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Review Blogging -Sounding too much like a commercial

I love to add little stories to my reviews - bring real life to how I use them or why I need them. Yes I love to tell about all the benefits of a product but I find that many times by listing them in my vloggs or posts I sound like a product salesperson -which I am not -I am a mom that is sharing a cool product, much like I would when talking to a friend.

I feel a bit pressured (by who...not quite sure, maybe myself? Other product review bloggers?) to give ALL the benefits (even those that I didn't really see or need but are listed on the products site or in the press release) And I hate that!

What do you do? Do you share it all or just the parts that you loved and made the product a good fit for you?

I don't want to be one giant infomercial on my blog.

Thanks!! Sarah, The Ohana Mama

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Permalink Reply by Kelley on March 27, 2009 at 11:36am

First let me same I have very limited experience in doing reviews on my blog... I have only done a couple. But I do have TONS of experience reading reviews on blogs. I want to hear the story about your real life. I want to see your kids using it. Whatever the case may be. I can go to the product website if I want all the deets; but I read blog reviews for the personal touch. Keep the review yours. If you need to add the press kit items, you could do it at the end.

Thanks,
Kelley
http://www.kelleysfamilyjewels.blogspot.com/

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Permalink Reply by Maternal Spark on March 27, 2009 at 9:38pm

Sarah, you know how much I like your blog ;) so you're doing great. If you keep it honest, and make sure those posts aren't overrunning your blog then you're ok. I've just made a commitment to myself to only talk about products that fit the theme of my blog that way I know my readers will be interested in what I have to write. I hope so anyway!

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Permalink Reply by hamsterkitten on March 28, 2009 at 9:50am

I love to incorporate my own personality and humor into my review, which I can with some things, but unfortunately, some of the people who pay me to review their stuff want it to sound like an infomercial. They consider it "unprofessional" if you add a bit of humor or fun to the review.

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Permalink Reply by Candace on March 28, 2009 at 10:18am

Sarah,

Hello! It is such a fine line to walk, I know, there is alot of pressure! I personally, use the products over and over and over again. I try to weigh the pros and the cons and list them all. When a company contacts me to review a product I let them know up front that I will not mislead my readers. If i feel something is off, I write about it and if I feel like something is really, really off, I will contact the company and let them know that I dislike it. I let them know that I will be writing a horrible product review (this rarely happens) and allow them the option to refrain from the review.

My suggestion for keeping it real:

List pros and cons (companies really don't mind this)
or
Tell your readers why YOU love this product
and allow a paragraph of "other findings" or "what we did'nt love so much".

When blog advertising, you have a obligation to your readers and an obligation to the company, but I, personally feel that the obligation to the readers is a much stronger obligation than that to the company. And may I commend you for having a conscience about this...so, so many out there, don't! Rock on Ohana Mama!

P.S. I hope this help ;)

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Permalink Reply by JenReg on March 28, 2009 at 10:21am

I feel the same way! I always want to include every benefit, but I find that my reviews are too long. I see many reviews that are short, but so well written...I'm trying to work on that a bit!