Why do you keep doing it (for those who write detailed reviews)

Contributor: chantal coopette chantal coopette
Quote:
Originally posted by Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
First of all - I t hink I'm burnt out and that may be part of why I'm writing this.

I spent yesterday photographing 10 lingerie items...just spent an hour editing the photos and still have to take pictures of me IN the item even though ... more
i would have to say knowing it helps others and it helps me keep track too
01/10/2012
Contributor: Silverdrop Silverdrop
I almost never buy toys anymore, whether from Eden or my UK sites, that haven't been reviewed somewhere. I've gotten so spoiled by being able to hear from real people about the product. Even if there aren't reviews on the site, I'll google and find that someone has reviewed it on their blog or somewhere. And it's SUCH a huge help.

If you're feeling burnt out, slow down. Your V-day goal was probably a bit lofty - how about moving it out to 100 by Midsummer (June 20)

When you have a lot of items, prioritise:

1. Assignments (obviously)
2. Items that don't have many reviews
3. Items you think would be fun to review
4. Items that already have lots of reviews

Categories 2 and 3 can be swapped, depending on how you feel. Category 4 is something to do only if you just really want to increase your rank or reach a review milestone. But take a break if it feels like a huge chore. The reviews you write when you feel that way won't be as good.

And most importantly, remember what you came here for - to buy toys and lingerie and products to enhance your marriage. Don't forget to slot in LOTS of time with your husband to enjoy the toys and lingerie!
01/10/2012
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
I do it because, well, that's the whole deal about the review program. Free toy/product in exchange for a review. If the review is not good and folks don't like them I only get cheap toys to chose from.

Plus I like writing them. I never wrote much before EF and it has taught me many things about grammar, punctuation etc.. Knowing that my review helps folks in their purchasing decisions is a plus as well.
01/10/2012
Contributor: Breas Breas
I really have a lot of fun doing it, and I try my hardest to do a great job and when I finish a review, I feel proud because I worked so hard. I like that feeling lol
01/10/2012
Contributor: Red Riding Hood Red Riding Hood
The way I see it... I can always take time off. There's nothing MAKING you write a detailed review. I go through periods of writer's block where I really can't make sense of anything. That's not the time to try to inform someone of a product. That is all a review really should be. My objective is to address the product and its uses. If I feel like I'm going to burn out or get sick of it, I spend MORE time getting to know the products. It's sad when reviews are made and someone is like "I never use this anymore." I have discovered that actually pulling out a toy and trying it again can be fun. I guess maybe I pace myself differently. I'm not trying to rack up points, either. When I started doing this, the point system wasn't even in place. Hell, I did NOTHING the week of double-points. I think the main thing is to have fun with it. Don't make it a JOB so much as a fun thing to do. I just started a blog as well, so I know writing sometimes seems like a task. Just take a break and learn more. Look at other reviews and refresh yourself.
01/12/2012
Contributor: Crystal1 Crystal1
I avoid getting tired of it by not reviewing *every* item I get, just one or two per order. If something's not that exciting, I usually don't bother writing about it unless it's new and a lot of people are curious. I think sticking to writing about the items I'm really excited about (or just have a lot to say about) helps a lot.

I do freelance writing and I blog, so I'm writing all the time anyway. I know that reading other people's reviews have made a big difference in whether or not I buy products (and which size I order), so I do like to kind of return the favor with reviews that will help someone else.

Like Sam said, I could easily churn out dozens of reviews a week, but I'd rather do one or two really solid reviews than a ton of so-so ones that I'm just not that into.
01/13/2012
Contributor: Crystal1 Crystal1
Quote:
Originally posted by js250
I suffered a bit of burn out about the beginning of Christmas. For me it isn't about the point difference it is about expecting too much of myself and spreading myself so thin there was nothing left to give. Everything suffered until I went away ... more
The tip about reviewing something out of your usual category is great! I'm so used to writing lingerie reviews that when I go to review a vibrator, lube, bath product, etc, I really have to stop and think about what I want to say, so what I write ends up feeling more fresh. I'm thinking about doing a few makeup reviews soon, since I was reviewing makeup way before I found EF, so I think I can both have fun doing something new and provide some really useful reviews- win/win!
01/13/2012
Contributor: eeep eeep
Quote:
Originally posted by Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
So I'm not the only one who got discouraged by the threads?

Phew. Ok...I feel better now.

I think part of my frustration is I have a piece here that I want to review so much - but to really give good details -I have something ... more
I'll agree with others, I'd like to see the photos. Photos are always really helpful when I am making a decision about something. When it comes to lingerie, there are so many different things that need to be shown that having too few photos is worse than too many.
Honestly, the only time I would downvote something based on photos, is if they were a bunch of huge photos that could have been resized, or a ton pretty much showing the same aspect of something. I honestly love your reviews and have never felt there were too many photos. I actually love the photos, esp. since you seem to be getting a lot of things on my wishlist lately.

On reviewing, I haven't been a reviewer long enough to get burnt out, but I can see it happening. My bigger problem is finding time to test out items in any way I feel may be helpful so I can review, then actually getting the time to write them. Take time to enjoy your family, life, and using the items. Write when you feel like it; it is not a job and only the assignments have deadlines.
01/14/2012
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
First of all - I t hink I'm burnt out and that may be part of why I'm writing this.

I spent yesterday photographing 10 lingerie items...just spent an hour editing the photos and still have to take pictures of me IN the item even though ... more
Well, for one, I don't do the reviews for the points. So that has never been an issue or thought in my head.

I pick and choose which reviews to put the most amount of time into. Not every review needs tons of comparisons and pics, some don't need any at all. I reserve my super detailed reviews for the items that really need it (DRs or items that have no reviews, ones with horrible experiences, or ones I am counted on for writing good reviews - usually lingerie and high end toys).

I go through phases. I try to cycle what kinds of things I am reviewing so I don't get burnt out. Try cooling it on the lingerie for awhile and do something different and fun. Sometimes I can write reviews all day and other weeks I won't write a review at all. After a certain amount of reviews, I stopped caring about the numbers. For example...I've been real close to 600 for awhile and have 100 items I could write a review on to reach that milestone, but I'm just not feeling it right now. I'm taking my time.

I take pride in writing really useful reviews and like that some people count of me for that, so that's what keeps me writing. If I can't take my time and write a review I feel is great, I wait til I have the energy in me. Sometimes this means going past due dates, but I feel better about the end product than being rushed and exhausting myself.
01/14/2012
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
Back when I started writing reviews we only got one product a month and there were no points and no gift cards.

I did it then because it was fun, because I liked getting new toys, because I felt it was a fair trade -- my words in exchange for ... more
"it was fun, because I liked getting new toys, because I felt it was a fair trade -- my words in exchange for the product -- and because it was really awesome finding out my words made a difference for some people, helped them out. " Well said.

I too hit a patch where I stopped writing for a few months because there was nothing I REALLY needed or wanted to review. It was weird not writing, and I eventually missed it a lot. I stopped because it wasn't fun for a period of time. It became stressful and I thought I had to review everything I got. NOT TRUE. I find that it's not fun to write reviews on things that have tons of reviews or are cheap/simple items. I de-stressed and came back when it could be fun for me again. I write for you guys, but in the end I write for me. I just love putting my thoughts down, no matter the subject. Writing is calming for me!
01/14/2012
Contributor: melissa1973 melissa1973
To answer the question on my part, I love doing the reviews because I'm going after a Homeland Securty degree which today is my last day for the associates. Hard to believe that it has been two years now, I have already re-upd for a BA in Criminal Justice with a back ground in Home sec. Doing the reviews and having a significant number of mentors, is helping me on my homework when it comes to my grammical errors. I still have issues with the APA format but no where near the problem that I had.
01/14/2012
Contributor: Shellz31 Shellz31
I review cause I enjoy it. I will go through stages where I'll write roughly one review a day for up to a week or so and then all of a sudden I'll lose my reviewing mojo and do none for awhile.
01/14/2012
Contributor: Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
Thanks everyone. I think I got my "mojo" back. This weekend I'm actually on my "run to 100" and I have several reviews to do each day to hopefully make 100 by Monday. I'm very excited and already have a list going of which reviews to do today and tomorrow, etc.

For a while, I think I got discouraged by some votes and comments on forum threads and then realized that when it really came down to it - there were certain people whose votes really mattered to me and others who didn't and that what really mattered was that I liked the review and that I felt I did a good job.

I also have come to realize that not every review is going to be a "knock 'em out of the park" type of review - and that's ok. As long as I give it my best - that is what matters.
01/14/2012
Contributor: Red Riding Hood Red Riding Hood
Quote:
Originally posted by Crystal1
I avoid getting tired of it by not reviewing *every* item I get, just one or two per order. If something's not that exciting, I usually don't bother writing about it unless it's new and a lot of people are curious. I think sticking to ... more
You both have the right idea, I think. Quality over quantity.
01/17/2012