Friday, August 31, 2007
New Camcorder and Video Reviews
I've done a few video blog posts before using the video function of my digital camera, but I took delivery today of my new video camera - the Sony DCR-SR32. I went for a hard disk camcorder because 30gb of storage is plenty and I can't be bothered to mess about with tapes or discs. So I'm looking forward to creating lots more video content with my new camera.
How do you get hold of kit to review?
Someone emailed me recently in response to my post about a video review I had done to ask how I got hold of the stuff to review. It's pretty simple to be honest, but here's how:
Once I've decided what I want to review, I go to the manufacturer's website and look for contact details of their press office or agency - often it will be in a third party PR agency.
Once I've identified who I need to contact, I write an email explaining why my site is a great fit and how it will benefit them to get the exposure. I have created a "media pack" pdf for one site with details of search engine positions and traffic. I put myself in their shoes and think what boxes do they want ticked before they agree to send an expensive piece of kit. I only bother writing for a site that I am proud of and I genuinely think can benefit them or their client.
They will either agree or not respond, or respond but say they don't have anything at the moment - I think they usually have a pool of loan equipment. If they respond positively, they will usually send a loan form which needs to be completed and guarantees you will look after the item and return in a set time.
I did review a low value item once (under £20) and there was no mention of returning it. And there was a gadget correspondent in a neighbouring office, when I didn't work from home, and he had a mountain of freebies he had reviewed and kept. But a freebie is a bonus and I always go into it expecting to return an item and I do so on time. After reviewing and returning an item, I follow up with an email providing a link to the review.
And that's pretty much all there is to it! But if you have any other tips, feel free to use the comments section.
How do you get hold of kit to review?
Someone emailed me recently in response to my post about a video review I had done to ask how I got hold of the stuff to review. It's pretty simple to be honest, but here's how:
Once I've decided what I want to review, I go to the manufacturer's website and look for contact details of their press office or agency - often it will be in a third party PR agency.
Once I've identified who I need to contact, I write an email explaining why my site is a great fit and how it will benefit them to get the exposure. I have created a "media pack" pdf for one site with details of search engine positions and traffic. I put myself in their shoes and think what boxes do they want ticked before they agree to send an expensive piece of kit. I only bother writing for a site that I am proud of and I genuinely think can benefit them or their client.
They will either agree or not respond, or respond but say they don't have anything at the moment - I think they usually have a pool of loan equipment. If they respond positively, they will usually send a loan form which needs to be completed and guarantees you will look after the item and return in a set time.
I did review a low value item once (under £20) and there was no mention of returning it. And there was a gadget correspondent in a neighbouring office, when I didn't work from home, and he had a mountain of freebies he had reviewed and kept. But a freebie is a bonus and I always go into it expecting to return an item and I do so on time. After reviewing and returning an item, I follow up with an email providing a link to the review.
And that's pretty much all there is to it! But if you have any other tips, feel free to use the comments section.
Permalink // posted by Rob @ 1:27 PM 
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