The New Intimacy

When do you start writing the review?

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Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
I was just wondering when reviewers start writing their reviews. Do you give a couple good attempts before starting it? Do you get it all done and submitted in one go?

From an Admin standpoint, I would like to tell everyone to NOT start writing the review until they're ready to submit it. It causes a LOT of hassle if the product breaks or malfunctions after a person starts the review. I could get into specifics, but won't. Basically, it causes more hassle for more people than just me.

When do you start writing your review? Do you give it a weekend? A good solid week? The absolute most time you can before it's late?
01/19/2012
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Contributor: Kindred Kindred
For me it will depend on the type of product. For things like anal/prostate toys, I've experienced enough and know my body well enough that I usually have a good idea about the features I want to discuss after one use. However, I typically start formulating the review in my head and try it 2-3 more times before I literally start any typing. For products with an ingredient list, I will usually immediately start researching the ingredients and compiling information in a Word document for later use. I'm a bit of a procrastinator when it comes to actually writing my review and more than once I push the due date envelope.
01/19/2012
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
(Review Program Mentor)
I didn't know that it caused a hassle to start writing a review before we were ready to submit it! Before I found this out I often would write out the basics (size, packaging, material, etc. ) when I first got it and then just save the review as a draft as I used it more. It usually takes me about a week if I know I love or hate it, but if I'm on the fence about something it can take up to the full month for me to decide about how to rate it and to talk about my experience!
01/19/2012
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
I usually will write my review when I have about two go arounds with it. If I didn't like it to begin with, I'll usually give it three or four tries before I decide I like it or not.

When I actually write my review, I make sure I submit it within a couple hours. Almost all of my reviews are written out on my blog, which is submitted with the onsite portion.
01/19/2012
Contributor: Silverdrop Silverdrop
I'll use notepad from now on, since I work on mine over a period of days or (sometimes) weeks.
01/19/2012
Contributor: Beck Beck
I write my reviews out and they are usually submitted within a few hours. I usually write them in Work Word Processor first.

I tend to write them after I have decided whether or not I like the product. That way I have enough uses out of it to know if I like it. Plus some items require getting use to, just to enjoy them.
01/19/2012
Contributor: gone77 gone77
When I did reviews, I'd begin mentally writing the review when I first tried it out.
01/19/2012
Contributor: sweetiejo sweetiejo
For me I start doing the review mentally from the time i first see it in the mail noting the packaging. For the review i like to use something as few times before i write a review so I know it will be perfect. I like to get feedback on the review before I submit it to also. I average about 1 to 2 weeks before i write the review.
01/19/2012
Contributor: js250 js250
I work on the draft for about a week. I start it using the questions I have, get my first impressions down and then after putting the item through 6-10 hours of use I will finish my review. I will start using wordpad from now on.

Is it the drafts you are talking about or submitting and then having to pull or edit the reviews after they are published, JR?
01/19/2012
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
The mental review starts when I first use it. I won't start writing the review on site until I am ready to submit it but I write it in a word doc before hand anyways.
Time wise I will wait until I have used it at least five or six times. That way I am sure of it's use or possible other uses. I have had a few that were written after one use but I knew for sure that the product was not going to work either way.
01/19/2012
Contributor: Ms. N Ms. N
Toys, I will give a few tries normally, especially if I am not totally overjoyed the first time. Lingerie, I can get written up faster, if I am in the mood to write. Normally, when I am at the writing stage, I do it all at once, over a period of hours, and then submit the review when I am finished. On rare occasions, I will start a review on one day and finish it the next, but I really prefer to knock it out in one sitting.
01/19/2012
Contributor: 12345678 12345678
I try to use things at least twice before I review them. And I try to finish them in one sitting, too.
01/19/2012
Contributor: Lucidity Lucidity
I write a rough draft (in word) usually after the first time I use it. I then use it a few more times and copy + paste into the review.

I can totally understand how starting a review on the site and then abandoning it for a bit could cause a ton of issues.
01/19/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I do mental notes the second I get something. I notice randomly through the week little things I want to say will pop in my head and I'll make mental notes of them for later. I don't start typing anything until I go to write the full review. I write the full review in one sitting, usually an hour and a half to three hours per review for the text portion, not including photo editing time. I write everything in the web browser since my computer spell checks as I type.

I usually write reviews 1-2 weeks after using a product for the first time, sometimes more depending on if there were things I wasn't sure about or if I'm backed up on other reviews.
01/19/2012
Contributor: Buttercup Green Buttercup Green
I usually use the item until I have a firm opinion about it. Sometimes it takes only two sessions with the toy, and sometimes it takes 20 sessions.
I use as much time as I need. I take mental notes from the moment it is in my hands, and sometimes I write those notes down on paper so I don't forget later.
When I am ready to write, I sit down and type everything out. Then I upload and edit my photos. I decide where I want each photo to go. After everything is done, I go back and reread it a few times. Most of the time, I will catch a few mistakes. Rereading it also seems to help me remember important details I would have left out.
I find it easier to not rush myself. This also helps me turn out better reviews.
01/19/2012
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
I don't actually fill out anything in the on-site review form until I'm ready to submit. All my drafting-up happens in a Word document.

I take some quick notes about the product almost as soon as I have it in my hands. What it looks like, feels like, my expectations in advance of using it. After using it a few times, I add more notes and the review starts to develop an opinion tone. Once all the rough notes are done, I'll usually flesh out the actual writing in one or two big sittings, and I'll usually take and edit my pictures at that time as well. All in all, the entire process takes about 2-3 weeks of using the product and adding notes, and then filling it in and polishing it up - I like to wait and make sure I have a good idea of what the product is like before submitting my review.
01/19/2012
Contributor: geliebt geliebt
I just wait until I've used the product enough that I have all my notes filled out (I keep a notebook to record my thoughts on products as they come up), but I don't come here and type up the reviews until I'm ready to submit them. If I want to pre-type them, I just put them into a word document and save it that way.
01/20/2012
Contributor: Crystal1 Crystal1
To be honest, I start my notes for a review right after ordering the product. I check out the product info and photos and make a list of things I'm curious about or questions I have that aren't answered by the info that's already available. Since I mostly review lingerie, that means things like is the fabric stretchy? Is there a zipper or do I just slip this on over my head? Anything I'm wondering about gets noted so I can remember to answer those questions in my review, since I tend to forget them as soon as I actually get the item in my hands. I'll also sometimes make notes about my expectations, so I can compare them to the real thing.
01/21/2012
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
(Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by js250
I work on the draft for about a week. I start it using the questions I have, get my first impressions down and then after putting the item through 6-10 hours of use I will finish my review. I will start using wordpad from now on.

Is it the ... more
I'm wondering about this, too! I'm going to just write them offsite until I get a definitive answer
01/21/2012
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Quote:
Originally posted by Ryuson
I'm wondering about this, too! I'm going to just write them offsite until I get a definitive answer
Same here. I've always done the same thing - started the draft and then just saved it and kept working on it over time. Maybe a day, maybe a week, depending on the review. I had no idea that would clog up the system! I really thought no one would see it but me. I've never started a draft, and then had something break though, because I don't start them THAT quickly. I don't start the draft until I've actually thoroughly examined the item and started using it a little.

I guess I'll do the same, just write them offsite and save them in a word document until we find out for certain.
01/21/2012
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Quote:
Originally posted by js250
I work on the draft for about a week. I start it using the questions I have, get my first impressions down and then after putting the item through 6-10 hours of use I will finish my review. I will start using wordpad from now on.

Is it the ... more
It's just the drafts floating around. Starting a not assigned review in Jan and finishing it in Feb. is ok. Starting a review before the product arrives, that's the problem. What if the size is off? Then we'll replace/reassign as necessary. But, because the review was started on the one size, it will still register on that one size. A totally new review will have to be started.

Starting a rough draft in wordpad, Word/Office, is a great idea. Ask any writer, writing is rewriting. All in all, I'm happy with the overall continuous improvement in reviews. VERY well done!
01/22/2012
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
(Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
It's just the drafts floating around. Starting a not assigned review in Jan and finishing it in Feb. is ok. Starting a review before the product arrives, that's the problem. What if the size is off? Then we'll replace/reassign as ... more
That totally makes sense about size changes or something like that! It never occurred to me! Thanks for clarifying about assignments VS not assignments, though! I'm just gonna try and work in Word more, I don't want to clog the systems
01/22/2012
Contributor: Jessica Elizabeth Jessica Elizabeth
I don't necessarily "start" writing a review. I simply use the item until I am comfortable with it and know the things I need to for the review, and then write and submit it. However, I do take mental notes about it, the moment I take it out of the mailing box. What the packaging is like, if there's initial smell, things like that.

01/22/2012
Contributor: sinfullysweet1 sinfullysweet1
I have to admit that I am one of those people that put the system and you to work and for that I am terribly sorry. I tend to write my reviews on a use basis i will add to it as I go until I have gone over everything I feel needs to be gone over. Such as I may write 2 or 3 sections of my draft and then save it until I have more information that I feel would apply to the item that I have at that time. I had no idea that it actually created more work i think i am going to make a template and just save it to my hard drive from now on so that all I have to do once I am finished is copy and paste. I am also one as we know to push the deadline but I am working on that honest I am .
01/23/2012
Contributor: Cookie Monster Mike Cookie Monster Mike
I have only had 1 assigned review that I request, I believe I took 2 weeks to use the product in different ways and multiple times. After this period of time is when I went to the EF site to start my review and did not stop until it was finished and I was satisfied. Later I added a video review to furthermore add to the review.

For not assigned reviews, I do the exact same thing usually. I at least try the product out a few times, or weeks before writing the review. However in 2 rare cases, I wrote a review on 2 products only after using them 2 times. Because they were somewhat basic, and there was nothing more I could learn from them, or gain by using them more. So I wrote the review within days.

In any case, usually 1 month after I write a review on something, I always look back on the review and find something I could have added. So I try to save that for the follow up review.
01/23/2012
Contributor: freda freda
agree
01/27/2012
Contributor: Snozzberries Snozzberries
I give the thing a good two or three times of testing throughout the review. It makes those weekends when we get stuff really fun ones.

I usually start after the first go but revise as necessary after subsequent uses.
01/30/2012
Contributor: Lucky21 Lucky21
It totally depends. I give most products a go, or three before I would even consider it, but then, I usually try to wait a little while longer. Products that I am supre excited about, I try to write sooner rather than later, especially because I can get busy and then my motivation to write goes way down. I think that some products are also harder to review than others. What I really like is that I can start to write a review save it and come back. There are a number of things that I have done that for, and I am very grateful, that way I can almost start a little bit of a journal and then go back, and I still have my original thoughts from when I first started using a product.
02/01/2012
Contributor: PassionateLover2 PassionateLover2
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
I was just wondering when reviewers start writing their reviews. Do you give a couple good attempts before starting it? Do you get it all done and submitted in one go?

From an Admin standpoint, I would like to tell everyone to NOT start ... more
As a writer of only two book reviews, 'Girls on Top' link and 'Fast Girls' link I took the time to read the whole book and began composing the review in a Word document. I made sure everything flowed correctly, checked spelling, and provided what I thought would be the appropriate pictures. After a week or two passed, I return to the work to check if my objectives were still fresh, accurate, and informative.

As I consider future writings on other products like, Aneros or Fleshlight products or other cock ring toys, I believe there is no rush to do a good job the first time and make a thorough analysis of the product. As my guiding principal, I make sure that the review educates the reader in making a well-informed decision. A lot of expense is on the line.
02/01/2012
Contributor: oopsy oopsy
Oh gee! I didn't realize it caused problems if I started and stopped writing several times! I've never had a product malfunction or have to return something, but it's good to know that anyway! I usually give it a week or two. Give myself time to use it a few times in a few different settings, or if it's a beauty product, give my skin time to show a reaction if there is one.
02/03/2012