Robb Sutton has recently released an eBook titled Ramped Reviews that teaches bloggers how to receive product for reviews. I thought it might be interesting for him to write a guest post on how bloggers can stand out and differentiate themselves when asking for review copies of a product.
Tips to Stand Out from the Crowd
By Robb Sutton
In the world of blog review writing, there are 100’s…if not 1,000’s of eager bloggers all looking for their chance at free review product to review on their blogs. With the mass influx of potential outlets for product reviews, companies have a difficult time weeding out the “I just want free stuff hobbyist” from the serious review blogger looking to grow his blog and his business through credible product reviews that sell.
As you take your next step into serious blog reviewing, how can you insure that your blog and voice stands out from the crowd and does not get thrown in the spam folder without a second look?
Many of these tips also relate to growing a business out of your blog even if you are not looking for free product to review.
Professional Looking Blog Design
One of the first things a perspective company will do when researching who you are and what you really are after is visit your blog. When you look at your current blog design and layout, take an objective look as a first time visitor and not the owner/operator of your blog.
Do you have a logo? Are your reviews easy to find? Does your blog look unique in comparison to other blogs in the industry? All of these little, fine touches are going to be what separates you from the rest as it relates to first impressions. That first impression may be all you get, so you need to make sure that you put your best foot forward in your quest to develop long term relationships with companies in your niche.
A Unique Voice and Opinion
Throughout your correspondence and blog articles, do you have a unique voice that separates you from others in your niche? As blogging continues to shape and develop in the business world, readers and potential partners are looking for original ideas and thoughts. They are not looking for another bland copycat in their quest to promote their products and services.
This same theory goes for your readers as well. They want to connect with you and your unique voice as they look to your blog for suggestions and information as it relates to products in your target niche. When you draft emails, faxes or letters to perspective companies, are you using your unique voice that rings through your blogging or is it just another form letter that is going to hit the trash without another thought?
What makes blogging so influential on the web needs to be your focus as you continue to look for growth and reviews. Find your unique voice and opinion in your pitch letters that will make you stand out from the other form letters they receive on a daily basis. There is a way to find that balance between professional and unique without having to sound like a textbook.
Get Creative with You Contacting Methods
In ideal world, you would visit a companies website, find the contact email address, send off a bland, formal email and receive the product in 3 to 5 days without any complications. The reality is that situation does not and never will exist. You are going to have to search out and convince companies that you are serious about growing your blog and you business past next month.
If you can not find an email address, write a letter…fax…find them on Twitter…Facebook…any social media outlet that will get your voice in front of the right pair of eyes. Social media has become (and will continue to increase) a vital part in most companies relationships with their execs and the potential customer base. By leveraging social media and getting creative with your contact methods, you will see increased successful communications with companies in your target niche.
Never Stop When You Hear No
This tip is vital to your long term success. Just because a company originally says no during your first attempt, does not mean they will say no in the future. Start growing a relationship with contacts at that particular company over time by engaging with their employees. This does not mean spam them at every single opportunity.
From time to time, check in to see how business is doing and provide them with direct feedback from their target consumer base. You have one of the greatest assets at your disposal (direct feedback from consumers in their industry), so leverage that information and help by providing essential feedback before they have even given you your first product to review. This unselfish nature of your relationship will pay off huge dividends in the future.
Growing Your Blog and Your Business
As with any blog, you are going to have to find ways to separate yourself from other blogs in your niche over time to be successful. As your readership continues to grow, you are going to have more freedoms and opportunities thrown your way, but that only comes through the extra effort you put forth in the beginning that set you apart from the other bloggers who are going to eventually give up and look for other “easier” ways of making money.
Blogging can be an extremely rewarding experience and you can grow your blog to proportions that you only dreamed of through hard work and being original. If you expect to be just like all the others…you will continue to see results that reflect the effort. By standing out and being truly original through your blog and your methods, you will see success time and time again.
Check out Ramped Reviews, eBook that teaches bloggers how to start, manage and receive product for reviews on their blog.
Image by Kevin.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Interesting!
In the past, offline media was one of the major mediums to promote one’s business and brand awareness. However, with the increasing popularity of the online media and its positive results, more people are turning to online marketing techniques to build a strong business presence across the globe. The Internet provides great opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses, but doing business online presents unique challenges and requires new skills. Per my experience search engine optimization would be the best practice to improve your online business.
Especially with the “be creative with your contact methods”…this is a great list! I am convinced that being diligent and truly social with the people who follow you and read your blog is an essential element to turning a blog into an impressive community.
If you just can manage to brand yourself I’m certain you don’t have to deliver killer content. There is a threshold and as soon as you pass this you can write basic content and still get a lot of backlinks.