You see them everywhere: on the back cover of books or magazines, listed on websites, on posters if they’re movies, and sometimes entire sites on the internet are geared to listing them for every possible product. So what are they and why are they so important?
They are reviews and they are important because they help consumers decide whether or not they want to buy that particular product or service. They are also an excellent marketing tactic for companies or authors who request them. The problem is that anyone can write a review, but not everyone can write a good review. Quality will be the key factor in encouraging the consumer to buy or not the product, so the review should grab them almost immediately.
So how do you write a good review? To help you out, here are my top 10 tips for becoming a good, respected reviewer whatever the product. Please note: These tips can be applied to anything you need to review. Some of the hints may even be obvious, but you’ll be surprised how often they’re left out:
o The most important piece of advice is to enjoy what you do. You must be an avid reader and enjoy discovering new talent and products. If you don’t, it will show up in your review.
o As you read or browse, make a mental note, or write it down if you think you’ll forget, of specific areas of the product that arouse something in you. This could also be an act or situation in a novel that you can personally relate to. For example, I could relate to the title of a novel I recently reviewed. I was interested to see if the title reflected my own personal experiences. Whether or not he did, in the end, is irrelevant, but what I felt on a personal level added to the final review.
o Think about what the product says to you as a reviewer. You hate it? Are there particular facts or information that you believe are incorrect, for example historical dates or myths? Does it excite you or make you angry? What other emotions does it awaken in you? As an example, I read and reviewed a novel some time ago, which stated, what I saw as, two incorrect historical facts. It didn’t mean I hated the novel, far from it, but it did ruin my enjoyment of it. I expressed my opinions in the final review, but unfortunately I did not receive any acknowledgment that the author had received the complete piece. So be careful. It does not automatically mean that your views will be liked or accepted. However, you will earn respect and a good and fair reputation as a reviewer. If you’re not honest with yourself and/or your customers, what’s the point of the review?
o One of my bad writing habits is using the same word over and over again. Use a thesaurus to find another way to say something similar.
o Make sure you have all the relevant information correct in your review. Sometimes it can be easy to forget the name of a specific character in a novel, the name of the product, or even the contact information for the author/webmaster. Double check the facts. Try not to make any mistakes about it, otherwise it sounds like you haven’t even looked at the product or care what you’re reviewing.
o If you’re reviewing a novel or book, don’t just write what the novel is about in your own words, and at worst, have a line of your own thoughts. Trust me, I’ve seen reviews like this. This is an example of a very poor review. A review is your opinion. The reader wants to know what you think of the novel, not just what the book or product is about, even if it is written in your own words. Remember: That’s what the synopsis is for!
o Unless you are working for a review site that requires this way of writing a review, please do not mark separate areas of the novel or product with ratings or points. This method is extremely difficult and boring to read. Book reviews should be short and to the point. They are designed to attract the buyer in a limited time. Reviews aren’t always the most exciting things to read unless you’re looking for a specific item. Using this review form guarantees loss of interest or sale for your customer.
o Develop your own writing style. When I started reviewing, I had to follow a set standard review format because that was what was required on the site I worked for. Over the years I have stuck to this basic format but have developed my own style and pattern. Personalize your work.
o Communicate with your customers. Have a happy, cheerful and friendly outlook and they will submit to you again in the future.
o And lastly, have fun!
there you go If he follows the advice above, I can promise that he will be well on his way to becoming a master proofreader.
Happy review!