Review writing service for businesses?

[lakelover]

I saw an ad for this website on TV last night. From what they said in a veiled way, and seeing this excerpt from the website, it looks to me like part of their service is writing positive reviews for businesses. I think the ad specifically mentioned doctors, lawyers etc., but I'm not sure about that.

Strategic dissemination to maximize impact

Content gets published to a personalized collection of websites, handpicked for their applicability to your niche and their ability to influence your search results. Our publications team carefully selects a variety of sites, ranging from blogs and landing pages to industry-specific profile sites and more. Sites and content are published gradually, in a natural pattern that maximizes the positive effect on your search results. (I added the italics.)


Reputation.com | The online reputation management leader

I depend on reviews for products and services online pretty heavily, and something that you have to do when using them, is use common sense. I think it's true that people who are upset or feel that they've been wronged are far more likely to write reviews than people who are completely satisfied, but that's part of the common sense equation.

I don't know, we are in new territory, but this just rubbed me the wrong way.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Review writing service for businesses?

It rubs me wrong, also, lakelover. Faking reviews to make yourself look good is wrong, deceitful, and unethical. If I ever learned of a business that was doing that, I would not use their services.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Review writing service for businesses?

I think one needs to manage the reputation of a business. You don't know the amount of one star reviews I have seen on Amazon.com not because the product had an issue but because the shipping was slow or they were not using it right. Its a fine line. 80% of the reviews are from unhappy people. Happy people don't tend to want to vent about how happy they are. The business needs to have an accurate reputation online but with that said there is a fine line between keeping things honest and boosting a reputation that does not deserve it.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Review writing service for businesses?

Agree with both. I think that when most people look at reviews, they just look at the first few, or the negative ones and don't really evaluate the slant that they are seeing. I know I've seen lots of reviews around the web that are obviously written by the product manufacturers, too. Some sound just like catalog copy.

The other thing is, I think the reputation.com ad itself is cleverly written/presented in a persuasive way, aimed at providers that sell junk or might be on the shady or shall we say "less talented" side. There will always be unhappy customers, but the truly reputable business wouldn't fall for an ad like that. After all, I saw the ad on a 2nd rate oldies/nostalgia TV channel!

I actually write a number of reviews online if I buy something that I think I can answer some questions about, or particularly impress me...or even are POS's. But I keep to facts and observations and try to present both the good and the bad to really help someone evaluate whether an item or service will be useful to them or not.

When looking for reliable reviews, I think the trick is to use reputable and moderated review sites. So many of the review sites listed in google results are really just places where people go to whine.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Review writing service for businesses?

There are many of these types of firms which found a way to make money. There are also same type of firms used to slam other businesses. You look for honest reviews to help in ones decisions, but so many our slanted and in the end you have nothing of any help. Best type I like are these forums but they to will try to slam you for asking the wrong question. Exp: I was looking for a diesel tuner and had an issue, after putting it out on the forum many of the sponsors and operations staff came back hard. Never thought asking a question about a problem would stir up so much. I still deal with the forum it's a good place, just don't mention a sponsor product if your having a problem

 

[lakelover]

Re: Review writing service for businesses?

Some places are like that. I wrote a review on Home Depot the other day for something I had a quality issues with, and recommended a different item that HD doesn't sell. I was surprised that it passed their approval process, which I'm sure on many sites is automated. But it was factual and addressed the problem I had with it, and the solution I came up with.

 

[angus63]

Re: Review writing service for businesses?

Me - Lie
Marketing -Embellishment

Me - Preying
Marketing - Focusing

A previous corporation I worked for had an extreme drop in sales and had a 20% reduction in force. The newsletter next quarter spun it as a lean initiative improving output efficiency.

Let the buyer beware....

 

[lakelover]

Re: Review writing service for businesses?

Me - Lie
Marketing -Embellishment

Me - Preying
Marketing - Focusing

A previous corporation I worked for had an extreme drop in sales and had a 20% reduction in force. The newsletter next quarter spun it as a lean initiative improving output efficiency.

Let the buyer beware....

Yup, we've been dealing with the "leaner/more efficient" myth for a long time.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Review writing service for businesses?

Most companies will offer big discount if positive review on Angie's List. Then again A list is a business like anything else.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Review writing service for businesses?

I have always figured that the first 1 or 2 reviews that you see on a product (or service) are 'fabricated' or 'planted'.

So, I tend to dis-credit a product's review if there is only 1 or 2 versus a product that has a large volume of reviews.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Review writing service for businesses?

Internet reviews are worth exactly what you pay for them.........ZERO

Ever seen a business advertise high prices and always deliver late?