A few weeks ago I gave you a positive review of ReviewMe, the 'review network' that pays bloggers a set rate to post relevant reviews to their blogs...
I received my first payment from them last week: $50 for one review. It was actually the review of ReviewMe (which I linked to above), as that was the only review opportunity there was when I initially created my account with them.
The way the site works is that advertisers choose your blog, and give you the opportunity to write a review for them (at your set rate). This means that you wont have any reviews until/unless someone specifically chooses your blog.
It's been over 3 weeks now, and I havent received a single review opportunity through ReviewMe since the initial opp to review their site. I had wondered what type of response to expect, and maybe its too early to tell considering they just launched last month... but here are my initial observations:
ReviewMe is owned by Patrick Gavin, the same man that runs Text Link Ads. They already have a substantial database of advertisers, and Patrick is very well connected in the industry. I expected this would have a positive impact on the launch of ReviewMe.
That said, if you look at it from an advertisers perspective, it doesnt make much sense to pay the ReviewMe rates for advertising or creating a buzz in the blogosphere...
It's no secret that ReviewMe keeps 50% of the revenue, so a blog that is listed at $100 means that the blog owner receives $50 for writing the review and ReviewMe keeps $50 for brokering that deal between the advertiser and the blogger.
As an advertiser, if you knew that, why in the world would you pay the rate listed?? Would it not make more sense to contact the blog owner directly and make them an offer? Sure it would. You can simply browse through the blogs listed at ReviewMe, even sort them by specific criteria, and then contact the writers by email or through their contact form.
If ReviewMe plans to be anything more than a directory where people can make connections themselves, they are going to have to make some changes to their brokering model.
First, they'll need to change their pricing structure to a more reasonable cut - such as 80/20. And I believe they'll also have to lower the prices across the board. There are just too many competing advertising brokers that are targeting the blogosphere for the current model to succeed...
UPDATE - See: ReviewMe Expands
Technorati Tags: reviewme, text link ads, patrick gavin, blog advertising, get paid to blog
About Lynn Terry
Well said!
I haven't heard anything from them either since being paid the $50 for the review I did on their site. It too was positive, and to be honest - after waiting and waiting for something more to happen... I've got to agree with you. What advertiser in their right mind would want to spend that kind of money on an article about their product? I mean the smaller businesses probably don't have the advertising budget required to get the publicity at those prices...
Just my two cents - and now Review Me has become a directory of sorts - advertising different blogs/different categories that advertisers can browse through and make offers on their own... knowing full well that those publishers are there - looking for money.
*sigh*
... well, it was nice while it lasted 😉
I too was thrilled to get my $50 on December 1st from ReviewMe, also from a review of their site. However, I am another who has not received any offers from any advertisers. I keep seeing in my statcounter that someone is accessing my blog from the reviewme site, but I have yet to get an offer.
I wondered if maybe it is because I am in the $100 range and in my category there are many other blogs in the lower range- $60. While it is flattering that I am in the $100 range (50 for me, 50 for reviewme), I think if it would be better if I was in the lower range. I wouldn't mind that, if it meant I actually got offers.
I did send a contact question asking if there was a better way to categorize my blog and the response was that they were trying to get more advertisers.
Personally I am hoping that the advertisers 'get smart' and start contacting blog owners directly 😉 . At that point, it will 'pay' to be included in the ReviewMe directory!
Bravo Lynn! Well said.
I thought I was the only one who saw the 50/50 split as somewhat skewed in favour ReviewMe, and though I didn't get to finish my review (was during PubCon and didn't have much time for anything there), it touched on everything you mentioned above and, quite frankly, wouldn't have been very positive (aside for the ease of use of their website).
Their model is great in theory, but there are still some bugs to work out of the system.
On another note, I'm a person who likes to review a product based on my experiences with it. ReviewMe never really gave their reviewers that opportunity.
They requested reviews upon launch -- not enough time went by for any bloggers to actually get a feel for it. Instead of a review of their service, it seems like a review of their website and a clever link baiting campaign. Or, am I off-base?
~ Teli
P.S. You've just inspired me to finish my own review that's sitting in draft now. LOL
No, you're correct. It was the first review opportunity that any of us had - and for the majority, the only one...
I look forward to seeing your review!