How Do I Get Stuff to Review?

In my last post I talked about whether or not Contests are viable sources for blog traffic. After a week of the contest I can say that my traffic has totally jumped and I now have quite a few new readers. So, I would say that contests do have a way of growing your traffic. Also, it has been very fun for me to do this contest. During this I was asked by a reader how I get things to review.
How I get things to Review
When I decided that I wanted to get into doing reviews I sort of mapped out a plan.
1. Start reviewing items I already own
2. Connect with a review company
3. Look for products I like and would fit my audience
4. Ask directly of brands
5. Form a Media Kit
Start Reviewing Items I Already Own
I was not being asked to review products so instead I looked at products in my house and decided to start reviewing those things. I hit upon the idea of reviewing Children’s Books. We were going to have a baby soon and we were already getting tons of books for her library. I was able to read them quickly and write up little reviews. I eventually branched into reading the books and review them as I read the book and do it on video.
Connect with a Review Company
There are plenty of sites out there where you can connect and get into the reviewing gig. For parent bloggers there is Dad Central Consulting, My Blog Spark, Mom Central Consulting and many more. With a review company at your back you can try for bigger and better things to review and also learn from other reviewers.
Look for Products I Like and Would Fit my Audience
Search for products that you think would certainly fit your audience. If you start reviewing things that do not fit your audience then they will not want to hear what you have to say. You can certainly introduce interesting new things from time to time, owever do not forget the audience.
Ask Directly From Brands
Many brands have PR firms and you can try and connect with them directly to get review products. For me I’ve written posts directly to companies because I was interested in their products. Sometimes they have sent me products and sometimes they have not. I would never know unless I asked. When you ask make sure you back it up with some numbers that would make it worth while for the company.
Form a Media Kit
Package up all of your own offerings for PR firms and brands and make it easy for them to find and work with you. This is where you can highlight some of your best work as well as how it was received by your audience.
Any other Ideas? Please share them in the comments.

---

Copyright © 2010 Blogging Tips. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact us so we can take legal action immediately.
How Do I Get Stuff to Review?