This thread is like a dream come true! As the Program Manager here at Eden, I read and rate your reviews; and in the case of Assigned Reviews, I also verify, categorize, create the URL and publish your reviews. Seeing contributors take the initiative to become better reviewers makes me very happy...and to help, here are my thoughts...
I, too, have noticed a falling quality in many reviews. Not only is most every person who signs up for a contributor account immediately applying for an upgrade, but it seems many are rushing through the mandatory 2 reviews. The thinking seems to be that after just two reviews, anyone can be upgraded...this is NOT the case. And, frankly, it shouldn't be. As stated in the Welcome Email, we don't base the decision to upgrade on how many reviews but on the quality of the writing. So, if you're waiting on your Upgrade Request to be approved - keep writing!
We give advice in the content related to the Review Program; whether in the Welcome email, on the How It Works page or The Review Process page. I recently revised the various related content and added to it a bit. The following few paragraphs give instruction and suggestions for how to write effective reviews:
You should choose a short but fitting title for your review that sets the tone of what you are saying. The main body of your review should be about the functions, and your impressions, of the toy. The Experience section can include an account of when you used the toy. The Pros and Cons sections should be just a few solid points about the toy. The Summary is very important as it lives above your review on the website and is easily the most influential portion of your review.
We want your honest opinion; please do not make your review sound like you are trying to "sell" the toy. This is our job, not yours. Please feel free to make your review positive, negative or neutral; however, if you were unhappy with the product, we ask that you provide creative criticism.
The key to writing a good review is taking the time to think about all of the aspects of the toy and your experience with it. That should be your focus, not adding tons of extraneous and distracting links, formatting or emoticons (smilies). Linking nearly every noun in your review is bad form. It's also not necessary to link to the toy - as that is redundant, the review is already on product page and vice versa. Also please refrain form using bold, italics or underline. Italics should only be used for the actual product name of the toy.
We'd like your review to be well thought-out, and include the proper use of grammar. Please copy-edit your review before turning it in to us. Yes, we will edit Assigned reviews before they are made live on the site, but we are not your high school English teacher; we shouldn’t have to spend all our time correcting your grammar and formatting. Also, most word processing programs come with a spell checker; please make use of it. If your review is riddled with errors, we will send it back to you to be revised.
What is your favorite quality or feature of the toy? How well did it work for its intended use? Are there other ways to use it? What are your sensory experiences of it - look, feel, taste, smell, sound? How does your body react to it? What part did it play in your sexual experience? Did you use it in conjunction with other toys? What material is it made of, and how does that affect use? Cleaning? A note on materials: please do your research in the toy material (simply click on the material name in toy profile and read about it on our site!) and be accurate in your reviews. These questions are suggestions- a beginning point, if you will. Please don't feel that you need to write direct answers to them (but do include this information), and don't be limited by them!
For example, if you talk about sharing jelly toys, also mention that you cover them when doing so for health reasons (because you do, right?). If a toy has silicone in it, mention that silicone lube is not safe for use with that toy. For couples: We love having partner reviews! Keep in mind, though, speaking for your own experience, and having your partner do the same.
And remember, this is an adult site, so feel free to be specific and explicit in your language/descriptions. This review is a chance for you to share (and others to read) about personal experiences with our toys - invaluable information that can't be found in toy descriptions or elsewhere.
To comment on the idea of peer critique: I think sending a message via the site messaging system is great when you feel a direct approach is more appropriate. Especially when criticizing, even nicely, another reviewer's writing...we don't want anyone feeling ganged up on or embarrassed. I have written with advice to a few new reviewers in the last month and have seen significant improvement. It all depends on the tone and how receptive the reviewer is to what you suggest. Positive reinforcement goes a long way too. I find that by complimenting the practices I like best, I see them put to use more often. I often leave specific compliments in my comment under a review.
Kudos to everyone who takes the time to give feedback to their peers and help make this a more interactive and supportive community! It is much appreciated! There is a core group here that really does care for each other and honor the integrity of the information that they share – I am so grateful for those people. They make this a better place for everyone.
Well, now that my post has become epic…I’ll leave it at that. I hope you find this helpful. I’m looking forward to many great innovations here at Eden in the New Year. I, as always, welcome all of your questions and feedback, my direct email is: victoria@edenfantasys. com. Thanks!
