days. When I came back, I was at 6.6 simply because I was inactive while others were REALLY active.

Also, when you're on the cusp of going up in rank it is very common to wobble on that edge for a bit until you finally go over it. You may go back and forth between a new higher ranking, and your same old ranking for days before you finally move up and stay there.

Hope that helps a bit! Basically - don't sweat it! Carve out your own niche here, find a review style you enjoy, and just be yourself. You'll do great!
12/17/2012
Contributor: phoenixfire phoenixfire
Quote:
Originally posted by indiglo
Everyone likes to read different things in a review. My best advice is just be yourself. What I like about all the different reviewers here is that everyone has their own style, and everyone has their own specific areas they like to focus on. ... more
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Indiglo. I needed that, I think.
12/18/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
For me to vote EU I look for:

-Product details - Materials, Size, How it works, Etc.
-Being as detailed as possible when describing these things
-LOTS of info on experience. Did it work for you? Why or why not? Who do you think it would work for regardless of if it worked for you or not. Why?
-Accurate information.
-What would you change about the product or what the downfalls of it were. No matter how much you love something, I want to see at least one con on it and how big of an issue it is. I firmly believe nothing is perfect. Even if it works amazing for you, a con could be "too big/small for some" or something like that.
-Photos really help for me. I won't rate lower just because a review doesn't include it because I know it's not a requirement, but for a review to truly be EU for me personally, I need photos.
-Comparison of the product to other products you own. Is it better or worse? If it vibrates, what is it stronger/weaker than?

There's more, but that's off the top of my head.

Don't worry too much about rank. As mentioned, lots goes into it and useful votes won't bring your rank down.
12/18/2012
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
Write the review that makes you happy - you'll never please everyone. Some people like lots and lots of detail; for some that bogs down the review, and the experience and how the toy actually works are the most important thing. No two people are looking for the same thing, or find the same information the same degree of useful.

Write a review you're happy with, and don't sweat it so much
12/18/2012
Contributor: Lildrummrgurl7 Lildrummrgurl7
Everyone already gave you great points to include! I'd recommend reading the nominations for the Weekly Rumble every week to see what made them stand out as excellent reviews.
12/19/2012
Contributor: phoenixfire phoenixfire
Quote:
Originally posted by - Kira -
For me to vote EU I look for:

-Product details - Materials, Size, How it works, Etc.
-Being as detailed as possible when describing these things
-LOTS of info on experience. Did it work for you? Why or why not? Who do you think it ... more
Kira, I don't own a camera, but I would consider buying a reasonably cheap one (maybe on Ebay) for this purpose, as I know photos help me, particularly when it comes to how discreet the packaging of something is and how well it will stand up to use if I decide to store a toy in it long term. I need a camera that is a good balance of affordability and features. (A grainy picture will do no one who is reading my reviews any good.) Maybe Santa will bring me one. Who knows.
12/19/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
Quote:
Originally posted by phoenixfire
Kira, I don't own a camera, but I would consider buying a reasonably cheap one (maybe on Ebay) for this purpose, as I know photos help me, particularly when it comes to how discreet the packaging of something is and how well it will stand up to ... more
Cameras have come a long way. You can get a decent quality image with a pretty reasonably priced camera. eBay is a great place to find good deals! You really don't need a ton of features for review photos. I have a fancy camera with all sorts of options and it stays on one or two settings for 99% of my review pictures. lol
12/19/2012