How to review products for free or a discount

I have previously posted about reviewing for companies on amazon but there are so many other opportunities out there I thought I'd do a separate post on reviews.

Firstly this isn't an exclusive list there will be other companies, other promoters and other opportunities out there especially if you are a full on professional blogger who posts daily and youtubes and stuff.

Secondly this is a list for UK mainland people - some sites will offer opportunities to EU residents or to  ROI/Northern Ireland as well but it's best for you to go check the info out yourself if your interested in them.

Thirdly there is no specific order to the sites - they are simply ones where I have had the opportunity to get items for free or a discount in order to provide my feedback and review.

Finally, there are a lot of scam sites out there - all the sites listed here are ones that I have personally had experience of using, that I have received items from and that I would be happy to use again. I would say if something looks too good to be true then it probably is - whilst there are opportunities to review some incredible big expensive items these are few and far between and the majority of items for review are every day essentials and basics.

If  you have any questions or comments please feel free to add them :)

AO.com

AO or appliances online is a major uk retailer supplying various hold hold appliances. They are online only and have a massive social media presence on both Facebook and Twitter. They offer people the chance win items to review via their social media channels. You can also just apply with them to be a reviewer as well.

Things to note:

- you must provide a video review therefore you will need a youtube account (these are free to set up)
- you must provide a written review
- you must provide both reviews within 7 days of receiving the item
- if you do not provide the reviews in the set time scales then you are liable for the full cost of the item
- you can review for them once every 6 months

To apply to review for ao you can

- following their social media channels and enter their competitions - they get several thousand entries so chances of winning and reviewing are low
- create a short video explaining why you would like to review for them and upload it to youtube. E-mail a  link of your video to customerreviews@ao.com or post it directly to their FB page. If they like the video they will get in touch with you usually within a couple of weeks. If the item you are asking to review is not currently available they will either offer you what they do have available or put you onto a waiting list. There is no guarantee if you are put on the waiting list that the item you want will come up so you should consider what other items you are interested in as well.

Items that are available for review from them include TV's Fridges, Freezers, Washing Machines, Hoovers, Smoothie Makers, etc

I reviewed a Miele hoover for them.
My youtube video which I used to apply can be found here
My review video is here
My written review has vanished into the ether that is the internet as ao no longer stocks it!

The Insiders EU (This site runs campaigns across Europe as well as the UK)

This is a company that works with various different products and companies. They have various campaigns and during these they look for a set number of people to try a product.

Things to note:

- you will be expected to discuss the product with other people and then put on conversation reports, to post reviews and send in the links and to blog about the product (a basic blog like mine is fine)

- for higher end products you will be expected to provide your banks IBAN details. If the product for review is a loan only then you will need to return it at the end of the review or you will get a set price deducted from your bank e.g. on the LG G4 campaign they ran you had to agree that if you did not return the phone at the end of the trial to pay them £250 or so which was at the time 50% of the cost of the phone. As it happened everyone who took part in the project got to keep the phone at the end after completing all the set tasks.

- they expect you to apply for each trial and you have to give valid reasons as to why you want to try the product

- not everyone who applies will get chosen - they have set numbers for the trial and they have criteria on the candidates e.g. If they are working with  company who are marketing their product at big and tall men then being a short woman I would be unlikely to be chosen.

- the more campaigns you take part in and the more active you are the more likely it is that you will be chosen for campaigns in the future - even if you are not selected for one of the current campaigns it's a good idea to make comments on the blogs etc for the different campaigns as it shows you are active and want to take part - it also earns you points which show on your account and show how active you are - just make sure the comments are relevant and not spammy.

To review for them you need to visit the page, find the campaign your interested in and apply - they will ask you a few questions, get you to confirm your address and filling the all important 'why you want to take part' box. If you are successful you will get an e-mail confirming this and the item will be set in the post within a couple of weeks. You may or may not get set tasks to do during the campaign. You should complete these as you go along as well as recording your conversations and following the blogs.

You should be aware that these campaigns can be quite time consuming and you do have to put a lot of effort in - it's not just one review post and a few photos and your done - for the LG G4 campaign we had to take 100 different photos and upload them with #LGG4 to social media and via an ap, we had to write reviews, write up several conversation reports and provide feedback.

Previous items offered for review include cat food (read my reviews here  and here), LG G4 phone (reviews here and here), samsung home security, Dog food, Coffee, skincare products

I have done 2 campaigns with these guys (I applied for 3 but only got accepted for 2)

Savvy Circle (This is part of SuperSavvyMe website - you need to be signed up for the website and the the savvy circle separately) 

These guys have been around for ages - their main website which has lots of money off coupons, freebies, reviews and advice on various products - mainly home and health items such as laundry products, skin care, baby etc. It's a good site to sign up to if you like your free samples and coupons as well as for reviewing. The site is part of the P&G family so it's mainly their products and companies they work with that are offered.

The Savvy Circle is a separate part of their site where they run specific campaigns. They run these pretty regularly and you apply through clicking on the savvy circle tab and finding the current campaign and applying.

Things to note:

- you will be expected to discuss the product with other people and then put on conversation reports, to post reviews and send in the links and to blog about the product (a basic blog like mine is fine)

- they expect you to apply for each trial and you have to give valid reasons as to why you want to try the product

- not everyone who applies will get chosen - they have set numbers for the trial and they have criteria on the candidates e.g. If they are working with  company who are marketing their product at big and tall men then being a short woman I would be unlikely to be chosen.

- the more campaigns you take part in and the more active you are the more likely it is that you will be chosen for campaigns in the future - even if you are not selected for one of the current campaigns it's a good idea to make comments on the blogs etc for the different campaigns as it shows you are active and want to take part.

- it's usual when you take part in a campaign for them to send you out a complete pack of info including money off vouchers and samples to share with family and friends - unless the item is something like a shaver or face sauna or similar then you will just get the information pack

As with the insider these campaigns are time consuming - you usually have 3 questionnaires to fill in online 1 at the start, 1 half way through and 1 at the end. You are also expected to submit conversation reports, reviews, complete feedback sheets with people who you give samples to, provide photos and videos etc. Most campaigns run over 4-12 weeks and you need to be able to commit to taking part in the activities during this time.

I have taken part in around 10 campaigns with these guys and had some great items including hair dyes (x4 1 for me and 3 for friends), lenor products, car air freshners, toothpaste etc Whilst most of the items I have had have been lower value ones (by that I mean under £10 to purchase an item) they do higher end items as well - I have recently been chosen for a braun IPL hair remover that is really expensive. The items they tend to offer are things that you would buy as part of your weekly shop but new versions so the latest fabreeze product or flash, perhaps some olay skin care or head and shoulders shampoo.

They have a lot of people applying for projects so dont be too disheartened if your not selected the first time round - follow the campaign blog, get involved and apply for the next project. Some projects are really popular and they only have 30 spaces, others they might have 2000 spaces. If your new try going for a project that has a larger number of spaces - complete all the tasks submit all your reports and earn some stars and then when a project with less spaces comes around and you apply they can see that you are going to take it seriously, get involved and complete the tasks.

Toppsta (They do their giveaways via twitter / FB and their website ) BOOKS

Toppsta do kids books from ages 0 up to teens. They usually have a couple of copies of each book to giveaway.

To apply to review a book you can follow them on facebook or twitter (links above) and look out for their review posts. You will need to say why you want to review and like/share, follow/RT the posts. You can also sign up to their website and have a look at their giveaways and apply to review.

Once chosen to review you will receive the book in the post - they usually come with a certificate for the child too which is a nice touch. You then read with your child or your child reads the books and you log onto their website and leave a review once your ready. Like most places they like a review within 7 days or so.

There is no limit to the amount of books you can apply to review with them.

To increase your chances of being selected to review you can sign up to their website and submit some reviews on other books you have read.

I have reviewed for them once with my niece H - we won our review from their twitter page.

Childs Farm (sign up to newsletter) Children's skincare / toiletries.

Every couple of months these guys recruit some new ambassadors - they recruit between 50-200 at a time. To find out when recruitment is open you need to be signed up to their newsletter. When recruitment is open you fill in a brief form to sign up. Once selected they will send you a selection of full size products from their range to use with your child and some miniature/ sample bottles too to give out to friends and family. They ask that you try out the products and then review them across various sites including superdrug, netmums, mumsnet, boots, ocado etc

They have a private FB group for ambassadors and they e-mail you surveys and activities every now and again to complete and for completing the activities you get entered into various prize draws.

I am an ambassador and the products are fab

Search Press Art / Search Press  Art and Craft Books - Facebook giveaways for reviews - BOOKS - must have an amazon account

These guys do regular giveaways on their Facebook pages (linked above). The books are all about arts and crafts, artists etc.

The giveaways are listed usually on a wednesday or a friday.

To enter you need to like the post and then add your name under it in the comments.

They announce the winners the following week - they don't always tag you so its worth going back to check.

If chosen to review you need to send them a DM/PM with the name of the book you have won and your contact details.

When the book arrives you have to do a review on amazon within 7 days and the e-mail or DM/PM them the link to your review.

There is no limit on the amount of times you can enter. I have reviewed 2 books with them so far.

AMZ Reviews (review amazon seller products) - must have an amazon account - worldwide

AMZ reviews is a site that allows amazon sellers to offer their items for free or at a significant discount in return for reviews on amazon.

Its completely free to sign up to be a reviewer. Once you have signed up you can then browse the offers available and then request to review any items you fancy.

Things to note:

- discount varies between sellers - if you see an item you like have a look to see if any other sellers have something similar - some will charge you £0 some will charge you £5

- the site is quite glitchy - often it removes items so you cant log your reviews - it says they will find them but I have done around 80 reviews but have under 60 confirmed the others have vanished in the ether!

- be sure to check the postage costs! If you plan on doing lots of reviews through here then amazon prime is a great idea it costs £8.99 a month and majority of deliveries will be free.

- Sometimes the codes dont work or they give a different discount to that listed - always check before you click buy on the price. If the discount hasnt worked or is less than expected dont buy! Contact the seller first

- to increase your chances of being selected go to your amazon account and review some regular items you have bought - include videos and pictures for brownie points.

- you have to declare at the end of the review that you received the item at a discount/for free - if you dont declare it you can get into serious trouble with amazon - they took a bunch of people to court last year for 'fake' reviews!

- you should be honest if the item doesnt work in the first instance contact the seller, if that doesnt resolve the issue leave a constructive review

For a list of the items I have reviewed check out here

UK amazon review AFUNTA - specific facebook group for AFUNTA an amazon seller - must have an amazon PRIME account

Group on facebook - anyone can join. Offers items at a significant discount in order to provide reviews. Expect picture / video reviews.

You need to sign up via a form they have posted in the group, add the 2 admins as friends on facebook and then comment under posts of items you want to review. If chosen they will inbox you a link to the item and the discount code.

Once the item has been received you need to post your review to amazon and then send them a link to confirm it's done.

No limit to the amount of items you can apply for - they usually post 2-10 a month

I've reviewed several items for these guys -  I had a problem with one code but they responded to me via dm and we sorted it out until the code worked.

Mumsnet / Gransnet 

They often look for people to take part in trials. As well as getting the item for free you also get entered into a giveaway for giving back your feedback.

You must be a member of the site to apply and they usually send out an e-mail when they have a new trial available for your to sign up. Sign up to the sites completely free.

Generally they get more applicants than they have spaces so you may not be selected. If you are selected you need to complete the different parts of the project as given. This may include taking photos or video. If you fail to complete all the tasks set then you may be excluded from future projects.

Items available depend on the brands they are currently working with. I have had audio books, chocolate buttons, hair dye, hot chocolate and dog food to try so far. I have only ever had trial items from mumsnet but I have included gransnet as they are run by the same team.

FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM...

Please remember these companies are looking for genuine feedback on their items and that people out there will read your reviews and make purchase decisions made on what you say therefore it's important to be honest in your reviews.

List the Pros/Cons or what you liked or didnt like.

Include photos and video if you can so people can see how the product works or how it looks properly

Think about if you would buy the product at full price or again, if you would recommend it to family and friends and the reasons.