Are Product Reviews Really Worth It?

Product reviews used to be something you did when you bought something at Amazon.com and you were either super happy with it or super pissed off that you paid good money for a piece of junk. Today the mom blogging community has turned product reviewing into a full-time job.

For me, reviewing products is annoying and a lot of work. I am sitting here procrastinating about a product I am supposed to be reviewing but since I really don't particularly like the product and there isn't anything wrong with it I can't think of a thing to say. Do I write about the product's features and give the reader facts? I sure don't have an emotional attachment to this product.

Back in August I bought a Hoover cordless stick vacuum with my own money and decided to review it for my blog. I was extremely happy with this purchase and I wanted to tell somebody. I don't have friends or neighbors I talk with in my area and most of the people I know are online so putting my opinions on my blog was a natural form of expression for me.

But, to just review product after product is not my idea of fun or my idea of what I want to do as a blogger. Don't get me wrong, it might be for many other mom bloggers and that is fine. Heck, I know mom bloggers who have turned it into an art and a full-time career. If you want to review products on your blog and you don't get annoyed that you will get pitched by every company out there then go for it. Just remember, that your time is valuable and you could go from a mom blogger who writes a couple times a week to someone who is glued to her company writing hours everyday because you have to keep up with the workload.

For some mom bloggers this might be the only thing she can think of to write about on her blog. Maybe you want to make money like you see other successful mom bloggers doing and since you don't have any other ideas you start out by reviewing products. It is definitely a valid way to run a blog. Of course, there are other topics to blog about too and many don't require as much time and effort. It might take you some time to pick a subject for your blog and if you don't want to be a product reviewer maybe you should consider other niches.

I think that many mom bloggers don't realize how much work goes into writing product reviews and keeping up with the email pitches from companies. It is definitely fun and rewarding to get free swag sent to your house but remember, you are working for that free swag.

At some point you might even want to charge for your review and at least make sure you get a sample of the product. If a company doesn't want to offer you anything and just wants to send you a description and a picture then back out. It's not worth it. And, that company is doing you a dis-service because they are getting free "word of mouth marketing" from you that they would otherwise have to pay for.

For me I have decided that I would rather make lots of money blogging and buy what I want. Then I can pick and choose what I really like and I don't feel obligated to tell anyone about it. If I really feel strongly about something I might put a review on my blog but for the most part I will go back to shopping and enjoying my purchases with no strings attached.

Well, I guess I'd better get back to that review I'm talking about - uggg. You see, once you get that product in your hot little hands you have to at least do your part and put together a product review for that company. It's the least I can do and I am sure I will find someone who will want these nice pearl earrings :-)

If you are looking for products to review for your blog you will want to read my Products to Review Resource list. I will be updating this list as I receive more companies who want their products reviewed.

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