Why do you do (or not do) video reviews?

Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by SiNn
Id idnt know I could or how taht even works
Guidelines for how to do video reviews can be found here
12/19/2011
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by Breas
I haven't done any because I am not exactly sure how.
I can't help with technical issues like how to use your camera -- I'm just not that good -- but I can say that review guidelines for videos can be found here and a tutorial for how to upload here
12/19/2011
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
I wanted to be sure to thank you all for your answers and comments. They have been super helpful! Keep your eyes out for another poll later today or tomorrow and...

Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone but we may even have a video review contest coming up soon. (Don't worry, we'll wait until after the holidays so you all have time to play along!)
12/19/2011
Contributor: leatherlover leatherlover
I haven't tried to do any because I am limited on free time, and I don't think I could communicate as well through a video as I can for a text review.
12/19/2011
Contributor: Research Research
For anyone with technical questions, I know my way around cameras and editing and I can help answer any questions you might have about doing video reviews for the first time or how to make your current videos even better.
12/19/2011
Contributor: Megan Jean Megan Jean
I used to be very into making 'vlogs', in which I'd talk to the camera about nothing. It was one of my favorite hobbies.
So combining that with sex toys, and you've got a done deal for me!
12/20/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
I do them to add additional info to my review. Sometimes words cannot convey everything. I also feel that letting people see and hear a product helps them to make the decision to buy.

And ya, the GC is a nice bonus.
Same. I do them to add information and show a toy when words are hard to find or pictures don't do it justice. I also do them because I know some people would rather listen than read... And the giftcards are a huge bonus. I have tons of products I could do videos for, but I don't do them for products that would just be a waste of time.
12/20/2011
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
I don't do video reviews because I don't find them useful.
12/20/2011
Contributor: JohnnyJackhammer JohnnyJackhammer
I find the video reviews really useful - mostly for ideas of things that we want to buy or put on a wish list.

Kitty and I want to do some team-up video reviews in the coming year, but we need to get some toys that aren't already well represented on the site!

We'll watch out for the policy changes and perhaps dip our toe in the water in 2012.
12/20/2011
Contributor: Danielle1220 Danielle1220
I do them to add to my reviews and of course for the gift cards!!
12/20/2011
Contributor: T&A1987 T&A1987
i don't like the idea of my photo, in any form, being on the internet.
12/20/2011
Contributor: Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
For those who may not know this - I wanted to point out that you do not have to appear in the videos. In fact, if you look at my video reviews, you will see that you never see my face. You'll see my hands and my arms and stuff - but never my face.

This is something to consider if you're wanting to do reviews but don't want to show who you are.
12/21/2011
Contributor: allehcat allehcat
Pretty much the only reason that I don't do them is because I would get too nervous! I have serious camera jitters, and I don't know enough about video editing to get all of my good takes into one short vid, so I've just stayed away from them altogether. I was thinking about starting to make a few since I started to do description reviews, but I'm too scared!
12/21/2011
Contributor: Princess-Kayla ♥ Princess-Kayla ♥
I like the extra help it adds to my reviews. I actually need to go do one. Thanks for the reminder.
12/21/2011
Contributor: PassionateLover2 PassionateLover2
I've read all the posts here and I would like to try one. If I incorporate a song for background purposes or maybe an old TV show as a leadin, does that require copyright approval?
12/21/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Quote:
Originally posted by PassionateLover2
I've read all the posts here and I would like to try one. If I incorporate a song for background purposes or maybe an old TV show as a leadin, does that require copyright approval?
Yes. You need to respect copyright laws when choosing music (or anything else) in your video review. It is illegal to use a song (or anything else) in your video review without the express consent of the artist.

An easy way around this is to use public domain music. There is a great website I always use for my music in my video reviews - incompetech.com. Kevin MacLeod is the artist, and he has a HUGE library of music (in most genres) you can choose from. He expressly states on the website that you can freely use his music in any project you wish, even a money making project. He also has links on there to other websites with music that is public domain and free to use. His music is GREAT and there are no legal worries about using it.

Eden will not refuse to post your video if you have illegal music in it (and you will find a TON of video reviews with illegal music in them on here), but if you get into hot water over it with the artist, they won't help you. It's just better form to use the free music, especially when there is so much quality free music readily available to use. I always give Kevin MacLeod credit at the end of my video reviews for the music. You are not required to do that, but I want to share his name with other reviewers so they can tap into the resource too.

I hope you do a video review! I'd love to see it!
12/21/2011
Contributor: inmytoybox inmytoybox
I loved to do them. I wouldn't show my face, but I would do it.
12/21/2011
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Quote:
Originally posted by indiglo
Yes. You need to respect copyright laws when choosing music (or anything else) in your video review. It is illegal to use a song (or anything else) in your video review without the express consent of the artist.

An easy way around this is to ... more
Thank you Indiglo!
12/21/2011
Contributor: Darktragedy Darktragedy
I have watched several of your videos Carrie, they were instrumental in deciding to buy Gigi! I think you do an excellent job. I don't have a camera and I hate my voice-I sound like a muchkin, I wish I had the confidence to do them that you do!
12/21/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
Thank you Indiglo!
12/21/2011
Contributor: WildeKnight WildeKnight
Kind of difficult to do a video review if you don't have a video camera.
12/22/2011
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
I wanted to be sure to thank you all for your answers and comments. They have been super helpful! Keep your eyes out for another poll later today or tomorrow and...

Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone but we may even have a video review contest ... more
I keep checking back for the next poll! I'm stoked to hear about the new developments with the review program!
12/22/2011
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by Darktragedy
I have watched several of your videos Carrie, they were instrumental in deciding to buy Gigi! I think you do an excellent job. I don't have a camera and I hate my voice-I sound like a muchkin, I wish I had the confidence to do them that you do!
Thank you! That is very kind and makes me blush a bit. Glad I could help!
12/22/2011
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by Ryuson
I keep checking back for the next poll! I'm stoked to hear about the new developments with the review program!
New poll is up! There will be quite a few of them in the next few weeks or so. I want to try to keep the focus kind of narrow on each one so we can really work the kinks out of the current program.
12/22/2011
Contributor: meezerosity meezerosity
I would love to make video reviews if I had the proper equipment to do so. I do have a webcam but I feel that isn't high enough quality to really show all of the details of what I am reviewing. I do really enjoy the videos though, it helps you get a better idea of the size when held by a real person.
01/05/2012
Contributor: CrystaCat CrystaCat
I want to start making videos I have done them in the passed not for products but gor theatre, They were fun!
01/07/2012
Contributor: EdenJP EdenJP
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
Hey guys! We're looking at some changes in the video review program and, as always, we want your input so we make the right changes. In order to make the program as easy to use and beneficial to all of us, you'll be seeing a few polls in ... more
I do not do them because I need to maintain my privacy
01/10/2012