If you have been following the latest buzz in blog news, you know that honesty in blog reviews is a hot topic. “Disclosure.” “Integrity.” “Paid reviews.” These are all words that you probably read in articles that are written up concerning bloggers that review. This issue has reached to nationally known publications and is a topic discussed in every reach that social media has ventured into.
I have enjoyed doing product reviews for over two years. Reviewing has given me a new area of writing in which to learn and has provided me with some wonderful (and not so wonderful!) products I would have otherwise not been able to try. I personally never purchase a high-dollar item or kitchen appliance without reading reviews. I want to know how the product worked for people who have actually used the product and what their experiences were.
From a marketing perspective, companies that use bloggers to review their products are smart. Bloggers have a voice and while I will not speculate on exactly how powerful that voice is it is fair to say that when we post about a product, others will take notice. The problem comes in when those bloggers do not say “Hey! So-and-so Company sent me this product for free to review and this is my honest opinion.”
As Christian bloggers we are still to obey what God says concerning this matter: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16 NKJV We are to be honest and truthful in all things, even blog posts. Would you bother reading a blog in which you knew that the blogger was not being totally honest? Probably not. In turn, you need to realize God’s command to not lie applies to product reviews. Your readers should be comfortable knowing that what you say about a product is how you actually feel.
Here are a few tips when doing product reviews:
- Make sure to have a disclosure policy written up somewhere on your blog. Can your readers easily find it? If you need help with this, Disclosure.org has an easy, free process that will help you make up a policy.
- Don’t get caught up in the excitement. It is great to receive new things. Being able to share with your blog visitors why you loved a product is fun. But make sure that you write in a professional manner. Adding exclamation points after the end of each sentence is annoying and your readers will not take you seriously. Remember, they want an honest opinion not an infomercial.
- Say no. Make sure that before you agree to review something that you have the time for it. Too many products to review becomes overwhelming and you may not be able to give the time and attention to each review that is fair to the company who sent it.
- You will find that there will occasionally be products that you really do not like. In this case it is okay to email or call the company letting them know that you will not be able to review their product. That is okay. I have had to do this a few times because the product was not a good fit and to have given it a good review would have been dishonest.
What are your personal experiences in reviewing? Do you strive to maintain God’s command to honesty?
Photo courtesy of rcade/ / CC BY 2.0
Can you elaborate on how you go about letting a company know that you will be unable to review their product? Do you return the product in this situation? I have, fortunately, not run into this problem yet (partly because I can weed out some things that won’t be a good fit just from the descriptions, etc.), but I’d rather be prepared BEFORE it happens than struggling to figure out what to say if/when it does.
The only thing I’ve reviewed are books, which occassionally I get for free. I usually mention it, but regardless, I don’t have a problem giving a bad review if the book warrants it. I find that the publishers still send books anyway…they want any feedback/buzz!
I always love to read blogger reviews. And I totally believe as Christians, we especially need to be honest and write with respect. There are always pros and cons to any product. But if there is some affiliation, we need to share that upfront.
Great post Kelly! I review ALOT of books and have run into “Christian” publishers publishing books that aren’t “Biblical.” In fact, many times, I’ve found where the so called “Christian” books are FAR from biblical and even completely contradicted Scripture. I’ve also run into books being published and “marketed” because of the “Name” of the author…yet there is LITTLE substance to the book!! I hate seeing people waste their money. Soooo I find myself being true to my Christian brothers and sisters…writing my reviews from a TRULY Christian perspective…and that means with PURE honesty!
Thank you again for this reminder!
God bless!
Cherie
This was a great article; I am still praying about reviewing. It is sad that Christians should have to be reminded to be honest. I think of David’s words to the Lord, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned.”
Thank you for another insightful article.
Faithfully-yours,
Wendy
Hi Rachel!
What I do is simply email the company letting them know, politely, that I will be unable to review their product. It is not necessary to go into all of the “whys” but a simple explanation would be wise. I have not ever returned a product that I did not review, though I would probably mail something back that was worth mailing. For instance, high dollar items.
Does that sufficiently answer your questions? If not, feel free to ask more! Thanks so much for reading and commenting!