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Blogging Guide > Unsorted Posts > Building Blogs: Reviews
The problem with some of the reviews I've read is that they don't really tell you why something is worth looking into. All they do is explain what the subject is about. Sometimes the reviewer only praises the subject of the review. This is fine if you only have good things to say, but have you missed out some of the negative aspects?
There are three things I usually expect from a review:
How to do this varies depending on what it is you're reviewing, but the reader needs to know what it's about, so help them to understand the details as much as possible.
Some products may benefit from having photos included, whereas website reviews may do well to have a screenshot or two. A picture is worth a thousand words!
It's not always possible to list an equal number of pros and cons, as some things are better (or worse) than others. Try to keep it fairly balanced if you can though. Perhaps only certain types of people will be interested. Make it clear what kind of audience the product or site is targeting.
One reason I don't like paid reviews (where the writer is being paid to write the review) is that they are rarely honest. Some advertisers allow you to write positive or negative reviews, but if the writer just wants to be paid, there's usually some bias.
If you want to be taken seriously, you have to be honest.
Building Blogs is a new series where I look at the building blocks of a blog, and how to turn a simple concept into an excellent post that people will actually read.
Building Blogs: Reviews
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Writing a review is all about looking for value and highlighting it to your readers. Good things, bad things, unusual things... they're all worth mentioning. A thorough review is usually much more useful than a quick analysis that barely scrapes the surface of what you're reviewing.The problem with some of the reviews I've read is that they don't really tell you why something is worth looking into. All they do is explain what the subject is about. Sometimes the reviewer only praises the subject of the review. This is fine if you only have good things to say, but have you missed out some of the negative aspects?
There are three things I usually expect from a review:
1. Detail
Whether it's a product review (e.g. cameras, videogames, portable music players) or some kind of online review (e.g. a website or a blog), it's important to explain what you're reviewing. What kind of person would be interested in it? What sets it apart from other similar products or sites? Perhaps include a bit of history and any future plans, if relevant.How to do this varies depending on what it is you're reviewing, but the reader needs to know what it's about, so help them to understand the details as much as possible.
Some products may benefit from having photos included, whereas website reviews may do well to have a screenshot or two. A picture is worth a thousand words!
2. Pros and cons
Reviews need to be balanced. An overly positive or negative review usually makes me question whether the author has an agenda. You should point out the pros and cons - good things and bad things that need to be considered before engaging with the product or site you're reviewing.It's not always possible to list an equal number of pros and cons, as some things are better (or worse) than others. Try to keep it fairly balanced if you can though. Perhaps only certain types of people will be interested. Make it clear what kind of audience the product or site is targeting.
3. An honest opinion
A review ultimately needs to tell the reader whether they should try this product or visit this site. A site that only publishes positive (or negative) reviews might have some benefit, but featuring a mix of good and not so good reviews allows readers to compare reviews and see what constitutes a really good or really bad review.One reason I don't like paid reviews (where the writer is being paid to write the review) is that they are rarely honest. Some advertisers allow you to write positive or negative reviews, but if the writer just wants to be paid, there's usually some bias.
If you want to be taken seriously, you have to be honest.
What do you think?
Is there anything else a review should include?Building Blogs is a new series where I look at the building blocks of a blog, and how to turn a simple concept into an excellent post that people will actually read.
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Comments on Building Blogs: Reviews
Thanks Sailor. :)
I think that you are right. If I asked for a review I would want the truth. I can correct things only if I know about it.
thanks Carol. :)
Great article Ben. From past experience I can confirm that 'free' reviews are much more balanced than their 'paid' counterparts'. With site reviews I expect to be informed of both the pros and cons. In addition to this some form of advice on how to rectify the problems is also always welcome.