Discussions
Ever been approached to do product reviews?
Posted by rippinkitten • 8/23/07 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: Product, reviews
Recently I've been approached by the PR company of a major motorcycle manufacturer. They want to give me one of their motorcycles for a month to test drive and write about it on my blog-no strings attached. They just want me to ride it and blog about it, that's it.
In return, they say will market my blog in a small slot on the homepage of their site. If they truly do, it's the kind of visibility any blogger could hope for.
Cool opportunity, right?
But part of me is really worried of being perceived as a sell-out, especially because the manufacturer is different from my own motorcycle.
What do you guys think?
User Comments
-
Go for it, chances like this don't turn up everyday, if your main bike manufacturer notices they may offer you the latest model to try-
Thanks-that's kind of how I thought I should approach it. It's a great opportunity either way and what have I got to lose?
-
-
Maybe contacting the manufacturer of the bike you have would help? Perhaps they'd be interested as well and you'd feel a little better about it.-
True see if they can offer a better deal, say an exclusive detail
-
-
Wow, what an awesome opportunity!
I see no problem with it if you tell your readers what the deal is. -
It's a great opportunity. Think about yourself as the Consumer Reports for motorcycles and just be honest with your review. Providing good information you believe in isn't a sell-out. -
Thanks for the reassurance! I plan on being honest about the motorcycle, good or bad. It should be fun!
-
It does seem like a fabulous opportunity, which you should grab with both hands!
I only wish I was asked to test a product. If anyone with any influence is reading, I am particularly keen to test out various whiskeys. -
Great opportunity! Jump on it! -
I'd love that opportunity! Sure beats doing reviews of tech gadgets and such. -
I was offered free software for participating in an online seminar about it. No review desired, but i would have ended up doing one. I just didn't have the time, and the software was more business than education oriented, so I didn't do it. I did worry a little bit about taking something from a company, but since there were no strings attached, there would really be no problem.
RippinKitten, the only string here is they want a review. That's hardly a pay per review situation. Have fun with the bike and enjoy the new exposure the reviewing can give you. It sounds like you've been doing pretty well already, or they wouldn't have approached you. But onwards to new adventures . . . -
Yes, Lizzie, do it! And tell us all about it, too. -
It could be good linkbait and an exclusive first hand try of the bike reviewed on your site will surely get you noticed as someone to pay attention to
-
Go for it, as long as you are honest. I occationally get free DVD's, books and CD's and the people who send me them understand that if I don't like it, I will let it be known. -
I was approached by a publisher to read read different humor books as they were released, they would send me one or two a month.
I turned them down just because I don't have the desire to read more than I am currently have to.
With what is on your plate I don't think you would be a sellout to write about it and turn it down. Sure you are trying a different brand out and I know riders are pretty loyal to what they like. But if you write about it openly, say that they are giving it to you to try and you are a bit apprehensive. Then give an honest review: first impression and final impression... You will be doing a service for them, being honest, and getting a free ride for a month. -
I think that's great really... BUT I also know it's very hard to write an honest review if I don't like the product(at least for me..)
Ok, this is what I mean. I had some stuff sent to me to try out. I thought I would really like it. Well I didn't. When it was time to write about it I didn't know what to write. I kept trying to think of the nice things to say about it but the stuff I got sent really wasn't that great. I don't like to lie but I didn't want to sound like I was bashing this person's thing either.... My husband gave me some of his 4-wheeler reviews that was done on his bike. They reported the good and the bad in a nice way. So, that's what I thought I'd try to do. I wrote that darn post like 10 times... Then I decided to just be upfront with the lady who made it and I sent her a letter saying what I really thought of it. I didn't mean to hurt this womans feelings so I did tell her it smelled good but then I told her the down side to it too (I told her I could post that it smelled good but that I wouldn't say that it was something it wasn't.) I told her it was up to her if she wanted me to still post about it or not. I never got an e-mail back from her. I felt bad but I was honest and I can live with that.
A bike is a whole other store.. it's not like a bar of soap, knitting looms, or something like that.. I am sure you can find something really cool to say about a bike no matter what. Go for it and have fun doing it (hey, what happens if you dump the bike tho? Do you have to pay for it? Just wondering since you have to return it.)
Dora Renee' Wilkerson -
Well, I guess the good thing about doing a product review for a motorcycle is even if I don't like it, I'll still be having fun while I find out!
-
lol...there's always that.
-
-
I regularly review products from PR companies. I don't promise them good reviews and if I really don't have something at all good to say, then I tend to simply not review the product and privately let them know why. I don't mind bashing something I paid for, but when it was given to me, I tend to hope I can find something good to say about it. Generally I tend to like the products and the criticisms are minor, so usually it all works out fine. I try to note in my reviews when an item was given to me instead of purchased.
Take the motorcycle offer and have fun with it. I don't think anyone will fault you for that! -
wow! that sounds like a fantastic offer. it would just be a review, be honest, insighftul, and let your readers know what is up. go for it. -
I guess I just can't stay away from BC...
Just wanted to let you guys know that my "product" bike arrived today! I have it to ride for 2 weeks!
www.rippin-kitten.com/2007/08/29/sometimes-theres-perks-to-being-a-female-b...-
YAY! Excellent-- I can't believe they really came through. That says A LOT about their respect for your blog.
-
-
The bike looks fantastic, wish I was there to ride it, my father in law got his new bike last week a GSX1400 final edition and he has only let my sons sit on it, wont let me near it
-
wowo amazing work girl!! doesnt make u a sell out but someone who is an expert on the matter and means they love ur blog and see potential!! congratualtions! going to see those bikes pictures!!
heheh -
That's one beautiful shiny bike.. I bet you are going to have so much fun riding it. -
I see you have some new pictures and a video up, I am so jealous
-
Hee, thanks for noticing crkian!
I'm having an absolute BLAST!
-
-
You are so lucky! I would love for some PR people to contact me to do product reviews. I have done a few, but I have never had a PR company contact me directly. I LOVE doing reviews. My friends get all excited to learn about new products/services. They consider me the "go to" person to learn about new things. Sadly though I don't know how to get PR people to take notice of my blog.
Any tips/advice to get noticed by the PR people would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!!!
Congratulations on the awesome opportunity!
Kimberly
www.SheScribes.com -
Go for it. That's the sort of thing I'd like to eventually have happen. Get stuff to test for review purposes.
Edit:
So long as you are honest, you can't go wrong. Write about what you like about that motorcycle vs your brand and what you don't.
Add Your Comment
Login to leave a message.
