Tips on how to request a product review unit?

On the launch of our first product we we’re keen for as much PR as we could get our hands on. If you sent us an email saying you wanted a sample to review on your youtube channel, there’s a fair chance we’d send you one, no questions asked. This seemed like a good idea at the time however the more we sent out the more requests we got and it got pretty crazy for a while there. In the end we did manage to get some great reviews but we also got some pretty terrible ones as well, not terrible reviews on our product, just very badly put together reviews with incorrect information and misleading statements. We’ve now learnt to be selective on who we send product samples to and we have a set criteria that they must meet before we’ll send them anything. 

Having been involved in the mobile device accessory market for almost a year now I am amazed at how many people, especially young dudes, have blogs and youtube channels devoted to reviewing tech products. I am also amazed at how many of them contact you hoping to get a product sample for them to review with out doing their homework or putting any effort into writing a decent email. I recall chatting to a friend of mine who has a great tech blog about why he started his site. His reply was something along the lines of he was sick of spending cash on gadgets that he wanted but didn’t really need so he started a blog so he could get the stuff for free. The truth is most of these kids are in it just to get free stuff and unfortunately not all of them put much effort in to producing a top quality, well thought out review like my friend does.

I recently had a rather interesting email dialog with a tech reviewer who was pretty terrible at requesting a sample but was so persistent I decide to give him some advice which led to me putting together these pointers for all those tech reviewers out there trying to get some free stuff. So here goes:

Tip #1 – Write a decent email

Start an email by introducing who you are, where your from and what you do. Be specific about what product you would like to review and include your contact details and mailing address so the company knows where they have to send the samples.

Tip #2 – Prove you’re legit

Companies won’t send stuff to just anyone. If you can provide stat’s on your audience, number of subscribers, number of unique visitors, pages hits etc you’re got some numbers to stand by. Also send a link to a review/video which show cases your style and manor so they can see what you are capable of.

Tip #3 – Make sure you have good content

Make sure you have some reviews under your belt before you ask for review samples. The reviews don’t have to be on products you have been sent, they can be on anything such as, your own TV, your own Phone, even your own pair of shoes… You need to prove you are capable of reviewing a product before anyone will send you anything.

Tip #4 – Let the company know what you plan to do with their product

If you are going to make a video, written article, test dropping it from a plane… let the company know.

Tip #5 – Once the review is up send them a link

If its a good review they will probably help you promote it.

Tip #6 – What do you plan to do with the product after the review

This is not mandatory if you plan to keep the sample but if you plan to give the product away as part of your review, or wish to send it back, tell the Company, as they will be more inclined to send you samples if they can see your not just after a free sample for yourself and plan to do more with it then just review it.

Tip #7 – Don’t ask the company to pay any import duty

In the unlikely even that the product incurs import duties or fees, pay them. The company has just sent you a product for free and covered shipping… If you can’t afford to cover a few bucks to cover the import duty I’d be concerned about how you were going to produce a good review. The best way to deal with this is to write to the company to inform them that they may not be aware that their products incur an import duty of X amount. This way you’re not complaining, they know you received the product, and your being helpful by providing information they may not be aware of. They may not reimburse you but they will hold you in high regard if you request more products to review in the future.

Tip #8 – Don’t publicly ask for a review unit

If you want a review unit, find the right person to contact and email/call/message them directly. DO NOT put your request up on facebook or twitter where other paying customers can see it. You’ll be lucky if you’re not banned from their page.

Example of a bad email

Hi (Company Name)

My name is Jonny and I am a youtube reviewer. I would like to review one of your products. Can you please send me one.

Jonny@gmail.com

Example of a good email

Dear Mr <Insert name of Marketing Manager>

My name is Jonny Reviewer of “Techreviewonline”, a youtube review channel that focuses on mobile technology and related accessories. Our channel can be viewed at the following link (link to your site/channel etc). We have been reviewing the latest and greatest technology since 2010. We have over 5,000 subscribers on our youtube channel and have reviewed products from companies such as (list products you have reviewed). We just came across your product, (insert product name) and love the clean design and unique function. I feel it would be a great fit for our audience of tech savvy people who love these type of products. If you would be willing to send me a sample of (insert specific name of product) I would be able to put together a honest video review of the product on our youtube channel. I will include the product URL and price at the end of the video so people know where to purchase it from. If you are interested in offering my viewers a discount or promotional code I would be happy to include that in the video. In a previous review we did on the (name of product and link to the review video) we used a promotion code which generated over 100 sales. Once the review is complete I will run a competition for my subscribers to win the product, that is unless you would prefer I send it back to you which I am happy to do.

If you require any additional information I would be happy to provide it.

My mailing address and contact details are below.

Thank you for your time

Jonny Reviewer
45 review St
Reviewville,
NC 90210
USA
313 555 5555

jonny@Techreviewonline.com

Who do you think got the sample?