This is probably an answer to a question nobody asked, but I wanted to let you guys know that everything I've reviewed has been a match I personally paid for and decided on my own to talk about.
Please know that any bias I display is purely based on my personal tastes and experience as a customer, not any kind of quid pro quo. If I ever do get anything free or any special favor of any kind from a video producer, I will definitely tell you in the write up. If I review something because someone sends me something or asks me to review it, I will definitely tell you.
I only bring this up because I believe in transparency. I was lucky enough to get an email from a video producer telling me that they'd been seeing traffic from my blogs. That's great. I don't actually use the links in my posts or on the sides of my blogs, so it must be you guys using them. I'm glad that they're proving to be helpful.
They asked if I'd be interested in reviewing matches. I said sure, but that I wasn't looking for anything free as I'd have an issue with that. I want to be objective. To be clear, they didn't offer anything free or any other special consideration, so I might've been overvaluing my own importance. In fact, they might have been thinking, "We weren't offering, you egomaniac. Sheesh."
Anyway, it seemed like a good time to put some clarity out there, early in my blog's life, in case anyone ever wondered. So when you're reading a review, please know that I will have always paid for the match as a regular customer, unless otherwise stated. And I will always have made the decision to review that match on my own, unless otherwise stated.
If you have any questions, please ask in the comments. And if you ever buy a match because of a review of mine, I'd love to know what you thought of it.
Alex
Alex R:
ReplyDeleteMy two cents on this issue. I personally know people that receive free samples of their products and they review them online. I have seen them say very negative comments about some products, also very good comments. Or says "They are good for this but not for that". As long as you,the reviewer, is objective I dont see a problem with you getting free videos. Specially if you indicate it. Hollywood does that. Book publishers do that. TV Networks too. I dont see any conflict as long as we the audience can trust that youre being legit in your reviews. Thats my take.
Well, I'm not judging anyone, so hopefully it didn't come across that way. I just want readers to know where I'm coming from. If there's anything other than me buying and reviewing a video, I will let the reader know and decide for themselves.
DeleteAlex R:
ReplyDeletePerhaps I didn't communicate my thoughts well lol. In short, I mean that I personally wouldn't judge you if you got free videos for you to review. Its perfectly fine. If you choose to disclose or not its up to you. As your reader for a few years now I think I can trust your reviews.
Thanks, glad you trust my opinion. And I appreciate the perspective.
DeleteSometimes when I browse Amazon, I'll see a product's reviews, where the reviewers will readily admit that they received the product for free in return for their opinion. It's pretty cool that I'm seeing that stated more these days.
ReplyDeleteI think it's pretty cool that you're offering that info at all. I never once thought you were receiving anything for free for your reviews, but I could understand the concern that someone might think that way.
Thanks for the comment. I just think transparency is a good practice.
Delete