PRODUCT REVIEWS - MY APPROACH

There are two types of YouTube product reviews I do, the things I have bought with my own money and the things I've been offered in exchange for a video review. This is about the second type, the free stuff. 

One of the really nice things about being a YouTuber or Vlogger is you get offers of free stuff, usually in return for a video review. Even better, usually they don't want the product back, so I get to keep it. Plus, I may be helping people decide if this is something they want.

It's how things with magazines too, they are sent things to review. 

If that stuff is related to motorhome, caravans or camping in general, I usually say OK send me your free stuff and I will do a video review on YouTube. My viewers may find it interesting and it might be something that they hadn't heard about or seen before.

The free stuff is, in the vast majority of cases, just that, free, no payment is made or required for the review.

Apart from that sat nav company a couple of years ago that was giving away free sat navs and offering payment.

I didn't do that one. 

Sometimes it's hard to be unbiased especially if I really like the product. I always try to do a check, would I buy this product with my own money. But, isn't that what YouTube reviews are about, is this something I would buy? Unless someone shows you the product and tells you about it, how do you know if you would buy it?

Sometimes after I've been sent a product I find I'm not the only one doing a product review of it. A little out of my control, don't you think? 

If am critical of the product, I usually find that someone has a use for the product that perhaps I didn't see. I have to remember that criticism in the video and in the comments on the video are often a great source of feedback to help companies improve their offering. 

The video review usually involves many hours of work on my part, researching, testing, using, filming, editing, uploading and the hours spent responding to questions. Not to mention the grief I get from people who don't like me being sent free stuff to review. That is in some ways the payment for the free stuff.

I have to add here, I'm not Which? Magazine, I don't have laboratories and teams of reviewers. I look at the product, read the manual, use it and give my opinion. Sometimes I get it wrong, I'm only human after all, to quote a famous song. 

Most companies who send me the free stuff are seeking exposure for their product, so are happy if I do an honest unbiased review on YouTube. It's how marketing works with YouTube. 

I have had experience of other types of 'free' stuff where they are saying I should buy the product and if we like your review we'll refund you.

I don't do those reviews.

I get asked to do Amazon reviews in return for free stuff.

I don't do those reviews.

Sometimes it's difficult for me to see any link to motorhomes, caravans and camping.

I don't do those reviews. 

Sometimes I've made a mistake and wished I hadn't said send me your free stuff.

I wish I hadn't done those reviews.