How to Write a Kick–Butt Review  

People use the internet for a number of reasons. One of the most common reasons people get online is to research a potential purchase. It’s an effective and efficient way to get all the facts before you visit a store to buy. Online reviews play an important role in the research process.

What Is an Online Review?

An online review is quite simply a summary and opinion of a product or service. Like a movie review, a product or service review generally follows a basic structure. It might begin with a summary of the product. Then it may describe who the product or service is designed for, and the primary problem the product or service solves.

The review structure can then offer the main features and benefits of the product. It can also take a pros and cons format. Finally, the review may end with a summary and a recap of the benefits. It may also at this point include the price, where the item can be found and a link to the business website. If the review is pre-selling a product, it then includes a call to action with a link to the sales page.

Credibility Matters

When you’re searching online for information about a product or service, you’re looking for a few things. You’re looking for the facts. You’re looking for price, data and features. And whether you’re aware of it or not, you’re looking for justification for your purchase. You’re seeking information that will reinforce a decision to purchase.

This is the case even if you’re comparing a few products or services. You’re looking for an opinion about the products and services as well as a comparison of the features. Reviews from respected and trusted sources can help a person make a buying decision. They add credibility to the product or service you’re considering.

Features and Benefits

You might assume that most people focus on the features when they’re reading a review. And while this is partially true, they’re actually more interested in how the product or service is going to solve their problem. They’re looking for benefits. People buy for emotional reasons and confirm their buying decision based on logic. When a review appeals to both the emotions and the logic, it has accomplished its job.

As an online marketer, reviews can be a powerful tool. They offer value to your visitors and prospects. They drive traffic to your website. Additionally, they help you pre-sell products or services. Whether you’re an affiliate marketer, have a partnership with another online business or you’re selling your own products or services, reviews can help you boost your business.

How to Write a Kick–Butt Review

Reviews provide the information many prospects and website visitors are looking for. They’re also an exceptional tool to pre-sell affiliate products. The key is to write a product review that grabs attention.

Step One: Introduction. What are you reviewing? Rather than just telling what the product is and what it does, focus on the problem it solves. Who is your audience and what is their problem? How does the product or service solve their problem? Focus on their emotions. There’s plenty of time to address the features later. First you need to grab their attention by highlighting the problem the product or service solves.

Step Two: Grab three to five of the strongest features of the product. These should be features that support your introduction. Here you want to highlight the feature and what it does. However, also remember to focus on the benefit to the reader.

These features and benefits are part of two larger questions which ask:

How well does the product solve the problem?
How does it solve the problem or how does it work?

Step Three: Remember that no product or service is perfect. If your review is one sided it will read more like a sales page than a review. You want to offer a balanced review, or at least one that seems balanced to your reader.

One way to accomplish this is to state the negative aspects of the product or service. Then quickly highlight the benefits again. For example, while the ebook offers some advanced information that’s not for the beginner, it presents the information in an easy to read and easy to understand manner.”

Step Four: Summarize the review. Restate the problem the product solves and how it solves it. Tap into your reader’s emotions. Keep this final paragraph to just a few sentences. Include the relevant info.  How much does it cost? Where can they buy it? When can the buy it? You want to leave readers with a powerful reaction at the very end. Wrap it up with a call to action that includes a link to the sales page.

Tips to write a kick-butt review:

1. Approach as if you’re writing or speaking to a friend – conversationally
2. Include an image for more visual appeal
3. Be careful not to sound salesy. Honest, unbiased, reviews convert better
4. Remember, your readers want to know what’s in it for them.
5. Add a personal touch. Include any personal experience or stories you have related to the product or service you’re reviewing.

Product reviews are powerful selling tools. Take time to create reviews for any affiliate products or services you represent. Keep these steps and tips in mind and watch the commissions grow.

I’d love to hear what you think.  Please leave a comment and share this on social media too.